1 Corinthians 1:20

1 Corinthians 1:20

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

a. NLT: So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

b. NIV: Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. YLT: where is the wise? where the scribe? where a disputer of this age? did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world? [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible: Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world’s wisdom?  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

1. “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?”

a. Where [4226 * pou] [Strong: genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos (what) otherwise obsolete (perhaps the same as 4225 used with the rising slide of inquiry); as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality:--where, whither.]

b. [is the] wise [4680 * sophos][Strong: wise (in a most general application):--wise.][Thayer: wise, skilled, expert: of artificers, wise, skilled in letters, cultivated, learned, of the Greek philosophers and orators, of Jewish theologians, of Christian teachers, forming the best plans and using the best means for their execution.]

c. where [4226 * pou] [Strong: genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos (what) otherwise obsolete (perhaps the same as 4225 used with the rising slide of inquiry); as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality:--where, whither.]

d. [is the] scribe [1122 * grammateus][Strong: a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary:--scribe, town-clerk.][Thayer: a clerk, scribe, esp.a public servant, secretary, recorder, whose office and influence differed in different states,  in the Bible, a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher. Scribes examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope, and did this to the detriment of religion. Since the advice of men skilled in the law was needed in the examination in the causes and the solution of the difficult questions, they were enrolled in the Sanhedrin; and are mentioned in connection with the priests and elders of the people. See a Bible Dictionary for more information on the scribes, a religious teacher: so instructed that from his learning and ability to teach advantage may redound to the kingdom of heaven.]

e. where [4226 * pou]  [Strong: genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos (what) otherwise obsolete (perhaps the same as 4225 used with the rising slide of inquiry); as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality:--where, whither.]

f. [is the] disputer [4804 * suzetetes; sun-with; zeteo-to seek][Strong: a disputant, i.e. sophist:--disputer.][Thayer: a learned disputant.]

g. [of] this [5127 * toutou] [Strong: genitive case singular masculine or neuter of 3778; of (from or concerning) this (person or thing):--here(-by), him, it, + such manner of, that, thence(-forth), thereabout, this, thus.]

h. [Strong: 3588. [tou] 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: [tou] 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.]

i. world [165 * aion] [Strong: from the same as 104; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end).]

1). Paul warned about being spoiled by false teachers and their philosophies.

a). 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.

b. [Amplified Bible] See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).

2. “…hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”

a. hath …made foolish [3471 * moraine][Vincent: proved it to be practical folly][Strong: to become insipid; figuratively, to make (passively, act) as a simpleton:--become fool, make foolish, lose savour.]

b. not [3780 * ouchi] [Strong: intensive of 3756; not indeed:--nay, not.]

c. [Strong: 3588. [ho] 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: [ho] 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.]

d. God [2316 * theos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

e. 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.]

f. wisdom [4678 * Sophia] [Strong:  from 4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):--wisdom.]

g. of this [5127 * toutou] [Strong: genitive case singular masculine or neuter of 3778; of (from or concerning) this (person or thing):--here(-by), him, it, + such manner of, that, thence(-forth), thereabout, this, thus.]

h. [Strong: 3588. [tou] 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: [tou] 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.]

i. world [2889 * kosmos] [Strong:  probably from the base of 2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world.]

1). Paul is reaffirming what Isaiah had already stated. God will make their knowledge foolish.

a). Isaiah 44:24, 25 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

44:25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

2). Isaiah details an example of man’s foolishness earlier in the same chapter. Man does not connect the dots.

a). Isaiah 44:13-20 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

44:14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.

44:15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

44:16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

44:17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

44:18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

44:19 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

44:20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

3). Wherever Paul went to preach the gospel (the testimony of God), he did not use “lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom” (Amplified Bible). He preached “Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1, 2). Why? To use “verbal eloquence” (earthly wisdom in speech), would empty the message of the cross of its power.

a). 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

4). Later in the same epistle Paul again touched on the danger of trusting in the wisdom of this world, wisdom that discounts the things of God, condemning it as foolishness.

a). 1 Corinthians 3:19, 20 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

(1) craftiness [3834 * panourgia][Strong: adroitness, i.e. (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry:--(cunning) craftiness, subtilty.] [Thayer:  craftiness, cunning, a specious or false wisdom, in a good sense, prudence, skill, in undertaking and carrying on affairs

(2) thoughts [1261 * dialogismos] [Strong:  discussion, i.e. (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate:--dispute, doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.] [Thayer: the thinking of a man deliberating with himself, a thought, inward reasoning, purpose, design, a deliberating, questioning about what is true, hesitation, doubting, disputing, arguing.]

(3) Here Paul is linking the wisdom of this world, its debates and discussions with trickery and craftiness.