1 Corinthians 3:18
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.

English Standard Version
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Berean Standard Bible
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

Berean Literal Bible
Let no one deceive himself: If anyone among you thinks himself to be wise in this age, let him become foolish, so that he may become wise.

King James Bible
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

New King James Version
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

New American Standard Bible
Take care that no one deceives himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.

NASB 1995
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.

NASB 1977
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise.

Legacy Standard Bible
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.

Amplified Bible
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may become [truly] wise.

Christian Standard Bible
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No one should deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he can become wise.

American Standard Version
Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

Contemporary English Version
Don't fool yourselves! If any of you think you are wise in the things of this world, you will have to become foolish before you can be truly wise.

English Revised Version
Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise in the ways of this world, you should give up that wisdom in order to become really wise.

Good News Translation
You should not fool yourself. If any of you think that you are wise by this world's standards, you should become a fool, in order to be really wise.

International Standard Version
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in the ways of this world, he must become a fool to become really wise.

Majority Standard Bible
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

NET Bible
Guard against self-deception, each of you. If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise.

New Heart English Bible
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this age, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Weymouth New Testament
Let no one deceive himself. If any man imagines that he is wise, compared with the rest of you, with the wisdom of the present age, let him become "foolish" so that he may be wise.

World English Bible
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Let no one deceive himself; if anyone seems to be wise among you in this age—let him become a fool, that he may become wise,

Berean Literal Bible
Let no one deceive himself: If anyone among you thinks himself to be wise in this age, let him become foolish, so that he may become wise.

Young's Literal Translation
Let no one deceive himself; if any one doth seem to be wise among you in this age -- let him become a fool, that he may become wise,

Smith's Literal Translation
Let none completely deceive himself. If any think to be wise in this life, let him be foolish, that he may he wise.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let no man deceive himself: if any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become foolish, so that he may be truly wise.

New American Bible
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let no man deceive himself. Whoever among you thinks he is wise in this world, let him consider himself a fool so that he may become wise.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Let no man deceive himself; whoever among you thinks that he is wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may be wise.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Let no one deceive himself: if any one among you is considered as wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Godbey New Testament
Let no one deceive himself. If any one seems to be wise among you in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Haweis New Testament
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinketh himself a wise man in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Mace New Testament
let no man deceive himself: if any among you pretends to worldly wisdom, let him commence fool, in order to be truly wise.

Weymouth New Testament
Let no one deceive himself. If any man imagines that he is wise, compared with the rest of you, with the wisdom of the present age, let him become "foolish" so that he may be wise.

Worrell New Testament
Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you thinks that he is wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

Worsley New Testament
Let no one deceive himself: if any among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be truly wise.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Worldly Wisdom
17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 18Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”…

Cross References
Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ...

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

1 Corinthians 1:20-21
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? / For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 8:2
The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

Galatians 6:3
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

Job 5:13
He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.

Jeremiah 8:9
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

2 Corinthians 11:19
For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise.


Treasury of Scripture

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

deceive.

1 Corinthians 6:9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Proverbs 5:7
Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

If.

1 Corinthians 1:18-21
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God…

1 Corinthians 4:10
We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

1 Corinthians 8:1,2
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth…

let.

Matthew 18:4
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:15
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Luke 18:17
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

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Age Compared Deceive False. Fool Foolish Idea Imagines Present Rest Seemeth Standards Thinketh Thinks Wisdom Wise World Yourselves
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Age Compared Deceive False. Fool Foolish Idea Imagines Present Rest Seemeth Standards Thinketh Thinks Wisdom Wise World Yourselves
1 Corinthians 3
1. Milk is fit for children.
3. Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.
7. He who plants and He who waters are nothing.
9. The ministers are God's fellow workmen.
11. Christ the only foundation.
16. You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy.
19. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.














Let no one deceive himself
This phrase serves as a cautionary introduction, urging believers to be vigilant against self-deception. The Greek word for "deceive" is "ἐξαπατάω" (exapatao), which implies leading oneself astray or being misled. In the context of Corinth, a city known for its philosophical diversity and moral laxity, Paul warns against the allure of worldly wisdom that can lead one away from the truth of the Gospel. The historical context reveals a church struggling with divisions and pride, making this admonition particularly relevant. The call is to self-awareness and humility, recognizing the potential for internal error without the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

If any of you thinks he is wise in this age
Here, Paul challenges the Corinthian believers to evaluate their understanding of wisdom. The phrase "wise in this age" refers to the prevailing cultural and philosophical norms of the time, which often contradicted the teachings of Christ. The Greek word for "wise" is "σοφός" (sophos), which in the Greco-Roman world was associated with intellectual prowess and rhetorical skill. Paul contrasts this with divine wisdom, which often appears foolish to the world. The historical context of Corinth, a hub of intellectual activity, underscores the temptation to conform to societal standards of wisdom rather than God's.

he should become a fool
This paradoxical statement invites believers to embrace what the world considers foolishness in order to gain true wisdom. The Greek word for "fool" is "μωρός" (moros), which can mean simple or lacking in worldly sophistication. Paul is not advocating for ignorance but rather a radical reorientation of values. By becoming a "fool" in the eyes of the world, believers align themselves with the countercultural message of the cross, which subverts human expectations and reveals God's power and wisdom.

so that he may become wise
The ultimate goal of embracing divine foolishness is to attain true wisdom. The Greek word for "wise" here is the same as before, "σοφός" (sophos), but now it is redefined in the context of God's eternal truth. This wisdom is characterized by a deep understanding of God's purposes and a life lived in accordance with His will. The scriptural context emphasizes that true wisdom is a gift from God, accessible through faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is a wisdom that transcends human understanding and leads to spiritual maturity and unity within the body of Christ.

(18) Passing from the difference between the work of one teacher and that of another, which has occupied him since 1Corinthians 3:5, the Apostle now returns to the subject from which he branched off there (the magnifying of one teacher above another), and proceeds to show (1Corinthians 3:18-21) that merely human wisdom is in itself worthless for spiritual purposes, and, therefore, that the possession of it alone is no reason for the exaltation of the teacher who is endowed with it. For the full meaning of the "wisdom" which the Apostle speaks of here, see 1Corinthians 1:20.

Let him become a fool--i.e., in the sight of the world, in order that he may become "wise" in the sight of God.

Verse 18. - Let no man deceive himself. Like the other formula, "Be not deceived" (1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7); "Deceive not yourselves" (Jeremiah 37:9); "Let no man deceive you" (Marl 24:4; Luke 21:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Ephesians 5:6; 1 John 3:7). We are so liable to self deception (1 John 1:8; Galatians 6:3), as well as to being deceived by others (2 Timothy 3:13), that there was need to repeat this warning incessantly. Seemeth to be wise; rather, thinketh that he is wise. He is referring specially to the Apollos party, who vaunted their esoteric knowledge, and so were "wise in their own eyes, prudent in their own conceits" (Isaiah 5:21).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
{Let} no one
Μηδεὶς (Mēdeis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

deceive
ἐξαπατάτω (exapatatō)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1818: To deceive thoroughly. From ek and apatao; to seduce wholly.

himself.
ἑαυτὸν (heauton)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

If
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

any
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

of
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

thinks
δοκεῖ (dokei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

he is
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

wise
σοφὸς (sophos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4680: Wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Akin to saphes; wise.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

this
τούτῳ (toutō)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

age,
αἰῶνι (aiōni)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

he should become
γενέσθω (genesthō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

a fool,
μωρὸς (mōros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3474: Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

he may become
γένηται (genētai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

wise.
σοφός (sophos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4680: Wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Akin to saphes; wise.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 3:17
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