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As it is written: &#8220He catches the wise in their craftiness"; <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it has been written: "He is the One catching the wise in their craftiness." <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/3.htm">King James Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/3.htm">New King James Version</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE BY THEIR CRAFTINESS”; <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, &#8220He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS"; <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS”; <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS”; <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness (absurdity, stupidity) before God; for it is written [in Scripture], “[He is] THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE and CLEVER IN THEIR CRAFTINESS;” <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written, He catches the wise in their craftiness; <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written: He catches the wise in their craftiness; <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness: <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> This is because God considers the wisdom of this world to be foolish. It is just as the Scriptures say, "God catches the wise when they try to outsmart him." <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness: <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The wisdom of this world is nonsense in God's sight. That's why Scripture says, "God catches the wise in their cleverness." <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> For what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense in God's sight. As the scripture says, "God traps the wise in their cleverness"; <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> For the wisdom of this world is nonsense in God's sight. For it is written, "He catches the wise with their own trickery," <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God?s sight. As it is written: ?He catches the wise in their craftiness.? <a href="/net/1_corinthians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. As it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness." <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He traps the wise in their craftiness." <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> This world's wisdom is "foolishness" in God's sight; for it is written, "He snares the wise with their own cunning." <a href="/web/1_corinthians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it has been written: “Who is taking the wise in their craftiness”; <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it has been written: "He is the One catching the wise in their craftiness." <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it hath been written, 'Who is taking the wise in their craftiness;' <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it has been written, He seizing the wise in their deceptions.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: I will catch the wise in their own craftiness. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. And so it has been written: “I will catch the wise in their own astuteness.” <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: “He catches the wise in their own ruses,” <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For the wisdom of this world is nonsense to God, for it is written: “He has seized the wise in their craftiness.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written: He takes the wise in their own craftiness. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it has been written. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For the wisdom of this world is folly in the sight of God. For it is written, ?He entangleth the wise in their own craftiness.?<RX 18.5.13> <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for the wisdom of this world is folly, in the eye of God: as it is written, "he surprizes the wise in all their artifices." <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> This world's wisdom is "foolishness" in God's sight; for it is written, "He snares the wise with their own cunning." <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it has been written, "He Who taketh the wise in their craftiness." <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, "He taketh the wise in their own craftiness:" <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=582" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worldly Wisdom</a> 18Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4678.htm" title="4678: sophia (N-NFS) -- Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. From sophos; wisdom.">wisdom</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutou (DPro-GMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">of this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3472.htm" title="3472: mōria (N-NFS) -- Folly, absurdity, foolishness. From moros; silliness, i.e. Absurdity.">foolishness</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: para (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">in God’s sight.</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very."></a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">As</a> <a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: gegraptai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">it is written:</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">“He</a> <a href="/greek/1405.htm" title="1405: drassomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To take hold of, grasp, catch. Perhaps akin to the base of drakon; to grasp, i.e. entrap.">catches</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4680.htm" title="4680: sophous (Adj-AMP) -- Wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Akin to saphes; wise.">wise</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3834.htm" title="3834: panourgia (N-DFS) -- Shrewdness, skill; hence: cunning, craftiness. From panougos; adroitness, i.e. trickery or sophistry.">craftiness.”</a> 20And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a> He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning. <a href="/proverbs/3-7.htm">Proverbs 3:7</a> Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30</a> There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. <a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22</a> Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, <a href="/james/3-15.htm">James 3:15</a> Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Isaiah 29:14</a> Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.” <a href="/jeremiah/8-9.htm">Jeremiah 8:9</a> The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a> At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">1 Corinthians 1:19-20</a> For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a> But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6-7</a> Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/2_corinthians/1-12.htm">2 Corinthians 1:12</a> For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God. <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a> See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness.the wisdom.<a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">1 Corinthians 1:19,20</a> For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent… <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6</a> Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:<a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11-14</a> Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? … For.<a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a> He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.He.<a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10</a> Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.<a href="/exodus/18-11.htm">Exodus 18:11</a> Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.<a href="/2_samuel/15-31.htm">2 Samuel 15:31</a> And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/13-19.htm">Catches</a> <a href="/acts/13-10.htm">Craftiness</a> <a href="/acts/18-14.htm">Cunning</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">Foolishness</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-17.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-17.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-7.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/hosea/9-8.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">World</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">World's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-9.htm">Writings</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-9.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Catches</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-2.htm">Craftiness</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-2.htm">Cunning</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-11.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-1.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-10.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-1.htm">Foolishness</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-23.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-11.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-10.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-8.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-20.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-22.htm">World</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">World's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-7.htm">Writings</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-6.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 3</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">Milk is fit for children.</a> 3. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.</a> 7. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-7.htm">He who plants and He who waters are nothing.</a> 9. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">The ministers are God's fellow workmen.</a> 11. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">Christ the only foundation.</a> 16. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy.</a> 19. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses divisions within the Corinthian church, emphasizing the contrast between human wisdom and divine wisdom. The "wisdom of this world" refers to human philosophies and reasoning that are often celebrated in society but lack spiritual insight. Historically, Corinth was a hub of intellectual and philosophical activity, influenced by Greek thought, which prized rhetoric and human wisdom. Paul challenges this by asserting that such wisdom is "foolishness" to God, who values humility and spiritual understanding over intellectual prowess. This echoes themes found in <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Isaiah 29:14</a>, where God promises to confound the wisdom of the wise, highlighting the limitations of human understanding compared to divine revelation.As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” This phrase is a direct quotation from <a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a>, where Eliphaz speaks of God's ability to thwart the plans of the cunning. In the broader biblical narrative, this reflects a recurring theme where God subverts human schemes and demonstrates His sovereignty. The use of "craftiness" suggests deceit or manipulation, often associated with those who rely on their own intellect rather than seeking God's guidance. This concept is further illustrated in the story of the Tower of Babel (<a href="/genesis/11.htm">Genesis 11:1-9</a>), where human ambition and wisdom are confounded by God. Additionally, it points to the ultimate wisdom found in Christ, who embodies the fulfillment of God's plan, contrasting with the temporary and often misguided wisdom of the world.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth, a city known for its diversity and philosophical thought. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_church_in_corinth.htm">The Church in Corinth</a> A Christian community struggling with divisions and influenced by worldly wisdom and philosophies. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The ultimate judge of wisdom, whose perspective is contrasted with human wisdom. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_wise_of_the_world.htm">The Wise of the World</a> Individuals who rely on human intellect and philosophies rather than divine wisdom. 5. <a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a> The Old Testament figure whose account is referenced in the quote "He catches the wise in their craftiness," originally from <a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a>.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Limitations of Human Wisdom</a> Human wisdom is limited and often fails to grasp the fullness of God's truth. Believers should seek divine wisdom through prayer and scripture. <a href="/topical/t/the_superiority_of_divine_wisdom.htm">The Superiority of Divine Wisdom</a> God's wisdom surpasses human understanding. Christians are called to align their lives with God's perspective, even when it contradicts worldly views. <a href="/topical/h/humility_in_learning.htm">Humility in Learning</a> Recognizing the limitations of human wisdom should lead to humility. Believers should be open to correction and growth in their spiritual journey. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_daily_life.htm">Discernment in Daily Life</a> Christians should practice discernment, evaluating worldly philosophies and teachings against the truth of God's Word. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> Trusting in God's wisdom involves surrendering control and acknowledging His sovereignty over all aspects of life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 3</a> <a href="/q/does_1_cor_3_19_oppose_biblical_wisdom.htm">Doesn’t 1 Corinthians 3:19, by labeling worldly wisdom as foolishness, promote anti-intellectualism and conflict with biblical passages that encourage knowledge?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_wisdom_of_the_world_to_god.htm">What is the wisdom of the world to God?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_biblically_respond_to_insults.htm">What is the wisdom of the world to God?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'persecuted_not_forsaken'.htm">How does wisdom lead to foolishness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) With God.--Better, in the sight of God (<a href="/romans/2-13.htm" title="(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.">Romans 2:13</a>).For it is written.--By two passages, one from Job, and the other from the Psalms, St. Paul proves the truth of his previous assertion regarding God's estimate of mere "worldly wisdom." It may be noticed that with the exception of the reference in <a href="/james/5-11.htm" title="Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.">James 5:11</a> to the "proverbial patience" of Job, of which the writer says "ye have heard" (not read), this is the only allusion to the book of Job or to Job in the New Testament.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - The wisdom of this world. Here the word for "world" is kosmos, in the last verse it was alert. Kosmos is the world regarded objectively; aion the world regarded in its moral and intellectual aspect. He that taketh the wise in their craftiness. This is one of the few references to the Book of Job in the New Testament. It comes from the speech of Eliphaz in <a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a>, but St. Paul substitutes the words "clutching" (drassomenos) and "craftiness" (panourgia) for the milder katalabon and phronesei of the LXX. <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wisdom σοφία (sophia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4678.htm">Strong's 4678: </a> Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. From sophos; wisdom. of this τούτου (toutou) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. world κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. foolishness μωρία (mōria) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3472.htm">Strong's 3472: </a> Folly, absurdity, foolishness. From moros; silliness, i.e. Absurdity. in God’s sight. παρὰ (para) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. [As] γάρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. it is written: γέγραπται (gegraptai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. “He Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. catches δρασσόμενος (drassomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1405.htm">Strong's 1405: </a> To take hold of, grasp, catch. Perhaps akin to the base of drakon; to grasp, i.e. entrap. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wise σοφοὺς (sophous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4680.htm">Strong's 4680: </a> Wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Akin to saphes; wise. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. craftiness.” πανουργίᾳ (panourgia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3834.htm">Strong's 3834: </a> Shrewdness, skill; hence: cunning, craftiness. From panougos; adroitness, i.e. trickery or sophistry. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 3:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 3:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 3:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 3:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>