What does Romans 1 teach about the nature of mankind?

In Romans 1, Paul articulates a profound understanding of humanity's sinful nature, stating that everyone knows God through creation but fails to honor Him as such. Instead, they suppress the truth, becoming vain in their imaginations and resulting in a darkened heart. The text illustrates that mankind, by nature, prefers to worship created things rather than the Creator, leading to spiritual death. This passage serves as a foundational truth underpinning the necessity of grace and the intervention of Christ, as humanity cannot redeem itself from this fallen state without divine assistance.