1 Corinthians 1:19

As concerns “the perishing,” the above sentence agrees with God's ways of judgment as revealed in Scripture: γέγραπται γάρ κ. τ. λ. The quotation Ἀπολῶ κ. τ. λ. (suggested by τ. ἀπολλυμένοις) belongs to the cycle of Isaiah's prophecies against the worldly-wise politicians of Jerus. in Assyrian times (1 Corinthians 1:28-31.), who despised the word of Jehovah, relying on their shallow and dishonest statecraft; their policy of alliance with Egypt will lead to a shameful overthrow, out of which God will find the means of vindicating His wisdom and saving His people and city. The O.T. and N.T. situations are analogous: Gentile and Jewish wisdom, united in rejection of the Gospel, are coming to a like breakdown; and P. draws a powerful warning from the sacred history. ἀθετήσω (a reminiscence, perhaps, of Psalms 33:10) displaces the less pointed κρύψω : otherwise the LXX text of Isa. is followed; in the Heb. the vbs. are pass [204], “the wisdom … shall perish,” etc. Isaiah 29 is rich in matter for N.T. use: 1 Corinthians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 1:18 gave our Lord texts, in Matthew 15:8 f., 1 Corinthians 11:5 respectively; the Ap. quotes the chap. twice elsewhere, and ch. 28 thrice.

[204] passive voice.