Though all men have a knowledge of God, such that no one is excused from unbelief or corruption, many in every age have not given God sufficient praise or thanksgiving. It is a peculiar but easily established truth that men forget who God is, and seek to exalt themselves against him.
Paul expresses one way this is done — by the establishment of idolatry. It is a foolish pursuit, to take the almighty, preeminent and eternal Being in the universe, and seek to minimize Him. (Remake His image to be like men or animals).
God’s response? Allow it. Such a practice, rejecting God, has a deleterious consequence. When God is out of the picture, men are left to their own devices. It is seen in the corruption of worship, showing adoration for the “creature rather than the Creator” (25). It is also demonstrated here in uncleanness, which will be demonstrated further in later verses. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies” (24).
