Romans 1:21, Because that, when they knew God,.............. The natural man, according to 1 Cor 2:14, does not know or believe in a spiritual God, in fact it says "he cannot know spiritual things". Romans 1 is talking about disobedient children of God.
Romans 1 is about the world in general that they have no excuse for not believing in a higher power that created all things, and not loving this higher power and people, which covers the 2 greatest laws, love God, and love people, the universal law that covers the whole history of mankind from Adam and Eve to the last one born on earth.
Creation alone testifies there is a higher power that loves people, for He provided food, and the means to make clothing, and shelter, so they should love this higher power, and people, so the world is without excuse if they do not.
Creation alone will judge the world, but also the word of God goes against them if they disobey it.
It is not talking about disobedient children of God, although they are judged for hypocrisy, and not obeying the truth, but people who see by creation that a higher power created all things, but chose not to believe it in the truth.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness, who hold the truth in unrighteousness, which is talking of the world, all people that do not believe.
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Creation testifies of God and of His attributes which one of them is love, so they should believe in a higher power, and love people. Creation testifies that God is good, loving, powerful, and intelligent.
Rom 1:20 For 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:
Rom 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.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
They knew God by creation but ignored the truth of Him.
These people refused to believe God in the truth, and were in to idols, and evolution, and denying the true God, for they served nature more than they served the Creator.
If you say disobedient children of God they would not fit this pattern, for they would have the right perspective of God, but they are disobedient by way of not obeying His holiness.
These people do not have the right perspective of God, some into natural things attributing it to God, nature worship, and some like today believing in evolution.
So it is addressed to the world from Adam and Eve to the last person born on earth that nobody throughout history has an excuse for not believing in a higher power in the truth, for creation testifies of the truth.
And if addressed to the world that they have no excuse for ignoring the truth which lies in the 2 greatest laws, love God, and love people, which is how a person becomes a child of God, then anybody can have salvation.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Joh 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Act 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.
God said that He does not want anybody to perish, and repent, and come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved.
God commands every person to repent on earth, and if He commands that every person on earth repent, then anybody can be saved.
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