Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Where? ... - Nowhere; for God 'brings them to nought' (1 Corinthians 1:19).
The wise - the Greek philosopher.
The scribe - Jewish (cf. the Jew and Greek of this world contrasted with the godly wise, 1 Corinthians 1:22-23).
The disputer - whether Jew or Greek. Jewish speculative disputers were called Darshan, and mystical expositions of Scripture Midrashim (cf. 'Questions;' Acts 26:3; Titus 3:9). Paul applies Isaiah 33:18 here in a higher sense: there the primary reference was to temporal deliverance, here to eternal. 1 Corinthians 1:22, which is in threefold opposition to 1 Corinthians 1:18 there, sanctions this higher application-the Lord, in the threefold character of "Judge," "Lawgiver," and "King," being the sole ground of glorying to His people (1 Corinthians 1:31).
Of this world - rather, 'dispensation (or age) ... world.' The Greek words х aioonos (G165) ... kosmou (G2889)] are distinct. The former is this world-course, in a moral point of view, as opposed to the Christian order of things; the latter is the world viewed externally.
Made foolish - shown the world's philosophy to be folly, because it lacks faith in Christ crucified: has treated it as folly, and not used its help in converting and saving men (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).