1 Corinthians 3:19

1 Corinthians 3:19

17 If anyone¹ defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

18 ^aLet no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ^a“He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;

20 and again, ^a“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For ^aall things are yours:

22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours.

Commentaries:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

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Foolishness with God (mwria para tw qew). Whose standard does a church (temple) of God wish, that of this world or of God? The two standards are not the same. It is a pertinent inquiry with us all whose idea rules in our church. Paul quotes Job 5:13.

That taketh (o drassomenov). Old verb drassomai, to grasp with the hand, is used here for the less vivid word in the LXX katalambanwn. It occurs nowhere else in the N.T., but appears in the papyri to lay hands on. Job is quoted in the N.T. only here and in Romans 11:35 and both times with variations from the LXX. This word occurs in Ecclesiasticus 26:7; 34:2. In Psalms 2:12 the LXX has dracasqe paideiav, lay hold on instruction.

Craftiness (panourgiai). The panourgov man is ready for any or all work (if bad enough). So it means versatile cleverness (Robertson and Plummer), astutia (Vulgate).

**Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Corinthians 3:19:**

Luke 15:8
1 Corinthians 1:18
1 Corinthians 4:6

<< 1 Corinthians 3:18

1 Corinthians 3:20 >>

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