1 Corinthians 3 21

1 Corinthians 3:21 kjv

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;

1 Corinthians 3:21 nkjv

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours:

1 Corinthians 3:21 niv

So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours,

1 Corinthians 3:21 esv

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,

1 Corinthians 3:21 nlt

So don't boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you ?

1 Corinthians 3 verses

1 Corinthians 3 21 Meaning

No one should boast in anyone else. Everything belongs to you, whether Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or the present, or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

1 Corinthians 3 21 Context

This verse concludes 1 Corinthians chapter 3, which addresses divisions within the Corinthian church. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their factionalism, based on their allegiance to different human leaders like Paul, Apollos, and Cephas (Peter). He emphasizes that these leaders are merely servants, instruments through which the Corinthians came to faith. The ultimate source of growth and spiritual reality is God. The preceding verses use the imagery of a building and a garden, with God as the builder and planter, and human teachers as co-workers. This verse serves as the capstone, redirecting all focus from human leaders to God and Christ, uniting believers in their shared possession of all things through their union with Christ.

1 Corinthians 3 21 Word Analysis

• "οὐδεὶς" (oudeis): No one, not one. This is a strong prohibition.
• "καυχάσθω" (kauchasthō): Let him boast, let him glory. It is in the present imperative, meaning it's a continuous instruction, not a one-time event.
• "ἐν" (en): In, by, with.
• "ἀνθρώπῳ" (anthrōpō): Man, human being, person.
• "πάντα" (panta): All things. Emphasizes the totality.
• "ὑμῶν" (hymōn): Your. Referring to the believers in Corinth.
• "εἴτε" (eite): Whether. Introducing a series of inclusions.
• "Παῦλος" (Paulos): Paul.
• "εἴτε" (eite): Whether.
• "Ἀπολλῶς" (Apollōs): Apollos.
• "εἴτε" (eite): Whether.
• "Κηφᾶς" (Kēphas): Cephas (Aramaic for Peter).
• "εἴτε" (eite): Whether.
• "κόσμος" (kosmos): World. All its systems, arrangements, and the ungodly humanity within it.
• "εἴτε" (eite): Whether.
• "ζωὴ" (zōē): Life. Spiritual, eternal life.
• "εἴτε" (eite): Whether.
• "θάνατος" (thanatos): Death.
• "εἴτε" (eite): Whether.
• "ἐνεστήκοντα" (enestēkonta): Things present, things now existing.
• "εἴτε" (eite): Whether.
• "μέλλοντα" (mellonta): Things future, things about to come.
• "πάντα" (panta): All things.
• "ὑμῶν" (hymōn): Your.
• "ὑμεῖς" (hymeis): You (plural). Direct address to the believers.
• "δὲ" (de): But, and. Connects the first part with the second.
• "Χριστοῦ" (Christou): Of Christ. Belonging to Christ.
• "Χριστὸς" (Christos): Christ.
• "δὲ" (de): And.
• "Θεοῦ" (Theou): Of God. Belonging to God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "No one should boast in anyone else": This entire clause is a direct rebuke to the factions causing divisions in Corinth. Boasting in men is contrasted with boasting in God, which is the appropriate focus.
• "Everything belongs to you": This vast statement encompasses spiritual gifts, ministry fruits, leadership, earthly possessions, and future eternal inheritance. All are received as gifts from God through Christ.
• "Paul, Apollos, Cephas": These are presented as examples of the human leaders in whom the Corinthians were dividing. Their ministry was God's gift, not grounds for allegiance.
• "world, life, death, present, future": These categories represent the totality of existence, both temporal and eternal. Believers are assured that nothing in all of creation or time can separate them from God's provision and plan through Christ.
• "and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God": This trinitarian emphasis anchors the believer's security. The chain of possession establishes the ultimate ownership and secures all that belongs to God through Christ to the believer. It underscores unity with Christ, and Christ’s unity with the Father.

1 Corinthians 3 21 Bonus Section

The concept of "belonging to Christ" is crucial here. It echoes passages like 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, where believers are indwelt by the Spirit and purchased by the blood of Christ, meaning their very bodies are not their own but belong to God. This complete ownership by Christ assures complete possession of all that God has. The cyclical nature of "all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God" emphasizes a perfect divine economy where blessings flow from God to Christ and then to the believer, and where the believer's ultimate allegiance and identity is in God through Christ. This truth refutes any sense of independence or ultimate ownership apart from God's gracious provision in Christ.

1 Corinthians 3 21 Commentary

This verse is a powerful affirmation of Christian unity and ownership in God through Christ. It directly addresses the divisiveness in Corinth, forbidding any reliance on or pride in human leaders. Paul clearly states that all spiritual and material blessings are divine gifts, ultimately belonging to the believer because they belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. This establishes an unbreakable bond, meaning that nothing can ultimately harm or be withheld from the believer, as they are united with the sovereign Lord of all. The believer possesses everything in God's provision, while belonging entirely to Christ, who Himself is surrendered to the Father’s will.