1 Corinthians 3:18-23 (WEL) Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this world’s ways, let him become a fool so that he may be [truly] wise. 19 For this world’s wisdom is foolishness with God, as it is written, “He takes the wise in their own craftiness.” [Job 5:13] 20 Again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are empty.” [Psalm 94:11] 21 Therefore, let no one glory in [other] humans, for everything is yours, 22 Whether Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life, death, things to present, or things to come—all are yours. 23 You are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
V18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this world’s ways, let him become a fool so that he may be [truly] wise.
Self-deception must be the worst deception. It is when a choice is made to deny or suppress truth for one’s opinion.
The world’s wisdom is the wisdom of philosophy, logic, and reason without any input from God, the source of true wisdom—compare Proverbs 9:13-18 and James 3:13-16.
Heavenly wisdom is the same but relies on God and the input from the Scriptures (the word of truth)—compare Proverbs 8-9:12 and James 3:17-18. The word of truth—Psalm 119:160 and 2 Timothy 2:15.
Becoming a fool refers to the perception of non-Christians regarding God’s wisdom as revealed in the Bible. We Christians understand that the Bible is the highest and purest logic, reason, and everything about God and His kingdom.
Pulpit commentary adds:
“I. It is SELF-DELUDING. “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world,” etc.
- This worldly wisdom deceives a man, inasmuch as it leads him to overrate the value of his attainments. He imagines that this kind of knowledge, “wisdom,” is everything for a man. Hence the enthusiastic promotion of secular schools and colleges. But all such knowledge is of no value to man as man, and beyond his brief and uncertain earthly life. He deceives himself in its value.
- This worldly wisdom deceives a man, inasmuch as it leads him to overrate his own importance. He is “vainly puffed by his earthly mind,” as Paul says elsewhere (Col 2:18). Such a man imagines himself to be very great; he becomes a pedant; he “struts and stares and a’ that.”
V19 For this world’s wisdom is foolishness with God, as it is written, “He takes the wise in their own craftiness.” [Job 5:13]
What the self-deceived natural mind thinks is very wise. God considers foolishness. God is so wise that He is able to take their own wisdom and confound them, for God has the purest and greatest wisdom, logic, and reason.
Pulpit commentary has:
“That with all his wisdom he is already really a “fool.” He is a “fool;” for he looks for happiness where it is not to be found. Happiness does not spring from a man’s brain, but from his heart; not from his ideas, but from his affections. Moreover, he is a “fool” because he practically ignores the chief good, which is love for, resemblance to, and fellowship with, the great God. Hence God esteems this wisdom as foolishness. “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” The most illustrious scholar, sage, orator, who is considered by himself and by most of his contemporaries to be a man of wonderful wisdom, to the eye of God is a fool.”
V20 Again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are empty.” [Psalm 94:11]
God knows what everyone is thinking. Yes, He does have that ability. See Matthew 9:4 and Luke 11:17.
The Greek word for empty is G3152 μάταιος mátaios, which means (Thayer) “devoid of force, truth, success, result.” The wisdom of the worldly wise is useless in helping anyone find God, His salvation, or the perfect way of life.
V21 Therefore, let no one glory in [other] humans, for everything is yours.
Let us not depend on the words of human teachers more than the Holy Spirit’s words—the Bible. We are to rejoice in God’s truths.
The Greek word for glory is G2744 καυχάομαι kaucháomai, which means (Word Study Dictionary) “To boast, glory, exult, both in a good and bad sense.” It might originate from the Greek word for neck, as we often observe individuals displaying pride by raising their chin and exposing their necks.
Everything that God has given us concerning wisdom is available to all. It is the Bible.
V22 Whether Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life, death, things to present, or things to come—all are yours.
All believers, whatever their field of service, are serving the Lord Jesus for the church (believers). God has granted them to us, so let us be glad and rejoice. We all have a spiritual gift, so we must use them. See Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Ephesians 4:7-13, and 1 Peter 4:10-11.
V23 You are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Believers are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20 and 1 Corinthians 7:23)—the blood of Jesus Christ. He is the Passover Lamb, the substitute suffering for our sins. We were redeemed from slavery to sin and death.
Jesus Christ is our Lord, boss, and authority. Jesus is under the authority of God the Father—Matthew 26:39, John 5:30, John 6:38, and John 8:50. God is one in essence, yet three in persons. Their roles as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were roles chosen by them.
We learn:
- The superiority of God’s wisdom.
- The foolishness of human wisdom.
Questions:
- Whose wisdom do you live by—God’s or yours?
- Whose wisdom should you live by?
- How do you acquire wisdom?