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The Bible Study New Testament

1 Corinthians 1:20

So then? Paul uses some of the language of Isaiah 19:11-12 LXX to challenge those who are so proud of this world's wisdom. Wise men. Such as Pharaoh's advisers. Scholars. Such as the Jewish teachers of the Law. Skillful debaters. The Greek philosophers liked nothing better than to argue and dissect theories. The public enjoyed hearing this kind of thing also. God has shown. God's Truth is deliberately made contrary to what the world thinks is wisdom!

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See also 1 Corinthians 1:20 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    1 CORINTHIANS 1:20 ko,smou The Textus Receptus, following later witnesses (ac C3 Dc F G L Y 6 104 326 623 1739c _al_), with which some early versions agree (itd, g, r vg syrp, h, pal cop...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 20. _WHERE IS THE WISE - THE SCRIBE - THE DISPUTER OF THIS_ _WORLD?_] These words most manifestly refer to the Jews; as the places (Isaiah 29:14; Isaiah 33:18; Isaiah 44:25) to which he refers...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    WHERE IS THE WISE? - Language similar to this occurs in Isaiah 33:18, “Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?” Without designing to quote these words as havin...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    2. CONTRASTS. CHAPTER 1:10-4). CHAPTER 1:10-31. _ 1. Divisions rebuked. (1 Corinthians 1:10)._ 2. The Cross of Christ, the Power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17). The section which begins, after the in...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    1 CORINTHIANS 1:18 TO 1 CORINTHIANS 2:5. THE CROSS, FOLLY TO THE WORLD, IS THE POWER AND WISDOM OF GOD. Paul now explains and justifies 1 Corinthians 1:17_ b_, which to Greek readers must have soun

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    For the story of the Cross is foolishness to those who are on the way to destruction, but it is the power of God to those who are on the way to salvation. For it stands written, "I will wipe out the w...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    AN APOSTOLIC INTRODUCTION (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    DISPUTER. Greek. _suzetetees._ Only here. Compare Acts 15:2. WORLD. age. App-129. It was an age of speculation. Acts 17:21. MADE FOOLISH. Greek. _moraino._ See Romans 1:22. THIS. the. worl

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?_ i.e. "the wise generally, the Jewish scribe, the Greek disputer." Dean Alford. "The words -of this world" apply not to th...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    God's Message not intended to flatter the pride of man 18. _For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God_ Literally, TO THEM TH...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΠΟΥ͂ ΣΟΦΌΣ; ΠΟΥ͂ ΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΕΎΣ; ΠΟΥ͂ ΣΥΝΖΗΤΗΤΉΣ; i.e. ‘the wise generally, the Jewish scribe, the Greek disputer.’—Dean Alford. ΤΟΥ͂ ΑἸΩ͂ΝΟΣ ΤΟΎΤΟΥ. These words, according to De Wette, apply, not to the...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    GOD’S MESSAGE NOT INTENDED TO FLATTER THE PRIDE OF MAN...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE PREACHING OF THE SON OF GOD 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-24:_ The message of the cross and redemption by blood seems foolish to many that are lost. Satan lost the battle and sin was defeated by the death o...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΠΟΎ (G4226) где? Повторение слова вводит три риторических вопроса, на которые ожидается отрицательный ответ (Schrage). ΣΥΖΗΤΗΤΉΣ (G4804) тот, кто задает вопросы; тот, кто спорит или обсуждает; спорщи...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    FOR IT IS WRITTEN, I WILL DESTROY, &C.— See Isaiah 29:11, &c. and Isaiah 33:17. By the words _wise, scribe, disputer,_ the Apostle probably meant persons most eminent for their learning and sagacity,...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS Unity Operates Through the Instrumentality of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:18-25) 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _The Word of the Cross and the Wisdom of the World_ (18-31) _Text_ 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are save...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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? WHERE? ... - Nowhere; for God 'brings them to nought' (1 Corinthian...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    1 This is not the first time the apostle has written to the Corinthians. He had written a letter to them (1Co_5:9) and they had written one in return (1Co_7:1). This epistle is partly a reply to their...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    1:20 world? (c-11) _ Aion_ . age, or course of this world, see chs. 2.6 (twice), 3.18. world? (d-21) _ Kosmos_ , the usual word for world. see chs. 3.19; 6.2; Hebrews 9:1 ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    GREETING AND THANKSGIVING. PARTISANSHIP IN THE CHURCH St. Paul, after greeting the Church and giving thanks for its spiritual gifts, rebukes the preference for various teachers which was prevalent am...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    SERVANTS OF CHRIST 1 CORINTHIANS _HILDA BRIGHT_ ABOUT THIS LETTER CORINTH Corinth was an important city. It was on a very narrow section of land (called an ‘isthmus’) in the southern part of Gre...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    To the second quotation, which was originally a song of triumph over the enemies of Israel, the Apostle gives a general application. THE WISE. — The general reference in this word is to those who woul...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 4 THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING In the preceding section of this Epistle Paul introduced the subject which was prominent in his thoughts as he wrote: the divided state of the Corinthian Churc...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 3 THE FACTIONS THE first section of this Epistle, extending from the tenth verse of the first chapter to the end of the fourth chapter, is occupied with an endeavour to quench the factious sp...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    § 4. THE TRUE POWER OF THE GOSPEL. To “preach the gospel” meant, above all, to proclaim the cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:17 b). In Cor [189] “the wisdom of the world” scouted this message as sheer...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    τοῦ σοφός; ποῦ γραμματεύς; and (possibly) ἐμώρανεν … τήν σοφίαν, are also Isaianic allusions to Isaiah 19:11 f. (mocking the vain wisdom of Pharaoh's counsellors), and Isaiah 33:18 (predicting the dis...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE CROSS GOD'S SAVING POWER 1 Corinthians 1:12 _ Apollos_ had gone straight from Ephesus to Corinth, Acts 19:1. A party gathered around him, especially attracted by his eloquence and intellectual br...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The epistle is to the Church. Its messages are only for those who have been brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ. The character of the Church is indicated in the words, "sanctified in Christ Jesu...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    The Foolishness of Preaching To those who are worldly minded, the preaching of the gospel is silly and absurd. To those who "are being saved" (footnote ASV) the gospel is mighty, like dynamite. The Gr...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Jesus Christ, Wisdom from God So, Paul said, not many of those who would be called wise, or powerful or noblemen followed Jesus. Most uprisings are successful because the upper crust leaders join and...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Where [is] the wise? where [is] the (o) scribe? where [is] the (p) disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (o) Where are you, O you learned fellow, and you that sp...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will confound the false and mistaken wisdom of the great and wise philosophers, of the learned doctors or scribes, of the curious searchers of the secrets of n...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    BODY OF THE EPISTLE. 1:10-15:58. I. The Parties in the Church of corinth. 1:10-4:21. EWALD has well stated the reason why the apostle puts this subject first, of all those he has to treat in his Ep...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” This exclamatory form has the same triumphant tone as in the words of Is...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will brin...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    As usual, the introductory words (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) of the epistle give us no little intimation of that which is to follow. The apostle speaks of himself as such "called [to be] an apostle of Jesus...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    20._Where is the wise? where is the scribe? _This expression of triumph is added for the purpose of illustrating the Prophet’s testimony. Paul has not taken this sentiment from Isaiah, as is commonly...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    I will now turn back to take up the thread of the contents of this epistle from the beginning. Paul was an apostle by the will of God. That was his authority, however it might be with others. Moreover...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    WHERE IS THE WISE? WHERE IS THE SCRIBE?.... These are the apostle's own words; though he may allude to Isaiah 33:18 where there are some phrases much like these, but the meaning is very different. Tho...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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? Ver. 20. _Where is the wise?_] The teacher of traditions; the Je...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _The preaching of the cross_ The doctrine of the crucifixion of the Son of God, to expiate the sins of mankind, and procure salvation for such as should believe in him; _is to them that perish_ By obs...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    THE SCRIBE; the learned man. THE DISPUTER; the subtle, abstruse reasoner. MADE FOOLISH; showed it to be folly....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The foolishness of God wiser than men:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    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?...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Paul writes here as "a called apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." As such, it is the authoritative word of God he communicates, that which requires the subjection and obedience of all the Chu...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    WHERE IS THE WISE? WHERE IS THE SCRIBE? WHERE IS THE DISPUTER OF THIS WORLD? HATH NOT GOD MADE FOOLISH THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD? 'Where is the wise?' -'philosopher' (Gspd). The man "wise" in the eyes...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    17-25 Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    _Where is the wise? where is the scribe?_ He alludeth again to that, ISAIAH 33:18: _Where is the scribe? where is the receiver?_ Where are the wise men amongst the heathens? Where are the scribes, the...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? [triumphant questions, as at Isaiah 36:19] _hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?_...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians to those that do not believe, but to us salvation and life eternal. "Where is the wise man? where the disputer? "[124] Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians The...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Corinthians 1:20 Where G4226 wise G4680 Where G4226 scribe G1122 Where G4226 disputer G4804 this G5127 age...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    CHRIST CRUCIFIED FOR US AND THE NEW BIRTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT ARE THE TWO CENTRAL FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIANITY (1:10-4:21). Paul begins this section by revealing his concern that the Corinthians are in...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Corinthians 1:20. WHERE IS THE WISE? in general; but particularly, WHERE IS THE SCRIBE? to whom the _Jew_ looks up for wisdom; WHERE IS THE DISPUTER OF THIS WORLD? to whom the _Greek_ defers. HATH N...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    SUMMARY. ‘I beseech you, study unity. Instead of this, I hear ye are ranging yourselves into schools and parties, each contending for its favourite preacher as if your salvation hung upon him. Thus is...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    WHERE IS THE WISE? WHERE IS THE SCRIBE? WHERE IS THE DISPUTER OF THIS WORLD? (Που σοφοσ; που γραμματευσ; που συνζητητης του αιωνος τουτου;). Paul makes use of Isaiah 33:18 without exact quotation. T...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    THIS WORLD Age. Greek, "kosmos", means "world-system". (1 Corinthians 2:12); (John 7:7); (_ See Scofield) - (Revelation 13:8). _...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1, 2. _Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth,_ -Note the humility of Paul in associating with hi...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1. _Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,_ This brother had been put to great shame. He was beaten before the judgment-seat, if you remembe...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    I am going to speak about the testimony of the apostle Peter concerning his Lord, but we will first read together part of the writings of his «beloved brother Paul,» that we may see how these eminent...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Christians' position in grace. The unspiritual condition of the Corinthian saints. Danger of following human leaders and exulting in human wisdom. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Paul, Sosthenes, A...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 Corinthians 1:1. _Paul, called to be an apostle._ It was proper to mention this, else he would have had no title to address his letter to the Corinthians, and the catholic church, or saints in gener...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel._ PAUL’S PREACHING I. It exalted the Cross of Christ as the central element of the gospel. The apostle does not teach that truths associat...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise._ TRUE WISDOM The discovery of what is true, and the practice of that which is good, are the two most important objects of philosophy. (_Vol...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10 Divisions over Christian Preachers. The Corinthians’ pride has led them to value appearance and powerful speaking over the genuine work of the Spirit....

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    RANSLATED AND EDITED BY W. F. COBB, D.D. EDINBURGH: JOHN GRANT 31 George IV. Bridge 1908 SAINT PAUL'S FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS EDITORS PREFACE In translating the Comments of Cornelius...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _Where is the wise?_ The Gentile philosopher. _Where is the scribe?_ The Jewish doctor. S. Paul is quoting Isaiah 33:18. Note, as the Greeks called their wise men philosophers, and the Chaldeans thei...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 1 Corinthians 1:19.— Isaiah 29:14 (nearly as LXX.), and a free imitation of Isaiah 30:18. FOR.—Sustains the _general drift_ of...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION The oldest superscription was probably, "To the Corinthians, the first (Πρὸς Κορινθίους πρώτη)." This is found in א, A, B, C, D. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1 _The_ _greeting. _An opening salutati...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Let's turn to I Corinthians, chapter 1. Paul introduces himself as the writer with Sosthenes in the first verse. Paul, called an apostle (1 Corinthians 1:1) Notice the words to be are in italics. Th...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 1:19; 2 Samuel 15:31; 2 Samuel 16:23; 2 Samuel 17:14;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Scribe [γ ρ α μ μ α τ ε υ ς]. Always in the New Testament in the Jewish sense, an interpreter of the law, except Acts 19:35, the town - clerk. Disputer [σ υ ζ η τ η τ η ς]. Only here. Compare the kind...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE CHURCH OF GOD AT CORINTH 1 Corinthians 1:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We propose taking several studies from the First Epistle to the Corinthians. There will be much to consider here which should help...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Where is the wise? &c. — The deliverance of Judea from Sennacherib is what Isaiah refers to in these words; in a bold and beautiful allusion to which, the apostle in the clause that follows triumphs o...

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Old Testament