1 Corinthians 3:20
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1 Corinthians 3:20 in other translations
| BSB | And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” |
|---|---|
| WEB | And again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless.” |
| ASV | and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain. |
| YLT | and again, ‘The Lord doth know the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain.' |
| DARBY | And again, The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise that they are vain. |
| BBE | And again, The Lord has knowledge of the reasonings of the wise, that they are nothing. |
| Webster | And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. |
What does 1 Corinthians 3:20 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
The Lord knoweth. God searches the heart. The particular thing which it is here said that he knows, is, that the thoughts of man are vain. They have this quality; and this is that which the psalmist here says that God sees. The affirmation is not one respecting the omniscience of God, but with respect to what God sees of the nature of the thoughts of the wise.
The thoughts of the wise. Their plans, purposes, designs.
That they are vain. That they lack real wisdom; they are foolish; they shall not be accomplished as they expect, or be seen to have that wisdom which they now suppose they possess.
(b) "again" Ps 94:11
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:18-23
To have a high opinion of our own wisdom, is but to flatter ourselves; and self-flattery is the next step to self-deceit. The wisdom that wordly men esteem, is foolishness with God. How justly does he despise, and how easily can he baffle and confound it! The thoughts of the wisest men in the world, have vanity, weakness, and folly in them. All this should teach us to be humble, and make us willing to be taught of…
1 Corinthians 3:20 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Corinthians 3:20
- Psalms 94:11
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
- Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
- Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
- Job 11:11-12
For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
- Psalms 2:1
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
- 1 Corinthians 3:20
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
- 1 Corinthians 3:21
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1 Corinthians 3:20 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y otra vez: El Señor conoce los pensamientos de los sabios, que son vanos. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | et encore: « Le ✶Seigneur connaît les raisonnements des sages, qu’ils sont vains ». |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Und wiederum: "Der Herr kennt die Überlegungen der Weisen, daß sie eitel sind". |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Et iterum: Dominus novit cogitationes sapientium quoniam vanæ sunt. |