King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 3:19 Mean?

1 Corinthians 3:19 in the King James Version says “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”

1 Corinthians 3:19 · KJV

Wisdom

Context

17

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. defile: or, destroy

18

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20

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

21

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

Read 1 Corinthians 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness (ὁ δρασσόμενος τοὺς σοφοὺς ἐν τῇ πανουργίᾳ αὐτῶν, ho drassomenos tous sophous en tē panourgịa autōn)—Paul quotes Job 5:13, where Eliphaz describes God's judgment on scheming wisdom. Panourgia (πανουργία) means craftiness, cunning, unscrupulous cleverness. God catches (δρασσόμενος, seizes) the clever in their own schemes—their plots become their downfall.

History confirms this repeatedly: the sophisticated philosophies of Greece (Stoicism, Epicureanism) have vanished; the intellectually fashionable ideologies of each age eventually collapse; the 'wise' who reject Christ find their wisdom bankrupt at death's door. Meanwhile, the 'foolish' gospel—bloodied Savior, penal substitution, bodily resurrection—endures and transforms lives across millennia. Paul's quotation from Job underscores that worldly wisdom's futility isn't New Testament innovation but creation-order reality: fallen human wisdom, divorced from God, leads to destruction. The 'craftiness' may be brilliant by human standards, but God easily overthrows it (Psalm 2:4, 'He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh').

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Historical & Cultural Context

Job, written perhaps 2000 years before Paul, already diagnosed worldly wisdom's futility. Eliphaz's observation that God catches the wise in their craftiness was vindicated repeatedly in Israel's history—Pharaoh's schemes, Haman's plots, Herod's infanticide. Paul applies this ancient truth to Corinth's contemporary intellectual pretensions.

Reflection Questions

  1. What examples from history, current events, or your own experience demonstrate that worldly wisdom is 'foolishness with God'?
  2. How has God 'caught the wise in their own craftiness' in your life—exposing the bankruptcy of strategies that seemed prudent at the time?
  3. What confidence does this truth provide when the world mocks Christian beliefs as foolish or outdated?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
ἡ1 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γάρ2 of 21

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

σοφία3 of 21

“the wisdom”

G4678

wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)

τοῦ4 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμου5 of 21

“world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

τούτου6 of 21

“of this”

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

μωρία7 of 21

“foolishness”

G3472

silliness, i.e., absurdity

παρὰ8 of 21

“with”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τῷ9 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ10 of 21

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐστιν11 of 21

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

γέγραπται12 of 21

“it is written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

γάρ13 of 21

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

Ὁ14 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δρασσόμενος15 of 21

“He taketh”

G1405

to grasp, i.e., (figuratively) entrap

τοὺς16 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σοφοὺς17 of 21

“the wise”

G4680

wise (in a most general application)

ἐν18 of 21

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ19 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πανουργίᾳ20 of 21

“craftiness”

G3834

adroitness, i.e., (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry

αὐτῶν·21 of 21

“their own”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 3:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 3:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 5:13Psalms 141:101 Corinthians 1:19-20Romans 1:21-22Isaiah 44:251 Corinthians 2:6

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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