1 Corinthians 3:18-20 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.… I. EVEN TRUTH OR TRUE KNOWLEDGE BECOMES FOLLY, IF EMPLOYED TO ACCOMPLISH AN END FOR WHICH IT IS NOT ADAPTED. If a man attempts to make men holy or happy; if he undertakes to convert the world by mathematics, or metaphysics, or moral philosophy he is foolish, and his wisdom, as a means to that end, is folly. He must renounce all dependence on those means if he would accomplish that end. II. MUCH THAT PASSES FOR WISDOM AMONG MEN IS IN ITSELF, AND NOT MERELY AS A MEANS TO AN END — FOOLISHNESS. Both these ideas are evidently comprehended in the apostle's statement. He means to say that human knowledge is entirely inadequate to save men, because that end can only be accomplished by the gospel. And he means also to brand as folly the speculations of men about "the deep things of God." (C. Hodge, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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