1 Corinthians 3:19
What does 1 Corinthians 3:19 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:19 means
Paul explains why becoming a “fool” by worldly standards is necessary: “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” He supports this with Scripture, “He that taketh the wise in their craftiness.” God outwits and overturns the schemes of the self-assured. Human cleverness, detached from reverence and truth, becomes a trap. This verse levels the ground: no intellectual prowess or strategic brilliance can stand against God’s sovereign wisdom. For the church, it means that methods and messages designed to impress rather than to honor God will ultimately be exposed. True wisdom begins with God and conforms to His ways, even when that looks unimpressive to the world.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the wisdom of this world is foolish before God. As it is said in the holy Writings, He who takes the wise in their secret designs:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it hath been written, `Who is taking the wise in their craftiness;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: I will catch the wise in their own craftiness.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the wisdom of this world is foolishness withGod; for it is written, He who takes the wise in their craftiness.
Context
Paul continues the argument from verse 18 by appealing to Scripture. He shows that God Himself judges worldly wisdom as folly and frustrates the crafty. The next verse will add another Scripture to stress that the Lord knows the emptiness of human calculations. These citations set up the practical conclusion in verses 21–23: stop boasting in men and rest in what is already yours in Christ. The logic runs from principle to proof to application.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 29:14
therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
- Romans 1:21
because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.
- Isaiah 44:25
that frustrateth the signs of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
- Exodus 18:11
Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods; yea, in the thing wherein they dealt proudly against them.
- Exodus 1:10
come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6
We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:
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