Romans 1:21 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 1:19-32

In this last part of the chapter the apostle applies what he had said particularly to the Gentile world, in which we may observe, I. The means and helps they had to come to the knowledge of God. Though they had not such a knowledge of his law as Jacob and Israel had (Ps. 147:20), yet among them he left not himself without witness (Acts 14:17): For that which may be known, etc., Rom. 1:19, 20. Observe, 1. What discoveries they had: That which may be known of God is manifest, en autois?among... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 1:18-23

1:18-23 For the wrath of God is being revealed from Heaven, directed against all impiousness and wickedness of men, who, in their wickedness, wilfully suppress the truth that is struggling in their hearts, for, that which can be known about God is clear within them, for God has made it clear to them, because, from the creation of the world, it has always been possible to understand the invisible things by the created things--I mean his invisible power and divinity--and things have been so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:21

Because that when they knew God ,.... Though they had such a knowledge of the being and perfections of God, yet they glorified him not as God . They neither thought nor spoke honourably of him; nor did they ascribe those perfections to him, which belonged to him; they did not adhere to him as the one and only God, nor honour him as the Creator of all things out of nothing, and as the sole Governor of the universe; they did not glorify him by the internal exercise of fear of him, love to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:21

Because that when they knew God - When they thus acquired a general knowledge of the unity and perfections of the Divine nature, they glorified him not as God - they did not proclaim him to the people, but shut up his glory (as Bishop Warburton expresses it) in their mysteries, and gave the people, in exchange for an incorruptible God, an image made like to corruptible man. Wherefore God, in punishment for their sins, thus turning his truth into a lie, suffered even their mysteries, which... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:21

Verse 21 21.For when they knew God, etc. He plainly testifies here, that God has presented to the minds of all the means of knowing him, having so manifested himself by his works, that they must necessarily see what of themselves they seek not to know — that there is some God; for the world does not by chance exist, nor could it have proceeded from itself. But we must ever bear in mind the degree of knowledge in which they continued; and this appears from what follows. They glorified him not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

(a) The heathen world in general. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The inexcusableness of the heathen. In the twentieth verse the apostle speaks of the heathen as "without excuse." These words describe the condition of those who have wilfully rejected light. They do not, indeed, describe their condition from their own standpoint or from the standpoint of men generally. From their own standpoint men are seldom "without excuse." No matter how gross or glaring the offence is, the offender has usually some excuse to offer. Adam and Eve had their excuses... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The revelation of wrath. "For." Note the transition. The introduction into a status of righteousness presupposes a status of unrighteousness, involving wrath. So, then, we have here—man's guilt, God's wrath. I. MAN 'S GUILT . Man's guilt, which is his obnoxious relation to the judgment of God, is established by reference to the well-known state of the Gentile world, branded by its own doings as "ungodly" and "unrighteous." 1. Ungodliness. The deepest root of man's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

God's wrath as revealed among the Gentiles. In last homily we saw that the gospel Paul meant to preach at Rome, if he ever got there, was a "revelation of justice" on the part of God. By his covenant arrangements "God can be just, and yet the Justifier of him who believeth in Jesus." He can proclaim the sinner just on the ground of Christ's atonement. But now we are introduced to another "revelation" made in the constitution of the world—a revelation which is also grounded on justice, hut... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:21

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. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 1:19-32

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 1:18-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 1:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:18-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:21

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