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Observe here, 1. A word of caution: Let no man deceive himself. Self-deceit is the ground of all other deceit. Whatever deceit is abroad, it begins at home. A deceitful heart will not spare so much as itself, although the self-deceit be most unnatural and monstrous, most fatal and pernicious.
Observe, 2. A word of exhortation: If any man seem to be wise, let him become a fool, that he may be wise: that is, "If any man seem to be wise in the wisdom and learning of this world, let him embrace the doctrine of Christ, which the world calls foolishness, and so become a fool to them, that he may be wise according to the wisdom of God."
Learn hence, That all human and worldly wisdom cometh far short of, and is but a mere shadow and appearance, compared wiht the wisdom of God manifested in the gospel.
Observe, 3. A word of enforcement: For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 'Tis so in God's opinion and estimation; he accounts it so. If we compare wit with grace, learning with religion, a rational head with a gracious heart, the latter infinitely transcends the former in the account of God. All the admired wisdom of worldly men is nothing but contemptible folly in the esteem of God. The world's wise man is God's fool.
Observe, 4. A double testimony which the apostle produces out of the Old Testament to prove his assertion, that the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God: the first is He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. Job_5:13
Learn hence, That no wisdom or craftiness of man can stand before the wisdom and power of God.
The second testimony is The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vain. Psa_94:11 that is, the choicest and best thoughts of the wisest men are vain, yea, vanity.