Romans 1:21

Although the non-Jews knew what God is like, they did not honor him as God, nor did they thank him for what he had done. But instead, they began to think foolish things about him, and they became unable to understand [MET] what he wanted them to know.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

20People cannot see what God is like. But ever since he created the world, by means of what he created he has clearly revealed what he is like. He has made clear to everyone that he has always been able to do very powerful things. Therefore, we should recognize that God is powerful, completely different from all that he created. So no one has a basis for saying, “We never knew about God.”

22Although they claimed that they were wise, they became foolish,

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Cross References

Genesis 6:5Yahweh saw that people on the earth had become very wicked, and that everything they thought about evil things continually.

Deuteronomy 28:29Because you will not be able to see where you are going, at midday you will ◄grope/feel your way► around with your hands, like people do in the darkness. You will continually be oppressed and robbed, and no one will help you.

Psalms 50:23The sacrifice that truly honors me is to thank me for what I have done; and I will save those who always do the things that I want them to.”

Psalms 86:9Lord, some day, people from all the nations that you have established will come and bow down in front of you and they will praise you [MTY].

Isaiah 44:9All those who make idols are foolish, and the idols that they ◄think highly of/greatly respect► are worthless. And the people who worship those idols— it is as though they are blind, and they will be ashamed for having worshiped those idols.

Jeremiah 2:5listen to what Yahweh says: “◄What sin did I commit [RHQ] that caused your ancestors to turn far away from me?/Though your ancestors found no fault in me, they turned far away from me.► They worshiped worthless idols, and they themselves became worthless.

Matthew Henry on Romans 1:20-32

The Excellency of the Gospel. ( a. d. 58.) 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 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: 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. 22… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Romans 1:21