Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 1:22

22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools .

Some think, that all along this Context the Apostle hath reference to the Gnosticks, a sort of Hereticks 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 Gnosticks, 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 err'd concerning the Creator. And as Fools delight in Toyes, 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 Dye, to Offer for him a Cock to Aesculapius, which he had vow'd.