Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave…”

Romans 1:21

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 Standard Bible

Other translations

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.

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.

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

Because that when they knewe God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankefull, but became vaine in their thoughtes, and their foolish heart was full of darkenesse.

Darby Translation

Because, knowing God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding 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,

Bible in Basic English

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.

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Cross references

“when”

John 3:19 Romans 1:19 Romans 1:28

John 3:19 · BSB

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.

Romans 1:19 · BSB

For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Romans 1:28 · BSB

Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

“they glorified”

2 Timothy 3:2 Psalm 50:23 Revelation 14:7 Revelation 15:4 Luke 17:15–18 Psalm 86:9

2 Timothy 3:2 · BSB

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Psalm 50:23 · BSB

He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rightly orders his way, I will show the salvation of God.”

Revelation 14:7 · BSB

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.”

Revelation 15:4 · BSB

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.”

Luke 17:15–18 · BSB

When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice.

Psalm 86:9 · BSB

All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.

“but became”

2 Kings 17:15 Jeremiah 2:5 Psalm 81:12 Jeremiah 16:19 Jeremiah 10:3–8 Genesis 6:5

2 Kings 17:15 · BSB

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…

Jeremiah 2:5 · BSB

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.

Psalm 81:12 · BSB

So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

Jeremiah 16:19 · BSB

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…

Jeremiah 10:3–8 · BSB

For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman.

Genesis 6:5 · BSB

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.

“their foolish”

1 Peter 2:9 Romans 11:10 Isaiah 60:2 Acts 26:18 Deuteronomy 28:29

1 Peter 2:9 · BSB

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.

Romans 11:10 · BSB

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”

Isaiah 60:2 · BSB

For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.

Acts 26:18 · BSB

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

Deuteronomy 28:29 · BSB

and at noon you will grope about like a blind man in the darkness. You will not prosper in your ways. Day after day you will be oppressed and plundered, with no one to save you.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

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.

22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

Read Romans 1