Romans 1:20–23 (KJV)
“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:
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.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
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.”
The revelation of God in creation
The apostle Paul begins with a clear and firm truth: God has revealed Himself to all humanity through creation. The “invisible things” of God—His eternal power and His Godhead—are made known by what He has created. The order, beauty, complexity, and purpose seen in the world testify that there is a Creator who is eternal, powerful, and divine.
This revelation is universal. It is not limited to Israel, the church, or those who possess the written Scriptures. From the beginning of the world, creation itself has spoken. Because of this, Paul declares that mankind is “without excuse.” Ignorance is not the problem. Suppression of truth is.
Creation does not save, but it does convict. It points beyond itself to the living God and demands a response of worship, humility, and gratitude.
Knowing God but refusing to honor Him
Paul makes a striking statement: “When they knew God.” This does not mean saving knowledge, but real awareness. Humanity knew there was a God, yet chose not to glorify Him as God. They refused to give Him the honor due His name and failed to live with thankful hearts.
Ungratefulness is not a small sin in this passage. It is a doorway to rebellion. When people stop thanking God, they begin to imagine life without Him. Worship fades, pride grows, and the heart begins to turn inward.
This refusal to glorify God leads to a downward spiral. Minds become vain—empty, confused, and self-focused. Hearts grow dark, not because light was absent, but because light was rejected.
The illusion of wisdom and the rise of foolishness
Paul exposes a great deception: “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Human wisdom, when separated from the fear of the Lord, becomes arrogance disguised as intelligence. The more people trust their own reasoning above God’s truth, the further they drift from reality.
This passage speaks powerfully to every age, but especially to the last days. Scripture warns that knowledge will increase (Daniel 12:4), yet wisdom will decline. Education without reverence produces pride. Progress without God produces blindness.
True wisdom begins with submission to God. When that foundation is removed, even the most brilliant minds become foolish in eternal matters.
Exchanging God’s glory for idolatry
The final step in this descent is idolatry. Humanity “changed the glory of the uncorruptible God” for images of created things. Instead of worshiping the Creator, they worshiped the creation.
Idolatry is not only the bowing down to statues. It is the exchange of God’s glory for anything lesser—human reason, nature, power, pleasure, or self. Whenever something created takes the place of the Creator, idolatry is present.
In the end times, Scripture warns of increased deception and false worship. This passage shows the root of that deception. When God is removed from His rightful place, mankind will always replace Him with something that reflects itself—corruptible, temporary, and lifeless.
Conclusion
Romans 1:20–23 reveals the moral history of humanity in clear stages: revelation, rejection, rationalization, and replacement. God made Himself known. Man refused to honor Him. Pride replaced gratitude. Idolatry replaced worship.
This passage stands as both a warning and a call. God has not hidden Himself. He is still revealed—in creation, in conscience, and most clearly in Jesus Christ. The tragedy is not lack of evidence, but refusal to submit.
In these final days, the church must proclaim this truth without compromise: God alone is worthy of glory. To reject Him is to walk into darkness. To honor Him is to walk in truth, life, and eternal hope.