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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•  (Jer. 2:5)
;
Eph. 4:17‑18• 17This then I say and testify in [the] Lord that ye should no longer walk even as also the rest of the nations walk in vanity of their mind,
 18being darkened in the understanding, estranged from the life of God on account of the ignorance that is in them, on account of the hardening of their heart, (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 may be known of God is manifest among them, for God made [it] manifest to them.
 28And even as they disapproved to have God in acknowledgment, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind to do improper things; (Rom. 1:19,28)
;
John 3:19• 19And this is the judgment, that the light hath come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. (John 3:19)
they glorified.
Rom. 15:9• 9and that the Gentiles should glorify God for mercy, even as it is written, “On this account I will confess to thee among [the] Gentiles, and to thy name will I sing.” (Rom. 15:9)
;
Psa. 50:23•  (Psa. 50:23)
;
Psa. 86:9•  (Psa. 86:9)
;
Hos. 2:8•  (Hos. 2:8)
;
Hab. 1:15‑16•  (Hab. 1:15‑16)
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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, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (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 is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and [the] sea and fountains of waters. (Rev. 14:7)
;
Rev. 15:4• 4Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for {i}thou{/i} only {i}art{/i} holy: for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteousnesses were manifested. (Rev. 15:4)
but became.
Gen. 6:5•  (Gen. 6:5)
;
Gen. 8:21•  (Gen. 8:21)
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2 Kings 17:15•  (2 Kings 17:15)
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Psa. 81:12•  (Psa. 81:12)
;
Eccl. 7:29•  (Eccl. 7:29)
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Isa. 44:9‑20•  (Isa. 44:9‑20)
;
Jer. 2:5•  (Jer. 2:5)
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Jer. 10:3‑8,14‑15•  (Jer. 10:3‑8,14‑15)
;
Jer. 16:19•  (Jer. 16:19)
;
Eph. 4:17‑18• 17This then I say and testify in [the] Lord that ye should no longer walk even as also the rest of the nations walk in vanity of their mind,
 18being darkened in the understanding, estranged from the life of God on account of the ignorance that is in them, on account of the hardening of their heart, (Eph. 4:17‑18)
;
1 Peter 1:18• 18knowing that not by corruptibles, silver or gold, ye were redeemed, from your vain course ancestrally handed down, (1 Peter 1:18)
their foolish.
Rom. 11:10• 10let their eyes be darkened so as not to see, and their back ever bend thou down.” (Rom. 11:10)
;
Deut. 28:29•  (Deut. 28:29)
;
Isa. 60:2•  (Isa. 60:2)
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Acts 26:18• 18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness unto light and the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among those that are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)
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1 Peter 2:9• 9But ye [are] a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye might set out the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness unto his marvellous 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.