Romans 1, implies that everyone knows God?

[JFonseka]

Romans 1:
21For 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. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

This confusing, this is stating that everyone knows God.

 

[Pug]

I don’t think it means that small infants have it all figured out. I don’t think that is whom Paul has in mind, especially since he goes on with a list of sins. Perhaps consider a few of the previous verses as well:

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse;

Just a random thought, if we take the story of creation of Adam and Eve at face value, it seems clear that mankind started its journey on this earth with knowledge of God.

Perhaps also of interest to this topic is this canon from Vatican I:

1. If anyone says that the one, true God, our creator and lord, cannot be known with certainty from the things that have been made, by the natural light of human reason: let him be anathema.

I don’t think it is easy, with our fallen nature, to actually come to this knowledge by oneself. Fortunately, God has given us more than just our reason. He has given us Divine Revelation, prophets, Jesus, the Church, the Holy Spirit, etc. This makes it easier for us. But if we are blessed with the truth, and turn our backs on it, this is not good. It can only lead to grief. Do you believe that God gives grace to your typical adult, grace so that the person could begin to respond and begin to move towards relationship with God, even if poorly understood at the time?