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Text -- Romans 1:22 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Wise, wisdom | WORSHIP | Rome | Romans, Epistle to the | Pride | PROFESS; PROFESSION | Lasciviousness | JUSTIFICATION | Idolatry | Godlessness | Gentiles | GODS | GALATIANS, EPISTLE TO THE | Fall of man | FOOL; FOLLY | EVIL | Conscience | Conceit | Blindness | ATHEISM | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Rom 1:22 - -- Professing themselves to be wise ( phaskontes einai sophoi ). Sophoi is predicate nominative with einai in indirect discourse agreeing with phask...

Professing themselves to be wise ( phaskontes einai sophoi ).

Sophoi is predicate nominative with einai in indirect discourse agreeing with phaskontes (old verb, from phēmi , to say, rare in N.T.) in case and number according to regular Greek idiom (Robertson, Grammar , p. 1038).

Robertson: Rom 1:22 - -- Became vain ( emataiōthēsan ). Ingressive first aorist passive indicative of mataioō from mataios (empty). Empty reasonings as often today.

Became vain ( emataiōthēsan ).

Ingressive first aorist passive indicative of mataioō from mataios (empty). Empty reasonings as often today.

Robertson: Rom 1:22 - -- Became fools ( emōranthēsan ). Ingressive first aorist passive of mōrainō , to be a fool, old word from mōros , a fool. An oxymoron or shar...

Became fools ( emōranthēsan ).

Ingressive first aorist passive of mōrainō , to be a fool, old word from mōros , a fool. An oxymoron or sharp saying, true and one that cuts to the bone.

Robertson: Rom 1:22 - -- For the likeness of an image ( en homoiōmati eikonos ). Both words, "a likeness which consists in an image or copy"(Lightfoot). See note on Phi 2:7...

For the likeness of an image ( en homoiōmati eikonos ).

Both words, "a likeness which consists in an image or copy"(Lightfoot). See note on Phi 2:7 for "likeness of men"and Col 1:15 for "image of God."Paul shows indignant contempt for these grotesque efforts to present pictures of a deity that had been lost (Denney). Why is it that heathen images of gods in the form of men and beasts are so horrible to look upon?

Vincent: Rom 1:22 - -- Professing ( φάσκοντες ) The verb is used of unfounded assertion, Act 24:9; Act 25:19; Rev 2:2.

Professing ( φάσκοντες )

The verb is used of unfounded assertion, Act 24:9; Act 25:19; Rev 2:2.

Vincent: Rom 1:22 - -- Wise, they became fools Another oxymoron; see on Rom 1:20. Compare Horace, insaniens sapientia raving wisdom . Plato uses the phrase μα...

Wise, they became fools

Another oxymoron; see on Rom 1:20. Compare Horace, insaniens sapientia raving wisdom . Plato uses the phrase μάταιον δοξοσοφίαν vain-glorying of wisdom (" Sophist," 231).

JFB: Rom 1:22-23 - -- "boasting," or "pretending to be"

"boasting," or "pretending to be"

JFB: Rom 1:22-23 - -- "It is the invariable property of error in morals and religion, that men take credit to themselves for it and extol it as wisdom. So the heathen" (1Co...

"It is the invariable property of error in morals and religion, that men take credit to themselves for it and extol it as wisdom. So the heathen" (1Co 1:21) [THOLUCK].

Clarke: Rom 1:22 - -- Professing themselves to be wise - This is most strikingly true of all the ancient philosophers, whether Greeks or Romans, as their works, which rem...

Professing themselves to be wise - This is most strikingly true of all the ancient philosophers, whether Greeks or Romans, as their works, which remain, sufficiently testify. The word φασκοντες signifies not merely the professing but the assumption of the philosophic character. In this sense the word φασκειν is used by the best Greek writers. See Kypke. A dispassionate examination of the doctrine and lives of the most famed philosophers of antiquity, of every nation, will show that they were darkened in their mind and irregular in their conduct. It was from the Christian religion alone that true philosophy and genuine philosophers sprang.

Calvin: Rom 1:22 - -- 22.=== While they were thinking, === etc. It is commonly inferred from this passage, that Paul alludes here to those philosophers, who assumed to th...

22.=== While they were thinking, === etc. It is commonly inferred from this passage, that Paul alludes here to those philosophers, who assumed to themselves in a peculiar manner the reputation of wisdom; and it is thought that the design of his discourse is to show, that when the superiority of the great is brought down to nothing, the common people would have no reason to suppose that they had any thing worthy of being commended: but they seem to me to have been guided by too slender a reason; for it was not peculiar to the philosophers to suppose themselves wise in the knowledge of God, but it was equally common to all nations, and to all ranks of men. There were indeed none who sought not to form some ideas of the majesty of God, and to make him such a God as they could conceive him to be according to their own reason. This presumption I hold is not learned in the schools, but is innate, and comes with us, so to speak, from the womb. It is indeed evident, that it is an evil which has prevailed in all ages — that men have allowed themselves every liberty in coining superstitions. The arrogance then which is condemned here is this — that men sought to be of themselves wise, and to draw God down to a level with their own low condition, when they ought humbly to have given him his own glory. For Paul holds this principle, that none, except through their own fault, are unacquainted with the worship due to God; as though he said, “As they have proudly exalted themselves, they have become infatuated through the righteous judgment of God.” There is an obvious reason, which contravenes the interpretation which I reject; for the error of forming an image of God did not originate with the philosophers; but they, by their consent, approved of it as received from others. 50

Defender: Rom 1:22 - -- Those who deny the God of creation are fools (Psa 14:1) and "without a defense" (see notes on Rom 1:20). Yet they come to such a foolish decision in t...

Those who deny the God of creation are fools (Psa 14:1) and "without a defense" (see notes on Rom 1:20). Yet they come to such a foolish decision in the belief that they are scientific in trying to explain the infinitely complex, majestic, beautiful creation without a Creator. The ancient pagans did this, with immeasurably tragic results in the history of the human race. Modern evangelicals, compromising with evolutionism and increasingly flirting with New Age pantheism, feminism and occultism, are in serious danger of starting down that same slippery slope (compare 2Ti 3:1-13)."

TSK: Rom 1:22 - -- Rom 11:25; Pro 25:14, Pro 26:12; Isa 47:10; Jer 8:8, Jer 8:9, Jer 10:14; Mat 6:23; 1Co 1:19-21, 1Co 3:18, 1Co 3:19

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Rom 1:22 - -- Professing themselves to be wise - This was the common boast of the philosophers of antiquity. The very word by which they chose to be called, ...

Professing themselves to be wise - This was the common boast of the philosophers of antiquity. The very word by which they chose to be called, "philosophers,"means literally "lovers of wisdom."That it was their boast that they were wise, is well known; compare Rom 1:14; 1Co 1:19, 1Co 1:20, 1Co 1:22; 1Co 3:19; 2Co 11:19.

They became fools - Compare Jer 8:8-9. They became really foolish in their opinions and conduct. There is something particularly pungent and cutting in this remark, and as true as it is pungent. In what way they evinced their folly, Paul proceeds immediately to state. Sinners of all kinds are frequently spoken of as fools in the Scriptures. In the sense in which it is thus used, the word is applied to them as void of understanding or moral sense; as idolaters, and as wicked; Psa 14:1; Pro 26:4; Pro 1:17, Pro 1:22; Pro 14:8-9. The senses in which this word here is applied to the pagan are,

(1)    That their speculations and doctrines were senseless; and,

(2)    That their conduct was corrupt.

Poole: Rom 1:22 - -- Some think, that all along this context the apostle hath reference to the Gnostics, a sort of heretics in the first age, (of which see Dr. Hammond ...

Some think, that all along this context the apostle hath reference to the Gnostics, a sort of heretics in the first age, (of which see Dr. Hammond in locum ), and that the meaning of the words is this, That they, assuming the title of Gnostics, of knowing men, and of men wiser than others, have proved more sottish than any. Others think the words refer to the heathen philosophers, who though they were learned and wise in secular and natural things, yet they became fools in spiritual and heavenly matters; though they well understood the creature, yet they erred concerning the Creator. And as fools delight in toys, neglecting things of great value; so they set up puppets and idols of their own devising, in the room of the true God; which the apostle gives us in the next verse, as a demonstration of their folly. Socrates, who was accounted one of the wisest amongst them, desired his friends, when he was about to die, to offer for him a cock to Aesculapius, which he had vowed.

Gill: Rom 1:22 - -- Professing themselves to be wise,.... The learned men among the Gentiles first called themselves σοφοι, "Sophi", wise men: and afterwards, to cov...

Professing themselves to be wise,.... The learned men among the Gentiles first called themselves σοφοι, "Sophi", wise men: and afterwards, to cover their wretched pride and vanity, φιλοσοφοι, "Philosophers", lovers of wisdom; but notwithstanding all their arrogance, their large pretensions to wisdom, and boast of it

they became fools; they appeared to be so; they showed themselves to be such in those very things they prided themselves with the knowledge of: as, for instance, Socrates, after he had asserted the unity of God, and is said to die a martyr for the truth; yet one of the last actions of his life was sacrificing a cock to Aesculapius, at least he desired his friend Crito to do it.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Rom 1:22 The participle φάσκοντες (faskonte") is used concessively here.

Geneva Bible: Rom 1:22 ( g ) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, ( g ) Or, thought themselves.

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Rom 1:1-32 - --1 Paul commends his calling to the Romans;9 and his desire to come to them.16 What his gospel is.18 God is angry with sin.21 What were the sins of the...

MHCC: Rom 1:18-25 - --The apostle begins to show that all mankind need the salvation of the gospel, because none could obtain the favour of God, or escape his wrath by thei...

Matthew Henry: Rom 1:19-32 - -- In this last part of the chapter the apostle applies what he had said particularly to the Gentile world, in which we may observe, I. The means and h...

Barclay: Rom 1:18-23 - --In the previous passage Paul was thinking about the relationship with God into which a man can enter through the faith which is utter yieldedness and ...

Constable: Rom 1:18--3:21 - --II. THE NEED FOR GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS 1:18--3:20 Paul began his explanation of the gospel by demonstrating that t...

Constable: Rom 1:18-32 - --A. The need of all people 1:18-32 Perhaps Paul began by showing all people's need for God's righteousnes...

Constable: Rom 1:19-27 - --2. The ungodliness of mankind 1:19-27 1:19-20 These verses begin a discussion of "natural revelation." Natural revelation describes what everyone know...

College: Rom 1:1-32 - --1:1-17 - PROLOGUE Jump to: New Testament Introduction Jump to: Book Introduction I. 1:1-7 - EPISTOLARY GREETING In the Greek this section is one l...

McGarvey: Rom 1:22 - --Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools ,

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Romans (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Romans Spring of a.d. 57 By Way of Introduction Integrity of the Epistle The genuineness of the Epistle is so generally adm...

JFB: Romans (Book Introduction) THE GENUINENESS of the Epistle to the Romans has never been questioned. It has the unbroken testimony of all antiquity, up to CLEMENT OF ROME, the apo...

JFB: Romans (Outline) INTRODUCTION. (Rom. 1:1-17) THE JEW UNDER LIKE CONDEMNATION WITH THE GENTILE. (Rom. 2:1-29) JEWISH OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. (Rom 3:1-8) THAT THE JEW IS S...

TSK: Romans (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Romans is " a writing," says Dr. Macknight, " which, for sublimity and truth of sentiment, for brevity and strength of expression,...

TSK: Romans 1 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Rom 1:1, Paul commends his calling to the Romans; Rom 1:9, and his desire to come to them; Rom 1:16, What his gospel is; Rom 1:18, God is...

Poole: Romans 1 (Chapter Introduction) ARGUMENT The penman of this Epistle, viz. Paul, was so called (as some think) because he was little or low of stature. Others suppose he had th...

MHCC: Romans (Book Introduction) The scope or design of the apostle in writing to the Romans appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confir...

MHCC: Romans 1 (Chapter Introduction) (Rom 1:1-7) The apostle's commission. (Rom 1:8-15) Prays for the saints at Rome, and expresses his desire to see them. (Rom 1:16, Rom 1:17) The gosp...

Matthew Henry: Romans (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans If we may compare scripture with scripture, and take the opinion ...

Matthew Henry: Romans 1 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter we may observe, I. The preface and introduction to the whole epistle, to Rom 1:16. II. A description of the deplorable condition ...

Barclay: Romans (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: Romans 1 (Chapter Introduction) A Call, A Gospel And A Task (Rom_1:1-7) The Courtesy Of Greatness (Rom_1:8-15) Good News Of Which To Be Proud (Rom_1:16-17) The Wrath Of God (Ro...

Constable: Romans (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical Background Throughout the history of the church, from postapos...

Constable: Romans (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-17 A. Salutation 1:1-7 1. The writer 1:1 ...

Constable: Romans Romans Bibliography Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. New ed. Cambridge: Rivingtons, 1881. ...

Haydock: Romans (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE ROMANS. INTRODUCTION. After the Gospels, which contain the history of Christ, and the Acts of...

Gill: Romans (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS Though this epistle is in order placed the first of the epistles, yet it was not first written: there were several epistles ...

Gill: Romans 1 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 1 This chapter contains the inscription of the epistle, and salutation, the preface to it, and the grand proposition of just...

College: Romans (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION I. ROMANS: ITS INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Ps 119:105), and no part of it shine...

College: Romans (Outline) VIII. OUTLINE PROLOGUE - 1:1-17 I. EPISTOLARY GREETING - 1:1-7 A. The Author Introduces Himself - 1:1 1. A Slave of Christ Jesus 2. Call...

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