1 Corinthians 1:19
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Original Language Analysis
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
1 of 13
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
γάρ
For
G1063
γάρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Ἀπολῶ
I will destroy
G622
Ἀπολῶ
I will destroy
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
3 of 13
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σύνεσιν
the understanding
G4907
σύνεσιν
the understanding
Strong's:
G4907
Word #:
10 of 13
a mental putting together, i.e., intelligence or (concretely) the intellect
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 29:14Therefore, 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 8:9The 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 3:19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.Isaiah 19:11Surely 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 19:3And 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.
Historical Context
Isaiah prophesied during a time when Judah's leaders trusted in Egyptian military alliances and diplomatic cunning rather than God. God responded by promising deliverance so surprising that human wisdom would be shown bankrupt. Paul sees the cross as the ultimate fulfillment: God saves through what humans consider weakness and folly, utterly bypassing and humiliating all worldly wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the cross expose the bankruptcy of human wisdom, philosophy, and self-reliant intellect?
- In what areas of life do we trust our own understanding rather than God's revealed wisdom in the gospel?
- What does it mean practically that God "destroys the wisdom of the wise"—does this make intellectual pursuits worthless?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent (gegrapta gar, Apolō tēn sophian tōn sophōn kai tēn synesin tōn synetōn athetēsō, γέγραπται γάρ, Ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν ἀθετήσω)—Paul quotes Isaiah 29:14 (LXX) to show that God's subversion of human wisdom is not a New Testament novelty but an Old Testament pattern. The verbs apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι, "destroy") and atheteō (ἀθετέω, "set aside, nullify, reject") are strong: God does not merely supplement or correct human wisdom—He obliterates it, renders it useless, exposes it as bankrupt.
Isaiah's context was Judah's reliance on political alliances and human strategies rather than trust in YHWH. God promised to act so unexpectedly that the wise would be confounded. Paul applies this to the cross: God's wisdom (salvation through a crucified Messiah) so thoroughly contradicts human wisdom that it exposes philosophy and eloquence as futile for knowing God.