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Romans 1:22 – Foolish Wisdom

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Will

Professing to be wise, they became fools,

Truth to Learn

The wisdom of this age is the message and teaching of fools.

Behind the Words

The word translated, “professing” is the Greek word, phaskontes, which means “to assert or affirm or claim.”

“Wise” is translated from the Greek word sophos. This is a title that wise men of old attached to themselves. Later they changed this to philosophos (he who loves wisdom) who, although claiming to have all knowledge and wisdom, denied the one true God.

The words “they became fools” are a translation of a single Greek word mōrainō, which means “to become a moron or a simpleton.” This, again, is in the passive voice indicating that it is something that was done to them by someone else. We could paraphrase this verse, therefore, as:

Claiming to be wise people, they were made to be fools.

Meaning Explained

Remember, in the last verse we learned that those who rejected God, even though the evidence of His presence was made known to them, were not thankful, and they did not glorify God for whom and what He is. As a result, they were made void of wisdom in their reasoning and discussions, and their hearts were darkened.

Paul now puts an exclamation point on that thought by saying, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Not only did God make their reasoning and discussions void of any real wisdom, He then turned them into fools; all the while they are proclaiming how wise and intelligent they were. This is precisely what Isaiah said would happen:

For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden. (Isaiah 29:14b)

King David started out the fourteenth Psalm this way:

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God." (Psalms 14:1a)

And, in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, Paul said:

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. (I Corinthians 3:19)

If you listen to the message of the intellectuals and scientists of today you will hear loud proclamations that there is no God. They will tell you with certainty that everything came into existence billions of years ago at the “big bang” and that we have evolved into the species we are today. But, Scripture makes it very clear that God is in control and is not mocked by those who deny His existence and power. In today’s verse, Paul tells us that instead of being mocked by them, God makes them to be the fools they think others are. A just sentence for someone who claims to be smart and at the same time rejects Almighty God, don’t you think?

Application

It is easy for us to feel overwhelmed by the constant message of the wise ones of our world. It’s easy to feel like a fool when we proclaim Biblical truth and the gospel message. But don’t back down! We know who the real fools are, and they desperately need to hear the Good News!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:15 – Carefully, not Fearfully

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Will

Observe then how carefully you walk, not as fools but as wise,

Truth to Learn

Be careful that you live a godly example, loving others.

Behind the Words

“Observe” is translated from the Greek verb blepō, which is one of several verbs used with regard to seeing. Blepō refers to the ability to see or perceive, as opposed to being blind. It also means “to look at” something, that is “to observe.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

“Walk” is from peripateō, which we learned earlier in this chapter is a metaphor for how a person lives his or her life.

The word “carefully” is translated from akribōs, which is derived from akribēs, meaning “accurate or exact.” Akribōs means “accurately, diligently, carefully, or exactly.”

The word “wise” is from sophos, referring to someone who possesses wisdom (the ability to understand and skillfully apply what one knows). In the New Testament, however, this word also implies an understanding of who God is and what He wants from man.

“Fools” is translated from asophos, which is made up of a, meaning “not” and sophos, meaning “wise.” Thus, it literally means “unwise,” which in our vernacular means “a fool.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has been teaching us to avoid close fellowship with those who live their lives in an ungodly manner. In yesterday’s verse he challenged us to wake up and to stand up from among the dead ones. In doing so, Paul tells us that God will give us His light. That is, not only will He illuminate us with the understanding of His word, He will give us His light to reflect onto the dead ones around us.

Now Paul gives us a couple more nuggets of truth regarding how we should live. He starts today’s verse with “observe then how carefully you walk.” Some translations translate the word akribos as “circumspectly.” The English word “circumspectly” means “looking around,” that is, “being cautious.” This is not the message Paul is giving us. He is not saying “be cautious.” He is saying “be diligent, exact, or careful” regarding how you live your life.

In other words, Paul is telling us to observe ourselves, to look at our own manner of living. As we reflect the light of God’s truth on those who are living for themselves, producing unfruitful works of darkness, we need to be aware of how we are living. We need to be careful that we are living a godly example. Too many Christians live their lives in fear – in fear of attacks from our enemy, or in fear that God will punish them for sinning. God does not want us to live in fear, but in hope. Others have learned a set of rules and are living their lives based on those rules. Often this produces a legalism that looks a lot like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time.

In the opening part of this chapter Paul tole us to “be imitators of God” and to “walk in love.” If we are watching our own manner of life, we should see godly, loving actions and nothing else.

Application

Instead of living in fear, live your life imitating God and loving those around you. If you do, you won’t have to worry about whether or not you’re breaking the rules. Rather, do as James said, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 1:22 – Foolish Wisdom

Posted on August 18, 2009 by admin

Romans 1:22

Professing to be wise, they became fools,

Truth to Learn

The wisdom of this age is the message and teaching of fools.

Behind the Words

The word translated, “professing” is the Greek word, phaskontes, which means “to assert or affirm or claim.”

The words “they became fools” are a translation of a single Greek word morainō, which means “to become a moron or a simpleton.” This, again, is in the passive voice indicating that it is something that was done to them by someone else. We could paraphrase this verse, therefore, as:

Claiming to be wise people, they were made to become fools.

Meaning Explained

Paul now puts an exclamation point on that thought by saying, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Not only did God make their reasoning and discussions void of any real wisdom, He then turned them into fools all the while they are proclaiming how wise and intelligent they are. This is precisely what Isaiah said would happen:

For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.
(Isaiah 29:14b)

King David started out the fourteenth Psalm this way:

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
(Psalms 14:1a)

And, in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, Paul said:

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
(I Corinthians 3:19)

If you listen to the message of the intellectuals and scientists of today you will hear loud proclamations that there is no God. They will tell you with certainty that we have evolved into the species we are today. But, Scripture makes it very clear that God is in control and is not mocked by those who deny His existence and power. In today’s verse, Paul tells us that instead of being mocked by them, God makes them to be the fools they think others are. A just sentence for someone who claims to be smart and at the same time rejects Almighty God, don’t you think?

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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