WHEN MEN KNEW GOD BUT DID NOT HONOR HIM
“Because, although they knew God…” (Romans 1:21)
There is enough truth in these opening words of this verse to occupy our minds for quite some time. The Apostle Paul is explaining why God’s wrath is revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness. He is not describing people who never had any light whatsoever. He is describing people who had sufficient knowledge of God and yet turned away from Him.
The tragedy of mankind is not first that men are ignorant. The tragedy is that men suppress what they know to be true. Romans 1:18 has already declared that men suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Now Paul explains why they are guilty. “Although they knew God.”
We must first ask, what does Paul mean by these words? He is not saying that every person possesses a saving knowledge of God. Saving knowledge comes only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself declared, “Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him” (Matthew 11:27).
Paul is speaking of the knowledge of God available through creation and conscience. The heavens continually declare His glory. The order of creation reveals intelligence, wisdom, and power. Even the conscience bears witness that there is a moral Lawgiver (Romans 1:19–20; 2:14-15).
This means that atheism is not merely an intellectual problem. It is a spiritual problem. Man does not reject God because the evidence is lacking. He rejects God because his heart loves sin more than truth.
The issue is never merely the mind. It is the will. The heart determines what the mind is willing to accept. That is why Proverbs says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalms 14:1). Notice that it is first a matter of the heart.
Consider how remarkable Paul’s statement is. He does not say they guessed there might be a God. He says they knew God. Every sunrise, every star in the heavens, every mountain, every newborn child, every breath we take proclaims that there is a Creator worthy of worship.
David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalms 19:1). The created order is a continual sermon that never stops preaching.
Yet this knowledge is limited. Creation tells us that God is powerful, wise, eternal, and glorious. Creation cannot tell us that Christ died for our sins. It cannot explain justification by faith. It cannot reveal the empty tomb. That message comes only through God’s word and the preaching of the gospel (Romans 10:14–17). Therefore, general revelation leaves men without excuse, but only the gospel brings salvation.
Notice also that Paul begins with knowledge before he mentions conduct. Modern society tells us that behavior is the primary issue. The Bible teaches that man’s greatest problem begins with God. Everything else flows from that relationship.
When a person’s view of God is corrupted, his worship is corrupted. When worship is corrupted, his thinking becomes futile. When thinking becomes futile, his morals collapse. Sin begins vertically before it appears horizontally.
This explains much of what we see around us. We often ask why families fall apart, why violence increases, why impurity spreads, and why truth is rejected. Romans answers that question.
The root problem is not politics, economics, education, or technology. The root problem is that men know enough about God to worship Him, yet refuse to do so. Every other problem grows from that poisoned root.
There is another lesson here that deserves careful attention. Knowledge alone does not save. It is possible to know many facts about God and remain lost. There are people who can explain doctrine, quote verses, defend Christianity, and yet have never bowed before Christ in humble repentance and faith.
James teaches us that even the demons believe there is one God, and they tremble (James 2:19). Mere knowledge is not enough. Saving faith embraces Christ Himself.
This should cause every one of us to examine our own hearts. We attend church. We hear sermons. We read the Bible. We know the language of Christianity. But have these truths humbled us? Have they produced love for Christ? Have they led us to worship? Or have we become hearers only? Jesus said, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).
The believer should also find encouragement here. The God whom creation reveals generally has revealed Himself savingly in His Son. We know not only that God exists but that He has reconciled sinners through Jesus Christ.
We know His mercy because we have seen the cross. We know His power because Christ rose from the dead. We know His love because “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The knowledge we possess is a gift of grace.
Finally, let us remember that every sermon places us under greater responsibility. Each time we hear God’s word, we either receive it with faith or resist it. There is no neutral ground.
The Pharisees heard the words of Christ repeatedly, yet hardened themselves. Lydia heard the gospel, and the Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul (Acts 16:14). May our hearts always remain soft before God.
As we conclude, let these simple words remain in our minds: “Although they knew God.” What have we done with the light God has given us? Have we treasured it? Have we responded with repentance? Have we honored Him with grateful hearts?
God’s word teaches that the proper response to knowing God is worship, thanksgiving, obedience, and joyful faith. Anything less is the beginning of spiritual decline.
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Our gracious Father, we thank You that You have not left this world without witness. Your glory shines through creation, and Your grace shines even more brightly through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Keep us from becoming people who merely know the truth without loving it. Give us humble hearts that honor You in worship, thanksgiving, and obedience. May Your Holy Spirit deepen our reverence for You each day, and may our lives reflect the glory of the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We ask these things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
BDD
