New King James Version
1 Corinthians 3:20
20and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”
1 Corinthians 3:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
- New International Version (NIV)and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."
- New Living Translation (NLT)And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.”
Context of 1 Corinthians 3:20
18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 31 Corinthians 3:20 word by word
καὶ πάλιν· κύριος γινώσκει τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς τῶν σοφῶν ὅτι εἰσὶν μάταιοι.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- againπάλινpalin · againG3825
- The Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
- knowethγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
- the thoughtsδιαλογισμόςdialogismos · reasoningG1261
- of the wiseσοφόςsophos · wiseG4680
- thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- they areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- vainμάταιοςmataios · futileG3152
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 3:20
- Psalms 94:11The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.
- Job 11:11For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?
- Psalms 2:1Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?
- Romans 1:21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
- Colossians 2:8Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20The 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 Psalm 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.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20And again, - Psalm 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…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. 2020. Quotation from Psa 94:11. There it is of men; here it is "of the wise." Paul by inspiration states the class of men whose "thoughts" (or rather, "reasonings," as suits the Greek and the sense of the context) the Spirit designated in the Psalm, "vanity," namely, the "proud" (Psa 94:2) and worldly-wise, whom God in Psa 94:8 calls "fools," though they "boast themselves" of their wisdom in pushing their interests (Psa 94:4).Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 3:20
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries