1 Corinthians 3:20
What does 1 Corinthians 3:20 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:20 means
Paul adds a second Scripture: “The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain.” God sees through the arguments, systems, and self-justifications that parade as wisdom. Their emptiness lies not always in intellectual error, but in being divorced from the fear of God and the truth of Christ. This verse strips away grounds for pride. If God deems the best of human plotting “vain,” boasting in men becomes senseless. The church must prioritize what God values—humble dependence on His Word and Spirit—over what garners applause. Knowing that God evaluates the heart frees believers from slavish respect for status and equips them to pursue what truly lasts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And again, The Lord has knowledge of the reasonings of the wise, that they are nothing.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and again, `The Lord doth know the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And again: The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And again, [The] Lord knows the reasonings of the wise that they are vain.
Context
With two Scriptural witnesses, Paul has established that worldly wisdom is futile before God. He is now ready to conclude the argument. The next verses (21–23) will command an end to boasting in men and will celebrate the rich inheritance believers already possess in Christ. This conclusion ties back to the opening problem of factions and forward to ongoing themes of identity and unity in the letter. The emphasis shifts from negation (do not boast) to affirmation (all things are yours).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 2:8
Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:
- Job 11:11
For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.
- 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.
- Psalms 94:11
Jehovah knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.
- Psalms 2:1
Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
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