"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."
Romans 1:21
“Because that, when they knew God,”
There was a time1 on earth when everyone knew God. Those who are described here had the “general revelation” of God but unfortunately did not have a personal relationship with Him. Because they had no relationship with Him…
“They glorified him not as God,”
What a terrible dishonoring of Authority – the only One who is worthy of all praise and glory from His creatures, received none of it! His beings dishonored the God of glory. They ignored their obligations to the Holy One and tried to keep His glory for themselves.
Daniel’s translation of the handwriting on the wall to King Belshazzar is a suitable illustration of people’s terrible sin of ignoring God’s position and power.
“But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified,” (Daniel 5:23).
“Neither were thankful;”
Not only did people ignore God but they refused to thank their Creator and Sustainer for what He had done for them. There was no gratitude from them, to their Creator who had given them so much. They were living like dead men—unthankful to their God, “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” (Psalm 6:5).
“But became vain in their imaginations,”
“Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?” (Jeremiah 2:5).
Their empty ideas, thoughts, imaginations about God were all wrong.
“And their foolish heart was darkened.”
Their “senseless,” “stupid,” heart was darkened, or you could say darkness settled down on their heart. And their heart could no longer perceive the truth.
The lost man is unthankful! The believer should be the polar opposite; he is very thankful to his God. Thankfulness is a way of life for the believer.
Believer, thank God and others to whom you owe a debt of gratitude. Be free with your thanks!
1. Actually, there were two times when all on earth knew God. 1. After creation. 2. After the great flood.