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Text -- 1 Corinthians 3:20 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
3:20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Wisdom | Vanity | THOUGHT | Quotations and Allusions | Heart | God | FOREKNOW; FOREKNOWLEDGE | Corinthians, First Epistle to the | AGAIN | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: 1Co 3:20 - -- And again ( kai palin ). Another confirmatory passage from Psa 94:11.

And again ( kai palin ).

Another confirmatory passage from Psa 94:11.

Robertson: 1Co 3:20 - -- Reasonings ( dialogismous ). More than cogitationes (Vulgate), sometimes disputations (Phi 2:14). Paul changes "men"of lxx to wise (sophōn ) in...

Reasonings ( dialogismous ).

More than cogitationes (Vulgate), sometimes disputations (Phi 2:14). Paul changes "men"of lxx to wise (sophōn ) in harmony with the Hebrew context.

Robertson: 1Co 3:20 - -- Vain ( mataioi ). Useless, foolish, from matē , a futile attempt.

Vain ( mataioi ).

Useless, foolish, from matē , a futile attempt.

Wesley: 1Co 3:20 - -- Empty, foolish; they and all their thoughts. Psa 94:11.

Empty, foolish; they and all their thoughts. Psa 94:11.

JFB: 1Co 3:20 - -- Quotation from Psa 94:11. There it is of men; here it is "of the wise." Paul by inspiration states the class of men whose "thoughts" (or rather, "reas...

Quotation from Psa 94:11. There it is of men; here it is "of the wise." Paul by inspiration states the class of men whose "thoughts" (or rather, "reasonings," as suits the Greek and the sense of the context) the Spirit designated in the Psalm, "vanity," namely, the "proud" (Psa 94:2) and worldly-wise, whom God in Psa 94:8 calls "fools," though they "boast themselves" of their wisdom in pushing their interests (Psa 94:4).

Clarke: 1Co 3:20 - -- The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise - They are always full of schemes and plans for earthly good; and God knows that all this is vain, empty, ...

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise - They are always full of schemes and plans for earthly good; and God knows that all this is vain, empty, and unsatisfactory; and will stand them in no stead when he comes to take away their souls. This is a quotation from Psa 94:11. What is here said of the vanity of human knowledge is true of every kind of wisdom that leads not immediately to God himself.

Defender: 1Co 3:20 - -- This quote is from Psa 94:11."

This quote is from Psa 94:11."

TSK: 1Co 3:20 - -- the lord : Psa 94:11 that : Job 11:11, Job 11:12; Psa 2:1; Rom 1:21; Col 2:8

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 1Co 3:20 - -- And again, - Psa 94:11. The Lord knoweth - God searches the heart. The particular thing which it is here said that he knows, is, that the...

And again, - Psa 94:11.

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.

Poole: 1Co 3:20 - -- And again, it was said by the psalmist, Psa 94:11 , that: The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity: man’ s counsels, imagin...

And again, it was said by the psalmist, Psa 94:11 , that:

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity: man’ s counsels, imaginations, reasonings, they are all vanity; they propose to themselves ends which they cannot attain, and pursue them by means that are inefficacious with reference to their ends.

Haydock: 1Co 3:18-21 - -- Let no man deceive himself. He next precautions them against themselves, and admonishes them to be upon their guard against curiosity, presumption, ...

Let no man deceive himself. He next precautions them against themselves, and admonishes them to be upon their guard against curiosity, presumption, and self-love, and tells them to undervalue all other sciences, when put in competition with the science of salvation, the knowledge of the gospel. It hence appears, that some of the Corinthians were renowned for that human eloquence which the world so much esteems, and accordingly the apostle discovers to them the danger to which they are exposing themselves, by pursuing their present line of conduct. (Calmet) ---

If any man among you seem to be wise in this world. He hints at some new teachers among them, (not at Apollo) who to gain the esteem of men, had introduced errors from profane philosophy, or the false principles of human wisdom, which, as he had told them before, was folly in the sight of God. He therefore tells such persons, that to become truly wise, they must become fools, by returning to the simplicity of the gospel-doctrine. (Witham) ---

Let no man. That is, let no man say, I am for Paul, I am for Apollo. This language will introduce into the Church of God those various sects that existed amongst the philosophers, who were distinguished by the title of Platonics, Stoics, Peripatetic, and so on. (Grotius)

Gill: 1Co 3:20 - -- And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to ועוד and mo...

And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to ועוד and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another q: 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.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 1Co 3:20 A quotation from Ps 94:11.

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 1Co 3:1-23 - --1 Milk is fit for children.3 Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.7 He that planteth and he that watereth, are nothing.9 The ministers are...

MHCC: 1Co 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 e...

Matthew Henry: 1Co 3:18-20 - -- Here he prescribes humility, and a modest opinion of themselves, for the remedy of the irregularities in the church of Corinth, the divisions and co...

Barclay: 1Co 3:16-22 - --To Paul the Church was the very temple of God because it was the society in which the Spirit of God dwelt. As Origen later said, "We are most of all...

Constable: 1Co 1:10--7:1 - --II. Conditions reported to Paul 1:10--6:20 The warm introduction to the epistle (1:1-9) led Paul to give a stron...

Constable: 1Co 1:10--5:1 - --A. Divisions in the church 1:10-4:21 The first major problem was the divisions that were fragmenting the...

Constable: 1Co 3:18-23 - --6. Human wisdom and limited blessing 3:18-23 The apostle now combined the threads of his argument, which began at 1:18, and drew a preliminary conclus...

College: 1Co 3:1-23 - --1 CORINTHIANS 3 3. Divisions a Sign of Worldliness (3:1-4) 1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly - mere infants in Christ....

McGarvey: 1Co 3:20 - --and again [Psa 94:11], The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain . [Alford interprets the passage thus: "If God uses the craftin...

Lapide: 1Co 3:1-23 - --CHAPTER III. SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER He endeavours to put an end to the divisions among the Corinthians, by reminding them of their mutual subjectio...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) First Corinthians From Ephesus a.d. 54 Or 55 By Way of Introduction It would be a hard-boiled critic today who would dare deny the genuineness o...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The AUTHENTICITY of this Epistle is attested by CLEMENT OF ROME [First Epistle to the Corinthians, 47], POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], and...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Outline) THE INSCRIPTION; THANKSGIVING FOR THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH; REPROOF OF PARTY DIVISIONS: HIS OWN METHOD OF PREACHING ONLY CHRIST. ...

TSK: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 1Co 3:1, Milk is fit for children; 1Co 3:3, Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind; 1Co 3:7, He that planteth and he that water...

Poole: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) CORINTHIANS 3 1Co 3:1,2 Paul showeth that he could not instruct the Corinthians in the higher doctrines of Christianity because of their carnal m...

MHCC: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The Corinthian church contained some Jews, but more Gentiles, and the apostle had to contend with the superstition of the one, and the sinful conduct ...

MHCC: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) (1Co 3:1-4) The Corinthians reproved for their contentions. (1Co 3:5-9) The true servants of Christ can do nothing without him. (1Co 3:10-15) He is ...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Corinth was a principal city of Greece, in that partic...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter the apostle, I. Blames the Corinthians for their carnality and divisions (1Co 3:1-4). II. He instructs them how what was amiss am...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) The Supreme Importance Of God (1Co_3:1-9) The Foundation And The Builders (1Co_3:10-15) Wisdom And Foolishness (1Co_3:16-22)

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical Background Corinth had a long history stretching back into the...

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-9 A. Salutation 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving 1:4-9 ...

Constable: 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians Bibliography Adams, Jay. Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presb...

Haydock: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTION. Corinth was the capital of Achaia, a very rich and populous city...

Gill: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS This was not the first epistle that was written by the apostle to the Corinthians, for we read in this of his having ...

Gill: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 3 In this chapter the apostle returns to the charge of schisms and contentions upon the Corinthians, which were the o...

College: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) FOREWORD Since the past few decades have seen an explosion in the number of books, articles, and commentaries on First Corinthians, a brief word to t...

College: 1 Corinthians (Outline) OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION - 1:1-9 A. Salutation - 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving - 1:4-9 II. DISUNITY AND COMMUNITY FRAGMENTATION - 1:10-4:21 A. ...

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