1 Corinthians 3:18-20 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Let no man deceive himself Neither teacher, by propagating errors through pride of his own understanding; nor hearers, by a factious preferring of one above another for his gifts. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world Be wise with respect to the things of this world only, and on that account be puffed up with pride; let him become a fool Such as the world accounts so; let him renounce his carnal wisdom, and submit to the doctrine of the gospel, which the world considers as folly; that he may be Prove himself to be, wise Namely, spiritually, and in God's account; wise in matters that concern his everlasting salvation. For the wisdom of this world However men may boast of it, and think highly of themselves because they suppose they possess it; is foolishness with God Is accounted so by him. For it is written, (Job 5:13, where see the note,) He taketh the wise in their own craftiness Not only while they think they are acting wisely, but by their very wisdom, which itself is their snare, and the occasion of their destruction. In other words, they are entangled and brought to ruin by those subtle contrivances, whereby they thought to secure themselves. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise The worldly wise, or of those that think themselves wise; that they are vain Empty, foolish, unprofitable, ineffectual to secure themselves against God.