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Answer
In the beginning of his letter to the Romans, Paul explains the universal need for righteousness (Romans 1—3). In this section, Paul writes about the “godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness” “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”, (Romans 1:18) and then makes a significant statement about such individuals in Romans 1:22: “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (KJV).
Previously, Paul explained that he values the opportunity to preach the gospel (the good news about Jesus the Christ, or Messiah), because that good news is God’s power to deliver people from their sin and restore them to a right relationship with God “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”, (Romans 1:16). While that good news includes specific details that were not previously known, the fundamental concept that God saves people by grace through faith was not new; it had been revealed in the Scriptures long before—righteousness has always been by faith “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”, (Romans 1:17).
The issue is that people are unrighteous, separated from God, and in need of His righteousness. In His holiness, God has revealed His anger toward those who have suppressed His truth in their unrighteousness “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who…
Hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18). God has made the truth about Himself evident to everyone because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it unto them. (Romans 1:19). Through His creation, He has shown everyone His invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature to the extent that everyone is without excuse. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20). Everyone is accountable for the evidence that God exists and what is revealed about Him in the natural world. Sadly, in unrighteousness, people have refused to honor Him as God and to be grateful for all He has done. In rejecting Him, people have turned to alternative explanations that are speculative because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)—anything to explain away the Designer so as not to be accountable to Him. That willful blindness darkens the heart even further, and “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”
Even as mankind increases in knowledge and struts his “wisdom,” he remains foolish about the things that really matter. There is no more basic foolishness than to deny the existence of God. The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that does good. (Psalm 14:1).
In Proverbs 9:10, there is no more fundamental wisdom than to fear God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.” (Psalm 111:10). “Where is the wise person? . . . Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21).
When we reject the Designer, we have to try to explain away His design that is so evident throughout His creation. In our proclaimed wisdom, because we refuse to be subject to the Designer, we contrive foolish explanations to dismiss the natural order and design. This is the significance of the statement in Romans 1:22 that “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Paul is challenging his readers not to make that mistake but to acknowledge God instead.
All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23), and the penalty for that sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). But God has revealed how we can be righteous and have a relationship with Him (Romans 3:21-22): we can receive His grace through belief in Jesus Christ. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:24).
In Romans 3:24 and 3:28, instead of “professing themselves to be wise” and thus becoming “fools,” Paul encourages his readers to truly be wise and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
