BibleWord.ai› Bible› Romans› Chapter 3› Verse 18

Romans 3:18

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 3:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Romans 3:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17And the way of peace have they not known:
18There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:
20because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law [cometh] the knowledge of sin.
21But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
← Romans 3:17Romans 3:19 →
← Full Chapter 3 Romans Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.] The place referred to is (<193601>Psalm 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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There is no fear of God before their eyes-- (Psa 36:1): that is, "Did the eyes but 'see Him who is invisible' (Heb 11:27), a reverential awe of Him with whom we have to do would chasten every joy and lift the soul out of its deepest depressions; but to all this the natural man is a stranger." How graphic is this picture of human depravity, finding its way through each several organ of the body into the life (Rom 3:13-17): but how small a part of the "desperate wickedness" that is within (Jer 17:9) "proceedeth out of the heart of man!" (Mar 7:21-23; Psa 19:12).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There is no fear of God - Psalms 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 Law of God. In regard to these quotations from the Old Testament, we may make the following remarks. (1) They fully establish the position of the apostle, that the nation, as such, was far from being righteous, or that they could be justified by their own…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The fear of God is not before their eyes - Much less is the love of God in their heart. Psa 36:1. Romans 3:19”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:18 They have no . . . : This concluding quotation from Ps 36:1 neatly ties up the whole series (Rom 3:10-18) by referring to the same Greek words that introduced the first quotation (ouk estin, translated in 3:10, “No one is”).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gen 20:11; Psa 36:1; Pro 8:13, Pro 16:6, Pro 23:17; Luk 23:40; Rev 19:5 Romans 3:19”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Romans 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification