by esther phinias | 27 January 2022 08:46 pm01
Let’s examine the verse closely:
Romans 1:25 (ESV):
Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
The phrase “the creature” (Greek: ktisis) refers broadly to anything created by God that has life or existence. This includes humans, animals, plants, and all created beings. It contrasts the Creator (the uncreated God) with His creation.
Understanding the Context
Paul is addressing a fundamental human problem: the rejection of the knowledge of God in favor of worshiping created things. This is idolatry in its broadest sense—not just bowing to statues, but elevating anything made by God to the place of God Himself.
Theologically, this reveals the corruption of human worship: rather than giving glory to the One who made all things, people transfer their reverence to finite, fallible created things. This shift is the root of spiritual rebellion and moral decline.
In North Korea, some worship human leaders as divine, placing a finite man in God’s place.
In India, worship of animals like cows and snakes reflects idolatry of created beings.
In other cultures, reverence for animals, plants, or natural objects substitutes for true worship of God.
Paul warns this is not just mistaken, but a fundamental distortion of reality—worshipping the created instead of the Creator is exchanging eternal truth for a lie.
Why Is This So Serious?
Romans 1:20 (ESV):
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
God’s very nature is evident in creation. This means no one has a valid excuse for rejecting God or worshiping anything else. The visible world points to an invisible God, making idolatry a willful rejection of truth.
Romans 1:21-23 (ESV):
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. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Idolatry distorts not only worship but human reason and wisdom itself. It darkens the heart and leads people away from true knowledge, despite their claims of wisdom.
The Consequences of Idolatry
Romans 1:24-25 (ESV):
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.
Theological reflection shows this exchange leads to moral and spiritual decay. When people reject God’s truth, God “gives them up” to their sinful desires, resulting in brokenness in every aspect of life.
The Idolization of People
Do you realize that putting a person in God’s place—trusting someone completely or fearing them to the point they control your spiritual life—is also idolatry? This may be subtle but is equally dangerous.
Relying on people instead of God is a form of idolatry.
Obeying human authority over God’s commands reflects misplaced worship.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV) contrasts trust in man with trust in God:
Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.’ … ‘Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.’
The imagery of a tree planted by streams of water shows the stability and fruitfulness that comes from trusting God alone.
Where Is Your Trust?
This passage calls for honest self-examination:
Is your hope and confidence in God the Creator, or in the created things and people around you?
Idolatry is not only bowing before statues but can be subtle—a misplaced dependence or reverence toward anything or anyone other than God.
Final Encouragement
Maranatha!—Our Lord is coming! Let us turn away from all forms of idolatry and worship the one true Creator, who alone is worthy of our praise forever.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/01/27/what-is-the-created-thing-being-worshiped-in-romans-125/
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