Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. New Living Translation Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. English Standard Version For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible For having known God, they glorified Him not as God, or were thankful; but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish heart was darkened. King James Bible 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. New King James Version because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. New American Standard Bible For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. NASB 1995 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. NASB 1977 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Legacy Standard Bible For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. Amplified Bible For even though they knew God [as the Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened. Christian Standard Bible For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Holman Christian Standard Bible For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. American Standard Version because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. Contemporary English Version They know about God, but they don't honor him or even thank him. Their thoughts are useless, and their stupid minds are in the dark. English Revised Version because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. GOD'S WORD® Translation They knew God but did not praise and thank him for being God. Instead, their thoughts were pointless, and their misguided minds were plunged into darkness. Good News Translation They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness. International Standard Version For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. New Heart English Bible Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but their thinking became nonsense, and their foolish heart was darkened. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament For when they had come to know God, they did not give Him glory as God nor render Him thanks, but they became absorbed in useless discussions, and their senseless minds were darkened. World English Bible Because knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbecause, having known God they did not glorify [Him] as God, nor gave thanks, but were made vain in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened, Berean Literal Bible For having known God, they glorified Him not as God, or were thankful; but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish heart was darkened. Young's Literal Translation because, having known God they did not glorify Him as God, nor gave thanks, but were made vain in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened, Smith's Literal Translation Wherefore having known God, not as God did they honour or return thanks; but were rendered vain in their conversations, and their heart without understanding was darkened. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBecause that, when they knew God, they have not glorified him as God, or given thanks; but became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. Catholic Public Domain Version For although they had known God, they did not glorify God, nor give thanks. Instead, they became weakened in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was obscured. New American Bible for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. New Revised Standard Version for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor they knew God and did not glorify him and give thanks to him as God, but became vain in their imaginations, and their hearts were darkened so that they could not understand. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Because they knew God, and they did not glorify him as God, nor did they give him thanks, so that they became destitute in their reasoning and became dull in their heart without understanding. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentbecause, when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were they thankful; but they became perverse in their reasonings, and their wicked heart was darkened; Godbey New Testament because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were they thankful; but they became vain in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened. Haweis New Testament because though they knew there was a God, they glorified him not as God, nor gave him thanks, but became triflers in their disputations, and their stupid heart was darkened. Mace New Testament because when they knew God, they did not with gratitude glorify him as God, but their reasoning became extravagance, and their minds, void of judgment, were involv'd in darkness. Weymouth New Testament For when they had come to know God, they did not give Him glory as God nor render Him thanks, but they became absorbed in useless discussions, and their senseless minds were darkened. Worrell New Testament because, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor did they give thanks; but they became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. Worsley New Testament so that they are inexcusable; because having thus known God they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful; but were infatuated by their own reasonings, and their heart being void of understanding was darkened. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God's Wrath against Sin…20For 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. 21For 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. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,… Cross References Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. Psalm 14:1 For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. 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. Isaiah 44:18-20 They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” 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. Psalm 106:20 They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox. Jeremiah 10:14 Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. 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. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 1 Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Ephesians 4:19 Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more. 1 Timothy 6:5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain. 2 Timothy 3:2-4 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, / traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, Titus 1:15-16 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. / They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. Psalm 81:12 So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. Treasury of Scripture 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. when. Romans 1:19,28 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them… John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. they glorified. Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Psalm 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Psalm 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. but became. Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 2 Kings 17:15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. their foolish. Romans 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. Deuteronomy 28:29 And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. Isaiah 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. Jump to Previous Absorbed Although Dark Darkened Discussions Fell Folly Foolish Full Futile Glorified Glorify Glory Heart Honor Imaginations Minds Reasoning Reasonings Render Sense Senseless Speculations Thankful Thanks Thoughts Understanding Useless VainJump to Next Absorbed Although Dark Darkened Discussions Fell Folly Foolish Full Futile Glorified Glorify Glory Heart Honor Imaginations Minds Reasoning Reasonings Render Sense Senseless Speculations Thankful Thanks Thoughts Understanding Useless VainRomans 1 1. Paul commends his calling to the Romans;9. and his desire to come to them. 16. What his gospel is. 18. God is angry with sin. 21. What were the sins of mankind. For although they knew God This phrase indicates an awareness or acknowledgment of God's existence and attributes. It suggests a general revelation of God to humanity, as seen in creation (Psalm 19:1-4). Historically, this reflects the knowledge of God that was evident to all people, including Gentiles, through nature and conscience (Romans 1:19-20). This knowledge is not salvific but leaves humanity without excuse for their unbelief. they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the Book of Romans, addressing the believers in Rome and providing theological insights into the nature of sin and salvation. 2. The Roman Church The recipients of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile Christians, living in a diverse and often morally challenging environment. 3. God The central figure in this verse, whose glory and worthiness of gratitude are emphasized. 4. The Gentiles Often understood as the primary group being referenced in this passage, representing those who have turned away from acknowledging God despite knowing Him. 5. Creation Implicitly referenced as the means through which God has made Himself known to humanity, as discussed earlier in Romans 1. Teaching Points Acknowledging God's SovereigntyRecognize the importance of glorifying God in all aspects of life, acknowledging His supreme authority and presence. Cultivating Gratitude Develop a heart of thankfulness towards God, recognizing His blessings and provision in our lives. Guarding Against Futile Thinking Be vigilant in maintaining a biblical worldview, avoiding the empty philosophies and deceptive ideologies of the world. Heart Condition Understand that a darkened heart results from turning away from God, emphasizing the need for spiritual renewal and transformation through Christ. The Consequences of Ignorance Reflect on the dangers of knowing God yet choosing to ignore Him, leading to spiritual blindness and separation from His truth.(21) They knew enough of God to know that thanks and praise were due to Him; but neither of these did they offer. They put aside the natural instinct of adoration, and fell to speculations, which only led them farther and farther from the truth. The new knowledge of which they went in quest proved to be fiction; the old knowledge that they had was obscured and lost by their folly. Starting with two things--a portion of enlightenment on the one hand, and the natural tendency of the human mind to error on the other, the latter prevailed, and the former became eclipsed. But became vain in their imaginations.--They were frustrated--reached no good and sound result with their speculations. Their foolish heart.--Not the same word as "fools," in the next verse. Their unintelligent heart; their heart which, by itself, was endowed with no special faculty of discernment such as to enable them to dispense with the enlightenment from above. Verse 21. - Because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful (rather, gave thanks); but became vain in their imaginations (διαλογισμοῖς, elsewhere more correctly rendered "thoughts" or "reasonings;" cf. 1 Corinthians 3:20, "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain" - μάταιοι, as here, ἐματαιώθησαν), and their foolish heart was darkened.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek ForΔιότι (Dioti) Conjunction Strong's 1360: On this account, because, for. From dia and hoti; on the very account that, or inasmuch as. although they knew γνόντες (gnontes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. God, Θεὸν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. they neither glorified [Him] ἐδόξασαν (edoxasan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1392: To glorify, honor, bestow glory on. From doxa; to render glorious. as ὡς (hōs) Adverb Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. God Θεὸν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [nor] ἢ (ē) Conjunction Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. gave thanks [to Him], ηὐχαρίστησαν (ēucharistēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2168: From eucharistos; to be grateful, i.e. to express gratitude; specially, to say grace at a meal. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. they became futile ἐματαιώθησαν (emataiōthēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3154: To become vain or foolish, be perverted. From mataios; to render foolish, i.e. wicked or, idolatrous. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. thinking διαλογισμοῖς (dialogismois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 1261: From dialogizomai; discussion, i.e. consideration, or debate. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. darkened ἐσκοτίσθη (eskotisthē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4654: To darken. From skotos; to obscure. in their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. foolish ἀσύνετος (asynetos) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 801: Unintelligent, without wisdom, unwise, undiscerning (implying probably moral defect). By implication, wicked. hearts. καρδία (kardia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. Links Romans 1:21 NIVRomans 1:21 NLT Romans 1:21 ESV Romans 1:21 NASB Romans 1:21 KJV Romans 1:21 BibleApps.com Romans 1:21 Biblia Paralela Romans 1:21 Chinese Bible Romans 1:21 French Bible Romans 1:21 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Romans 1:21 Because knowing God they didn't glorify him (Rom. Ro) |
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