Romans 3:18 Meaning Explained

Q: What does Romans 3:18 mean?

The verse isn't just saying people don't fear God; it's highlighting that this lack of fear is what allows all the other unrighteousness to happen. It points to a profound absence of reverence, an intentional turning away from God's authority that makes sin not just possible, but inevitable.

All verses

Romans 3:18

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

The verse isn't just saying people don't fear God; it's highlighting that this lack of fear is what allows all the other unrighteousness to happen. It points to a profound absence of reverence, an intentional turning away from God's authority that makes sin not just possible, but inevitable.

What Romans 3:18 means

Paul has been meticulously building a case, presenting evidence from Old Testament Scripture to demonstrate that everyone—both Jews and Gentiles—is under the power of sin. This verse, quoting Psalm 36:1, offers a foundational reason for this universal sinfulness: a profound lack of reverence or awe for God, leading to a complete disregard for His authority and will. Without this fear of God as a guiding principle, humanity naturally drifts into all sorts of destructive behaviors, as detailed in the preceding verses.

The Unseen Judge

We all live with an awareness of being watched, but what happens when that awareness fades? Paul points to a terrifying truth about human nature.

The phrase 'no fear of God' in this verse isn't just about being scared. It points to a deeper, practical atheism where God's presence, His judgment, and His authority are simply ignored.

A Missing Restraint: When the 'fear of God'—meaning reverence and awe—is absent, what stops people from doing wrong? This verse suggests that without this foundational respect, our actions aren't held back by any internal moral compass connected to God.
Practical Atheism: It's not necessarily about denying God's existence, but about living as if He doesn't matter. Their eyes are not fixed on Him as the ultimate judge or authority, so they act without consequence in their own minds.
The Root of Evil: This lack of regard for God is presented as the underlying reason for all the other sins Paul has been listing. Without His awe-inspiring presence in view, 'all have turned aside; together they have become worthless.'

A Universal Diagnosis

Paul isn't just talking about 'bad people.' He's making a sweeping statement about humanity. What does this verse reveal about our shared condition?

This verse is the culmination of Paul's argument, pulling from various Old Testament texts to paint a grim picture of humanity separated from God.

Beyond Culture: Paul uses quotes from the Old Testament, which described both Jews and Gentiles, to show this isn't a problem limited to one group or era. It’s a universal human condition.
Human Nature Exposed: These ancient descriptions aren't just historical records; they reveal the deep-seated tendencies of human nature when left to itself. Without God's grace, we are all prone to this practical atheism and its resulting sins.
By demonstrating that lacks the fear of God, Paul sets the stage for his gospel. If no one measures up, then salvation can't come from our own efforts or adherence to law. It must come from God.

Understand the original words

Original language

fear of Godφόβος

phobos tou Theou · Greek Noun

A reverential awe, respect, and submission toward God; a foundational posture of the heart that recognizes His holiness, authority, and sovereignty.

Historical context

Written: Around 57 AD.
Author: Traditionally, the Apostle Paul. However, some scholars debate the authorship, suggesting other early Christian figures.
Location: Written from Corinth, Greece.
Genre: Epistle (a letter) featuring theological argument and extensive use of Old Testament quotations.

Historical background

Paul draws on Old Testament passages, originally condemning Israel's spiritual decay, to powerfully assert that both Jews and Gentiles alike, in their natural state, live without a true reverence for God, demonstrating a universal need for divine righteousness.

c. 700 BC - 500 BC
Prophetic Denunciations
The Old Testament prophets, including Isaiah and David (in Psalms), repeatedly denounced the people of Israel and Judah for their disobedience, injustice, and lack of reverence for God, highlighting a pervasive societal sinfulness.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the exile of many Judeans to Babylon, served as a severe divine judgment for the nation's persistent unfaithfulness and disregard for God's commands.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
After the Babylonian exile, many Judeans returned to their land, but the spiritual and moral challenges that led to the exile continued to be a struggle for the community.
c. 400 BC - 150 BC
Intertestamental Period
This era saw continued struggles with maintaining religious and moral purity amidst foreign rule and internal divisions, with spiritual leaders often lamenting a lack of true devotion among the populace.

Key themes

01Absence of reverence
02Practical atheism
03Root of all evil
04Divine judgment ignored

Cross-references

Psalm 36:1

This is the primary Old Testament passage Paul is quoting, directly stating that the wicked 'does not regard God' and reveals the source of the lack of reverence.

Jeremiah 17:9

This verse echoes the idea of a corrupt heart that leads to actions devoid of God-fearing reverence, stating 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?'

Proverbs 14:26

This proverb highlights the protective aspect of the fear of God, implying that its absence leaves one vulnerable and prone to destruction, 'In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, And there will be a refuge for his children.'

1 Peter 3:15

This passage instructs believers to 'sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,' directly contrasting with the absence of God's fear mentioned in Romans, showing the positive response that should exist.

Scholarly commentary

Romans 3:18: "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

There is no fear of God - Psalm 36:1 . The word "fear" here denotes "reverence, awe, veneration." There is no such regard or reverence for the character, authority, and honor of God as to restrain them from crime. Their conduct shows that they are not withheld from the commission of iniquity by any regard to the fear or favor of God. The only thing that will be effectual in restraining people from sin, will be a regard to the honor and L…
barnes

Romans 3:9-18: "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;"

3:9-18 Here again is shown that all mankind are under the guilt of sin, as a burden; and under the government and dominion of sin, as enslaved to it, to work wickedness. This is made plain by several passages of Scripture from the Old Testament, which describe the corrupt and depraved state of all men, till grace restrain or change them. Great as ou…
henry

Frequently asked questions

What does Romans 3:18 mean?

Explain the meaning of Romans 3:18

What is the context of Romans 3:18?

Paul has been meticulously building a case, presenting evidence from Old Testament Scripture to demonstrate that —both Jews and Gentiles—is under the power of sin. This verse, quoting Psalm 36:1, offers a foundational reason for this universal sinfulness: a profound lack of reverence or awe for God, leading to a complete disregard for His authority and will. Without this fear of God as a guiding principle, humanity naturally drifts into all sorts of destructive behaviors, as detailed in the preceding verses.

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What Romans 3:18 means

Historical background

c. 700 BC - 500 BC

Prophetic Denunciations

The Old Testament prophets, including Isaiah and David (in Psalms), repeatedly denounced the people of Israel and Judah for their disobedience, injustice, and lack of reverence for God, highlighting a pervasive societal sinfulness.

586 BC

Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile

The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the exile of many Judeans to Babylon, served as a severe divine judgment for the nation's persistent unfaithfulness and disregard for God's commands.

c. 538 BC

Return from Exile

After the Babylonian exile, many Judeans returned to their land, but the spiritual and moral challenges that led to the exile continued to be a struggle for the community.

c. 400 BC - 150 BC

Intertestamental Period

This era saw continued struggles with maintaining religious and moral purity amidst foreign rule and internal divisions, with spiritual leaders often lamenting a lack of true devotion among the populace.