Sermons on Romans 1:21-23

Romans 1:21-23 Interpretation:

Authentic Worship: Prioritizing God in Daily Life (MosaicMableton) interprets Romans 1:21-23 as a warning against the human tendency to substitute authentic worship of God with the worship of created things, including money, possessions, traditions, and even religious practices that are divorced from true devotion. The sermon draws a direct line from the idolatry of the Romans—worshiping images of people, animals, and reptiles—to modern forms of idolatry, such as astrology, ancestor worship, and even the elevation of church traditions or personal preferences above God. The preacher uses vivid analogies, such as the story of snake-handling pastors and the obsession with sports teams or possessions, to illustrate how easily people can misdirect their worship. The sermon also highlights the futility and confusion that result from failing to glorify and thank God, echoing the "darkened hearts" and "futile thinking" described in the passage. The preacher does not delve into the Greek text but offers a fresh, culturally relevant application by connecting ancient idolatry to contemporary spiritual confusion and misplaced affections.

Transforming Culture Through Spiritual Renewal and Repentance (Summit Church) interprets Romans 1:21-23 as a diagnosis of the root problem in both ancient and modern cultures: idolatry is not just about worshiping statues but about allowing anything—good or bad—to become supreme in one's life instead of God. The sermon uniquely emphasizes that idolatry often involves taking good things (like family, work, or even church) and making them ultimate, which leads to spiritual confusion and moral darkness. The preacher draws a parallel between the Roman pantheon and the modern tendency to add God to a list of priorities rather than making Him supreme. The sermon also highlights the psychological process described in Romans 1:21-23, where refusing to worship and thank God leads to confused thinking and a downward spiral into foolishness. The preacher uses the Greek term "metanoeo" to deepen the understanding of repentance as a change of mind and heart, not just behavior, which is a notable linguistic insight.

Human Folly: The Danger of Self-Deception (MLJTrust) offers a distinctive interpretation by focusing on the self-deceptive nature of idolatry as described in Romans 1:21-23. The sermon highlights the irony of humanity's claim to wisdom while engaging in the folly of creating and worshiping gods of their own making. The preacher draws a strong connection between the biblical account and modern intellectual trends, such as higher criticism and the redefinition of God according to human preferences. The analogy of worshiping "the works of their own hands" is extended to contemporary forms of self-worship, nationalism, and materialism. The sermon stands out for its emphasis on the psychological and cultural mechanisms of self-deception, arguing that the rejection of God's revelation is rooted in pride and a refusal to accept divine authority.

Understanding Conflict: Worldviews, God, and Human Life (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Romans 1:21-23 as a foundational text for understanding the dangers of syncretism and the distortion of the concept of God. The sermon uniquely applies the passage to the American context, critiquing the cultural assumption that all religions are equally valid and that all people worship the same God. The preacher argues that the primordial sin of humanity is idolatry—distorting the true nature of God—and that this has profound implications for how we understand ourselves and the world. The sermon uses the analogy of American civil religion and public worship services to illustrate modern forms of idolatry and syncretism, making the ancient text relevant to contemporary issues of religious pluralism and national identity.

The Power of the Gospel: Hope Amidst Humanity's Rebellion (Alistair Begg) offers a notable interpretation of Romans 1:21-23 by connecting the passage directly to Genesis 3, arguing that the root of humanity’s idolatry and irrationality is the original exchange of truth for a lie in Eden. Begg frames the futility and darkness of human thinking as a direct result of Adam and Eve’s rebellion, which he sees as the archetype for all subsequent human attempts to “know better than God.” He also highlights the phrase “God gave them up” as not merely passive non-interference but as an active judicial handing over, intensifying the consequences of idolatry. Begg uses the analogy of people praying to a self-made idol for help with exams or health, calling it “insanity,” and extends the metaphor to modern self-deification, where people replace God with themselves to avoid divine authority.

The Perils of Unbelief: Embracing God's Light (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets Romans 1:21-23 through the lens of rationality versus irrationality. Smith argues that belief in God is instinctive and “coded in your DNA,” and that to reject God is to embrace irrationality. He uses the metaphor of “irrational unbelief” to describe the state of those who, after repeated rejection of God, become incapable of belief. Smith also draws a distinction between rational and irrational responses to nature: to worship creation is irrational, while to worship the Creator is rational. He uses the analogy of people worshiping “Mother Earth” or engaging in “tree hugging” as examples of the foolishness Paul describes.

Embracing the Majesty and Incomparability of God (Alistair Begg) provides a unique angle by focusing on the willfulness behind humanity’s blindness, emphasizing that the refusal to glorify God is not due to ignorance but a deliberate act of the will. Begg uses the analogy of crafting idols with flat bottoms so they don’t fall over, highlighting the absurdity of making a god that is “manageable” and “containable.” He also notes the progression from enjoying God’s gifts to making them ends in themselves, which he sees as a subtle form of idolatry that echoes Romans 1:21-23’s warning.

The Majesty of God: Rejecting Idolatry and Embracing Sovereignty (Alistair Begg) closely parallels the previous sermon but adds the metaphor of the “art and imagination of man” as the source of idolatry, drawing a line from ancient idol-making to modern spiritualities that seek a “companionable” god who affirms personal morality. Begg’s analogy of the idol that must be made with a flat bottom so it won’t embarrass its owner is used to illustrate the futility and absurdity of idolatry, echoing Paul’s depiction of foolishness in Romans 1:21-23.

Exchanging God's Glory: The Root of All Sin (Desiring God) interprets Romans 1:21-23 as identifying the fundamental problem of humanity as the exchange of the glory of God for lesser things, which Piper calls “the root problem of mankind” and “the problem beneath all” other issues. He offers a unique linguistic insight by focusing on the Greek structure in verse 23, noting the “likeness of an image of corruptible man,” and argues that the piling up of words emphasizes the absurdity and loss in the exchange—trading the infinite for a “copy of a copy of a copy.” He uses vivid analogies, such as trading a diamond for a rotten peach or a Rembrandt for a dime-store copy, to illustrate the folly of this exchange. Piper also draws a parallel between Romans 1:21-23 and Romans 3:23, arguing that “falling short” or “lacking” the glory of God is another way of describing this exchange, thus unifying the concept of sin as the devaluation of God’s glory. He further uses the metaphor of light and darkness, comparing the heart’s need for the “light of the knowledge of the glory of God” to the body’s need for physical light, and asserts that only God’s glory can enlighten the heart, while all substitutes bring darkness.

Finding True Joy: The Duty of Christian Hedonism (Desiring God) interprets Romans 1:21-23 through the lens of Christian hedonism, arguing that the essence of evil is to seek satisfaction anywhere but in God. Piper connects the passage to Jeremiah 2’s imagery of forsaking the fountain of living waters for broken cisterns, and claims that Romans 1:21-23 describes humanity’s suicidal folly in exchanging God’s glory for images. He uniquely frames the passage as a call to pursue joy in God, insisting that the refusal to do so is not just a mistake but the very definition of sin and evil. He also draws a parallel between Eve’s temptation in Genesis and the “exchange” in Romans 1, suggesting that the desire for self-reliant wisdom and alternative pleasures is the archetype of all sin. Piper’s analogy of “throwing away” the glory of God and turning to “a thousand images, especially the one in the mirror,” personalizes the idolatry described in Romans 1:21-23 as self-worship and the pursuit of alternative satisfactions.

Romans 1:21-23 Theological Themes:

Authentic Worship: Prioritizing God in Daily Life (MosaicMableton) introduces the theme that idolatry is not limited to ancient practices but is alive in modern forms such as astrology, ancestor worship, and even the elevation of church traditions or personal preferences above God. The sermon adds the nuanced idea that even well-intentioned religious acts can become idolatrous if they are not rooted in genuine gratitude and affection for God. It also explores the concept that worship should be a continual, all-encompassing response to God's goodness, not contingent on circumstances or emotions.

Transforming Culture Through Spiritual Renewal and Repentance (Summit Church) presents the distinct theological theme that idolatry often involves making good things ultimate, which leads to a cascade of spiritual and moral dysfunction. The sermon adds a fresh angle by emphasizing that repentance (metanoeo) is not merely turning away from sin but involves a deep, heartfelt change in how one thinks about God and idols. The preacher also explores the idea that the supremacy of God in one's affections is the foundation for obeying all other commandments, making idolatry the root of all other sins.

Human Folly: The Danger of Self-Deception (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of self-deception as the core of human folly, arguing that humanity's confidence in its own wisdom leads to the creation of false gods and the rejection of divine revelation. The sermon uniquely connects this theme to modern intellectual movements, such as higher criticism and secular humanism, suggesting that the redefinition of God according to human preferences is a contemporary manifestation of the folly described in Romans 1:21-23.

Understanding Conflict: Worldviews, God, and Human Life (Ligonier Ministries) offers the distinct theological theme that the distortion of the concept of God (idolatry) is the root of all subsequent human sin and confusion. The sermon adds a new facet by critiquing the American tendency toward religious syncretism and the assumption that all religions are equally valid. It argues that a correct understanding of God is essential for a correct understanding of humanity and the world, making idolatry not just a religious error but a foundational worldview issue.

The Power of the Gospel: Hope Amidst Humanity's Rebellion (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme of the universality of the gospel’s necessity, rooted in the universality of the problem described in Romans 1:21-23. Begg uniquely emphasizes that the gospel is for “everyone” precisely because all are implicated in the same rebellion and idolatry, regardless of background or identity. He also adds a nuanced discussion of God’s wrath as presently revealed through the “handing over” of humanity to intensified sin, not just as a future event.

The Perils of Unbelief: Embracing God's Light (Pastor Chuck Smith) presents the distinct theological theme that unbelief, when persisted in, becomes not just a moral or spiritual issue but an ontological one—people can reach a point where belief is no longer possible, which he terms “irrational unbelief.” Smith’s assertion that belief in God is “coded in your DNA” adds a unique, almost natural-law dimension to the theological discussion of Romans 1:21-23.

Embracing the Majesty and Incomparability of God (Alistair Begg) adds the theme of willful blindness, arguing that the darkness of heart described in Romans 1:21-23 is not accidental but chosen. He also explores the idea that idolatry is not just about statues but about any attempt to make God “manageable,” including the elevation of God’s gifts above God himself.

The Majesty of God: Rejecting Idolatry and Embracing Sovereignty (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme that idolatry is fundamentally about seeking a god who is “companionable” and affirming, rather than holy and sovereign. This sermon also highlights the demonic (satanic) power behind idolatry, suggesting that the exchange of God’s glory for images is not merely a human failing but a spiritual deception.

Exchanging God's Glory: The Root of All Sin (Desiring God) introduces the distinct theological theme that the exchange of God’s glory is not merely an act of idolatry but the unifying root of all sin and brokenness in the universe, underlying every personal and societal problem. Piper’s emphasis on the infinite qualitative difference between God and all substitutes (using the Greek’s “likeness of an image of corruptible man”) adds a fresh facet: that sin is not just a moral failure but a catastrophic misvaluation, a cosmic folly of trading the imperishable for the perishable. He also develops the theme that the only true “light” for the human heart is the glory of God, and that all other pursuits result in spiritual darkness, a theme he grounds in a comparison to physical light and the body.

Finding True Joy: The Duty of Christian Hedonism (Desiring God) presents the unusual theological theme that the pursuit of joy in God is not optional but a moral duty, and that the refusal to seek satisfaction in God is the very definition of evil. Piper’s application of Christian hedonism to Romans 1:21-23 is distinctive: he claims that the “exchange” is not just idolatry but a suicidal rejection of the only source of true life and joy, and that all sin is rooted in this misdirected pursuit of pleasure. He further nuances the theme by connecting it to the Genesis narrative, arguing that the original sin was a failure to delight supremely in God, thus making Romans 1:21-23 a universal diagnosis of the human condition.

Romans 1:21-23 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Transforming Culture Through Spiritual Renewal and Repentance (Summit Church) provides detailed historical context about the Roman Empire's religious practices, explaining how Rome absorbed the gods of conquered peoples and created a pantheon that allowed for religious pluralism. The sermon also describes the cultural setting of Paul's missionary journeys, including the significance of temples, shrines, and the philosophical climate of Athens. The preacher explains how the Roman approach to religion parallels modern attitudes toward religious diversity and tolerance, making the ancient context relevant to contemporary listeners.

Understanding Conflict: Worldviews, God, and Human Life (Ligonier Ministries) offers historical insights into the problem of syncretism in ancient Israel, explaining how the Israelites were constantly tempted to blend their faith with the pagan religions of their neighbors. The sermon also discusses the exclusivity of biblical monotheism and the dangers of compromising this exclusivity in the face of cultural pressure. The preacher draws parallels between the theological weaknesses that led to Israel's downfall and the current state of American civil religion, providing a rich historical backdrop for understanding Romans 1:21-23.

Embracing the Majesty and Incomparability of God (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by referencing the Babylonian fascination with the constellations and their temptation to worship heavenly bodies, situating the idolatry described in Romans 1:21-23 within the broader ancient Near Eastern context. Begg also notes the warning against idolatry given by Moses in Deuteronomy 4, showing that the temptation to exchange the Creator for creation was a persistent issue for Israel, not just for Gentile nations.

The Majesty of God: Rejecting Idolatry and Embracing Sovereignty (Alistair Begg) similarly situates the passage within the context of Israel’s exile and the surrounding Babylonian culture, emphasizing that the warning against idolatry was both ancient and perennially relevant. Begg also notes the social stratification of idol-making (rich vs. poor idols) in ancient times, highlighting the universality of the temptation regardless of class.

Exchanging God's Glory: The Root of All Sin (Desiring God) provides a historical-cultural insight by referencing the ancient practice of idolatry—making images of humans, birds, animals, and reptiles—as the specific context for Paul’s critique. Piper highlights that in the Greco-Roman world, the creation of physical idols was seen as an act of wisdom and resourcefulness, which he contrasts with Paul’s declaration that such acts are actually foolish. He also references Nebuchadnezzar’s story from Daniel 4 as an example of ancient rulers exalting themselves and being judged for failing to glorify God, thus situating Paul’s argument within a broader biblical and historical context of human pride and divine judgment.

Romans 1:21-23 Cross-References in the Bible:

Authentic Worship: Prioritizing God in Daily Life (MosaicMableton) references several biblical passages to expand on the meaning of Romans 1:21-23. John 12:42-43 is used to illustrate how pride and the desire for human approval can hinder authentic worship, paralleling the refusal to glorify God described in Romans. Matthew 15:3-9 is cited to show how traditions can become obstacles to true worship, echoing the theme of exchanging God's glory for man-made practices. Psalm 100 and Psalm 103 are invoked to emphasize the importance of gratitude and wholehearted praise, contrasting with the ingratitude and futile thinking in Romans 1. Luke 7:36-50 is referenced to illustrate worship that precedes blessing, reinforcing the idea that true worship is rooted in faith rather than circumstances. Hebrews 13:15 and Psalm 71:7-8 are used to support the call for continual, unrestricted praise, countering the limited and misguided worship condemned in Romans 1.

Transforming Culture Through Spiritual Renewal and Repentance (Summit Church) cross-references Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments) to highlight the foundational importance of having no other gods before the Lord, connecting this commandment to the idolatry described in Romans 1. The sermon also references Acts 16 and 17 to provide historical context for Paul's engagement with idolatry in the Greco-Roman world, particularly his address at Mars Hill in Athens. Matthew 6 is cited to support the idea that where one's treasure is, there one's heart will be also, linking financial priorities to the issue of idolatry.

Human Folly: The Danger of Self-Deception (MLJTrust) references Exodus 32 to draw a parallel between the Israelites' creation of the golden calf and the idolatry described in Romans 1:21-23. The sermon also cites the Ten Commandments and Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount to contrast the nobility of God's law with the folly of human substitutes. The preacher uses these cross-references to demonstrate the consistency of the biblical witness against idolatry and the self-destructive consequences of rejecting God's revelation.

The Power of the Gospel: Hope Amidst Humanity's Rebellion (Alistair Begg) references Genesis 3 to explain the origin of humanity’s exchange of truth for a lie, connecting the fall to the futility and darkness described in Romans 1:21-23. He also cites Romans 5:18-19 to show the parallel between Adam’s disobedience and Christ’s obedience, framing Romans 1:21-23 as part of a larger biblical narrative of fall and redemption. Additionally, Begg references Acts 17 (Paul’s Areopagus speech) to illustrate the ongoing relevance of idolatry and the need to proclaim the true God in every generation.

Embracing the Majesty and Incomparability of God (Alistair Begg) cross-references Acts 17, where Paul warns against thinking of the divine as “gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man,” directly linking this to Romans 1:21-23’s critique of idolatry. Begg also references Deuteronomy 4, where Moses warns Israel against making images and worshiping the heavenly bodies, and Daniel, suggesting that the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends was rooted in heeding these warnings.

The Majesty of God: Rejecting Idolatry and Embracing Sovereignty (Alistair Begg) also references Deuteronomy 4’s warning against idolatry and Acts 17’s Areopagus address, using these passages to reinforce the biblical consistency of the warning against exchanging God’s glory for images. He further alludes to Colossians, noting that Christ holds all things together, which underscores the folly of worshiping anything less than the Creator.

The Perils of Unbelief: Embracing God's Light (Pastor Chuck Smith) references Romans 1:21-23 directly, using it to support his argument about the irrationality of unbelief and the tendency to worship creation rather than the Creator. Smith also references John 12, Exodus (Pharaoh’s hardening), Psalms (“the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God”), and Proverbs 8 (personification of wisdom), weaving these together to illustrate the biblical theme of rejecting God’s revelation.

Exchanging God's Glory: The Root of All Sin (Desiring God) cross-references several passages to expand on Romans 1:21-23. Piper draws a direct connection to Romans 3:23 (“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”), arguing that “falling short” is another way of describing the exchange of God’s glory for lesser things. He also references Daniel 4, using Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation and restoration as an illustration of futile thinking and the return of reason when one glorifies God. Additionally, he cites Matthew 6:22 (the eye as the lamp of the body) and 2 Corinthians 4:6 (“the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ”) to support his analogy of spiritual light and darkness, and Isaiah 40 (“man is grass”) to emphasize the perishable nature of all substitutes for God.

Finding True Joy: The Duty of Christian Hedonism (Desiring God) cross-references Jeremiah 2:12-13, where God accuses Israel of forsaking Him, the fountain of living waters, for broken cisterns, using this as a parallel to the exchange in Romans 1:21-23. Piper also references Genesis 3 (the temptation of Eve) to illustrate the archetypal act of exchanging God’s glory for alternative pleasures and wisdom. He further connects Romans 1:21-23 to Romans 3:23, arguing that “falling short” or “lacking” the glory of God is the result of this exchange, and that the universal need for righteousness through faith in Christ is rooted in this fundamental sin.

Romans 1:21-23 Christian References outside the Bible:

The Power of the Gospel: Hope Amidst Humanity's Rebellion (Alistair Begg) explicitly references Anthony Flew, a prominent atheist philosopher who became a theist, to support his argument that reason and consciousness point to a supra-physical source, challenging the materialist worldview critiqued in Romans 1:21-23. Begg also mentions C.S. Lewis’s conversion from atheism to theism as a parallel journey. Additionally, he quotes Melanie Phillips, an agnostic Jewish journalist, who describes society as “in the grip of a mass derangement,” using her analysis to frame the irrationality described by Paul. Begg also references Shakespeare’s Hamlet (“the time is out of joint”) as a literary illustration of the world’s brokenness.

The Perils of Unbelief: Embracing God's Light (Pastor Chuck Smith) references a contemporary brain specialist (unnamed) who claims that belief in God is “coded in your DNA,” using this as a scientific argument for the instinctiveness of faith, which he then connects to Romans 1:21-23.

Exchanging God's Glory: The Root of All Sin (Desiring God) explicitly references William Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State who purchased Alaska from Russia, as an analogy for the world’s view of Christian sacrifice. Piper uses Seward’s “foolish” trade (which later proved immensely valuable) as a metaphor for the wisdom of trading everything for God, in contrast to the folly of trading God for worthless substitutes. This historical figure is used to illustrate the world’s misunderstanding of the value of God’s glory and the ultimate payoff of treasuring God above all.

Romans 1:21-23 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Authentic Worship: Prioritizing God in Daily Life (MosaicMableton) uses several detailed secular illustrations to bring Romans 1:21-23 to life. The preacher recounts a viral Instagram video of a snake-handling pastor who is bitten during a church service, using this as a metaphor for the dangers of confusing spectacle or superstition with true worship. The sermon also references the cultural obsession with sports teams, describing how people wear jerseys and display team loyalty more openly than their faith, illustrating modern idolatry. The preacher humorously discusses the care people give to their cars and sneakers (specifically Jordans), showing how possessions can become objects of worship. The sermon further critiques the influence of astrology, crystals, and ancestor worship in contemporary spirituality, connecting these trends to the ancient idolatry condemned in Romans 1. The preacher also shares a personal story about a conversation at a memorial service, where the gendering of God and the blending of spiritual beliefs are discussed, highlighting the confusion and syncretism prevalent in modern culture.

Transforming Culture Through Spiritual Renewal and Repentance (Summit Church) provides a vivid secular illustration by referencing the movie "Major League," where a baseball player worships a voodoo idol named Joe Boo in his locker, using this as a humorous but pointed example of how idolatry can take unexpected forms in modern life. The preacher also discusses the cultural phenomenon of political yard signs, explaining that they serve as markers of identity and allegiance, which can become forms of idolatry if they supplant one's primary devotion to God. The sermon further explores the allure of money, not as an end in itself but as a means to freedom or security, illustrating how even abstract concepts can become idols. The preacher uses personal anecdotes about spending money on hobbies (like Jeep parts) and binge-watching Netflix to show how time and financial priorities reveal the true objects of worship in people's lives.

The Power of the Gospel: Hope Amidst Humanity's Rebellion (Alistair Begg) uses the story of Anthony Flew’s intellectual journey from atheism to theism as a real-world example of the limits of materialist rationality, paralleling Paul’s critique of futile thinking. Begg also references Melanie Phillips’s book “The World Turned Upside Down,” which describes modern society as irrational and deranged, using this as a contemporary analogy for the “futile thinking” and “darkened hearts” of Romans 1:21-23. He further invokes Shakespeare’s Hamlet (“the time is out of joint”) to illustrate the sense of brokenness and the human impulse to “put it right,” which he connects to the futility of human efforts apart from God.

The Perils of Unbelief: Embracing God's Light (Pastor Chuck Smith) provides several detailed secular illustrations: he describes people who visit hot springs to feel close to “Mother Earth,” using this as an example of modern nature-worship that echoes the idolatry Paul condemns. Smith also uses the example of “tree hugging” and the irrationality of worshiping a rose’s beauty rather than its Creator. He critiques the theory of evolution as an “absurd” belief that matter acting on matter can produce complex life, likening it to expecting a car to emerge from rocks in a forest. Smith also references the Greek philosophical concept of the “logos” as the original thought behind reality, connecting it to John’s Gospel and the biblical doctrine of creation.

Exchanging God's Glory: The Root of All Sin (Desiring God) uses several detailed secular illustrations to illuminate Romans 1:21-23. Piper recounts a personal experience at the Westin Hotel in Chicago, where he received a tray of “amenities” including Money Magazine and Forbes, using this as an example of the modern obsession with image and resourcefulness—qualities that drive people to “make their own god” and seek self-glorification. He also employs the analogy of trading a Rembrandt masterpiece for a “copy of a copy of a copy,” and compares the exchange of God’s glory to trading a diamond for a rotten peach or a ruby for a sun-baked banana, vividly illustrating the absurdity and loss involved in idolatry. Finally, he references the historical purchase of Alaska by William Seward, which was initially mocked as a foolish trade but later proved immensely valuable, to encourage listeners to “trade everything for God” rather than make the tragic exchange described in Romans 1:21-23.