Romans 3:18

18 There is no fear of God in their view of the world.

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 destruction and misery are in their ways;

17 and they don't know the way of peace.

18 There is no fear of God in their view of the world.

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, in order to shut every mouth and make it so the whole world has to answer to God.

20 It follows that no human being will be treated as righteous in his presence by doing what the Law says, because the knowledge of sin comes through the Law.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ps 36:1