In this study, we draw a striking connection between Romans 1 and Genesis 11. These two passages, though centuries apart, reveal a repeating pattern in humanity: knowing who the true God is but rejecting Him, and instead worshipping idols( false gods)—created things rather than the Creator.
The Wrath of GOD against idolatry
In Romans 1:18–32, the Apostle Paul lays out how God’s wrath is revealed against all ungodliness. Despite knowing God, people refused to honor Him, choosing instead to worship idols ( false gods) and are consequently given over to dishonorable passions and vices taught them by the false gods they choose to worship. This rejection leads to God giving them over to their own desires which then leads to a reprobate mind culminating in abominable passions. I’ll encourage you to read this passage for yourself and you’ll see that what we are experiencing in our world today as far as vices, violence, unbridled behavior and things of the likes is just a by-product of people choosing to reject the true GOD and instead follow after false gods.
The Nations Are Divided According To The Sons Of GOD
This same theme appears in Genesis 11 with the Tower of Babel. After the flood, humanity—unified in language and purpose—chose not to spread across the earth as God commanded to spread the fragrance of His love . Instead, they built a ziggurat, a man-made stairway to heaven meant to “bring the gods down” and centralize human power. But God intervened, confused their language, and dispersed them.
The key insight comes from Deuteronomy 32:7–9 ( I chose the ESV version because it is the most accurate translation),
Remember the days of old;
consider the years of many generations;
ask your father, and he will show you,
your elders, and they will tell you.
8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,
when he divided mankind,
he fixed the borders[a] of the peoples
according to the number of the sons of God.[b]
9 But the Lord‘s portion is his people,
Jacob his allotted heritage.
Verse 8 is basically recalling the events recorded in Genesis 11, that is when GOD divided mankind. And the verse continues by informing the readers that GOD ( who is referred to as the Most HIGH GOD, Him who exists eternally and isn’t derived) fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of GOD. Basically God divided the nations “according to the number of the sons of God” because of their stubbornness and unwillingness to listen to HIM and recognize HIM as the only true GOD. These “sons of God” likely refer to SPIRITUAL beings or angelic rulers, and God allowed rebellious nations to go their own way under these powers, the same theme that is mentioned in Romans 1: 18-32. Verse 9 tells us that while GOD gave the gentile world to the sons of GOD ( angelic beings), HE kept Israel—Jacob—as His inheritance, a remnant through whom redemption would come. Israel was His portion, HE kept a remnant for Himself and what we see later in Genesis 12 is the call of Abraham and in Genesis 15 the covenant with Abraham through whom the rest of the world, the gentiles will be blessed.
Paul affirms this in Acts 17,
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[c]25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
Paul confirmed the events of Genesis 11 in the Acts 17. He then explains that although nations worship false gods, the true God is not far from each of us. Through Jesus Christ, who came to destroy the works of the devil, humanity can now return to right relationship with the Creator. The good news is GOD already decreed in psalm 82that HE was going to judge the rebellious angels who plunged humanity into this chaos and also redeemed mankind who will now rule with Him and become the new sons of GOD being indwelled with the Holy Spirit as proclaimed in John 1:12-13.
GOD’s Judgment and Redemption Through Jesus Christ
Let’s look at Psalm 82, where God judges these rebellious divine beings and reclaims authority through Christ.
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.6 I said, “You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”[a]
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!
In the divine council, GOD is in the midst of the gods ( angelic beings also referred to as the sons of GOD) to hold His judgment. They have judged unjustly by showing partiality to the wicked. How has that happened? Paul tells us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness that are in the air. Behind every corrupt government system, every false religion, every deception, every evil are false gods holding those who will listen to them captives to do their evil deeds, and for that not only are humans who have aligned with evil be judged but the false gods will themselves be judged. In verse 6 GOD tells them that even though HE referred to them as gods, sons of the most HIGH, like men they will die because GOD who created them will vaporize them and they will fall, they will be held bound in HELL , away from the presence of GOD bound in chains and annihilated. And the way GOD destroyed them is through the work of Christ on the cross as proclaimed in Colossians 2:15,
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.[c]
Jesus redeems what was lost and elevates believers to be the new sons of God, reigning with Him as written in Revelation 3:21,
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
In conclusion ,humanity rejected God and embraced idolatry, but God did not abandon us. Through Jesus, He made a way back—not just for Israel, but for every nation under heaven.
PS: I started Tayibs.com for the sole purpose of exploring difficult questions about the Christian faith that most of us shy away from. All the content generated on this website is thoroughly analyzed prior to being shared. And the site is run solely by myself, your generous support is very much appreciated
My name is Tayib Salami and I started Tayibs.com for the sole purpose of exploring difficult questions about the Christian faith that most of us shy away from. In 2017, I entered a very dark time in my life and it’s only by the grace of the Living God that I’m still alive today. It led me to really go deeper in my faith and consider a myriad of questions that I never thought about asking myself or others before. Welcome and enjoy the ride with me.