1 Corinthians 1:20 (YLT)

Passage

where <FI>is<Fi> the wise? where the scribe? where a disputer of this age? did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 1:18 for the word of the cross to those indeed perishing is foolishness, and to us--those being saved--it is the power of God,

1 Corinthians 1:19 for it hath been written, `I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will bring to nought;'

1 Corinthians 1:20 where <FI>is<Fi> the wise? where the scribe? where a disputer of this age? did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?

1 Corinthians 1:21 for, seeing in the wisdom of God the world through the wisdom knew not God, it did please God through the foolishness of the preaching to save those believing.

1 Corinthians 1:22 Since also Jews ask a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom,

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "world", "where", "wise", "scribe", "disputer", "make", and "foolish". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "world" and "where", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "for it hath been written I will..." into verse 21's "for seeing in the wisdom of God...", so "world" and "where" belong inside that flow. In 1 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "world" and "where" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.