God's word has been expounded starting with Adam telling Eve what God had said, though man has been disobeying the Word preached starting with Adam. We are responsible for the word we have heard, and to search after and seek it as God allows us to. During the time we lacked hearing or proper interpretations of it, God winked at this ignorance. But we are still sinners never-the-less. we are held to obedience to the word.