How is Gods wrath being revealed (present tense!) from heaven?
Gods wrath is revealed (made known) in
the gospel for it declares mans sinful state and
his need for Gods righteousness.
Gods wrath is also revealed in
the lives of sinful men as God gives them over to further sin as
punishment for their rebellion against him (vs. 24 ff.)
Paul tells us that the Gentiles (who did not have Word of God) know of a number of things about God because God has made it
plain to them. They know that God is:
Eternal (vs.
19, 23)
All-Powerful (
vs. 19)
Creator of all things (vs.
20)
God (vs.
20)
Glorious and worthy of our worship (vs. 21,23)
Through what means did God make His invisible qualities known to
the Gentiles?
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities .
. . have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made . . . (Romans 1:20)
How should the Gentiles have responded to the knowledge of God?
They should have worshipped
Him and thanked Him for all that He has
done for them (vs.21)
How did the Gentiles respond to this knowledge of God?
They tried to suppress
it (ignore it, hide it, forget about it) (vs. 18)
They worshipped the creation
rather than the Creator (vs. 23)
What happened to the Gentiles as a result of their suppression of the knowledge of
God?
Their thinking
became futile (vs.21)
Their foolish hearts
were darkened (vs.21)
They claimed to be wise
while becoming fools (vs.22)
They exchanged the Glory
of God for idols (vs.23)