1 Corinthians 3:21
1 Corinthians 3:21 in Multiple Translations
Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours,
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;
So let no one take pride in men. For all things are yours;
So don't boast about people. For you have everything,
Therefore let no man reioyce in men: for all things are yours.
So then, let no one glory in men, for all things are yours,
Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,
Therefore let no man glory in men: for all things are yours:
Let no man therefore glory in men.
So, stop boasting about how good one Christian leader is or how good another Christian leader is. All of us(exc) exist as leaders only to help you!
So don’t think that any human person is the important leader. You see, Jesus is your leader, and God gives you everything you need.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 3:21
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1 Corinthians 3:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 3:21
Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Corinthians 3:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
- Sermons on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Context — God’s Temple and God’s Wisdom
21Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours,
22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you, 23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 8:32 | He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? |
| 2 | Romans 8:28 | And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 9:23–24 | This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth— for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 4:6 | Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another. |
| 5 | Revelation 21:7 | The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. |
| 6 | Romans 4:13 | For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. |
| 7 | 1 Corinthians 3:4–7 | For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. |
| 8 | 2 Corinthians 4:5 | For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. |
| 9 | 1 Corinthians 1:12–17 | What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that I do not remember if I baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. |
| 10 | 2 Corinthians 4:15 | All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God. |
1 Corinthians 3:21 Summary
[This verse is telling us to stop putting our trust and confidence in human leaders or personalities, and instead to trust in God. This means recognizing that all things, including human leaders, belong to God and are under His sovereignty, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:21. We can trust in God's sovereignty and provision, rather than in human strength or wisdom, as stated in Psalm 37:3-7. By doing so, we can have access to all the resources and blessings of God, and live a life that brings glory to Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to boast in men?
Boasting in men means to put our trust or confidence in human leaders or personalities, rather than in God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:21. This is warned against in Jeremiah 17:5, which says that those who trust in man are cursed.
Is it wrong to appreciate or respect human leaders?
No, it's not wrong to appreciate or respect human leaders, but our ultimate trust and boasting should be in God, not in men, as stated in Psalm 20:7. We should recognize that all things, including human leaders, belong to God and are under His sovereignty.
What does it mean that 'all things are yours'?
This means that as believers, we have access to all the resources and blessings of God, and that we are heirs of God's kingdom, as seen in Romans 8:17. This includes the fact that all people, events, and circumstances are under God's control and are working together for our good, as stated in Romans 8:28.
How can I apply this verse to my life?
You can apply this verse by recognizing that your identity and security come from God, not from human leaders or relationships, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:21. This means trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, rather than in human strength or wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have been boasting in men or human leaders, rather than in God?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and provision in my life?
- What are some 'all things' that I can claim as mine in Christ, and how can I access them?
- How can I use my position as a child of God to bring glory to Him, rather than to human leaders or myself?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:21
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 3:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(1 Corinthians) Overview to Chapter 4 by Brian Brodersen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the larger argument and thought patterns in the Bible, rather than getting caught up in individual verses. He |
|
The Benefits of Calvary Everlasting Life by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of a man who was once involved in criminal activities and lived a life of immorality. However, this man experiences a transformation af |
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Church Live Re-Visited: Session Four - Part 2 by Ron Bailey | This sermon delves into the process of spiritual renewal and growth as outlined in Colossians and Ephesians, emphasizing the ongoing transformation of believers. It also discusses |
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Our Inheritance and Integrity by Robert B. Thompson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not boasting about men and instead focusing on the inheritance that believers have in Christ. He mentions various figures l |
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Heaven's Grand Repository by Ralph Erskine | Ralph Erskine emphasizes the profound love of the Father for the Son, as expressed in John 3:35, where all things are entrusted to Christ. He argues that understanding the Father's |
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The Revelation of the Mystery by Charles S. Price | Charles S. Price preaches about the unveiling and revelation of God's plan in the Last Days, where some are given the knowledge of the mystery of the Kingdom of God while others re |
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The Covenant of Abraham by John Piper | John Piper preaches about the Covenant of Abraham, emphasizing God's ownership of all things, His purpose to fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory, and the consequences of |







