What does Romans 3:18 reveal about humanity's relationship with God? Canonical Text Romans 3:18 : “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Immediate Literary Context Romans 3:9-20 forms the climax of Paul’s arraignment of all humanity. By stringing together six Old Testament citations (Psalm 14, 53, 5, 140, 10 and 36), Paul proves that every mouth is stopped and “the whole world is accountable to God” (3:19). Verse 18 is the capstone citation (Psalm 36:1, LXX), revealing the root cause of human rebellion: a willful absence of “fear of God.” Theological Definition of “Fear of God” The Greek word φόβος (phobos) here denotes reverent awe that produces humble obedience, not cringing terror. Scripture treats this awe as the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7), the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13), and the heart of covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). Humanity’s Relationship to God Apart from Grace 1. Alienation: A life devoid of holy awe is, by definition, estranged from its Creator (Isaiah 59:2). 2. Moral Disorientation: Without vertical reverence, horizontal ethics erode. The preceding verses describe throat, tongue, lips, mouth, feet and eyes infected by sin (Romans 3:13-17), depicting total depravity. 3. Suppression of Truth: Romans 1:18-23 explains that people “suppress the truth” about God revealed in creation. Intelligent-design research—such as the specified information encoded in DNA (3.5 billion letters arranged like a four-character alphabet)—exposes an authorship whose fingerprints are everywhere (Psalm 19:1-4). The refusal to fear God thus requires intellectual suppression. Anthropological Confirmation Cross-cultural behavioral studies show an innate moral law—summarized in C. S. Lewis’s “Tao” and substantiated by modern developmental psychology—yet societies routinely violate the very norms they affirm. This schizophrenic moral posture aligns precisely with Paul’s diagnosis that humans “know God’s righteous decree” yet “continue to do such things” (Romans 1:32). Biblical Cross-References • Psalm 36:1 — original source of the citation. • Deuteronomy 5:29; Psalm 128:1 — blessing tied to godly fear. • Proverbs 8:13; 16:6 — fear of the LORD turns from evil. • Malachi 3:16-18 — a remnant distinguished by fearing God. • Acts 10:2; Revelation 14:7 — post-resurrection call to fear God. Pastoral and Missional Applications • Evangelism: Romans 3:18 exposes the heart-level issue; gospel proclamation must aim to restore fear of God before offering grace (Acts 24:25). • Discipleship: Believers cultivate “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1), countering cultural irreverence. • Societal Ethics: Public policy devoid of divine accountability drifts toward injustice; Proverbs 29:18 warns that where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint. Redemptive Resolution Romans does not leave humanity in hopeless alienation. Immediately after declaring universal guilt (3:18-20), Paul unveils the remedy: “But now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed… through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (3:21-22). The fear of God lost in Adam is restored in Christ, whose resurrection validates both His lordship and the coming judgment (Acts 17:30-31). The proper response is repentant faith, leading to a renewed relationship marked by reverent awe and filial love (Romans 8:15). Summary Statement Romans 3:18 reveals that the core rupture between humanity and God is the absence of reverent awe, resulting in moral decay, intellectual suppression, and spiritual alienation. Only the righteousness and resurrection of Jesus Christ can re-establish that fear, reconcile rebel hearts, and fulfill the purpose for which humanity was created: to glorify and enjoy God forever. |
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