Matthew Henry Commentary Romans 1:18-25

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, [even] his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." — Romans 1:18-25 (ASV)

The apostle begins to show that all humankind needs the salvation of the gospel, because no one could obtain the favor of God or escape his wrath by their own works. For no one can plead that they have fulfilled all their obligations to God and to their neighbor; nor can anyone truly say that they have fully acted up to the light given them. The sinfulness of humanity is described as ungodliness against the laws of the first table, and unrighteousness against those of the second.

The cause of that sinfulness is holding the truth in unrighteousness. All, more or less, do what they know to be wrong and omit what they know to be right, so that the plea of ignorance cannot be allowed from anyone. Our Creator's invisible power and Godhead are so clearly shown in the works he has made that even idolaters and wicked Gentiles are left without excuse. They foolishly followed idolatry, and rational creatures exchanged the worship of the glorious Creator for the worship of beasts, reptiles, and senseless images.

They wandered from God until all traces of true religion must have been lost, if the revelation of the gospel had not prevented it. For whatever may be claimed about the sufficiency of human reason to discover Divine truth and moral obligation, or to govern practice correctly, facts cannot be denied. And these plainly show that people have dishonored God by the most absurd idolatries and superstitions, and have degraded themselves by the vilest affections and most abominable deeds.