Romans 3:18

18 They never give God the time of day.

Romans 3:18 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 3:18

There is no fear of God before their eyes.
] The place referred to is ( Psalms 36:1 ) , by the "fear of God", is not meant a fear of God's wrath, of hell and damnation; nor a fearful distrust of his presence, power, providence, and grace; much less an hypocritical fear; but a reverential affection for God, and which is peculiar to the children of God, which springs from a sense of divine goodness, is attended with holiness of heart and life, is consistent with faith, even full assurance of it, and with spiritual joy in its highest degree; it stands opposed to pride and haughtiness, and is a blessing of the covenant of grace: now this is not to be found in unregenerate men, for this springs from grace, and not nature, and is only implanted in the heart in conversion; it appears from the whole life and conversation of unconverted men, that the fear of God is not in their hearts, nor before their eyes.

Romans 3:18 In-Context

16 litter the land with heartbreak and ruin,

17 Don't know the first thing about living with others.

18 They never give God the time of day.

19 This makes it clear, doesn't it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else?

20 Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else's sin.