1 Corinthians 3:20

Contextual Overview

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁸ Let no man deceiue himselfe: If any man among you seeme to be wise in this world, let him be a foole, that he may be wise. ¹⁸Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise. ¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. ¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself: if any one thinks himself to be wise among you in this world, let him become foolish, that he may be wise. ¹⁸ Don't fool yourselves. Whoever thinks they are wise in this world should become a fool. That's the only way they can be wise. ¹⁸Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may become [truly] wise. ¹⁸ Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. ¹⁸Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. ¹⁸ Don't fool yourselves! If any of you think you are wise in the things of this world, you will have to become foolish before you can be truly wise.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the lord: Psalms 94:11

that: Job 11:11, Job 11:12, Psalms 2:1, Romans 1:21, Colossians 2:8

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 16:23 - all the counsel Nehemiah 4:15 - God Ecclesiastes 7:16 - neither Isaiah 19:3 - and I Isaiah 44:25 - turneth Isaiah 66:18 - their thoughts Jeremiah 4:14 - How long Obadiah 1:8 - even Matthew 2:8 - go 1 Peter 1:18 - vain

Cross-References

Genesis 2:20
The man therefore gaue names vnto all cattell, and to the foule of the heauen, and to euery beast of the fielde: but for Adam founde he not an helpe meete for him.

Genesis 2:20
And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to all fowl of the air, and to all wild beasts; but for Adam there was not found a helper who was equal to him.

Genesis 2:20
The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there was not found a helper suitable for him.

Genesis 2:20
The man gave names to all the tame animals, to all the birds in the air, and to all the wild animals. He saw many animals and birds, but he could not find a companion that was right for him.

Genesis 2:20
The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.

Genesis 2:20
And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him.

Genesis 2:20
And the man gave names to all cattle and to the birds of the air and to every beast of the field; but Adam had no one like himself as a help.

Genesis 2:20
(S: iii) So the person gave names to all the livestock, to the birds in the air and to every wild animal. But for Adam there was not found a companion suitable for helping him.

Genesis 2:20
And Man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but as for Adam, he found no helpmate, his like.

Genesis 2:20
And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psalms 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to ועוד and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another q: and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David,

the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vanity"; which the apostle not only cites, but explains and teaches; as that by men is meant men of wisdom and knowledge, of the greatest capacities, whose thoughts, reasonings, schemes, and devices, the omniscient God not only knows, but makes known, and discovers them, sooner or later, to be vain and fruitless, yea, vanity itself; and notwithstanding all their machinations and contrivances, his counsel shall stand, his Gospel shall be maintained, his truths shall prevail, and his ordinances shall be continued, and his work go on.

q Vid. Surenhusii Biblos Katallages, p. 11, 531.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And again, - Psalms 94:11.

The Lord knoweth - God searches the heart. The particular thing which it is here said that he knows, is, that the thoughts of man are vain. They have this quality; and this is that which the psalmist here says that God sees. The affirmation is not one respecting the omniscience of God, but with respect to what God sees of the nature of the thoughts of the wise.

The thoughts of the wise - Their plans, purposes, designs.

That they are vain - That they lack real wisdom; they are foolish; they shall not be accomplished as they expect; or be seen to have that wisdom which they now suppose they possess.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 20. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise — They are always full of schemes and plans for earthly good; and God knows that all this is vain, empty, and unsatisfactory; and will stand them in no stead when he comes to take away their souls. This is a quotation from Psalms 94:11. What is here said of the vanity of human knowledge is true of every kind of wisdom that leads not immediately to God himself.