Devine Scripture

Romans 1:21

What does Romans 1:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 1:21 means

Although people knew God in a general sense, they did not honor him as God or give thanks. The right response to revelation is worship and gratitude; instead, human thinking became futile and hearts were darkened. The rejection of God leads to intellectual and moral confusion. This is a spiritual diagnosis: folly begins with failure to glorify and thank the Creator. Darkness of heart is both judgment and consequence—turning from light brings blindness. Paul shows that sin starts not merely with outward acts but with a God-evading posture within, which then distorts reason and desire.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because, having the knowledge of God, they did not give glory to God as God, and did not give praise, but their minds were full of foolish things, and their hearts, being without sense, were made dark.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because, having known God they did not glorify <FI>Him<Fi> as God, nor gave thanks, but were made vain in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because 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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Because, knowingGod, they glorified [him] not asGod, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened:

Context

Having established that humanity has real knowledge of God through creation (vv.19–20), Paul now traces the downward path (v.21): from failure to honor and thank God to futile reasoning and darkened hearts. Verses 22–23 will depict the self-deception of claimed wisdom and the exchange of God’s glory for images. This prepares for God’s response in giving people over to their chosen path (vv.24–28).

v.20For 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:

v.21This passage

v.22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 6:5

    And Jehovah 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.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:29

    Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

  • Hosea 2:8

    For she did not know that I gave her the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, and multiplied unto her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.

  • 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 robbed alway, and there shall be none to save thee.

  • Revelation 15:4

    Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest.

  • Revelation 14:7

    and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.

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