1 Corinthians 3:20

20 It is also written in the Scriptures, "The Lord knows what wise people think. He knows their thoughts are just a puff of wind."

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 Do not fool yourselves. If you think you are wise in this world, you should become a fool so that you can become truly wise,
19 because the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. It is written in the Scriptures, "He catches those who are wise in their own clever traps."
20 It is also written in the Scriptures, "The Lord knows what wise people think. He knows their thoughts are just a puff of wind."
21 So you should not brag about human leaders. All things belong to you:
22 Paul, Apollos, and Peter; the world, life, death, the present, and the future -- all these belong to you.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.