Invisible (517) aoratos by Greek Word Studies

Invisible (517) (aoratos from a = without + horáo = see) is that which cannot be seen with physical eyes. That which cannot be seen or is imperceptible by the sight. Hodge explains that... By the invisible things of God Theodoret says we are to understand creation, providence, and the divine judgments; Theophylact understands them to refer to his goodness, wisdom, power, and majesty. Between these interpretations the moderns are divided. The great majority prefer the latter, which is obviously the better suited to the context, because the works of God are expressed afterwards by poiemata and because the invisible things are those which are manifested by his works, and are explained by the terms “power and Godhead.” (Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans) Here are the five NT uses of aoratos -- Ro 1:20; Col. 1:15, 16; 1Ti 1:17; Heb 11:27. There are 2 uses in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Ge 1:2; Is 45:3. ISBE article on Invisible... This term is used as an attribute of God in every biblical occurrence except Col. 1:16, where it refers to ranks of unseen angels and other spiritual powers. That no one had seen God at Sinai is stated in the OT (Ex 34:20; Deut. 4:12), and, in spite of God’s special self-disclosure to Moses (Ex. 33:18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; Nu. 14:14), it became axiomatic in Judaism that no one had seen or could see God in this present age (SB, II, 362f; cf. Mt. 5:8). The influence of this concept is reflected in the Johannine writings, with their emphasis that “no one has seen God” (Jn 1:18; 5:37; 6:46; 14:9; 1Jn. 4:12), and in the Pauline tradition as well (Rom. 1:20; Col. 1:15, 16; 1Ti 1:17; 3:16). The use of aóratos in the context of a doxology (1Ti 1:17) and in an adjectival clause with the pronoun “who” (“who is invisible”; Heb 11:27) shows that “invisible” was one of the ascriptions to God used in early Christian liturgy (Bromiley, G. W. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised. Wm. B. Eerdmans) Visible Nature speaks of nature's invisible God. In (Psalm 19:1-6) David writes that... 1 The heavens are telling (LXX = set out in detail) of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring (LXX = proclaiming openly) the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. Note the repeated emphasis in Psalm 19 - "telling", "declaring", "pours forth speech", "reveals knowledge", "utterances". And the extent of this clear proclamation - "all the earth", "end of the world". Observe that in the opening verse of Psalm 19, David writes that "The heavens are telling (LXX translates the Hebrew word for "telling" with the verb anagello in the present tense = the heavens are continuously announcing in detail) of the glory of God" In short anyone who has ever looked into the glittering night sky or at a radiant red-orange sunset has no excuse to not believe in God! But humanity today prefers Hollywood or computer video games to seeing the "things" of the glorious God in the heavens. Beloved, when was the last time you walked outside and gazed at the moon and stars made by our Creator? Newell quips that... “The heavens declare the glory of God.” But humanity today prefers Hollywood’s “sound-pictures” to seeing the “things” of the glorious God in the heavens,—beholding His works, and hearing their speech. How long since you have gone out and gazed at moon and stars, made by the blessed God, travelling in such quiet glory, beauty, power, and order? Men know, if they care to know, that an infinite Majesty made and controls this. (Romans Verse-by-Verse) God's Attributes in Romans Eternality Romans 1:20 Power (omnipotence) Romans 1:20 Divinity Romans 1:20 Righteousness Romans 1:17; 18 Wisdom & knowledge (omniscience) Romans 8:33ff Impartiality Romans 2:11, etc Mercy Romans 9-11 Romans 12:1 Romans 15:9 Love Romans 5:8 Romans 8:3 Immutability Romans 11:29 Sovereignty Romans 8:31 Romans 9-11 Did you observe the paradox in Romans 1:20? invisible things which are visible! This state of things has been true since the creation of the universe. The eternal power and Godhead of the Creator have been since that time and are now understood by the things that have been made, namely, the material creation. Man, reasoning upon the basis of the law of cause and effect, which law requires an adequate cause for every effect, is forced to the conclusion that such a tremendous effect as the universe, demands a Being of eternal power and of divine attributes. Charles Hodge wrote that God... ...has never left himself without a witness. His existence and perfections have ever been so manifested that His rational creatures are bound to acknowledge and worship Him as the true and only God” (Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans) ALL CREATION IS AN OUTSTRETCHED FINGER POINTING TO GOD! The Heavens reveal the power of God To everyone living on earth; But then the good news of the gospel must come From those who've experienced new birth. - Sper HIS ETERNAL POWER: e te aidios autou dunamis: (Ro 16:26; Ge 21:33; Deut 33:27; Ps 90:2; Isaiah 9:6; 26:4; 40:26; 1Ti 1:17; Heb 9:14)

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Invisible (517) aoratos

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