His works, in a peculiar manner correspond to His several attributes [Isa. xl. 26] — sis rb) Paul not only speaks of some result ensuing, but directly takes away all excuse ; and this clause, sig ro , — is equivalent to a proposition, in relation to [to be handled more fully in] the following verses. Construe it with .< pavspov hTiv [ver. 19. The fact of their knowing God, is mani- fest in, or among them], — dva^oKoyrirovg, without excuse). So also in regard to the Jews, ch. ii. 1.
21. A ion. This dion is resumed from ver. 19. They did not sin in ignorance, but knowingly. — 0? bv ug 0gov, God as God). This is i] dXrjdsia, the truth [of God, ver. 25], the perfection of conformity with nature,1 where worship corresponds to the divine nature. Comp, in contrast with this, Gal. iv. 8 [when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which] by nature are no Gods. — 0sov, God). [They glorified Him not as the God] eternal, almighty, and to be continually honoured by showing forth His glory, and by thanksgiving. — edo%a<rav 3? zv^aptarrisav, they glorified or were thankful) We ought to render thanks for benefits ; and to glorify Him on account of the divine perfections themselves, .contrary to the opinion of Hobbes. If it were pos- sible for a mind to exist extraneous to God, and not created by God, still that mind would be bound to praise God. — r\ ), or , at least. — l/AaraiuOriffav) This verb and J<rx«r/o'^ have a reciprocal force. bn, fjjdraia , fiaraiovc^ai are frequently applied to idols, and to their worship and worshippers, 2 Kings xvii. 15 ; Jer. ii. 5 ; for the mind is conformed [becomes and is assimilated] to its object [of worship], Ps. cxv. 8. Mar morris is opposed to rw do^d^siv ; affvverog %a pita to rw svyga p/GrtTv. — d/a Koyiff/xoTg [u imagina- tions,” Eng. vers.], thoughts) Variable, uncertain, and foolish.
22. (pdaxovresy professing. — l/xupdvdri<fav) The lxx., Jer. x. 14, etc., s[xo)pdv6ri rrdg avOpu-rog arfo yvuxf&ojg — ^svdrj s^uivsvffav — / idraid iffr/Vj spy a i/Afl'e-ra/y/Asi/a, (every man is a fool in his knowledge. — Their molten images are falsehoods, they are vain and deceitful works). Throughout this epistle Paul alludes to the last chapters of Isaiah , and to the first of Jeremiah , from which it appears, that this holy man of God was at that time fresh from the read- ing of them.
1 Convenientia.=the Stoic opokoyla Cic. de fin. 3. 6. 21 — Ed.