Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 3:19

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:" — 1 Corinthians 3:19 (ASV)

For the wisdom of this world. This refers to what is esteemed as wisdom by the people of this world on the subject of religion.

It does not mean that true wisdom is foolishness with Him. It does not mean that science, prudence, and law—the knowledge of His works, such as astronomy, medicine, and chemistry—are regarded by Him as folly and unworthy of human attention. God is the Friend of truth on all subjects; He requires us to become acquainted with His works and commends those who search them (Psalms 92:4; Psalms 111:2).

Instead, the apostle here refers to what was esteemed as wisdom among the ancients, in which they so much prided themselves: their vain, self-confident, and false opinions on the subject of religion. This is especially true of those opinions when they were opposed to the simple yet sublime truths of revelation (compare to 1 Corinthians 1:20–21).

Is foolishness with God. This means it is esteemed by Him as folly (compare to 1 Corinthians 1:20–24).

For it is written, (Job 5:13). The word rendered "taketh," here means to clench with the fist, to gripe, or to grasp. The meaning is as follows:

1. However crafty, cunning, or skilful they may be, and however self-confident, they still cannot deceive or impose upon God. He can thwart their plans, overthrow their schemes, defeat their counsels, and foil them in their enterprises (Job 5:12).

2. He does it by their own cunning or craftiness. He allows them to involve themselves in difficulties or to entangle each other. He even uses their own craft and cunning to defeat their counsels. He allows the plans of one wise person to conflict with those of another, and so to destroy one another. Honesty in religion, as in everything else, is the best policy. A person who pursues a course of conscientious integrity may expect God's protection; but whoever attempts to carry out their purposes by craft and intrigue—who depends on skill and cunning instead of truth and honesty—will often find that they become the prey of their own cunning and duplicity.