Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church, which has fractured into factions each claiming allegiance to a human leader. He addresses believers who consider themselves already wise.
The words — Exapatatō (ἐξαπατᾶτω) is a strong imperative from the root apate (deception, fraud), not a gentle "mislead" but an active swindling. Dokei (δοκεῖ) is "thinks" or "seems," not "is" — the verse targets self-perception, not reality.
The thread — Isaiah 5:21 pronounces woe on those "wise in their own eyes," and 1 Corinthians 1:18 establishes that the cross is "foolishness" by the world's standard. Proverbs 3:5 directs trust away from one's own understanding.
Why it lands — It demands the reader stop treating self-assessment as evidence of genuine wisdom. In Paul's framing, the only path to real wisdom begins with recognizing that current confidence is the very thing that blinds.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
- Galatians 6:3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- Luke 18:17 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
- 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
- Matthew 18:4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- James 1:22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.
- Mark 10:15 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
- Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.