1 Corinthians 1:19

1 Corinthians 1:19

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

a. NLT: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.mn  

b. NIV: For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.

c. Young’s Literal Translation:  for it hath been written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will bring to nought;'

d. Amplified Bible: For it is written, I will baffle and render useless and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning; I will frustrate and nullify [them] and bring [them] to nothing.

e. Worrell Translation: For it has been written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning will I set aside.”

1. “For it is written…”

a. For [1063 * gar] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. it is written [1125 * grapho] [Strong: a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).]

1). This verse is a quotation of Isaiah 29:14 but from the Septuagint not our regular English versions. Notice the difference between the two.

a). Isaiah 29:14 [KJV] Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

b). Isaiah 29:14 [Septuagint] Therefore behold I will proceed to remove this people, and I will remove them: and I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will hide the understanding of the prudent.

2.  “…I will destroy the wisdom of the wise…” 

a. I will destroy [622 * apollumi][Strong: to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:--destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.]

b. the [Strong: 3588. [tēn] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tēn] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn,ta, tēs,tois, tō]

c. wisdom [4678 * sophia] [Strong: wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):--wisdom.] [Thayer: wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters.]

d. [of] the [Strong: 3588. [tōn] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tōn] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn,ta, tēs,tois, tō, tōn.]

e. wise [4680 * Sophos] [Strong: wise (in a most general application):--wise.] [Thayer: wise.]

1). This section of the notes b & b1 are for a later study but are included here because of their link to Isaiah 29:14. In combining both of these verse translations of Isaiah 29:14 from the KJV and the Septuagint there is an interesting link found in Habakkuk. The KJV refers to God doing “a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder”. While the Septuagint translation declares, “I will proceed to remove this people, and I will remove them”. In Habakkuk we find both, the marvelous work and the removing of the people by Babylon. 

a). Habakkuk 1:5-11 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

1:6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs.

1:7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

1:8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.

1:9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.

1:10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.

1:11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.

2). The wisdom of the wise is destroyed by the preaching of the cross. An example of this is found in the Thessalonian believers leaving their idols to serve God.

a). 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

3.  “…and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

a. bring to nothing [114 * atheteo] [Strong: to set aside, i.e. (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate:--cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to nought, reject.]

b. the [Strong: 3588. [tēn] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tēn] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn,ta, tēs,tois, tō, tōn.]

c. understanding [4907 * sunesis] [Vine: a running together, a flowing together with

knowledge, understanding, the understanding, i.e the mind so far forth as it understands.] [Strong: a mental putting together, i.e. intelligence or (concretely) the intellect:--knowledge, understanding.]

d. [of] the [Strong: 3588. [tōn] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tōn] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn,ta, tēs,tois, tō, tōn.]

e. prudent [4908 * sunetos][Strong: mentally put (or putting) together, i.e. sagacious:--prudent.][Thayer: intelligent, having understanding, wise, learned.]

1). The wisdom of the wise is destroyed and the understanding of the prudent is brought to nothing through the preaching of the gospel. A perfect example of this is found in the revival of Ephesus.

a). Acts 19:18-20 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

b). Isaiah 29:13, 14 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

2). The wisdom of their sorceries and curious arts was brought to nothing by the wisdom of the gospel. God used the foolishness of the gospel to confound the wise.

a). 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

b). confound [2617 * kataischuno] [Thayer: to dishonour, disgrace, to put to shame, make ashamed, to be ashamed, blush with shame, one is said to be put to shame who suffers a repulse, or whom some hope has deceived.][Strong: to shame down, i.e. disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush:--confound, dishonour, (be a-, make a-)shame(-d).]