How does Romans 3:18 reveal the root of human sinfulness? The Verse in Focus Romans 3:18: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Setting the Scene • Paul has just finished stringing together Old Testament citations (Romans 3:10-18) to prove that every person—Jew and Gentile alike—is under sin. • The closing charge, v. 18, acts as the punchline: the fundamental reason for humanity’s downward spiral is a heart that refuses to reverence God. What “No Fear of God” Means • Fear here is not mere dread; it is awe, honor, and submission to God’s authority. • When that awe is absent, every moral boundary collapses. • Sin is therefore less about ignorance and more about willful disregard for God’s rightful place. Why the Fear of God Is Foundational • Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” No fear, no true knowledge of right and wrong. • Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Fear God and keep His commandments; it sums up our duty. • Isaiah 66:2 – God esteems the one “who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.” The Chain Reaction When Fear Is Absent 1. Suppression of truth: Romans 1:18 – truth is pushed down because acknowledging it would require honoring God. 2. Darkened reasoning: Romans 1:21 – thinking becomes futile; hearts grow dark. 3. Unrestrained desires: Romans 1:24-32 – God “gives them over” to the very sins they crave. 4. Brazen practice: Psalm 36:1 – “There is no fear of God before his eyes; he flatters himself…” Sin becomes celebrated. Old Testament Echo Psalm 36:1 is Paul’s direct source. David noticed that wickedness springs from an internal declaration: “God won’t call me to account.” Romans 3 shows that the same attitude resides in every human heart apart from grace. The First Sin Revisited • Genesis 3:5 – the serpent entices Eve with a vision of autonomy: “You will be like God.” • The moment reverential fear is replaced by self-exaltation, the fall happens. • Romans 5:12 ties this rebellion to us all: “just as sin entered the world through one man…” New Testament Reinforcement • Luke 12:4-5 – Jesus commands His disciples to fear God, who has ultimate authority. • 2 Corinthians 7:1 – perfecting holiness happens “in the fear of God.” • Revelation 14:7 – the eternal gospel begins, “Fear God and give Him glory.” Root Diagnosis At its core, sin is not merely bad behavior; it is the soul’s refusal to stand in awe of its Creator. Romans 3:18 exposes the taproot: no fear, no obedience—only rebellion. Walking it Out • Cultivate daily awe through Scripture, seeing God’s holiness and majesty. • Remember accountability: Hebrews 4:13 – nothing is hidden from His sight. • Celebrate grace: through Christ, God instills a new heart that delights to fear Him (Jeremiah 32:40). • Practice obedience promptly; reverential fear expresses itself in quick submission. Summary Romans 3:18 doesn’t just diagnose symptoms; it zeroes in on the disease. When the fear of God vanishes, sin flourishes. Restoring that fear—through the gospel—restores life, wisdom, and holiness. |
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