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How fearful an evil is sin! Its nature precludes all apology for it. And yet all men "with one consent make excuse." Apt scholars of the first apologist! Adam and his fallen race, rather than condemn themselves on account of transgression, will venture to charge the Holy One with the occasion of it. Many lines of Scriptural argument might be adduced to show the inexcusableness of sin. But we know of none more answerable than that of the text — man's impiety and ingratitude. Take the case of —

I. THE FIRST SILENCE. Whatever was the occasion of Satan's sin, the text gives a clue as to its nature. "The first estate" of the fallen angels was doubtless one of extensive knowledge. In their present condition what craft, what subtlety do they display! And yet angels were made to live even in His unveiled presence — to know Him, to love, serve, and glorify Him. But from some unrevealed cause, their knowledge did not beget humility, their surprising privileges did not ensure gratitude; whilst standing before "the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity," they were "lifted up with pride," and rebelled against Him. And God, who created them and had blessed them, spared them not, and "they are without excuse; because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful."

II. OUR FIRST PARENTS. Their nature was one degree lower than that of the angels. They were created after the image of God in holiness and happiness. What bounds could have been fixed to that mind which held daily converse with God? What privileges were there! The body and soul united in blissful harmony, and both united in the God of love! But notwithstanding, impiety and ingratitude were the sin and ruin of Adam! He credited the word of "the father of lies" before the word of the God of truth. Ambition made him forget his privileges. And "they were without excuse, because that," etc.

III. THE HEATHEN. The apostle proves that though they are ignorant of the revelation of grace (and they will not be condemned for rejecting that which was never offered to them), yet they cannot be ignorant of the revelation of nature. The present awful and ruinous state of the heathen has arisen from the depravity of human nature; the love of sin, and consequent hatred of holiness. They abused their privileges, "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

IV. THE JEWS. What nation was ever so blessed as they! Raised from obscurity to The dignity of a theocracy, they passed on from one degree of glory to another, till the Lord of glory appeared as "the King of the Jews." And notwithstanding all this, impiety and ingratitude were the sin and the ruin of Israel.

V. NATIONS PROFESSING CHRISTIANITY. Have we not known God. Are we not blessed by Him with extraordinary and peculiar privileges? To what modern nation has God revealed Himself so signally as the God of love has unto us? And how great our temporal prosperity, and our influence and power over the whole world! Such are our privileges. And what use do we make of them? If we "know God," by what national acts do we "glorify Him as God"? Does He receive the glory due unto His holy name in the calm deliberation of our senators? Is His Word alone the acknowledged and the supreme rule of faith and practice? Is truth and piety upheld and protected, and are falsehood and idolatry trampled under our feet? Alas! if our candlestick were removed, we are "without excuse, because that," etc.

(G. A. Rogers, M. A.)

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KJV: Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

WEB: because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.