Interpretation of the Bible / 1 Corinthians 3:18

In 1 Corinthians 3:18, the Apostle Paul calls for reflection and humility, warning that no one should think themselves wise in this world, for this can be a form of self-deception.

What does it mean to be wise in this world?

Worldly wisdom is that which is based on knowledge gained through experience, observation, and reason. This wisdom is important, but it can be insufficient when it comes to understanding the deepest and most transcendent reality.

In this sense, divine or spiritual wisdom is that which allows people to access deeper truths related to their purpose and destiny.

How can we become foolish?

For Paul, foolishness is not a lack of knowledge, but a humble attitude toward reality. So he calls us to become foolish in the sense that we give up our pretensions to know everything, making room for experience, humility, and listening.

In other words, to be truly wise, we need to develop a desire to continually learn, putting aside our ego and recognizing our own limitations.