Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
A Challenge to Worldly Wisdom
Paul's questions ('Where is the wise? ...the scribe? ...the disputer?') are a triumphant taunt. Commentators explain he is targeting the most respected thinkers of his day: the Greek philosopher, the Jewish legal scholar, and the skilled debater. By asking 'Where are they?', Paul declares that all their intellectual achievements have been rendered powerless and irrelevant by God's plan of salvation through the cross.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
1 Corinthians
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
10
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 1:20
18th Century
Theologian
Where is the wise? Language similar to this occurs in Isaiah 33:18: Where is the scribe? Where is the receiver? Where is he that count…
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 1:20
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? (Που σοφοσ; που γραμματευσ; που συνζητητης του αιωνος…
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Corinthians 1:20
19th Century
Bishop
To the second quotation, which was originally a song of triumph over the enemies of Israel, the Apostle gives a general application.
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Charles Spurgeon
On 1 Corinthians 1:19–21
19th Century
Preacher
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where …
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 1:20
These verses flow logically from the proposition of v.17 that Paul did not come preaching with human wisdom. In his avoidance of human ostentation,…
John Calvin
On 1 Corinthians 1:20
16th Century
Theologian
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? (1 Corinthians 1:20). This expression of triumph is added to illustrate the Prophet’s …
John Gill
On 1 Corinthians 1:20
17th Century
Pastor
Where is the wise? where is the Scribe?
&c.] These are the apostle's own words; though he may allude to ([Reference …
Matthew Henry
On 1 Corinthians 1:17–25
17th Century
Minister
Paul had been educated in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of th…