1 Corinthians 3:19

1 Corinthians 3:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness,"
• New King James Version (NKJV)For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;
• New Living Translation (NLT)For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.”

Context of 1 Corinthians 3:19

17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. 18Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 21So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours,

1 Corinthians 3:19 word by word

ἡ γὰρ σοφία τοῦ κόσμου τούτου μωρία παρὰ τῷ θεῷ ἐστιν. γέγραπται γάρ· ὁ δρασσόμενος τοὺς σοφοὺς ἐν τῇ πανουργίᾳ αὐτῶν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• the wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
• of thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• foolishnessμωρίαmōria · foolishnessG3472
• withπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• it is writtenγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• He takethδράσσομαιdrassomai · to catchG1405
• the wiseσοφόςsophos · wiseG4680
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• their ownαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• craftinessπανουργίαpanourgia · craftinessG3834

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 3:19

• 1 Corinthians 1:19For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
• 1 Corinthians 2:6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
• Isaiah 19:11The officials of Zoan are nothing but fools; the wise counselors of Pharaoh give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise men, a disciple of the ancient kings”?
• Isaiah 29:14Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
• Isaiah 44:25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,
• Romans 1:21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
• Job 5:13He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away.
• Exodus 1:10Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
• Exodus 18:11Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”
• 2 Samuel 15:31Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
• 2 Samuel 16:23Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.
• 2 Samuel 17:14Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.
• Esther 7:10So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
• Psalms 7:14Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
• Psalms 9:15The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
• Psalms 141:10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19The wisdom of this world - Whether it be the pretended deep and occult wisdom of the rabbins, or the wire-drawn speculations of the Grecian philosophers, is foolishness with God; for as folly consists in spending time, strength, and pains to no purpose, so these may be fitly termed fools who acquire no saving knowledge by their speculations. And is not this the case with the major part of all that is called philosophy, even in the present day? Has one…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19For the wisdom of this world - That which is esteemed to be wisdom by the people of this world on the subject of religion. It does not mean that true wisdom is foolishness with him. It does not mean that science, and prudence, and law - that the knowledge of his works - that astronomy, and medicine, and chemistry, are regarded by him as folly, and as unworthy the attention of people. God is the friend of truth on all subjects; and he requires us to become…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-23Verses 18-23 To have a high opinion of our own wisdom, is but to flatter ourselves; and self-flattery is the next step to self-deceit. The wisdom that wordly men esteem, is foolishness with God. How justly does he despise, and how easily can he baffle and confound it! The thoughts of the wisest men in the world, have vanity, weakness, and folly in them. All this should teach us to be humble, and make us willing to be taught of God, so as not to be led…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-20Paul 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.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. with God--in the judgment of God. it is written--in Job 5:13. The formula of quoting Scripture used here, establishes the canonicity of Job. He taketh ... wise in ... own craftiness--proving the "foolishness" of the world's wisdom, since it is made by God the very snare to catch those who think themselves so wise. Literally, "He who taketh ... the whole of the sentence not being quoted, but only the part which suited Paul's purpose.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 3:19

• Ignorance
• Quotations and Allusions
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Foundation
• Job, Book of
• Plant
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Craft; Craftiness; Crafty
• Inspiration
• Paul, the Apostle

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings