Unrighteousness, in the broader sense, consists in withholding either from God or man, whatever is their due from us. But as the terms ungodliness and unrighteousness are here both used, we are undoubtedly to understand unrighteousness here as having reference particularly to the omission of duty to our fellow men. The word rendered hold in this case, means to restrain, to hold down, to hold back. To hold the truth in unrighteousness, is, for selfish reasons, to refuse to obey the truth. When duty is once known or seen, indifference is impossible.
Truth is the natural stimulus of the mind, and especially truth that reveals moral obligation.
When moral obligation is perceived, the mind cannot remain inactive. The perception of moral obligation forces the mind into a state of activity. The freedom of the Will does not imply, that in such circumstances the mind can remain inactive altogether. But the freedom of the Will implies, that in every case of perceived moral obligation we have power to act one way or the other, to comply or refuse compliance with moral obligation. When, therefore, moral obligation is perceived, passivity becomes impossible.