1 Corinthians 1:19 kjv

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1 Corinthians 1:19 nkjv

For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

1 Corinthians 1:19 niv

For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

1 Corinthians 1:19 esv

For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

1 Corinthians 1:19 nlt

As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent."

1 Corinthians 1 verses

1 Corinthians 1 19 Meaning

First Corinthians 1:19 declares God's pre-determined purpose to nullify and abolish the wisdom and intelligence of the world's most acclaimed thinkers. It quotes a prophecy from Isaiah 29:14, asserting that human reasoning, when pitted against divine revelation, is powerless and will be made futile. This verse functions as a foundational premise for the paradoxical message of the cross, which appears as "foolishness" to the wise by human standards but is, in reality, God's ultimate power and wisdom for salvation. It signifies a divine reversal, where human pride in intellect is humbled by God's unconventional methods.

1 Corinthians 1 19 Context

First Corinthians 1:19 is central to Paul's argument in the opening chapter of his letter to the Corinthian church. The city of Corinth was renowned for its intellectual curiosity, philosophical schools, and eloquent rhetoricians. This societal emphasis on human wisdom, persuasive speech, and clever argumentation had seeped into the Christian community, leading to factions and pride, as believers began to boast in particular leaders or forms of intellectual discourse.

Paul begins chapter 1 by greeting the church, acknowledging their spiritual gifts, but swiftly moves to address the divisions (1:10-17). He asserts that the core of his message is "Christ crucified," which he knows is perceived as scandalous to Jews seeking signs and foolish to Gentiles valuing philosophical wisdom. Verse 19 directly grounds this perceived "foolishness" in the prophetic words of Isaiah, demonstrating that God's plan has always involved dismantling human arrogance and pride in intellectual attainment. It sets the stage for the paradoxical truth that God's power is displayed precisely where human wisdom falters and considers something absurd. The historical context thus involves a direct challenge to the prevalent Greek values that prioritized eloquence and philosophy over divine revelation conveyed through the seemingly unimpressive message of a crucified Messiah.

1 Corinthians 1 19 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A connective particle meaning "for," "since," or "because." It introduces the reason or explanation for Paul's preceding statement (1 Cor 1:18) about the cross being foolishness to those perishing but the power of God to those being saved. It signals that what follows is scriptural validation.

• it is written (γέγραπται, gegraptai): Perfect passive indicative of the verb graphō (to write). The perfect tense emphasizes a past action with ongoing results or a settled state, highlighting the authoritative and enduring nature of the Old Testament scripture quoted. It implies divine inspiration and irreversible truth, establishing the statement as God's eternal decree.

• I will destroy (ἀπολῶ, apolō): Future active indicative of apollumi, meaning "to destroy," "ruin," "perish," "abolish," "bring to naught." This is a strong, definitive verb indicating a complete and decisive action by God. It implies the absolute cessation of value or effectiveness of something.

• the wisdom (τὴν σοφίαν, tēn sophian): Refers to human wisdom, encompassing philosophical insight, intellectual skill, rhetorical prowess, and shrewdness. In 1 Corinthians, sophia often carries a negative connotation, contrasting with the true, divine wisdom revealed in Christ crucified.

• of the wise (τῶν σοφῶν, tōn sophōn): Genitive plural of sophos, "wise ones." Refers to those who are considered intellectual authorities or philosophical leaders in the world's estimation. This could include Greek philosophers, rhetoricians, or even those Jews who relied on their own interpretation of the Law rather than humble faith.

• and (καὶ, kai): A simple conjunction, connecting the two parallel phrases of destruction.

• the intelligence (τὴν σύνεσιν, tēn synethsin): Also translated as "understanding," "discernment," or "prudence." It refers to the ability to comprehend, combine, and discern, implying rational capacity and insight. While similar to wisdom, synesis often denotes a practical, active grasp of things.

• of the intelligent (τῶν συνετῶν, tōn synetōn): Genitive plural of synetos, "intelligent ones," "discerning ones," "prudent ones." These are individuals recognized for their sharp mental faculties and capacity for comprehension.

• I will frustrate (ἀθετήσω, athetēsō): Future active indicative of athetēō, meaning "to reject," "set aside," "nullify," "make void," "despise." While apollumi implies outright destruction, athetēō suggests a making ineffectual or despising, causing something to cease to have any bearing or validity. It conveys God's deliberate action of rendering human intellectual achievements meaningless in the face of His plan.

• "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; and the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.": This parallel structure highlights the comprehensive nature of God's action against human intellectual pride. Both wisdom and understanding, in their worldly forms, are targets of divine judgment. The "I" here is God, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over human knowledge and capabilities. The declaration underlines that no human intellectual accomplishment, no matter how profound, can thwart God's purpose or truly grasp His saving plan apart from divine revelation.

1 Corinthians 1 19 Bonus section

The Hebrew parallel from Isaiah 29:14 for "destroy the wisdom" is אֲאַבֵּד חָכְמַת (a’abbēd ḥochmat) where אֲאַבֵּד (a’abbēd) means "I will cause to perish" or "I will destroy." For "frustrate the intelligence," the Hebrew is וּבִינַת נְבוֹנָיו (ūḇīnat nəḇônāw), with the idea of discernment and making void. This connection underscores the continuity of God's plan throughout salvation history – the humbling of human pride. Paul uses a Septuagint (LXX) translation here, which aligns closely with the Hebrew sense.

The concept expressed in 1 Corinthians 1:19 is not that wisdom is inherently evil, but that fallen human wisdom, relying solely on its own devices, cannot comprehend or achieve God's salvation. In fact, true biblical wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord (Ps 111:10; Pro 9:10). The verse is a strong polemic against the hubris of human reason that seeks to be autonomous from divine revelation, particularly evident in the Greek philosophical traditions of Paul's time, which often prioritized intellectual assent and logical consistency over spiritual truth.

1 Corinthians 1 19 Commentary

First Corinthians 1:19 is a profound declaration rooted in divine prophecy, serving as a theological anchor for Paul's radical assertion about the "foolishness" of the cross. By quoting Isaiah 29:14, Paul establishes that God's intention to humble human wisdom is not a new or surprising development, but a pre-ordained aspect of His dealing with humanity. The terms "destroy" (apollumi) and "frustrate" (athetēō) denote a divine annulment: human wisdom, despite its seeming grandeur, is rendered impotent and worthless in the context of apprehending spiritual truth.

This verse doesn't disparage intellect itself but rather the presumption of intellect – the reliance on human reason instead of divine revelation. It speaks directly to the pride prevalent in Corinthian society, where intellectual and rhetorical prowess were highly valued. Paul argues that this pride created a spiritual blindness, preventing individuals from recognizing God's power in the humility of the cross. God intentionally chooses to work in ways that defy human expectation, thereby ensuring that salvation is clearly recognized as His doing and not the result of human brilliance or philosophical ingenuity. The wisdom that truly matters is not of human origin, but revealed by God through His Spirit (1 Cor 2:10). This passage remains relevant, cautioning against intellectual arrogance in any age, reminding us that true understanding begins with acknowledging God's sovereignty and accepting His paradoxical revelation.