1 Corinthians 3:20-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:18-20

Here he prescribes humility, and a modest opinion of themselves, for the remedy of the irregularities in the church of Corinth, the divisions and contests among them: ?Let no man deceive himself, 1 Cor. 3:18. Do not be led away from the truth and simplicity of the gospel by pretenders to science and eloquence, by a show of deep learning, or a flourish of words, by rabbis, orators, or philosophers.? Note, We are in great danger of deceiving ourselves when we have too high an opinion of human... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

Here the apostle founds an exhortation against over-valuing their teachers on what he had just said, and on the consideration that they had an equal interest in all their ministers: Therefore let no man glory in men (1 Cor. 3:21)-- forget that their ministers are men, or pay that deference to them that is due only to God, set them at the head of parties, have them in immoderate esteem and admiration, and servilely and implicitly follow their directions and submit to their dictates, and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:16-22

3:16-22 Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that the Spirit of God has his dwelling place in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God is holy and you are that temple. Let no one deceive you. If any one among you thinks he is wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it stands written, "He who clutches the wise in their cunning craftiness"; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:20

And again ,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psalm 94:11 . This form of citing Scriptures answers to ועוד and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another F17 Vid. Surenhusii Biblos Katallages, p. 11, 531. : and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:21

Therefore let no man glory in men ,.... The apostle means ministers, who are but men, even the best of them, and therefore not to be gloried in; and has chiefly respect to the false teachers, whose wisdom, learning, and eloquence, the Corinthians were greatly taken with, and boasted of; it was so ensnaring to them, that they even idolized them for it, called them their masters, pinned their faith on their sleeve, gave up themselves to them, and were greatly under their authority, influence,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:22

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas ,.... These are particularly named, because their disputes were chiefly about them; but what is said of them is true of all other, and all the ministers of Christ, that they are the church's. The gifts which Christ received for them, and has bestowed on them, are not their own, but the church's, and are given to them, not so much for their own use, as for the good and benefit of others. They are made able ministers of the New Testament, not by themselves,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:23

And ye are Christ's ,.... This is the ground and foundation of all things being theirs, and shows in what way they come by them, and what gives them their claim and property: they are Christ's, he has an interest in them, and they in him; they are his, not only by creation, as all men are, but by the Father's special gift of them to him, as his spouse and bride, his children, his sheep, his portion, and his jewels; they are his through the purchase of his own blood, and by a voluntary... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:20

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise - They are always full of schemes and plans for earthly good; and God knows that all this is vain, empty, and unsatisfactory; and will stand them in no stead when he comes to take away their souls. This is a quotation from Psalm 94:11 . What is here said of the vanity of human knowledge is true of every kind of wisdom that leads not immediately to God himself. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:21

Let no man glory in men - Let none suppose that he has any cause of exultation in any thing but God. All are yours; he that has God for his portion has every thing that can make him happy and glorious: all are his. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:22

Whether Paul, or Apollos - As if he had said: God designs to help you by all things and persons; every teacher sent from him will become a blessing to you, if you abide faithful to your calling. God will press every thing into the service of his followers. The ministers of the Church of Christ are appointed for the hearers, not the hearers for the ministers. In like manner, all the ordinances of grace and mercy are appointed for them, not they for the ordinances. Or the world - The word ... read more

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