3:18

There is no fear of God before their eyes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fear can also mean “reverence.” The meaning of “reverence” is probably implied along with the meaning of fear here. These people are not afraid of God and do not respect him either.

But many languages do not have a word that has both Greek meanings. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning of fear. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

They have no fear of God at all (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They are not afraid of God ⌊and his judgment⌋
-or-
they also do not think that they should be afraid to sin against God

before their eyes: This is a figure of speech. What is in front of a person’s eyes that determines where he goes. So Paul indicated that the fear of God did not in any way determine how these people lived. See the above examples.

General Comment on 3:18

These words are similar to the words found in Psalm 36:1.

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