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Romans 1

Rom. 1:21 KJV (With Strong’s)

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21
Because that
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
dioti (Greek #1360)
on the very account that, or inasmuch as
KJV usage: because (that), for, therefore.
Pronounce: dee-ot'-ee
Origin: from 1223 and 3754
, when they knew
ginosko (Greek #1097)
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
KJV usage: allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Pronounce: ghin-oce'-ko
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb
God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, they glorified
doxazo (Greek #1392)
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
KJV usage: (make) glorify(-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify.
Pronounce: dox-ad'-zo
Origin: from 1391
him not
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
as
hos (Greek #5613)
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV usage: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
Pronounce: hoce
Origin: probably adverb of comparative from 3739
God
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, neither
e (Greek #2228)
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
KJV usage: and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially 2235, 2260, 2273.
Pronounce: ay
Origin: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms
were thankful
eucharisteo (Greek #2168)
to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
KJV usage: (give) thank(-ful, -s).
Pronounce: yoo-khar-is-teh'-o
Origin: from 2170
; but
alla (Greek #235)
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Pronounce: al-lah'
Origin: neuter plural of 243
became vain
mataioo (Greek #3154)
to render (passively, become) foolish, i.e. (morally) wicked or (specially), idolatrous
KJV usage: become vain.
Pronounce: mat-ah-yo'-o
Origin: from 3152
d in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
their
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
imaginations
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
dialogismos (Greek #1261)
discussion, i.e. (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate
KJV usage: dispute, doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.
Pronounce: dee-al-og-is-mos'
Origin: from 1260
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
their
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
foolish
asunetos (Greek #801)
unintelligent; by implication, wicked
KJV usage: foolish, without understanding.
Pronounce: as-oon'-ay-tos
Origin: from 1 (as a negative particle) and 4908
heart
kardia (Greek #2588)
the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
KJV usage: (+ broken-)heart(-ed).
Pronounce: kar-dee'-ah
Origin: prolonged from a primary κάρ (Latin cor, "heart")
was darkened
skotizo (Greek #4654)
to obscure (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: darken.
Pronounce: skot-id-zo
Origin: from 4655
.
d
Jer. 2:5• 5Thus saith Jehovah: What injustice have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and become vain? (Jer. 2:5)
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Eph. 4:17‑18• 17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye should no longer walk as the rest of the nations walk in the vanity of their mind,
 18being darkened in understanding, estranged from the life of God by reason of the ignorance which is in them, by reason of the hardness of their hearts, (Eph. 4:17‑18)

More on:

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God,
Heart

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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when.
Rom. 1:19,28• 19Because what is known of God is manifest among them, for God has manifested it to them,
 28And according as they did not think good to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind to practise unseemly things; (Rom. 1:19,28)
;
John 3:19• 19And this is the judgment, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light; for their works were evil. (John 3:19)
they glorified.
Rom. 15:9• 9and that the nations should glorify God for mercy; according as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the nations, and will sing to thy name. (Rom. 15:9)
;
Psa. 50:23• 23Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his way will I shew the salvation of God. (Psa. 50:23)
;
Psa. 86:9• 9All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name. (Psa. 86:9)
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Hos. 2:8• 8And she did not know that I had given her the corn and the new wine and the oil, and had multiplied to her the silver and gold, which they employed for Baal. (Hos. 2:8)
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Hab. 1:15‑16• 15He taketh up all of them with the hook, he catcheth them in his net, and gathereth them into his drag; therefore he rejoiceth and is glad:
 16therefore he sacrificeth unto his net, and burneth incense unto his drag; for by them his portion is become fat, and his meat dainty. (Hab. 1:15‑16)
;
Luke 17:15‑18• 15And one of them, seeing that he was cured, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,
 16and fell on his face at his feet giving him thanks: and *he* was a Samaritan.
 17And Jesus answering said, Were not the ten cleansed? but the nine, where are they?
 18There have not been found to return and give glory to God save this stranger. (Luke 17:15‑18)
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2 Tim. 3:2• 2for men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, evil speakers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, profane, (2 Tim. 3:2)
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Rev. 14:7• 7saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and do homage to him who has made the heaven and the earth and the sea and fountains of waters. (Rev. 14:7)
;
Rev. 15:4• 4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and do homage before thee; for thy righteousnesses have been made manifest. (Rev. 15:4)
but became.
Gen. 6:5• 5And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of Man was great on the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart only evil continually. (Gen. 6:5)
;
Gen. 8:21• 21And Jehovah smelled the sweet odour. And Jehovah said in his heart, I will no more henceforth curse the ground on account of Man, for the thought of Man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will no more smite every living thing, as I have done. (Gen. 8:21)
;
2 Kings 17:15• 15And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant which he had made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he had testified unto them; and they followed vanity and became vain, and went after the nations that were round about them, concerning whom Jehovah had charged them that they should not do like them. (2 Kings 17:15)
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Psa. 81:12• 12So I gave them up unto their own hearts' stubbornness: they walked after their own counsels. (Psa. 81:12)
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Eccl. 7:29• 29Only see this which I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices. (Eccl. 7:29)
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Isa. 44:9‑20• 9They that form a graven image are all of them vanity, and their delectable things are of no profit; and they are their own witnesses: they see not, nor know;--that they may be ashamed.
 10Who hath formed a *god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?
 11Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed; and the workmen are but men. Let them all be gathered together, let them stand up: they shall fear, they shall be ashamed together.
 12The iron-smith hath a chisel, and he worketh in the coals, and he fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with his strong arm;--but he is hungry, and his strength faileth; he hath not drunk water, and he is faint.
 13The worker in wood stretcheth out a line; he marketh it out with red chalk; he formeth it with sharp tools, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of man: that it may remain in the house.
 14When he heweth him down cedars, he taketh also a holm-oak and a terebinth--he chooseth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth a pine, and the rain maketh it grow.
 15And it shall be for a man to burn, and he taketh thereof, and warmeth himself; he kindleth it also, and baketh bread; he maketh also a *god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
 16He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh, he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; yea, he is warm, and saith, Aha, I am become warm, I have seen the fire.
 17And with the remainder thereof he maketh a *god, his graven image; he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me, for thou art my *god.
 18They have no knowledge, and understand not; for he hath plastered their eyes, that they may not see; and their hearts, that they may not understand.
 19And none taketh it to heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire, and have also baked bread upon the coals thereof, I have roasted flesh, and eaten it, and with the rest thereof shall I make an abomination? shall I bow down to a block of wood?
 20He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? (Isa. 44:9‑20)
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Jer. 2:5• 5Thus saith Jehovah: What injustice have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and become vain? (Jer. 2:5)
;
Jer. 10:3‑8,14‑15• 3For the statutes of the peoples are vanity; for it is a tree cut out of the forest, worked with a chisel by the hands of the artizan;
 4they deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
 5They are as a palm-column of turned work, and they speak not; they are carried, for they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
 6There is none like unto thee, Jehovah; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
 7Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? For to thee doth it appertain; for among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
 8But they are one and all senseless and foolish; the teaching of vanities is a stock.
 14Every man is become brutish, bereft of knowledge; every founder is put to shame by the graven image, for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
 15They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. (Jer. 10:3‑8,14‑15)
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Jer. 16:19• 19Jehovah, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of distress, unto thee shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and they shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited falsehood and vanity; and in these things there is no profit. (Jer. 16:19)
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Eph. 4:17‑18• 17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye should no longer walk as the rest of the nations walk in the vanity of their mind,
 18being darkened in understanding, estranged from the life of God by reason of the ignorance which is in them, by reason of the hardness of their hearts, (Eph. 4:17‑18)
;
1 Peter 1:18• 18knowing that ye have been redeemed, not by corruptible things, as silver or gold, from your vain conversation handed down from your fathers, (1 Peter 1:18)
their foolish.
Rom. 11:10• 10let their eyes be darkened not to see, and bow down their back alway. (Rom. 11:10)
;
Deut. 28:29• 29and 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 spoiled continually, and there shall be none to save. (Deut. 28:29)
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Isa. 60:2• 2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen on thee. (Isa. 60:2)
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Acts 26:18• 18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:18)
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1 Peter 2:9• 9But *ye* are a chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye might set forth the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness to his wonderful light; (1 Peter 2:9)
• Having the knowledge of God as Noah had it, they had not glorified Him as God. (“Romans 1:18-3:20” by J.N. Darby)
• {v.21-23} Since the human heart cannot exist in a state of vacuum (it must have an object), Paul shows that, historically, when men have turned their backs on the revelation of God in creation, they tum to idols (false gods) to fill the void. (“The Unrighteousness of Man: Romans 1:18-3:20” by B. Anstey)
• "Knew" (verse 21) is translated from "ginosko" in the Greek; it refers to outward, objective knowledge. (“The Unrighteousness of Man: Romans 1:18-3:20” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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21
Becausea, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughtsb, and their heart without understanding was darkened:

JND Translation Notes

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a
This is the second reason. the first is ver. 19.
b
The "inward reasonings of the mind," as Luke 9.46. The word "thoughts" in English conveys this best.

W. Kelly Translation

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21
Because, having known God, they glorified him not as God nor were thankful, but became vain in their thoughts, and their heart void of understanding was darkened.