1 Corinthians 3:18–19
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.
Let no man deceiue himselfe: If any man among you seemeth to bee wise in this world, let him become a foole, that he may be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
For the wisedome of this world is foolishnesse with God: for it is written, *Hee taketh the wise in their owne craftinesse.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceIob. 5.13.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
10 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 18
- Proverbs 3:5Rank 1 from verse 18
- 1 Corinthians 1:18–21Rank 2 from verse 18
18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
18For the preaching of the Crosse is to them that perish, foolishnesse: but vnto vs which are saued, it is the *power of God.
19For it is written, I will destroy the wisedome of the wise, and wil bring to nothing the *vnderstanding of the prudent.
20*Where is the wise? where is the Scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisedome of this world?
21*For after that, in the wisedom of God, the world by wisedome knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching, to saue them that beleeue.
- Galatians 6:3Rank 3 from verse 18
- Isaiah 5:21Rank 4 from verse 18
- 1 Corinthians 8:1–2Rank 5 from verse 18
1NOW as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1¶ Now as touching things offered vnto idoles, wee know that wee all haue knowledge. Knowledge puffeth vp: but Charitie edifieth.
2And if any man thinke that hee knoweth any thing, hee knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
- Luke 18:17Rank 6 from verse 18
- James 1:22Rank 7 from verse 18
- Matthew 18:4Rank 8 from verse 18
- Mark 10:15Rank 9 from verse 18
- 1 Corinthians 4:10Rank 10 from verse 18
- 1 Corinthians 6:9Rank 11 from verse 18
9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
9Know yee not that the vnrighteous shall not inherite the kingdome of God? Be not deceiued: neither fornicatours, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselues with mankinde,
- Ephesians 5:6Rank 12 from verse 18
- James 1:26Rank 13 from verse 18
- Jeremiah 8:8Rank 14 from verse 18
- Proverbs 26:12Rank 15 from verse 18
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3For we our selues also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceiued, seruing diuers lusts and pleasures, liuing in malice and enuy, hatefull, and hating one another.
- Isaiah 44:20Rank 17 from verse 18
- Proverbs 3:7Rank 18 from verse 18
- 1 Corinthians 15:33Rank 19 from verse 18
- 1 John 1:8Rank 20 from verse 18
- 2 Timothy 3:13Rank 21 from verse 18
- Galatians 6:7Rank 22 from verse 18
- Romans 12:16Rank 23 from verse 18
8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
8And he said, Take heede that yee be not deceiued: for many shall come in my Name, saying, I am Christ, and the time draweth neere: goe yee not therefore after them.
- Proverbs 5:7Rank 25 from verse 18
- Romans 11:25Rank 26 from verse 18
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should bee ignorant of this mysterie (least yee should bee wise in your owne conceits) that ‖blindnesse in part is happened to Israel, vntill the fulnes of the Gentiles be come in.
- Jeremiah 37:9Rank 27 from verse 18
From verse 19
- Psalms 141:10Rank 2 from verse 19
- 1 Corinthians 1:19–20Rank 3 from verse 19
19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
19For it is written, I will destroy the wisedome of the wise, and wil bring to nothing the *vnderstanding of the prudent.
20*Where is the wise? where is the Scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisedome of this world?
- Romans 1:21–22Rank 4 from verse 19
21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
21Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankefull, but became vaine in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened:
22Professing themselues to be wise, they became fooles:
- Isaiah 44:25Rank 5 from verse 19
- 1 Corinthians 2:6Rank 6 from verse 19
- Psalms 9:15–16Rank 7 from verse 19
15The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
15*The heathen are sunke downe in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid, is their own foot taken.
16The LORD is knowen by the iudgement which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the worke of his owne hands. Higgaion. Selah.
- Psalms 7:14–15Rank 8 from verse 19
14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
15He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
14*Behold, he trauelleth with iniquitie, and hath conceiued mischiefe, and brought forth falshood.
15†*He made a pit and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
- Isaiah 29:14–16Rank 9 from verse 19
14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
15Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
16Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
14†*Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marueilous worke amongst this people, euen a marueilous worke and a wonder: for the wisedome of their wise men shall perish, and the vnderstanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
15*Woe vnto them that seeke deepe to hide their counsell from the LORD, and their workes are in the darke, and they say, Who seeth vs? and who knoweth vs?
16*Surely your turning of things vpside downe shall be esteemed as the potters clay: for shall the worke say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed, say of him that framed it, He had no vnderstanding?
- 2 Samuel 16:23Rank 10 from verse 19
23And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
23And the counsell of Ahithophel which he counselled in those dayes, was as if a man had enquired at the †Oracle of God: so was all the counsell of Ahithophel, both with Dauid and with Absalom.
- Exodus 18:11Rank 11 from verse 19
- Isaiah 19:11–14Rank 12 from verse 19
11¶ Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
12Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.
13The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.
14The Lord hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.
11¶ Surely the princes of Zoan are fooles, the counsell of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: How say ye vnto Pharaoh, I am the sonne of the wise, the sonne of ancient kings?
12Where are they? Where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know, what the LORD of hosts hath purposed vpon Egypt.
13‖The princes of Zoan are become fooles, the princes of Noph are deceiued, they haue also seduced Egypt, euen they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.
14†The LORD hath mingled a peruerse spirit in the midst thereof: and they haue caused Egypt to erre in euery worke thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.
- 2 Samuel 15:31Rank 13 from verse 19
31¶ And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
31¶ And one tolde Dauid, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And Dauid sayde, O LORD, I pray thee turne the counsell of Ahithophel into foolishnesse.
- 2 Samuel 17:14Rank 14 from verse 19
14And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom.
14And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsell of Hushai the Archite, is better then the counsell of Ahithophel: For the LORD had †appointed to defeate the good counsell of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring euill vpon Absalom.
- 2 Samuel 17:23Rank 15 from verse 19
23¶ And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
23¶ And when Ahithophel sawe that his counsell was not †followed, he sadled his asse, and arose, and gate him home to his house, to his citie, and †put his houshold in order, and hanged himselfe, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
- Exodus 1:10Rank 16 from verse 19
10Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
10Come on, let vs deale wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to passe that when there falleth out any warre, they ioyne also vnto our enemies, and fight against vs, and so get them vp out of the land.
- Esther 7:10Rank 17 from verse 19
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
1 Corinthians 3:18
Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To mislead, cause to believe what is false, or conceal the truth by fraud or error.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Third-person singular present form of seem, meaning to appear, be regarded, or be fitting.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
1 Corinthians 3:19
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
foolishness
Lack of wisdom, sound judgment, or understanding; folly or absurd conduct.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Third-person singular present form of take: receives, seizes, carries, accepts, chooses, or lays hold of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
craftiness
Cunning, deceitful skill, or subtlety used to deceive.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
FOLLOW THE THEME
Related Concepts
Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
17If any man ‖defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are.
18Let 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.
18Let no man deceiue himselfe: If any man among you seemeth to bee wise in this world, let him become a foole, that he may be wise.
Selected passage19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
19For the wisedome of this world is foolishnesse with God: for it is written, *Hee taketh the wise in their owne craftinesse.
Selected passage20And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
20And againe, *The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vaine.