Although they claimed to be wiseThis phrase highlights the self-perception of wisdom among certain individuals or groups. In the context of
Romans 1, Paul addresses the Gentile world, which prided itself on philosophical and intellectual achievements. The Greco-Roman culture was heavily influenced by philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who emphasized human reason and wisdom. However, Paul contrasts this human wisdom with the wisdom of God, which is often seen as foolishness by the world (
1 Corinthians 1:18-25). This self-proclaimed wisdom is a reflection of pride, a recurring theme in Scripture, where human arrogance leads to a downfall (
Proverbs 16:18).
they became fools
Despite their claims to wisdom, these individuals are described as becoming fools. This is a direct consequence of rejecting God's truth and relying solely on human understanding. The biblical concept of foolishness is not merely a lack of intelligence but a moral and spiritual failing.Psalm 14:1 states, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" This foolishness is characterized by a rejection of divine revelation and a preference for idolatry and immorality, as further elaborated in the subsequent verses ofRomans 1. The transformation from perceived wisdom to foolishness underscores the futility of human efforts apart from God, echoing the warnings found inProverbs 3:5-7 about leaning on one's own understanding rather than trusting in the Lord.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the Book of Romans, Paul is writing to the believers in Rome to explain the gospel and its implications for both Jews and Gentiles.
2.
The Roman ChurchThe recipients of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile Christians, living in the heart of the Roman Empire.
3.
The GentilesIn this context, Paul is addressing the Gentile world, highlighting their rejection of God despite having knowledge of Him through creation.
4.
The FoolishThose who, despite claiming wisdom, reject God and His truth, leading to moral and spiritual folly.
5.
The WiseIn contrast to the foolish, the truly wise are those who acknowledge God and live according to His truth.
Teaching Points
True Wisdom Comes from GodTrue wisdom is rooted in the acknowledgment and reverence of God. Human wisdom, apart from God, leads to spiritual blindness and moral decay.
The Danger of PrideClaiming wisdom apart from God is a form of pride that leads to folly. Believers must guard against intellectual pride and remain humble before God.
The Consequences of Rejecting GodRejecting God and His truth results in a distorted understanding of reality, leading to foolish decisions and actions.
The Importance of DiscernmentChristians are called to discern true wisdom from false wisdom by aligning their understanding with Scripture and the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Living Out Godly WisdomBelievers should strive to live out the wisdom of God in their daily lives, reflecting His truth and love to the world.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Romans 1:22?
2.How does Romans 1:22 illustrate the danger of rejecting God's wisdom today?
3.What are modern examples of people "claiming to be wise" but becoming "fools"?
4.How can we ensure our wisdom aligns with God's truth in Scripture?
5.In what ways can we avoid the folly described in Romans 1:22?
6.How does Romans 1:22 connect with Proverbs 3:7 about fearing the Lord?
7.How does Romans 1:22 challenge the concept of human wisdom versus divine wisdom?
8.What historical context influenced Paul's message in Romans 1:22?
9.How does Romans 1:22 relate to the theme of idolatry in the Bible?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Romans 1?
11.How does wisdom lead to foolishness?
12.What does the Bible say about foolishness?
13.Who were the ancient Sumerians?
14.What defines liberal theology in religious studies?What Does Romans 1:22 Mean
Although they claimed to be wiseRomans 1:22: “Although they claimed to be wise…”
• Paul is describing people who outwardly present themselves as enlightened, cultured, and intellectually superior; they “claim” wisdom but do not actually possess it.
• From the opening chapters of Genesis onward, Scripture portrays a recurring pattern: human beings seek autonomy from God, believing they can define truth independently. CompareGenesis 3:6, where Eve “saw that the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom.”
•Isaiah 5:21 warns, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” The problem is not intellect itself but intellectual pride that refuses to bow to God’s revealed truth.
•Proverbs 3:7 instructs, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” Genuine wisdom begins with reverence for God (Proverbs 9:10).
•1 Corinthians 1:20 asks, “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” Paul echoes the same theme: human boasting in knowledge collapses when confronted with the gospel.
• Practical takeaway: whenever we exalt our thoughts above Scripture, we repeat the same self-deception Paul indicts here.
they became foolsRomans 1:22: “…they became fools.”
• The verb “became” points to a tragic exchange—self-professed wisdom degenerates into folly when it detaches from the Creator. Verse 23 immediately adds, “and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images,” illustrating how intellectual arrogance leads to idolatry.
•Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Denial or distortion of God’s truth is the very definition of foolishness in Scripture.
•Jeremiah 10:14 observes, “Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols.” False worship and empty reasoning go hand in hand.
•1 Corinthians 1:25 reminds us, “The foolishness of God is wiser than men,” underscoring that what the world labels “foolish” (the cross, divine revelation) vastly surpasses human speculation.
• The decline described inRomans 1:22 is not merely intellectual; it becomes moral and spiritual (seeRomans 1:24–32). Foolishness manifests in distorted worship, disordered desires, and destructive behaviors.
• Practical takeaway: rejecting God’s authority never leaves us neutral; it inevitably darkens our understanding and leads to destructive choices.
summaryRomans 1:22 exposes the hollow confidence of those who parade human reason while dismissing God’s revelation. Professing themselves wise, they step outside the fear of the Lord—the very starting point of wisdom—and slide into folly that corrupts both mind and life. True wisdom listens humbly to Scripture, submits to the Creator, and finds its highest expression in worshiping Him through Christ.
(22, 23) Relying upon their own wisdom, they wandered further and further from true wisdom, falling into the contradiction of supposing that the eternal and immutable Essence of God could be represented by the perishable figures of man, or bird, or quadruped, or insect.
(22)They became fools.--Theywere made fools. It is not merely that they expose their real folly, but that folly is itself judicially inflicted by God as a punishment for the first step of declension from Him.
Verses 22, 23. -
Professing themselves to be wise, they Became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the similitude (literally,
in similitude; cf.
Psalm 106:20, whence idea and words are taken)
of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. The expression,
γνόντες τὸν Θεὸν, refers to what has been said of
τὸ γνωστὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, having been "manifest in them." It implies actual knowledge, not mere capacity of knowledge. Mankind is regarded as having lost a truer perception of God once possessed, idolatry being a sign of culpable degradation of the human race - not, as some would have us now believe, a stage in man's emergence from brutality. Scripture ever represents the human race as having fallen and become degraded; not as having risen gradually to any intelligent conceptions of God at all. And it may well be asked whether modern anthropological science has really discovered anything to discredit the scriptural view of the original condition and capacity of man. The view here presented is that obfuscation of the understanding (
σύνεσις) ensued from refusal to
glorify and
give thanks to known Deity. "
Gratias assere debemns ob beneficia;
glorificare ob ipsas virtutes divinas" (Bengel). Hence came
ματαιότης, a word, with its correlatives, constantly used with reference to idolatry; cf.
Acts 14:15;
1 Corinthians 3:20;
Ephesians 4:17;
1 Peter 1:18; also in the Old Testament,
1 Kings 16:26 (
ἐν τοῖς ματαίοις ἐπορεύαὐτῶν, LXX.),
2 Kings 17:15 (
θησαν ὀπίσω τῶν μαρταίων, LXX.);
Jeremiah 2:5;
Jonah 2:8 (
φυλασσάμενοι μάταια καὶ ψευδῆ). Two forms of idolatry - both involving unworthy conceptions of the Divine Being - are alluded to, suggested, we may suppose, by the anthropomorphism of the Greeks and the creature-worship of Egypt, which were the two notable and representative developments of heathen religion. The expression,
φάσκοντες εῖναι σοφοὶ, with the previous
ἐν τοῖς διαλογισμαοῖς, have led some to suppose in this whole passage a special reference to the schools of philosophy. But this is not so. The degradation spoken of was long anterior to them, nor is this charge, as formulated, applicable to them. The idea is, generally, that boasted human intellect has not preserved men from folly; not even "the wisdom of the Egyptians," or the intellectual culture of the Greeks (cf.
1 Corinthians 1:19, etc.; 1 Corinthians 3:19, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Although they claimedφάσκοντες(phaskontes)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5335:To assert, affirm, profess. Prolongation from the same as phemi; to assert.to beεἶναι(einai)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.wise,σοφοὶ(sophoi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4680:Wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Akin to saphes; wise.they became fools,ἐμωράνθησαν(emōranthēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3471:From moros; to become insipid; figuratively, to make as a simpleton.
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NT Letters: Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise they became (Rom. Ro) 
