*See this post for explanation and ground rules, commentary on vv 18-20 and this post for commentary on vv 22-25.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
They knew who God was but rather than accepting his righteousness (right standing) they are content to “go it alone”, to, in a sense, make a go of it without God – not because they do not believe he exists but because they believe they can do better for themselves.
They suppress (hide, keep out of sight) the truth. Now they cannot live otherwise since they think themselves wiser than God. Because of this suppression of the truth a void is left in their reality; remove truth and the void it leaves must be filled. A comprehensive fiction was necessary to fill this void. The fiction is self-salvation.
Suppressing the truth obviously means you exclude it from any times of meditation or reflection. This is what causes one to become futile in his thinking, and what follows is a darkness of the heart. This makes sense… suppress the light of truth and darkness follows.
Series index:
Romans 1:18-20
Romans 1:21
Romans 1:22-25
Your turn.
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