1 Corinthians 3:19

Translations

Modern

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

Traditional

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Literal

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it has been written: “He is the One catching the wise in their craftiness,”

Latin

Sapientia enim hujus mundi, stultitia est apud Deum. Scriptum est enim: Comprehendam sapientes in astutia eorum.

Original

Greek

English

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

Notes

1 Corinthians 3:18–20

Paul contrasts human wisdom with divine wisdom again (see 1 Corinthians 1:18–25). He uses Old Testament quotes to encourage the Corinthians. He urges them to be willing to seem foolish to the world so that they can be truly wise in God's eyes.

1 Corinthians 3:1–4:7

After comparing human and spiritual wisdom, Paul addresses the divisions in the Corinthian church (see 1 Corinthians 1:10–12), especially their undue loyalty to him and Apollos.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Religious Hypocrisy Wisdom

Related verses

Job 5:13
He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.
Psalm 141:10
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.
1 Corinthians 1:19–20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Romans 1:21–22
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
Isaiah 44:25
…who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
Psalm 9:15–16
The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
1 Corinthians 2:6
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
Psalm 7:14–15
Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and births falsehood.
Isaiah 29:14–16
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”
Isaiah 19:11–14
The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”?
Exodus 18:11
Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”
2 Samuel 16:23
Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

1 Corinthians 3:19

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