WORST EXCHANGE
Romans 1:21-23
This is the 5th sermon of the series, “Romans: The Gospel Blueprint.”
The main idea that Paul focuses on is that the failure to glorify God is the root of sin, especially idolatry. Idolatry is giving worship to that which is lesser; it honors the created rather than the Creator.[1] Men did not automatically fall into idolatry; it began with the failure to honor and thank God. The apostle makes it clear that God has made Himself known through creation. Therefore, there is no excuse (1:20). Those who continue in such practices will have no escape against the wrath of God.
Rejection of God
Humanity’s deepest problem is not ignorance, but rebellion.[2] God has revealed himself clearly through creation, yet fallen man refuses to glorify him as God. There is no excuse: the proper response to the Creator is honor and thanksgiving.
Romans 1:21a, ESV: For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…
Despite the knowledge of God made evident in creation, men knew God. But they did not honor Him and gave thanks. Therefore, there is no excuse (1:20). God’s wrath is justified to be upon them. Humankind deserves God’s wrath.
Darkness in the Heart
The consequences of rejecting God, not honoring Him, and thanking Him are clear. It is darkness. The apostle states that they became “futile in their thinking,” meaning foolish and perverted, and their hearts darkened. What is darkness? It is an absence of God’s light.
Romans 1:21b: but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Not believing in God is futile and foolish because it does not help their souls. It only brings God’s wrath upon them. Paul is explaining that it is “pointless, useless, and worthless.”[3] Why is it pointless or worthless? Because darkness leads to more darkness.
Exchanging God for Less
Paul continues to explain the consequences of failing to honor and thank God as Creator. When humans assert their wisdom against God, they become fools. The failure to worship God leads to unsound reasoning. They exchanged the glory of God for lesser beings, such as mortal men and creatures.
Romans 1:22-23: Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Note the decay from not honoring and thanking God to futility in thinking, to darkened hearts, to becoming fools, and ultimately to idolatry. Idolatry is the worship and honor of lesser beings instead of God. The obvious is the worship of images resembling the creation.
Application
1. Honor God and offer thanksgiving for His creation. God’s creation speaks of His glory, and His glory is also revealed in His word. There is no excuse for not honoring and thanking Him.
2. Let us proclaim the truth of God’s creation and warn people about the wrath of God against ungodliness and unrighteousness. Let us make people aware that the decay to futility and foolishness begins by failing to honor and thank God.
3. May we always put God first. Our desires and ambitions should not even be in the same ballpark. Let us focus on glorifying Him and avoid worshiping the created world by giving it more importance.
[1] Thomas R. Schreiner, Romans (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), 2nd ed. (Baker Academic, 2018), 96.
[2] Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Romans (Westminster John Knox Press, 2024), 55.
[3] Frank S. Thielman, Romans, ed. Clinton E. Arnold, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan Academic, 2018), 1:21.
Study Guide
1. Paul said that they have no excuse (1:20). What was he referring to? (Ro 1:21a)
2. Explain the consequences of failing to thank and honor God. (Ro 1:21b)
3. What happened to those who claimed to be wise against God? (Ro 1:22-23)
Poem
NO EXCUSE by Ed Pilapil Jr The Creator made Himself known To every man, His glory shown So there is no excuse for man Without God, oh man, you are damned You did not honor or thank Him And that is why your way is grim Pointless in thought, darkness in heart From the Lord, why did you depart? The rebels thought, we are so wise They are fools believing in lies They exchanged God for the lesser Their souls will decay and pester Rejected God for mortal man God’s wrath upon them, that’s the plan Birds, animals, and things that creep Against such, God’s wrath is revealed
