Romans 3:18
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Original Language Analysis
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 8
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 36:1The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.Proverbs 23:17Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.Proverbs 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Historical Context
The fear of Yahweh was central to Israelite piety, mentioned over 300 times in the OT. Paul's assertion that even Israel lacked this fear is devastating. Psalm 36 described the wicked; Paul applies it universally. Modern secular culture's dismissal of divine accountability would not surprise Paul—it is the natural state of fallen humanity.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life do you functionally live as though God doesn't see or care?
- How would cultivating the fear of God transform your thoughts, speech, and actions?
- Why is the fear of God the beginning of wisdom and the foundation of all virtue?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
There is no fear of God before their eyes. Paul concludes the catena with Psalm 36:1. Ouk estin phobos theou apenanti tōn ophthalmōn autōn (οὐκ ἔστιν φόβος θεοῦ ἀπέναντι τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν, "there is no fear of God before their eyes"). Phobos theou (φόβος θεοῦ, "fear of God") is the foundation of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), covenant faithfulness, and all virtue.
"Before their eyes" means humanity lives as functional atheists—not necessarily denying God's existence but living as though He doesn't matter, won't judge, or can be safely ignored. This is the root pathology behind verses 10-17: without reverence for God, humans spiral into intellectual darkness, volitional rebellion, speech corruption, and violence. The fear of God is not servile terror but appropriate recognition of His majesty, holiness, and justice. Its absence produces the catalog of horrors Paul has documented.