“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.”
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. The problem is not epistemic but moral and volitional: humans knew God but refused to honor him or render gratitude. This failure to glorify (doxazō) and give thanks (eucharisteo) constitutes the fundamental sin—ingratitude and dishonor toward the Creator. Futile thinking (mataioomai) and darkened hearts (skootizomai) represent the spiritual and intellectual consequences of rebellion.
Church Fathers on Romans 1:21
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God.” This is the one greatest charge; and the second after it is their also worshipping idols, as Jeremy too in accusing them said, “This people has committed two evils: they have forsaken me the fountain of living water, and have dug for themselves broken cisterns.” Jeremiah 2:13 And then as a sign of their having known God, and not used their knowledge upon a fit object, he adduces this very thing, that they…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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