ANALYSIS.

The apostle, having stated that the only righteousness available in the sight of God is that which is obtained by faith, proceeds to prove that such is the case. This proof required that he should, in the first instance, demonstrate that the righteousness which is of the law, or of works, was insufficient for the justification of a sinner. This he does, first in refer- ence to the Gentiles, ch. 1 : 18 — 32 ; and then in relation to the Jews, ch. 2 : — 3 : 1 — 20. The residue of this chapter then is designed to prove that the Gentiles are justly exposed to condemnation. The apostle thus argues: God is just; his displeasure against sin (which is its punishment) is clearly revealed, v. 18. This principle is assumed by the apostle as the foundation of his whole argument. If this be granted, it follows that all, who are chargeable with either impiety or immorality, are exposed to the wrath of God, and cannot claim his favour on the ground of their own character or conduct. That the Gentiles are justly chargeable with both impiety and immorality, he thus proves. They have ever enjoyed such a revelation of the divine character as to render them inexcusable, vs. 19, 20. Notwithstanding this opportunity of knowing God, they neither worshipped nor served him, but gave them- selves up to all forms of idolatry. This is the height of all impiety, vs. :21, 23. In consequence of this desertion of God, he gave them up to the evil of their own hearts, so that they sank into all manner of debasing crimes. The evidences of this corruption of morals were so painfully obvious, that Paul merely appeals to the knowledge which his readers all possessed of the fact, vs. 24 — 31. These various crimes they do not commit ignorantly ; they are aware of their ill-desert ; and yet they not only commit them themselves, but encourage others in the same course, v. 32.