1 Corinthians 1:20

“Where is the wise? where is the Scribe? etc.] These are the apostle’s own words; though he may allude to (<233318>Isaiah 33:18) where there are some phrases much like these, but the meaning is very different. Though they are interpreted by the Talmudists f7 in a sense pretty near the apostle’s; for thus they remark upon them, “where is the Scribe? he that counts all the letters which are in the law; “where is the receiver, or weigher?” who weighs all the light and heavy things in the law; “where is he that counted the towers?” he who counts, or teaches the three hundred traditions:” so that they understand these of their Scribes and Misnic doctors, and such that are curious searchers into…”

“Where--nowhere; for God "brings them to naught" (Co1 1:19). the wise--generally. the scribe--Jewish [ALFORD]. the disputer--Greek [ALFORD]. Compare the Jew and Greek of this world contrasted with the godly wise, Co1 1:22-23. VITRINGA thinks the reference is to the Jewish discourses in the synagogue, daraschoth, from a Hebrew root "to dispute." Compare "questions," Act 26:3; Tit 3:9. If so, "wise" refers to Greek wisdom (compare Co1 1:22). Paul applies Isa 33:18 here in a higher sense; there the primary reference was to temporal deliverance, here to external; Co1 1:22, which is in threefold opposition to Co1 1:18 there, sanctions this higher application; the Lord in the threefold character…”

“Where is the wise? - Language similar to this occurs in Isaiah 33:18, “Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?” Without designing to quote these words as having an original reference to the subject now under consideration, Paul uses them as any man does language where he finds words with which he or his readers are familiar, that will convey his meaning. A man familiar with the Bible, will naturally often make use of Scripture expressions in conveying his ideas. In Isaiah, the passage refers to the deliverance of the people from the threatened invasion of Sennacherib. The 18th verse represents the people as meditating on the threatened terror of the…”

“Where is the wise? &c. - The deliverance of Judea from Sennacherib is what Isaiah refers to in these words; in a bold and beautiful allusion to which, the apostle in the clause that follows triumphs over all the opposition of human wisdom to the victorious gospel of Christ. What could the wise men of the gentiles do against this? or the Jewish scribes? or the disputers of this world? - Those among both, who, proud of their acuteness, were fond of controversy, and thought they could confute all opponents. Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world - That is, shown it to be very foolishness. Isa 33:18 1 Corinthians 1:21”

“1:20 In God’s eyes, the human wisdom of this world is foolish. Divine wisdom lies in the message of the cross and in Jesus Christ (see 1:24, 30).”

“is the wise: Isa 33:18, Isa 53:1 hath: Co1 1:19; Sa2 15:31, Sa2 16:23, Sa2 17:14, Sa2 17:23; Job 12:17, Job 12:20, Job 12:24; Isa 44:25; Rom 1:22 1 Corinthians 1:21”