Romans 1:21 Cross References

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.

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Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse

Listed below are the Bible themes associated with Romans 1:21. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.

Romans 1:21 Cross Reference Verses

This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to Romans 1:21 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.

Ephesians 4:17 KJV Bible Verse Image
Ephesians 4:17 (KJV) »
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Jeremiah 2:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jeremiah 2:5 (KJV) »
Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

2 Kings 17:15 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 17:15 (KJV) »
And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.

2 Timothy 3:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) »
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Revelation 14:7 KJV Bible Verse Image
Revelation 14:7 (KJV) »
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Psalms 50:23 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 50:23 (KJV) »
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

1 Peter 2:9 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) »
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Revelation 15:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
Revelation 15:4 (KJV) »
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Psalms 81:12 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 81:12 (KJV) »
So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

John 3:19 KJV Bible Verse Image
John 3:19 (KJV) »
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

1 Peter 1:18 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Peter 1:18 (KJV) »
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

Luke 17:15 KJV Bible Verse Image
Luke 17:15 (KJV) »
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

Romans 1:19 KJV Bible Verse Image
Romans 1:19 (KJV) »
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Romans 11:10 KJV Bible Verse Image
Romans 11:10 (KJV) »
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Romans 1:28 KJV Bible Verse Image
Romans 1:28 (KJV) »
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Romans 15:9 KJV Bible Verse Image
Romans 15:9 (KJV) »
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

Habakkuk 1:15 KJV Bible Verse Image
Habakkuk 1:15 (KJV) »
They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.

Genesis 6:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Genesis 6:5 (KJV) »
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Deuteronomy 28:29 KJV Bible Verse Image
Deuteronomy 28:29 (KJV) »
And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.

Psalms 86:9 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 86:9 (KJV) »
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 KJV Bible Verse Image
Ecclesiastes 7:29 (KJV) »
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Isaiah 44:9 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 44:9 (KJV) »
They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

Jeremiah 16:19 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jeremiah 16:19 (KJV) »
O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.

Jeremiah 10:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jeremiah 10:3 (KJV) »
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Romans 1:21 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses

Understanding Romans 1:21

Romans 1:21 states: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." This verse highlights a critical aspect of human nature in relation to divine knowledge and the consequences of ignoring it.

Meaning and Interpretation

The apostle Paul underscores the importance of acknowledging God and the consequences when that acknowledgment is absent. According to Matthew Henry, this verse illustrates that humans have an inherent knowledge of God; however, they often choose to suppress it. This suppression leads to a state of futility in their thinking and darkens their hearts.

Albert Barnes indicates that knowing God is not merely the accumulation of facts about Him; it involves recognizing His authority and glorifying Him accordingly. Failing to do so results in a decline in moral and spiritual clarity. Adam Clarke emphasizes that such failure to honor God leads to deeper spiritual blindness and intellectual futility.

Key Themes

  • Knowledge of God: Humanity possesses an intrinsic awareness of God.
  • Failure to Honor: Ignoring this awareness leads to moral deprivation.
  • Darkened Hearts: Spiritual blindness results from neglecting divine acknowledgment.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The shifting of focus from God to vain thoughts leads to idol worship.

Bible Cross-References

Exploring cross-references enriches the understanding of Romans 1:21. Here are ten key related verses:

  • Psalm 14:1: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" This shows the perspective of those who deny God's existence.
  • Romans 1:18: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." This highlights the consequences of ungodliness.
  • Jeremiah 10:14: "Every man is stupid and without knowledge." This verse echoes the futility of turning away from God.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing." This indicates the foolishness perceived in divine truth by the unregenerate mind.
  • 2 Timothy 3:7: "Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth." This points to the emptiness of knowledge devoid of God.
  • Ephesians 4:18: "They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God." It parallels the idea of hearts being darkened.
  • Isaiah 29:13: "This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me." It reflects the disconnect between knowledge and sincerity.
  • Matthew 25:30: "Cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness." This emphasizes the consequences of unfruitfulness.
  • Colossians 2:8: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit." It warns against the futility of worldly wisdom.
  • 1 John 1:6: "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." This summarizes the effect of not honoring God.

Tools for Bible Cross-Referencing

Studying the Bible requires diligent engagement. Several tools for Bible cross-referencing can enhance one's understanding:

  • Bible Concordance: A comprehensive index of biblical words and their occurrences.
  • Bible Cross-Reference Guide: Tools that provide connections between scriptures based on themes.
  • Cross-Reference Bible Study: Methods that help identify related verses across the Bible.
  • Bible Chain References: Systems that link verses thematically for deeper study.
  • Online Bible Reference Resources: Platforms offering integrated cross-referencing.

Application of Cross-Referencing in Study

Utilizing a Bible cross-reference system enables one to effectively explore various themes and ideas presented in scripture.

Whether it's identifying relationships between the Old Testament and New Testament, or studying parallels between Gospels, understanding the connections between Bible verses can profoundly impact one’s faith and comprehension of God’s word. For instance:

  • How to find cross-references in the Bible: Utilizing a concordance or Bible software.
  • Comparative study of Pauline epistles: Analyzing consistent themes across Paul's letters reflects his teachings.
  • Interpreting Biblical themes through cross-references: This method encourages a holistic view of scripture.