Romans 1:18–23 is often read as a grim indictment of moral failure. But through the eyes of Neville Goddard, the passage reveals something deeper: the tragedy of forgetting that God is within—that your imagination is the creative power of the universe. Paul’s words, when understood symbolically, trace the inner descent of consciousness—from the clarity of knowing “I AM” (Exodus 3:14) to the confusion and darkness that follows when we misuse or neglect assumption. This post rightly interprets these verses as a warning against turning away from imagination, and a reminder that all transformation begins within.
Romans 1:18 (KJV)
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
Neville Interpretation:
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Wrath of God is not emotional anger, but the automatic outpicturing of misused imagination.
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"Revealed from heaven" means this consequence unfolds from the higher realms of consciousness (heaven = awareness).
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Those who “hold the truth in unrighteousness” symbolise states of being where one knows the truth of imagination but continues to misuse it, imagining harm, limitation, or fear.
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“Ungodliness” = not acknowledging that “I AM” is God.
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“Unrighteousness” = not being in right alignment with the assumption of the ideal state.
Romans 1:19
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”
Neville Interpretation:
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Everyone has within them the ability to know God as their own I AM—their own imagination.
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“Manifest in them” is key: the divine truth is within, not external.
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Neville often said, “God became man that man may become God.”
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This verse echoes that: all are aware deep within that imagination creates reality, but many ignore it.
Romans 1:20
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
Neville Interpretation:
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The outer world (“things that are made”) reveals the inner invisible patterns of belief and assumption.
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We understand invisible consciousness by looking at visible results.
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This is central to the Law of Assumption: outer reality is a mirror of inner belief. This is the seed in itself.
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“Without excuse” means that once we become aware of this law, we cannot blame the world—we must change within to change without.
Romans 1:21
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
Neville Interpretation:
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“Knew God” = recognised imagination as the creative power.
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“Glorified him not” = refused to honour their imagination, using it for fear, doubt, or passivity.
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“Neither were thankful” = a failure to live in the end state with gratitude, a key technique Neville taught.
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“Vain in their imaginations” = empty, idle, or negative use of imagination—imagining what is unwanted.
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“Foolish heart was darkened” = the subconscious (heart) becomes clouded with limiting beliefs and emotions, no longer aligned with truth.
Romans 1:22
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”
Neville Interpretation:
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Those who rely only on intellectual logic or religious tradition without inner transformation mistake outer knowledge for true wisdom.
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“Wisdom” is the applied use of imagination in alignment with the desired state.
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“Fools” are those who deny the creative power of assumption, or misuse it, then wonder why their world is in chaos.
Romans 1:23
“And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
Neville Interpretation:
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This is the turning away from awareness of God-as-consciousness, and projecting power onto outer forms—whether religious icons, systems, or nature.
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“Corruptible man” = the ego, the outer self, which is always changing and vulnerable.
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“Birds… beasts… creeping things” = the lower levels of consciousness, instinctual and reactive.
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This is a warning against idolising the seen world and forgetting the invisible power within.
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Neville would say: the only true image of God is your own imagination—“God is your own wonderful human imagination.”
Summary (Neville’s Perspective on Romans 1:18–23):
This passage becomes a warning against the misuse or neglect of imagination. Paul symbolically describes the fall from conscious creation into reactive living. When man forgets that his I AM is God, he begins to worship external forms, blame others, or misuse thought. The result is a darkened heart and a distorted life experience.
Right use of imagination, giving thanks, living from the end, honouring your assumptions—these restore alignment with God (your true self). The “wrath” is not a divine punishment, but the natural outpicturing of unlovely assumptions.