1 Corinthians 3:20

20 and again, "ADONAI knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless."f

1 Corinthians 3:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 3:20

And again
Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in ( Psalms 94:11 ) . This form of citing Scriptures answers to (dwew) and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another F17: and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David,

the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain;
in the Psalms it is, "the Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vanity"; which the apostle not only cites, but explains and teaches; as that by men is meant men of wisdom and knowledge, of the greatest capacities, whose thoughts, reasonings, schemes, and devices, the omniscient God not only knows, but makes known, and discovers them, sooner or later, to be vain and fruitless, yea, vanity itself; and notwithstanding all their machinations and contrivances, his counsel shall stand, his Gospel shall be maintained, his truths shall prevail, and his ordinances shall be continued, and his work go on.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 Vid. Surenhusii Biblos Katallages, p. 11, 531.

1 Corinthians 3:20 In-Context

18 Let no one fool himself. If someone among you thinks he is wise (by this world's standards), let him become "foolish," so that he may become really wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is nonsense, as far as God is concerned; inasmuch as the Tanakh says, "He traps the wise in their own cleverness,"e
20 and again, "ADONAI knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless."f
21 So let no one boast about human beings, for all things are yours -
22 whether Sha'ul or Apollos or Kefa or the world or life or death or the present or the future: they all belong to you,
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.