Romans 1:22 (GNV)

Passage

When they professed themselues to be wise, they became fooles.

Nearby Context

Romans 1:20 For the inuisible things of him, that is, his eternal power and Godhead, are seene by ye creation of the worlde, being considered in his workes, to the intent that they should be without excuse:

Romans 1:21 Because that when they knewe God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankefull, but became vaine in their thoughtes, and their foolish heart was full of darkenesse.

Romans 1:22 When they professed themselues to be wise, they became fooles.

Romans 1:23 For they turned the glorie of the incorruptible God to the similitude of the image of a corruptible man, and of birdes, and foure footed beastes, and of creeping things.

Romans 1:24 Wherefore also God gaue them vp to their hearts lusts, vnto vncleannesse, to defile their owne bodies betweene themselues:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "professed", "themselues", "wise", "became", and "fooles". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "professed" and "themselues", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 21's "Because that when they knewe God they..." into verse 23's "For they turned the glorie of the...", so "professed" and "themselues" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "professed" and "themselues" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.