God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

¹⁸ The wrath of God^(A) is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.^{(B) 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 what has been made,^(C) so that people are without excuse.^(D)

²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.^{(E) 22} Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools^{(F) 23} and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images^(G) made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

No One Is Righteous

⁹ What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage?^(A) Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.^{(B) 10} As it is written:

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says,^(I) it says to those who are under the law,^(J) so that every mouth may be silenced^(K) and the whole world held accountable to God.^{(L) 20} Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(M) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(N)

Righteousness Through Faith

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God^(O) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.^{(P) 22} This righteousness^(Q) is given through faith^(R) in^[g] Jesus Christ^(S) to all who believe.^(T) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,^{(U) 23} for all have sinned^(V) and fall short of the glory of God,