1-corinthians 3:20

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

American King James Version (AKJV)

And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

American Standard Version (ASV)

and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise that they are vain.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

And again, The Lord has knowledge of the reasonings of the wise, that they are nothing.

Webster's Revision

And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

World English Bible

And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless."

English Revised Version (ERV)

and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain.

Definitions for 1-corinthians 3:20

Vain - Empty; foolish; useless.

Clarke's 1-corinthians 3:20 Bible Commentary

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.

Barnes's 1-corinthians 3:20 Bible Commentary

And again, - Psalm 94:11.

The Lord knoweth - God searches the heart. The particular thing which it is here said that he knows, is, that the thoughts of man are vain. They have this quality; and this is that which the psalmist here says that God sees. The affirmation is not one respecting the omniscience of God, but with respect to what God sees of the nature of the thoughts of the wise.

The thoughts of the wise - Their plans, purposes, designs.

That they are vain - That they lack real wisdom; they are foolish; they shall not be accomplished as they expect; or be seen to have that wisdom which they now suppose they possess.

Wesley's 1-corinthians 3:20 Bible Commentary

3:20 That they are but vain - Empty, foolish; they and all their thoughts. 94:11 .