1 Corinthians 1:19

1 Corinthians 1:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
• New International Version (NIV)For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
• New King James Version (NKJV)For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

Context of 1 Corinthians 1:19

17For Messiah sent me not to immerse, but to proclaim the Good News—not with cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Messiah would not be made of no effect. 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the intelligent.” 20Where is the wise one? Where is the Torah scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For seeing that—in God’s wisdom—the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased—through the foolishness of the message proclaimed—to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 1:19 word by word

γέγραπται γάρ· ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν, καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν ἀθετήσω.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• it is writtenγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• I will destroyἀπολλύωapollumi · to destroyG622
• the wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
• of the wiseσοφόςsophos · wiseG4680
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• will bring to nothingἀθετέωatheteō · to rejectG114
• the understandingσύνεσιςsunesis · understandingG4907
• of the prudentσυνετόςsunetos · intelligentG4908

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 1:19

• 1 Corinthians 3:19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written, “He catches the clever in their craftiness.”
• Job 5:12Who frustrates the plans of the crafty, so that their hands attain no success.
• Isaiah 19:3The spirit of Egypt will drain within it, and I will confuse its counsel. So they will resort to idols, charmers, mediums and familiar spirits.
• Isaiah 29:14Therefore, behold, once more I will do a marvelous work among this people— a marvel and a wonder— so the wisdom of their wise will perish, and the discernment of their discerning will be concealed.”
• Jeremiah 8:9The wise men will be put to shame— shattered, trapped. Look! They have rejected Adonai’s word, so what wisdom do they have?

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 1:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19For it is written - The place referred to is Isaiah 29:14. I will destroy the wisdom of the wise - , Of wise men - of the philosophers who in their investigations seek nothing less than God, and whose highest discoveries amount to nothing in comparison of the grand truths relative to God, the invisible world, and the true end of man, which the Gospel has brought to light. Let me add, that the very discoveries which are really useful have been made by men…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19For it is written - This passage is quoted from Isaiah 29:14. The Hebrew of the passage, as rendered in the English version is, “the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” The version of the Septuagint is, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the understanding of the prudent I will hide” ́ krupsōcorresponding substantially with the quotation by Paul. The sense in the Hebrew is not…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-25Verses 17-25 Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live. The preaching of salvation for lost sinners by the sufferings and death of the Son of God, if explained and faithfully applied…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19This quote from Isaiah 29:14 shows how God views human wisdom.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. I will destroy--slightly altered from the Septuagint, Is 29:14. The Hebrew is, "The wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." Paul by inspiration gives the sense of the Spirit, by making God the cause of their wisdom perishing, &c., "I will destroy," &c. understanding of the prudent--literally, "of the understanding ones."Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 1:19

• Boasting
• Philosophy
• Quotations and Allusions
• Reasoning
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Confirm
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Cross
• Disputer
• Foolishness
• Household
• Join
• Preach
• Revelation of Christ
• Wisdom

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 1

• 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
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• 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