Romans Chapter One

[Steve L]

The heading in the NIV over Verse 18 is God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
In verse 16 he mentions both Jew and Gentile. So my question is from verse 18-32 is he speaking of the Gentiles or humanity? I'm also curious how did God make Himself known to the Pagans such as the Vikings? Thank you!

 

[OldWiseGuy]

It seems to be a general indictment of all of sinful mankind.

 

[Mrs.PGL]

my understanding is that he is speaking about heathens. Saved people have the Holy Spirit to lead them, so they don't depend on their sinful nature. Blessings.

 

[inquiring mind]

As you read further, it appears (Romans 2:1-11) that He is speaking to everyone. (Romans 1:19-20) makes it pretty clear that all the pagans have to do is look around at His wonders to know His divine nature… and they are therefore without excuse.

 

[Courage Ampadu]

The heading in the NIV over Verse 18 is God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
In verse 16 he mentions both Jew and Gentile. So my question is from verse 18-32 is he speaking of the Gentiles or humanity? I'm also curious how did God make Himself known to the Pagans such as the Vikings? Thank you!

I am unable to answer this question specifically but God has been speaking to mankind ever since creation. Read this book Eternity in Their Hearts: Don Richardson: 9780764215582: Amazon.com: Books

It talks about how God has kept knowledge of himself amongst remote tribes in Papua New Guinea and other parts of the world. He has left a testimony about himself everywhere to guide man to the truth. I am sure the Vikings had their own but haven't read about them that much so can't tell you.

 

[AJTruth]

Romans 1-5 Typical Paul salutation

6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here in 6-7 as in all Pauls epistles. The primary focus of the message is to & for Believers.

verse 13 is clearly addressing gentile Believers

verse 16 declares he's ready to preach to all Unbelievers in Rome Jews & Gentiles

The message starting in verse 18-32. Is about Unbelievers & what happens to Word rejecting unbelievers

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

 

[pescador]

The first part of Romans is about all people, i.e., both Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles knew God by observing what he had made (have a look at creation) but instead of worshiping him turned to worthless idols. Jews had the law (God's commandments) but did not obey it. Therefore all sinned and all need salvation.

 

[shakewell]

The heading in the NIV over Verse 18 is God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
In verse 16 he mentions both Jew and Gentile. So my question is from verse 18-32 is he speaking of the Gentiles or humanity?

Humanity.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

I'm also curious how did God make Himself known to the Pagans such as the Vikings? Thank you!

The same as with everyone else.
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 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:

 

[Daniel_]

In Romans 1:18-32 it is referring to what happens to people when they abandon God. God reveals himself to people through creation (Romans 1:19-20), through our conscience (Romans 2:15) and also through the written revelation of Scripture. Those who do not have Scripture can still walk rightly before God and I'm quite sure there'll be those in heaven who never heard a word of Scripture. But of course the Bible makes it much easier for people to find God which is why we are to take it to all the world.

When Paul uses the terms Jew and Gentile in Romans, it is because the church in Rome had started as Jewish, but when Claudius kicked the Jews out of Rome (Acts 18:2) and later were allowed to return, they found Gentile believers were running the church in Rome. There were many tensions between Jews and Gentiles such as whether it is necessary to follow the law. Paul wrote Romans to address these tensions. God had abandoned the Jewish nation in the past just as those Gentiles who had rejected what had been revealed to them about God. But for anyone who turns and listens to God there's still hope (Psalms 81:11-16).

 

[hedrick]

1:18-32 is speaking particularly of pagans. It includes idolatry and Roman sexuality. In 2 he turns this around, and says "but Jews are no better." Starting with 2:12 he summarizes with his real point: everyone, Jew and Gentile, will be judged, based on their intentions ("thoughts").

 

[Evangelist Paul Dodson]

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

What does the verse say? It says that God's wrath is revealed against all "ungodliness" and "unrighteousness" of "men". This verse is talking about anyone who is "ungodly" or lives in "unrighteousness" regardless of who they are, where they are, or what nationality or group of people they belong to.

In regards to your second part, God has made himself known through three main ways. First, through nature (Rom 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: Secondly through His Word (Psa_119:11), and thirdly, through our conscience (Romans 2:14,15).

God has made Himself known to all people.

Hope this helped

Evangelist Paul Dodson
www.theclearword.org

 

[mark kennedy]

The heading in the NIV over Verse 18 is God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
In verse 16 he mentions both Jew and Gentile. So my question is from verse 18-32 is he speaking of the Gentiles or humanity? I'm also curious how did God make Himself known to the Pagans such as the Vikings? Thank you!

All people obviously but lets take this in context. Paul addresses the people of Athens:

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. (Acts 17:22,23)​

Yet this is the same guy who told the church at Rome:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Rom. 1:18-20)​

So they know there is a God, his divine attributes and eternal nature but they are ignorant of him. That about sizes the whole problem up even if the oracles of God has been revealed to them. We are all guilty, there can be no real question about that. The Vikings will be judged by what they did know, not what eluded them. It comes down to the thoughts and intentions of the heart which only God can really know, that holds true for all of us.

 

[NJA]

... I'm also curious how did God make Himself known to the Pagans such as the Vikings? Thank you!

Catholic Emperor Charlemagne was attacking Denmark, a Viking land. In about 829, a rich young man named Ansgar redeemed several Danish youths who were slaves. He educated them to be his co-workers in bringing a “Christian” message to their countrymen. Ansgar responded to a request from King Bjorn of Sweden. The Vikings were raiding, plundering and burning the coastal cities of Northern and Western Europe. Ansgar narrowly escaped with his life when Norsmen burned the churches and monasteries in Hamburg. With two co-workers Ansgar crossed the Baltic Sea to begin ministering in Sweden. On the way the vessel was plundered by pirates and they arrived destitute in Sweden. King Bjorn welcomed them and the first church was built in the country. At an assembly of the people a question was debated as to whether the missionaries should be allowed to continue to preach Christ and so invite the anger of the old Viking gods. An old Viking stood up and forcibly declared that it was clear that the Christian God was stronger than Thor. This decided the matter and the missionaries received freedom to continue.

 

[Mark51]

The description could fit both; however, the apostle Paul was specifically referring to the Israelites of old.