1 Corinthians 3:20, Thoughts of the Wise

1 Corinthians 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

The Apostle Paul cites Psalm 94:11 “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.”  He does so to caution the believers in Corinth to weigh carefully the words of man. He urges them not to rely on human wisdom to order their lives. Rather on the Word of God.

It seems that the believers in Corinth are somewhat inclined to embrace worldly wisdom. Whether it is because of their past associations or the lingering of the unrenewed mind. He asks them to take care. The words of men are at best unwise, foolish, vain and even wicked. They dilute and compromise their faith in God. Jesus says the Christian life is the entry through the strait gate – Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.“ IThe word “strait” means narrow, restrictive, expressing the difficulty to enter. It is the gate of salvation only in Jesus Christ. This entrance through the strait gate describes the beginning of this blessed life. And brings us to the narrow way and not the broadway that leads to destruction.

Believers are to have their eyes opened through the meditation of God’s Word to see the difference between truth and error. May God’s people take the time to renew their mind that their hearts may be conformed to the image of Christ. Amen.