1 Corinthians 3 · Verse 21

1 Corinthians 3:21

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1 Corinthians 3:21, King James Version

1 Corinthians 3:21 in other translations

BSBTherefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours,
WEBTherefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,
ASVWherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;
YLTSo then, let no one glory in men, for all things are yours,
DARBYSo that let no one boast in men; for all things are yours.
BBESo let no one take pride in men. For all things are yours;
WebsterTherefore let no man glory in men: for all things are yours:

What does 1 Corinthians 3:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
21. let no man glory in men--resuming the subject from 1Co 3:4; compare 1Co 1:12, 31, where the true object of glorying is stated: "He that glorieth, let him glory in THE Lord." Also 1Co 4:6, "That no one of you be puffed up for one against another." For all things--not only all men. For you to glory thus in men, is lowering yourselves from your high position as heirs of all things. All men (including your teachers) belong to Christ, and therefore to you, by your union with Him; He makes them and all things work together for your good (Ro 8:28). Ye are not for the sake of them, but they for the sake of you (2Co 4:5, 15). They belong to you, not you to them.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. Therefore, etc. Paul here proceeds to apply the principles which he had stated above. Since all were ministers or servants of God; since God was the Source of all good influences; since, whatever might be the pretensions to wisdom among men, it was all foolishness in the sight of God, the inference was clear, that no man should glory in man. They were all alike poor, frail, ignorant, erring, dependent beings. And hence, also, as all wisdom came from God, and as Christians partook alike of the benefits of the instruction of the most eminent apostles, they ought to regard this as belonging to them in common, and not to form parties with these names at the head.

Let no man glory in men. 1Cor 1:29. Comp. Jer 9:23,24. It was common among the Jews to range themselves under different leaders--as Hillel and Shammai; and for the Greeks, also, to boast themselves to be the followers of Pythagoras, Zeno, Plato, etc. The same thing began to be manifest in the Christian church; and Paul here rebukes and opposes it.

For all things are your's. This is a reason why they should not range themselves in parties or factions under different leaders. Paul specifies what he means by "all things" in the following verses. The sense is, that since they had an interest in all that could go to promote their welfare; as they were common partakers of the benefits of the talents and labours of the apostles; and as they belonged to Christ, and all to God, it was improper to be split up into factions, as if they derived any peculiar benefit from one set of men, or one set of objects. In Paul, in Apollos, in life, death, etc., they had a common interest, and no one should boast that he had any special proprietorship in any of these things.

(c) "let no man glory" Jer 9:23,24

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 Let no man glory in men - Let none suppose that he has any cause of exultation in any thing but God. All are yours; he that has God for his portion has every thing that can make him happy and glorious: all are his.

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…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 →

1 Corinthians 3:21 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.

ὭστεHōsteThereforeG5620
μηδεὶςmēdeisno oneG3367
καυχάσθωkauchasthōshould boastG2744
ἐνeninG1722
ἀνθρώποις·anthrōpoismen;G444
πάνταpantaAll thingsG3956
γὰρgarforG1063
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
ἐστιν,estinare,G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 3:21

  • Romans 8:32

    He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

  • Romans 8:28

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

  • Jeremiah 9:23-24

    Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:6

    And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

  • Revelation 21:7

    He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:4-7

    For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12-17

    Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. …

  • Romans 4:13

    For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5

    For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:15

    For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
glory.
4-7; 1:12-17; 4:6; Jer 9:23,24
For.
Ro 4:13; 8:28,32; 2Co 4:5,15; Re 21:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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 3:22

    Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

Read all of 1 Corinthians 3

1 Corinthians 3:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Así que, ninguno se gloríe en los hombres; porque todo es vuestro;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Que personne donc ne se glorifie dans les hommes, car toutes choses sont à vous,
German
Elberfelder 1871		So rühme sich denn niemand der Menschen, denn alles ist euer.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nemo itaque glorietur in hominibus.