Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."
Read all of 1 Corinthians 3 NIV
Read 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 in another translation
ASV BBE DRB ESV KJV NAS NIV NKJV NLT NRS RSV MSG WEB YLT16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?
17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become "fools" so that you may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"
20 and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."
21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours,
22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Read all of Galatians 2 NIVHumility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
Read all of Proverbs 22 NIVCommit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Read all of Psalm 37 NIVThe tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Read all of Proverbs 15 NIVIf anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
Read all of 1 John 4 NIVAnd without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Read all of Hebrews 11 NIVDo not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Read all of Proverbs 3 NIV
Commentary on Today's Verse
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
(Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-4)
The most simple truths of the gospel, as to man's sinfulness and God's mercy, repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, stated in the plainest language, suit the people better than deeper mysteries. Men may have much doctrinal knowledge, yet be mere beginners in the life of faith and experience. Contentions and quarrels about religion are sad evidences of carnality. True religion makes men peaceable, not contentious. But it is to be lamented, that many who should walk as Christians, live and act too much like other men. Many professors, and preachers also, show themselves to be yet carnal, by vain-glorious strife, eagerness for dispute, and readiness to despise and speak evil of others.