What is the definition of Romans 1:21?

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.

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Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 1:21. It’s a really important one about how people can lose sight of what God is truly about. Here's the explanation in simpler terms:
Basically, it means:
“Because they 💎knew💎 God, they 💎didn’t really believe💎 in Him. They started to think things about Him that weren’t true or right – they became obsessed with themselves and their own ideas instead of focusing on His greatness.” Let's unpack that a little more: 💎
"Because that..."
- This is a way of saying “because” or “as a result.” It’s introducing the reason why something happened. 💎
"...they knew God..."
– This means they had a sense of who God is – He’s powerful, good, and amazing. They understood His nature. 💎
"...they glorified [him] not as God..."
– This is the key part. They started to 💎revere💎 Him, but instead of truly worshiping or acknowledging Him as the supreme being, they started to think of 💎themselves💎 as worthy of His attention. They were trying to make Him bigger than He actually was. 💎
"...neither were thankful..."
– This means they didn't express gratitude for God’s help and blessings. They weren't praising or showing appreciation for what He did. 💎
"...but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
- This is the consequence of not believing and not thanking. Their minds started to wander away from the true reality of God – they became obsessed with 💎their own💎 thoughts and feelings about Him instead of focusing on His character and purpose. Their hearts were clouded, like looking through a dark fog.
In short, it’s a warning against pride.
It says that if we don't genuinely believe in God and recognize His greatness, we can become obsessed with ourselves and our own ways, which is a path to being disconnected from the true source of goodness and love.
Why is this important?
It’s a reminder to always remember that God’s primary focus should be on Him, not on us. It encourages us to keep our minds focused on His character and purpose, rather than on our own desires or achievements. ---
Do you want me to:
💎 Explain this verse in more detail? 💎 Give you a related quote from the Bible? 💎 Talk about how this verse relates to other parts of Scripture?