How does the Bible define the word "Godhead" in Romans 1:20?
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:"
The key phase to understand here is, "his eternal power and Godhead". Here are some things to consider:
  1. According to the Bible, who is the author of Romans 1?
  2. Who, in this verse is referred to by "him" and "his"?
  3. By the wording given, would it be correct to say that whoever "him" is, he possesses "eternal power" and "Godhead"? Who then is the possessor of these things?
For answers to these questions, let's read the context, starting at Romans 1:1
Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"
Here, we see that Paul is the author of Romans 1. Remember that he was also the author of the first "Godhead" verse, which we already studied: Acts 17:29.
Romans 1:3 "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:... 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;"
In verses 1,3,4,&9, we see Paul identifying "God" as the Father of Jesus Christ. We also saw in verse one that Christ's Father is the Creator. Does He have a name? Here is a review from our previous study of Acts 17:29:
The NT texts, 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 1:1-2; Colossians 1:12-17, all declare that Christ's Father created all things through His Son. In the OT these texts: Genesis2:4; Exodus20:11; Nehemiah9:6; Isaiah37:16;45:18 all declare Jehovah to be the Creator, including in the 4th Commandment. So, here we see from the Bible that "Jehovah" is the name of Christ's Father.
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God[Jehovah] unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God[Jehovah] revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God[Jehovah] is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God[Jehovah] is manifest in them; for God[Jehovah] hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him(Jehovah) from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his(Jehovah's) eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
Now, it is plain to see that "him" and "his" in verse 20 is referring to Jehovah. We also see that Jehovah is the possessor of "eternal power and Godhead".
Romans 1:21 "Because that, when they knew God[Jehovah], they glorified him not as God[Jehovah], neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God[Jehovah] into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."
Here we see Paul using similar language to what he used in Acts 17:23 as he spoke to the men of Athens about how they replaced Jehovah with man-made images.
"No outward shrines may be visible, there may be no image for the eye to rest upon, yet we may be practicing idolatry. It is as easy to make an idol of cherished ideas or objects as to fashion gods of wood or stone. Thousands have a false conception of God and His attributes. They are as verily serving a false god as were the servants of Baal. Are we worshiping the true God as He is revealed in His word, in Christ, in nature, or are we adoring some philosophical idol enshrined in His place?..." -Ellen White, 5T 173.4
So, are we worshiping the "true God", or another? Check out how the Bible and Ellen identify the "true God":
Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD[Jehovah] is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Jehovah is the only true God, and HE is to be reverenced and worshiped." (E.White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol.6, p.166)
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father... 2... 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
"Jehovah, our Father, and His Son Jesus Christ are alone to be exalted. The knowledge of God is eternal life to those who receive it." -Ellen White (Ms11-1898.11)
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him(Christ's Father) that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his(Father's) Son Jesus Christ. This(Father) is the true God, and eternal life.
By now, we have well-established "eternal power and Godhead" to be the possession of Jehovah. However, our initial question is still unanswered: How does the Bible identify the word "Godhead" in Romans 1:20? Our key phrase to contemplate is "his(Jehovah's) eternal power and Godhead". Could it be that a word other than "Godhead" might make this more understandable? Judging by many of the following Bible translations, it appears that many translators have preferred to use different wording:
New International Version: For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
New Living Translation: For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
English Standard Version: For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Berean Study Bible: For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Berean Literal Bible: For from the creation of the world His invisible qualities, both His eternal power and divinity, are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, for them to be without excuse.
New American Standard Bible: For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
New King James Version: For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
King James Bible: 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:
Christian Standard Bible: For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
Contemporary English Version: God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse.
Good News Translation: Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all!
Holman Christian Standard Bible: For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
International Standard Version: For since the creation of the world God's invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse.
NET Bible: For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes--his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.
New Heart English Bible: For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. So they are without excuse.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English: For the secrets of God from the foundation of the world are appearing to his creatures through intelligence, even his power and his eternal Godhead, that they will be without a defense,
GOD'S WORD® Translation: From the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse.
New American Standard 1977: For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Jubilee Bible 2000: For the invisible things of him, his eternal power and divinity, are clearly understood by the creation of the world and by the things that are made so that there is no excuse;
King James 2000 Bible: 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 deity; so that they are without excuse:
American King James Version: 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:
American Standard Version: For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:
Douay-Rheims Bible: For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made; his eternal power also, and divinity: so that they are inexcusable.
Darby Bible Translation: -- for from [the] world's creation the invisible things of him are perceived, being apprehended by the mind through the things that are made, both his eternal power and divinity, -- so as to render them inexcusable.
English Revised Version: For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:
Webster's Bible Translation: 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:
Weymouth New Testament: For, from the very creation of the world, His invisible perfections--namely His eternal power and divine nature--have been rendered intelligible and clearly visible by His works, so that these men are without excuse.
World English Bible: For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
Young's Literal Translation: for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead—to their being inexcusable;
So, we have two qualities/attributes/possessions of Jehovah that this text addresses:
  1. Jehovah's eternal power
  2. Jehovah's Godhead. Considering the translator choices above, most prefer "divinity", but the choices include:
How does Webster's Dictionary define "Godhead"?
1. Godship; deity; divinity; divine nature or essence; applied to the true God, and to heathen deities. 2. A deity in person; a god or goddess.
How do Strong and Young define the Greek(G2305 word translated "Godhead" by the KJV?
Strong's Concordance: G2305: theiotes (used only 1 time in the NT)
from 2316; divinity (abstr.)): - godhead.


Young's Analytical Concordance: "Divinity"
All the evidence points strongly to "divinity" for the best English translation of G2305. So, this is now how the KJV would read:
Romans 1:19 "Because that which may be known of [Jehovah] is manifest in them; for [Jehovah] hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him(Jehovah) from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even [Jehovah]'s eternal power and [Divinity]; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew [Jehovah], they glorified him not as [Jehovah], neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible [Jehovah] into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."
I find here no evidence of the Greek word, KJV-translated "Godhead", having even a hint of plurality of persons. Do you?
Original Question: How does the Bible identify the Godhead in Romans 1:20?
Answer: Jehovah's Divinity.