1 Corinthians 1:19

KJV

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} it is written {G1125}, I will destroy {G622} the wisdom {G4678} of the wise {G4680}, and {G2532} will bring to nothing {G114} the understanding {G4907} of the prudent {G4908}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Indeed, the Tanakh says,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and frustrate the intelligence of the intelligent.”

Berean Standard Bible

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

American Standard Version

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to nought.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 1:19, the Apostle Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah to underscore a profound theological truth: God's divine wisdom operates on principles fundamentally distinct from and infinitely superior to human understanding. This verse serves as a pivotal declaration in Paul's broader argument challenging the Corinthian church's over-reliance on worldly eloquence, philosophical acumen, and human-centric wisdom, asserting that God actively nullifies such wisdom when it stands in opposition to His revealed truth, particularly the message of the cross.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Paul's letter to the Corinthians addresses significant divisions and spiritual immaturity within the church. Immediately preceding this verse, in [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross"), Paul introduces the "message of the cross" as foolishness to those perishing but the power of God to those being saved. Verse 19, a direct quotation from [Isaiah 29:14](/isaiah/29-14 "Isaiah 29:14 - God's Judgment on Human Wisdom"), provides Old Testament prophetic backing for his assertion that God deliberately confounds and dismantles human wisdom. This sets the stage for Paul's extended discourse in chapters 1 and 2, where he systematically contrasts worldly wisdom with God's wisdom, culminating in the declaration that Christ Himself is the wisdom of God (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a prominent Roman colony, a bustling commercial hub known for its wealth, diverse population, and a strong emphasis on rhetoric, philosophy, and intellectual prowess, particularly Greek philosophical traditions. Public speaking and eloquent argumentation were highly valued, often leading to social status and influence. Within the Corinthian church, this cultural backdrop contributed to factions forming around admired leaders who possessed oratorical skills or intellectual sophistication (e.g., Paul, Apollos, Cephas). Paul's argument directly confronts this cultural veneration of human wisdom, asserting that God's plan of salvation, centered on a crucified Messiah, was a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles precisely because it defied their established intellectual and religious frameworks.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians. It highlights the stark **contrast between Divine and Human Wisdom**, demonstrating that God's ways are not merely different but actively oppose and nullify human intellectual pride. It underscores **God's Sovereignty**, asserting His ultimate power to dismantle and render ineffective the intellectual schemes and self-assuredness of humanity. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **The Offense and Power of the Cross**, as the message of a crucified Messiah was the ultimate challenge to both Jewish religious expectations and Greek philosophical wisdom, thereby proving that God's "foolishness" is wiser than human wisdom and God's "weakness" is stronger than human strength, as articulated in [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's Foolishness and Weakness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroy (Greek, _apóllymi'_):** From G622, meaning "to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively." In this context, it signifies God's decisive act of rendering human wisdom utterly ineffective, bringing it to ruin or causing it to fail in its perceived purpose. It's not merely a weakening but a complete nullification.
* **wisdom (Greek, _sophía'_):** From G4678, meaning "wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)." Here, it refers specifically to human wisdom, particularly the intellectual and philosophical systems of the world that presume to understand truth apart from or in opposition to God's revelation. Paul consistently uses this term in 1 Corinthians to distinguish between worldly intellectualism and the spiritual understanding that comes from God.
* **bring to nothing (Greek, _athetéō'_):** From G114, meaning "to set aside, i.e. (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate." This word reinforces "destroy," emphasizing God's active role in making human understanding of no effect, rendering it void or invalid. It implies a deliberate act of rejection or annulment by God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For it is written,"**: This introductory phrase signals that Paul is quoting from Scripture, specifically [Isaiah 29:14](/isaiah/29-14 "Isaiah 29:14 - God's Judgment on Human Wisdom"). By grounding his argument in the Old Testament, Paul emphasizes that God's pattern of subverting human wisdom is not a new concept but a consistent theme throughout salvation history, lending divine authority to his message.
* **"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,"**: This clause declares God's sovereign intent and power to dismantle and render ineffective the intellectual constructs and perceived insights of those considered "wise" by worldly standards. The "wisdom" here refers to human intellectual achievements, philosophical systems, and self-derived knowledge that often lead to pride and a rejection of divine revelation. God's action is not a mere critique but an active, decisive destruction of its efficacy and authority.
* **"and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."**: This parallel clause reinforces the first, using synonymous terms to emphasize the comprehensive nature of God's action. "Understanding" (G4907, _sýnesis'_) refers to mental comprehension or intelligence, while "prudent" (G4908, _synetós'_) describes those who possess such sagacity. God's promise is to nullify, invalidate, and make utterly useless the intellectual discernment and shrewdness of those who rely on their own capabilities rather than on Him. This highlights God's absolute supremacy over all human intellectual endeavors.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed here is **Quotation/Allusion**, as Paul directly quotes from [Isaiah 29:14](/isaiah/29-14 "Isaiah 29:14 - God's Judgment on Human Wisdom") (likely from the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament). This serves to establish the theological continuity between the Old Testament prophetic tradition and the New Testament message, demonstrating that God's pattern of confounding human wisdom is an enduring principle. There is also clear **Contrast/Antithesis** between God's action ("I will destroy," "will bring to nothing") and human attributes ("wisdom of the wise," "understanding of the prudent"), highlighting the fundamental opposition and power differential between divine and human intellect. Furthermore, the phrasing carries a degree of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the completeness of God's nullification of human wisdom, signifying that it will be utterly ineffective and powerless in the face of God's plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 1:19 articulates a foundational theological truth: God's wisdom is not merely superior to human wisdom but actively works to expose and dismantle it when it becomes a barrier to His truth. This principle underscores the necessity of humility in approaching divine revelation, recognizing that true understanding originates from God, not from human intellectual prowess or philosophical systems. The message of the cross, seemingly foolish by worldly standards, is precisely God's chosen means to demonstrate this truth, revealing His power and wisdom in a way that confounds the self-assuredness of humanity. This divine strategy ensures that no human can boast before God, and that salvation is entirely a work of His grace and power, not dependent on human cleverness or achievement.

* [Isaiah 29:14](/isaiah/29-14 "Isaiah 29:14 - The Source Prophecy of God's Judgment")
* [Romans 1:21-22](/romans/1-21-22 "Romans 1:21-22 - The Foolishness of Suppressing Truth")
* [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Warning Against Human Philosophy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound call to humility for every believer. In a world that often elevates intellectual achievement, academic credentials, and sophisticated arguments, 1 Corinthians 1:19 reminds us that true spiritual insight and the path to salvation are not found through human ingenuity or worldly philosophies. Our faith should not rest on the persuasive words of human wisdom, but on the power of God (cf. [1 Corinthians 2:5](/1_corinthians/2-5 "1 Corinthians 2:5 - Faith Resting on God's Power")). This does not devalue learning or critical thinking, but rather reorients them, placing them under the authority of God's revealed truth. It encourages us to discern carefully between what the world deems wise and what God declares to be true, embracing the "foolishness" of the gospel as the ultimate wisdom. Ultimately, it calls us to a posture of dependence on God, trusting that His ways, though often counter-intuitive to human reason, are always perfect and ultimately triumphant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely more on human wisdom or my own understanding than on God's revealed truth?**
* **How does the "foolishness" of the cross challenge my own preconceived notions of what is wise or powerful?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater humility and dependence on God's wisdom in my daily decisions and spiritual growth?**
* **How can I effectively share the gospel, which often appears foolish to the world, in a way that honors God's power and not human cleverness?**

### FAQ

**Does God condemn all human knowledge or intellect?**

Answer: No, God does not condemn all human knowledge or intellect. The Bible consistently values wisdom and understanding (e.g., [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - God Gives Wisdom"), [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking for Wisdom")). However, 1 Corinthians 1:19, in context, condemns human wisdom that is self-sufficient, proud, or actively opposes God's truth, particularly the message of salvation through Christ. It targets the intellectual arrogance that believes it can understand God or achieve salvation apart from divine revelation. God's desire is for our intellect to be submitted to Him, used for His glory, and illuminated by His Spirit.

**What is "worldly wisdom" that God destroys?**

Answer: "Worldly wisdom" (or "wisdom of the wise" and "understanding of the prudent" in this verse) refers to human intellectual systems, philosophical constructs, and cultural values that operate independently of or in opposition to God's revealed truth. It is wisdom that relies solely on human reason, empirical observation, or cultural consensus, often leading to pride, self-reliance, and a rejection of the seemingly simple or paradoxical truths of the gospel. Examples include philosophical systems that deny the existence of God, moral frameworks that reject divine law, or any intellectual pursuit that elevates human thought above divine revelation, as seen in [Romans 1:21-22](/romans/1-21-22 "Romans 1:21-22 - Professing to be Wise, They Became Fools").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 1:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "wisdom of the wise" and the "understanding of the prudent" were utterly confounded by the advent of a Messiah who came not as a conquering king or a philosophical guru, but as a humble servant, crucified on a cross. This message of a crucified Savior, which was a "stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" ([1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified")), was precisely God's chosen method to demonstrate His supreme wisdom and power. Christ Himself is declared to be "the power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), embodying the divine wisdom that surpasses all human intellect. In Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")). Therefore, God's promise to destroy human wisdom is fulfilled as the world's intellectual systems are exposed as inadequate and futile in comparison to the profound, saving wisdom revealed in Christ's cross and resurrection, which offers true life and understanding that no human philosophy could ever conceive.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 29:14

Therefore, 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.

Jeremiah 8:9

The wise [men] are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom [is] in them?

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

Job 5:13

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

Isaiah 19:11

Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I [am] the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

Isaiah 19:3

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.