1 Corinthians 3:21
What does 1 Corinthians 3:21 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:21 means
“Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours.” If the world’s wisdom is empty and God owns the field and building, then human heroes cannot be the basis of identity. Paul turns from rebuke to reassurance: in Christ, believers already possess a vast inheritance. To boast in men is to trade wealth for trinkets. This verse lifts their eyes from narrow loyalties to the breadth of God’s gift. Leaders are not masters to compete over; they are assets in God’s hand for the church’s good. The command ends the argument of the chapter by rooting unity in the sufficiency believers already enjoy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So let no one take pride in men. For all things are yours;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862So then, let no one glory in men, for all things are yours,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let no man therefore glory in men.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890So that let no one boast in men; for all things are yours.
Context
After exposing the futility of boasting in human wisdom, Paul now issues the practical command that resolves the factional problem. He then moves immediately to the positive reason: all things belong to believers. The next verse will list examples—leaders, the world, life, death, present, and future—to emphasize the scope of this inheritance. The flow turns from critique to comfort, showing that contentment in Christ undercuts the need for party pride.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 8:32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
- Jeremiah 9:23
Thus saith Jehovah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches;
- 2 Corinthians 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
- 1 Corinthians 4:6
Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.
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