1:20a
For: This word introduces an explanation of the idea that what can be known about God is plain to people (1:19a).
since the creation of the world: This phrase indicates that all people who have lived on this earth, from creation until now, perceive who God is. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
ever since the creation of the world (English Standard Version)
-or-
from the creation of the world ⌊until now/today⌋
the creation of the world: This phrase refers to God creating the world and all of the other things that people can see, the sun, moon, stars, and such things. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
when God created/made the world/universe
-or-
when God made all that people/they can see
1:20b–c
God’s invisible qualities: The Greek is literally “the invisible (things) of God.” Here it refers to the kind of person God is. These are not things that someone can see directly. Immediately after this phrase Paul explained it as “his eternal power and divine nature.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
his invisible attributes (English Standard Version)
-or-
There are things about him that people cannot see (New Century Version)
His eternal power and divine nature: The Greek grammar indicates that the words His eternal power and divine nature describe what Paul meant with the words “the invisible (things) of God.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
that is to say his everlasting power and deity (Revised English Bible)
-or-
God’s invisible qualities: his eternal power and divine nature,
In some languages it is not natural to speak generally of something then specifically of the same thing. If that is true in your language, omit the word “qualities” (as the Berean Standard Bible translates). For example:
God’s eternal power and his divine nature, which people cannot see,
His eternal power: God’s power will never end. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
his everlasting power (Revised English Bible)
-or-
his strength that will not end
-or-
God has power that doesn’t leave
divine nature: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as divine nature refers to the characteristics of God. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:
deity (Revised English Bible)
-or-
divinity (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
his godhood
-or-
what God is like
have been clearly seen, being understood: The Greek is literally “being understood are clearly seen.” This phrase indicates that people look at the world and understand that God is powerful and that he is God.
This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
⌊people⌋ see and understand his invisible qualities, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
-or-
⌊they all⌋ clearly perceive his invisible qualities, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
from His workmanship: The word from here indicates that when people look at the things that God has made, they will realize that he has great power and that he is God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
from what has been made (New International Version)
-or-
through what has been made (New American Standard Bible)
1:20d
so that: This phrase introduces the result of God’s “invisible qualities” being clearly seen (1:20b).
men are without excuse: The word excuse refers to an explanation of behavior when asked about that behavior. In this case, people knew about God but still were ungodly and unrighteous (1:18). They have no good reason for that bad behavior. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
they have no defense
-or-
they have no answer ⌊for their sins⌋
-or-
they have nothing with-which-to-answer God
-or-
No one is able to say ⌊to God⌋, “⌊I never knew about you,⌋ so why do you blame/accuse me ⌊of wrongdoing⌋ ?”
men: The word men refers here generally to people. Specifically, it refers to the people Paul was talking about in 1:18–19.
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