“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18 NIV).
Paul the Apostle paints a compelling word-picture that enriches our appreciation for the ideas he presents in this passage. For example, notice that God’s wrath emanates from His very dwelling place, for it is “…being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness.” And lest we fall into the mistaken notion that such judgment is reserved for the distant future, we are told that God’s wrath “is being revealed” even today. Psalm 7:11 offers a counterpart to this idea when it tells us, “God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.”
That brings us to this reference to “godlessness,” a term that means “without reverence for God.” A godless person is someone who lives as if God did not exist, or exhibits irreverence for Him in thought, word, or deed. Much like a warning lamp that signals the presence of a fault condition, godlessness signals a defect in one’s vertical relationship with his or her Creator.
Of course, this attribute is not the sole property of those who explicitly reject their Creator. For instance, there are many who choose to live as “practical atheists.” This phrase describes those who acknowledge the existence of a god in theory, but show little evidence of that acknowledgment in their daily lives. In pragmatic terms, there is a substantial difference between the abstract concept of a higher power or a superior being, and the God of the Scriptures.
You see, it is one thing to affirm the existence of an idealistic god who makes no demands upon one’s life. Such a “god” can assume any form we like and asks nothing more of us than whatever we are already willing to offer. It also liberates us from the prospect of a potentially uncomfortable assessment of our lives in the hereafter. However, it is quite another matter to affirm the existence of a God who holds His human creation accountable for every thought, word, and deed.
If our concept of “god” is built upon something other than the God who is revealed to us in the Biblical Scriptures, then we are undoubtedly preparing ourselves for a future we do not expect. God has always been who He said He is, but He may not be who we say He is if our image of Him is not based on the God who is revealed to us in the Scriptures.
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Scholars and commentators have wrestled with the precise meaning of the term “faith to faith” here in Romans 1:17. For instance, this portion of Scripture may relate to God’s faithfulness in respect to our faith, or it may refer to ever-increasing degrees of faith.
While many accept the premise that everyone possesses a moral compass, there are just as many who would undoubtedly view “right” and “wrong” as a matter of personal preference. However, a compass that aligns with our preferences may not provide an accurate reading. Therefore, the question of where that compass points is far more significant.
The fact that Paul had often planned to visit Rome without success is one that should bring comfort when our own plans fail to come to fruition. For example, Paul’s experience tells us that it is not wrong to plan for the future. As we’re reminded in the Old Testament book of Proverbs, “Wise people think before they act; fools don’t–and even brag about their foolishness” (Proverbs 13:16 NLT).
This reference to a spiritual gift likely refers to an insight or blessing that Paul sought to share with the Roman fellowship. While “some” spiritual gift suggests that Paul may have been unaware of the gift he sought to impart, his desire to share it for the benefit of the church at Rome was certainly there. Since Paul 
This passage also marks the first appearance of the most significant word in this epistle: faith. One Biblical scholar highlights the various applications of this word as it appears here in the Book of Romans. For example, the word “faith” is used in three distinct ways…
So, Paul was called to be an apostle, but to what purpose? Well, that purpose is made clear in the verse quoted above where Paul tells us he was “set apart for the gospel of God.” This tells us that Paul was called to the apostolic mission of preaching the gospel (or “good news”) that…
As the capital of the Roman Empire, the city of Rome held a position of preeminence in the first-century world. From its central location in western Italy, Rome governed large portions of Europe, the near east, and north Africa during the New Testament era.
In the aftermath of any incident involving a large aircraft, a critical first step for investigators is to recover the flight data recorder, or “black box.” That device typically captures recordings of cockpit conversations, flight information, and environmental conditions that provide valuable insight into that aircraft’s journey. In a similar manner, the final chapter of the Biblical book of 2 Timothy serves as a kind of “black box” that offers insight into Paul the Apostle’s mindset as he neared the end of his earthly life.
First, Nero had self-acknowledged Christians arrested. Then, on their information, large numbers of others were condemned – not so much for incendiarism as for their anti-social tendencies. Their deaths were made farcical. Dressed in wild animals’ skins, they were torn to pieces by dogs, or crucified, or made into torches to be ignited after dark as substitutes for daylight. Nero provided his Gardens for the spectacle, and exhibited displays in the Circus, at which he mingled with the crowd – or stood in a chariot, dressed as a charioteer. 
Terrified, shrieking women, helpless old and young, people intent on their own safety, people unselfishly supporting invalids or waiting for them, fugitives and lingerers alike – all heightened the confusion. When people looked back, menacing flames sprang up before them or outflanked them. When they escaped to a neighboring quarter, the fire followed – even districts believed remote proved to be involved. Finally, with no idea where or what to flee, they crowded on to the country roads, or lay in the fields…
There, he was met by a man named Barnabas 
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