Romans 1:21

Translations

Modern

For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

Traditional

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.

Literal

For having known God, not as God did they glorify Him, or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their foolish heart was darkened.

Latin

Quia cum cognovissent Deum, non sicut Deum glorificaverunt, aut gratias egerunt: sed evanuerunt in cogitationibus suis, et obscuratum est insipiens cor eorum:

Original

Greek

English

For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

Notes

Romans 1:21

In Scripture, to know God usually means to have a close and saving relationship with him (see 2 Corinthians 5:16; Galatians 4:9; Philippians 3:8, 10). Here, however, they knew God means that people knew about God. All people have some understanding of God through creation, but they do not do what is right based on that knowledge. Instead of learning more about God, they worship gods they create themselves.

Romans 1:18–3:20

Paul waits to explain righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until he first teaches about the sinfulness of all people. Both non-Jews and Jews are equally under the power of sin (1:18–32; 2:1–3:8). Because of this, both groups are in the same situation before God. No one can gain God’s favor by their own actions or obedience (3:9–20). All people need God’s saving action, not their own efforts.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Pharaoh Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility Misunderstanding in the Gospel of John Natural Revelation Sin Enters the World Social Chaos in Judges The Purpose of the Judgments The Unknown God

Related verses

Ephesians 4:17–18
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
2 Kings 17:15
They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.
Jeremiah 2:5
This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.
2 Timothy 3:2
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Psalm 50:23
He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rightly orders his way, I will show the salvation of God.”
John 3:19
And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.
Revelation 14:7
And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.”
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Psalm 81:12
So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Romans 1:19
For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
Jeremiah 16:19
O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all.

Glossary

Atonement Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Blindness Faith Grace Hardness of Heart Heart Idols, Idolatry Letter to the Romans New Creation, New Creature Revelation Sin

Topics

Blindness: Spiritual Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Darkened Commitment to God Conscience: Dead Darkness of Spiritual Blindness Gentiles: Ignorant of God Gentiles: Unclassified Sciptures Relating To Glorifying God: Punishment for Not Glorifying God: The Wicked Averse To Godlessness: General Scriptures Concerning Heart: The Unregenerate is Full of Iniquity Heart: The Unregenerate is Hard Heart: The Unregenerate: Blind How Do we Know God Exists Idolatry: Irrational Idolatry: They Who Practise are Ignorant and Foolish Idolatry: They Who Practise are Vain in Their Imaginations Imagination: General Scriptures Concerning Ingratitude of Man to God Ingratitude to God: A Characteristic of the Wicked Ingratitude to God: Inexcusable Rome: Abominations In Sin: Against Knowledge Spiritual Blindness: The Wicked Wilfully Guilty of Thankfulness: The Wicked Averse To Thanksgiving: The Wicked Averse To Ungratefulness Vanity: Evil People: Imagine Vanity: The Wicked: Imagine Wicked (People): Described Wicked Heart Wisdom: Worldly

Romans 1:21

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