Incorrect. In Romans 1 God specifically tells us why the ungodly are without excuse.
I wrote this quite some time ago when dealing with a Calvinist. I submit to you that Paul makes it quite clear that God not only makes His existence known to man, but He makes Himself known to the ungodly in such a manner, that to ignore His witness is so blatant that God holds them accountable for their unbelief.
I must warn any readers of this post that it is rather lengthy. A Calvinist (whom I will simply refer to as MC [Mr. Calvinist), made a statement to me about the Greek word γάρ (English "for"); and the Greek word διότι (English "because") used in Romans 1: 13-21. Herein is my reply ... I will take a few moments to do a brief exegesis of Romans 1:13-21. Now I must admit this is a bit lengthy, but it is necessary.
Looking at Romans 1: 13-21 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.1:20 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:1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans
Before getting into these verses, we must know ahead of time that Paul is going to address his point in reverse order. Meaning, Paul is going to say what is needed for salvation, then progressively work backwards to say why the unrighteousness are without excuse.
Let us begin with verse 13 … 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. Romans Paul wants to let the Romans know that it has been his desire to go to Rome, however, he keeps being led other places. He also states the reason for desiring to go to Rome, “that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles”.
1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. Romans It is interesting that Paul says, “I am debtor”. God has given Paul such wondrous grace that Paul now must share the gospel to all. (to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise) 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Romans
Paul now gives the introductory sentence, which will serve as the first anchor point of this portion of his letter. That point being the gospel.
1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans
And so we have our first γάρ. (For)
Paul says, (reflecting back on preaching the gospel), the first reason I want to preach the gospel is, that I am not ashamed of it.
He then gives us our second γάρ, (for), the reason I am not ashamed of preaching the gospel is that “it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”.
1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans
Paul now gives the third γάρ.
The reason preaching the gospel “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”, is that “therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith”.
Do you see how Paul keeps showing how each point he makes is anchored in his previous statement? Moving right along …
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Romans
The reason that in the preaching of the gospel “is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith”, is that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness”.
Then we would ask, Why? Why is “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness”, “in the preaching of the gospel”?
1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Romans
Now Paul gives us our first διότι (Because).
Now remember, διότι is a much stronger word meaning, on the very account that or inasmuch as. Paul is now saying, that it is precisely on the account of the fact that, “that which may be known of God is manifest in them”.
Now before preceding to the rest of this verse, let’s look at the word “manifest”.
The English “manifest” comes from the Greek “φανερός”; (phaneros), meaning openly known, or apparent. This of course brings us to the kind of “knowledge” that was apparent.
Now MC speaks of the three kinds of knowledge, which I do not dispute. However, what MC appears to not realize is that there are different degrees of personal knowledge. For example; I know several things about President Trump. However, that does not mean I know him personally. Likewise, God says that there are particular things about Him that He has revealed to all of mankind, but that does not mean that all of mankind knows Him personally.
The example text MC supplied for personal knowledge is Genesis 4:1 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. Genesis Is MC really implying that personal knowledge is all about marital intimacy? When the Holy Spirit said by the pen of Mark …
1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. Mark
Does this mean the “devils” had marital intimacy with Jesus? Of course not! Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit did in fact say that “they knew him”, referring to Jesus. (God)
Hence, there are obviously different degrees of personal knowledge. When the Holy Spirit has the Apostle Paul write, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them”, it is the knowledge that God has showed (or revealed) unto them.
Notice … (Back to Romans 1:19b) “for God hath shewed it unto them” This is now the fifth γάρ, which comes directly after Paul saying, “that which may be known of God is manifest in them”.
Hence, Paul will now give the first of two reasons, (in the same manner he has been doing in the preceding verses), he wrote, “that which may be known of God is manifest in them”.
Again, “for God hath shewed it unto them”. Yes, God hath shewed, (or shown), it to them. Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit now makes a very direct statement … with γάρ number six.
1:20 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: Romans
The Holy Spirit here gives witness to what this knowledge is. God says, “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen”!
No matter what any unbeliever says, this is what God says!!! But look at the words that follow the first part of the verse … “being understood by the things that are made”.
This means that God has chosen to use the physically visible things of creation, to bring all of mankind an understanding of the invisible things of God, “even his eternal power and Godhead”! And what is the legal result of having this knowledge? “so that they are without excuse”.
Through the creation, God shows all of mankind His existence, and power. Each day no matter where we look at the creation, we see the continuing power of God as we read about in God's Word.
1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians
But the Holy Spirit isn’t done yet. 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans
We now have the second διότι.
God says what you have just read is on the very account that “when they knew God, they glorified him not as God”. God has given every man the witness of creation, which reveals to us that the Almighty God has not only created the universe; but also by His power sustains it. The creation shows us that the Creator is so powerful that He is absolutely worthy of our worship.
But look what God says next … “neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened”. The next few verses are very important to see how God deals with the very people just mentioned.
1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Romans
The preceding verses are what the unbelievers do after rejecting the knowledge of God. Then God tells us what He does because of their rejection.
1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans
We now see the English “Wherefore”, which comes from the Greek διό, meaning ' for which cause’.
What we see prior to the “therefore” is the 'cause' of what follows the “therefore”.
Hence, it is the rejection of God by the unbelievers that cause God to “gave [give] them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves”
This means that the unbelievers aren’t unbelievers because God Predestinated them to unbelief; rather, it shows that God gave them up BECAUSE of their rejection of the knowledge He revealed to them clearly.
Does this mean man is good, in, and of himself? No. However, it also means that man is not “totally depraved” in such that he cannot see that which this Scripture plainly shows God reveals to man in such a way that it is clearly seen by man; that being the awesome God, “even his eternal power and Godhead”! In other words … so much for “Total Depravity”.
Imagine if you would that a person is situated in a position that trees are on his every side. It is a known fact that the man's eyesight is fine. But when he looks around, he denies seeing any trees. If he sees acknowledges the trees, he would then have to admit he is in a forest; which he desperately doesn't want to do.
The witness is there, and he knows it is there, but refuses to acknowledge it's there. He calls the person providing the witness a liar, just so he can pretend he doesn't see the evidence. God presents so much witness of Himself, that to NOT believe Him is to say you can't see what He says you can.
