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Romans 1 · a question people ask

Can people know God from the things he made?

In the text

These verses say, "that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them" (1:19), and "the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse" (1:20). The next verse says, "Because knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks" (1:21). The chapter names what is seen, "his everlasting power and divinity", and says what follows from it, "that they may be without excuse" (1:20). It says no more than that about what can be known this way, and these notes add nothing to it.

The verses

“because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse. Because knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.”
Romans 1:19-21 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Romans 1

Romans 1: The Good News of God

In Romans 1, two verses in a row say is revealed. In the Good News "is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith" (1:17), and in the very next verse "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven" (1:18). In the Greek it is the same verb, in the same form, both times.

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Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions