Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 3:20
And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church to correct factionalism and worldly pride, placing this statement immediately after citing Scripture about divine judgment on human craftiness and just before commanding an end to boasting in people.
The words — πάλιν (palin) means "again," and διαλογισμούς (dialogismous) denotes "thoughts" or "reasonings," pointing directly to the internal calculations of human wisdom.
The thread — The verse echoes the theme of Psalms 94:11 that God perceives human thoughts, while aligning with the warnings against empty human philosophy in Colossians 2:8 and Romans 1:21.
Why it lands — The text declares that divine knowledge renders human intellectual pride empty, requiring readers to abandon self-reliance and cease boasting in human leaders or wisdom.
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
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Cross-references
- Psalms 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
- Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
- Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
- Job 11:11 Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?