1 Corinthians 3:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Scripture adds that God knows the reasonings of the worldly-wise and finds them empty.
What Does 1 Corinthians 3:20 Mean?
Paul adds a second witness from Scripture, drawing on the Psalms. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, seeing straight through every calculation of the clever.
His verdict is that such thoughts are vain, empty and fleeting, like breath that vanishes. Human reasoning apart from God leads nowhere lasting. The point humbles every reader who trusts in cleverness and turns the heart toward the One whose thoughts alone endure.
1 Corinthians 3:20 in the Original Language
mataios (μάταιος), 'vain' -- empty, futile, without lasting substance or result.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 3:20
What does 1 Corinthians 3:20 mean?
Scripture adds that God knows the reasonings of the worldly-wise and finds them empty.