Vain in Their Imagination Romans 1:21

Paul the apostle told the church members in Rome, “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-one of Romans, Paul told with the church members, those who “knew God” did not “glorify” him “as God” and were, “vain in their imaginations” where we read:

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.

The verse begins, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;...” Paul began with the words, “because” or “since and on this account” “that when they knew” or “when people came to know, got knowledge of, perceived and felt” “God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “they glorified him not” which means “the did not praise, extol, magnify, honor or celebrate God” “as God” which means “as the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “neither” or “either or else” “were thankful” which means “were or felt grateful”. Paul shared how these who were “without excuse” recognized God but did not honor or “glorify” Him as God, and they were not even “thankful” for His provision.

The verse goes on to say, “... but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “became vain” or “were made empty, vain and foolish” “in their imaginations” which means “in their thinking, inward reasoning, purpose and design”, “and their foolish” or “their unintelligent, without understanding and stupid” “heart” which refers to “center and seat of spiritual life as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors” “was darkened” or “covered with darkness and deprived of light”. Because these unbelieving people did not “glorify” God and were not “thankful” to Him, God allowed them to have “empty and foolish” “inward reasoning, purpose and design”, and He covered their “stupid spirits” with “deprivation of light”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how God desires people to acknowledge and believe in Him. However, if they refuse to “glorify” and “thank” Him, He will allow them to become “foolish, stupid and vain” in their thoughts and spirits. Jesus Christ desires so much more for all who will turn to Him in repentance for their sins, and though the “thief comes but for to steal, kill and destroy”, Jesus has come to give “life and life more abundantly”. (See John 10:10) Let all who read these words never be named among those who refuse to know God and receive His Son Jesus as “Savior and Lord”, and may they never be found to be among those who have become “vain in imaginations, foolish hearted and stupid” before God and men.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “professing themselves to be wise, the become fools”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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