Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul, writing to the Roman church, is establishing that no one—Jew or Gentile—stands in ignorance of God before he turns to the problem of suppressed truth.

The words — ἀόρατα (aorata, "invisible things") is the load-bearing noun: what cannot be seen is nonetheless clearly perceived, and the verse's force depends on that tension.

The thread — The same claim runs through Psalm 19:1 (heavens declare God's glory) and Isaiah 40:26 (the starry host as evidence of the Creator), both predating Paul by centuries.

Why it lands — The verse removes the reader's ability to plead ignorance; the evidence is stated to be sufficient, and the failure is on the one who looked away.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Cross-references

Romans 1:19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Psalms 19:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Psalms 8:3 When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—
Psalms 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.
Romans 2:15 So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them
John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
Psalms 104:5 He set the earth on its foundations, never to be moved.
John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
Psalms 139:13 For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.