Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

Let no one deceive himself: if any one thinks himself to be wise among you in this world, let him become foolish, that he may be wise.

Let no one deceive himself; if any one doth seem to be wise among you in this age, let him become a fool, that he may become wise,

Let no one deceive himself. If any man imagines that he is wise, compared with the rest of you, with the wisdom of the present age, let him become "foolish" so that he may be wise.

Let no man have a false idea. If any man seems to himself to be wise among you, let him become foolish, so that he may be wise.

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become foolish, so that he may be truly wise.

Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you imagines that, as regards this world, they are wise, they should become a 'fool,' that they may become wise.

Let no man deceive himself Here he puts his finger upon the true sore, as the whole mischief originated in this -- that they were wise in their own conceit. Hence he exhorts them not to deceive themselves with a false impression, by arrogating any wisdom to themselves -- by which he means, that all are under a mistake, who depend upon their own judgment. Now, he addresses himself, in my opinion, to hearers as well as teachers. For the former discovered a partiality for those ambitious men, and lent an ear to them, [1] because they had too fastidious a taste, so that the simplicity of the gospel was insipid to their taste; while the latter aimed at nothing but show, that they might be in some estimation. He accordingly admonishes both to this effect -- "Let no one rest satisfied with his own wisdom, but let him who thinketh himself to be wise, become a fool in this world," or, "Let him who is distinguished in this world by reputation for wisdom, of his own accord empty himself, [2] and become a fool in his own estimation." Farther, in these words the Apostle does not require, that we should altogether renounce the wisdom that is implanted in us by nature, or acquired by long practice; but simply, that we subject it to the service of God, so as to have no wisdom but through his word. For this is what is meant by becoming a fool in this world, or in our own estimation -- when we are prepared to give way to God, and embrace with fear and reverence everything that he teaches us, rather than follow what may appear to us plausible. [3] The meaning of the clause in this world, is as though he had said -- "According to the judgment or opinion of the world." For the wisdom of the world is this -- if we reckon ourselves sufficient of ourselves for taking counsel as to all matters (Psalm 13:2) for governing ourselves, and for managing whatever we have to do -- if we have no dependence on any other [4] -- if we feel no need of the guidance of another, but are competent to govern ourselves. [5] He, therefore, on, the other hand, is a fool in this world, who, renouncing his own understanding, allows himself to be directed by the Lord, as if with his eyes shut -- who, distrusting himself, leans wholly upon the Lord, places his whole wisdom in him, and yields himself up to God in docility and submission. It is necessary that our wisdom should in this way vanish, in order that the will of God may have authority over us, and that we be emptied of our own understanding, that we may be filled with the wisdom of God. At the same time, the clause [6] may either be taken in connection with the first part of the verse, or joined with the last, but as the meaning is not much different, I leave every one to choose for himself.

Footnotes

1 - "Trop facilement;" -- "Too readily."

2 - "Soit fait fol en soy de son bon gre s'abbaissant, et s'aneantissant soymesme;" -- "Let him become, of his own accord, a fool in his own estimation, abasing and emptying himself."

3 - "Bon et raisonnable;" -- "Good and reasonable."

4 - "Que de nous-mesmes;" -- "Than ourselves."

5 - "Nous semble que nous sommes assez suffisans de nous conduire, et gouuerner nous-mesmes;" -- "It appears to us, that we are quite competent to conduct and govern ourselves."

6 - "En ce monde;" -- "In this world."

Let no man deceive himself - The apostle here proceeds to make a practical application of the truths which he had stated, and to urge on them humility, and to endeavor to repress the broils and contentions into which they had fallen. Let no man be puffed up with a vain conceit of his own wisdom, for this had been the real cause of all the evils which they had experienced. Grotius renders this, "See that you do not attribute too much to your wisdom and learning, by resting on it, and thus deceive your own selves." "All human philosophy," says Grotius, "that is repugnant to the gospel is but vain deceit" - Probably there were many among them who would despise this admonition as coming from Paul, but he exhorts them to take care that they did not deceive themselves. We are taught here:
(1) The danger of self-deception - a danger that besets all on the subject of religion.
(2) the fact that false philosophy is the most fruitful source of self-deception in the business of religion. So it was among the Corinthians; and so it has been in all ages since.
If any man among you - Any teacher, whatever may be his rank or his confidence in his own abilities; or any private member of the church.
Seemeth to be wise - Seems to himself; or is thought to be, has the credit, or reputation of being wise. The word "seems" δοκεῖ dokei implies this idea - if anyone seems, or is supposed to be a man of wisdom; if this is his reputation; and if he seeks that this should be his reputation among people. See instances of this construction in Bloomfield.
In this world - In this "age," or "world" (ἐν τῷ αἰῶν τούτῳ en tō aiōn toutō). There is considerable variety in the interpretation of this passage among critics. It may be taken either with the preceding or the following words. Origen, Cyprian, Beza, Grotius, Hammond, and Locke adopt the latter method, and understand it thus: "If any man among you thinks himself to be wise, let him not hesitate to be a fool in the opinion of this age in order that he may be truly wise" - But the interpretation conveyed in our translation, is probably the correct one. "If any man has the reputation of wisdom among the people of this generation, and prides himself on it," etc. If he is esteemed wise in the sense in which the people of this world are, as a philosopher, a man of science, learning, etc.
Let him become a fool -
(1) Let him be willing to be regarded as a fool.
(2) let him sincerely embrace this gospel, which will inevitably expose him to the charge of being a fool.
(3) let all his earthly wisdom be esteemed in his own eyes as valueless and as folly in the great matters of salvation.
That he may be wise - That he may have true wisdom - that which is of God. It is implied here:
(1) That the wisdom of this world will not make a man truly wise.
(2) that a "reputation" for wisdom may contribute nothing to a man's true wisdom, but may stand in the way of it.
(3) that for such a man to embrace the gospel it is necessary that he should be willing to cast away dependence on his own wisdom, and come with the temper of a child to the Saviour.
(4) that to do this will expose him to the charge of folly, and the derision of those who are wise in their own conceit.
(5) that true wisdom is found only in that science which teaches people to live unto God, and to be prepared for death and for heaven - and that science is found only in the gospel.

If any man among you seemeth to be wise - Ει τις δοκει σοφος ειναι· If any pretend or affect to be wise. This seems to refer to some individual in the Church of Corinth, who had been very troublesome to its peace and unity: probably Diotrephes (see on 1-Corinthians 1:14 (note)) or some one of a similar spirit, who wished to have the pre-eminence, and thought himself wiser than seven men that could render a reason. Every Christian Church has less or more of these.
Let him become a fool - Let him divest himself of his worldly wisdom, and be contented to be called a fool, and esteemed one, that he may become wise unto salvation, by renouncing his own wisdom, and seeking that which comes from God. But probably the apostle refers to him who, pretending to great wisdom and information, taught doctrines contrary to the Gospel; endeavoring to show reasons for them, and to support his own opinions with arguments which he thought unanswerable. This man brought his worldly wisdom to bear against the doctrines of Christ; and probably through such teaching many of the scandalous things which the apostle reprehends among the Corinthians originated.

(10) Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
(10) He concludes by the opposite, that they profess pure wisdom in the Church of God, who refuse and cast away all those vanities of men. Further, if they are mocked by the world, it is sufficient for them that they are wise according to the wisdom of God, and as he will have them to be wise.

Let no man deceive himself,.... With vain notions of serving God and religion, and of doing the churches good by his carnal and worldly wisdom, and with false hopes of escaping the vengeance of God for sowing the tares of error, heresy, and discord among his people.
If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world; either a member of them, or a preacher among them, who thought himself wise in worldly wisdom; or was desirous to be thought so by others; or would be a truly wise man in this world, whilst he lives in it, and before he goes out of it:
let him become a fool that he may be wise; not that, properly speaking, folly is the way to wisdom; but that that man that would be wise in a spiritual sense, must first learn to know himself; must be convinced of, and acknowledge his own folly, embrace the Gospel of Christ, which is esteemed foolishness by the world; submit to the ordinances of Christ, which are despised by men; and take up the cross of Christ, and follow him, bear reproach and persecution for his sake, than which nothing is more ridiculous with carnal men: he must deny his worldly wisdom, his carnal and righteous self, and wholly rest and rely on Christ, and his righteousness, for eternal life and happiness, and so will he become truly wise unto salvation. The Jews (p) have a saying,
"that everyone , "that makes himself a fool", for the words of the law, at the end, shall be exalted.''
(p) Raya Mehimua in Zohar in Numb. fol. 104. 2.

To have a high opinion of our own wisdom, is but to flatter ourselves; and self-flattery is the next step to self-deceit. The wisdom that wordly men esteem, is foolishness with God. How justly does he despise, and how easily can he baffle and confound it! The thoughts of the wisest men in the world, have vanity, weakness, and folly in them. All this should teach us to be humble, and make us willing to be taught of God, so as not to be led away, by pretences to human wisdom and skill, from the simple truths revealed by Christ. Mankind are very apt to oppose the design of the mercies of God. Observe the spiritual riches of a true believer; "All are yours," even ministers and ordinances. Nay, the world itself is yours. Saints have as much of it as Infinite Wisdom sees fit for them, and they have it with the Divine blessing. Life is yours, that you may have a season and opportunity to prepare for the life of heaven; and death is yours, that you may go to the possession of it. It is the kind messenger to take you from sin and sorrow, and to guide you to your Father's house. Things present are yours, for your support on the road; things to come are yours, to delight you for ever at your journey's end. If we belong to Christ, and are true to him, all good belongs to us, and is sure to us. Believers are the subjects of his kingdom. He is Lord over us, we must own his dominion, and cheerfully submit to his command. God in Christ, reconciling a sinful world to himself, and pouring the riches of his grace on a reconciled world, is the sum and substance of the gospel.

seemeth--that is, is, and is regarded by himself and others.
wise in this world--wise in mere worldly wisdom (1-Corinthians 1:20).
let him become a fool--by receiving the Gospel in its unworldly simplicity, and so becoming a fool in the world's sight [ALFORD]. Let him no longer think himself wise, but seek the true wisdom from God, bringing his understanding into captivity to the obedience of faith [ESTIUS].

Let no man deceive himself. A caution against the philosophical tendencies of the Apolloite party.
If any man thinketh that he is wise. If he is wise in his own estimation and that of the world, let him choose what the world calls "foolishness," in order that he may became "wise unto salvation."
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. See 1-Corinthians 1:20.
For it is written. Job 5:13.
And again, the Lord knoweth, etc. Psalm 94:11.
Wherefore, let no man glory in men. In preachers like Paul, and Apollos, and Cephas. Above all, let them not form parties around human leaders.
For all things are yours. All, the preachers as well as all beside, are ordained to prepare you for eternal glory.
Whether Paul, etc. See 1-Corinthians 3:5.
Or the world. The world is not to be the master, but the servant of God's children.
Or life. Life is given to do God's work and to insure life eternal.
Or death. To the saint "death is gain."
Or things present. These, whatsoever they are, "shall work together for good to them that love God."
Or things to come. The things to come to the Christian are the presence of Christ, and the joys of the New Jerusalem.
All are yours. What a climax!
And ye are Christ's. He had procured for us all things, but has bought us with a price.
Christ is God's. God's Son, and belonging to the Father. All things are ours, but we are not our own! We own all else, but we do not own ourselves! Hence our duty to be consecrated to the service of Christ.

Let him become a fool in this world - Such as the world accounts so. That he may become wise - In God's account.