Romans 1:21-23
Context1:21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts 1 were darkened. 1:22 Although they claimed 2 to be wise, they became fools 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings 3 or birds or four-footed animals 4 or reptiles.
[1:22] 2 tn The participle φάσκοντες (faskonte") is used concessively here.
[1:23] 3 tn Grk “exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God in likeness of an image of corruptible man.” Here there is a wordplay on the Greek terms ἄφθαρτος (afqarto", “immortal, imperishable, incorruptible”) and φθαρτός (fqarto", “mortal, corruptible, subject to decay”).
[1:23] 4 sn Possibly an allusion to Ps 106:19-20.