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1 Corinthians 4:10
Weare fools for Christ's sake, but yeare wise in Christ; weare weak, but yeare strong; yeare honourable, but weare despised.

1 Corinthians 8:1
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

1 Corinthians 10:15
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

since you are so wise
Paul's sarcasm highlights the Corinthians' misplaced confidence in their own wisdom. This reflects the broader biblical theme of true wisdom coming from God (Proverbs 9:10) and contrasts with worldly wisdom, which Paul critiques earlier in1 Corinthians 1:18-25. The Corinthians' self-perception as wise is challenged by their failure to recognize the foolishness of the false apostles, drawing a parallel to the Pharisees' spiritual blindness in the Gospels (John 9:39-41).

Paul opens with a surprising word—“gladly.” The believers in Corinth were not dragged into tolerating error; they did it with enthusiasm. Earlier he had written, “I fear that, just as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be led astray” (2 Corinthians 11:3). Their eagerness revealed hearts that were already leaning toward compromise rather than standing firm in the simplicity of devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4).

“To put up with” signals active allowance. They were giving room at their own table to teachings and teachers that diluted the true gospel. Paul had warned elsewhere, “A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough” (Galatians 5:9). Instead of testing every spirit (1 John 4:1), they opened the door wide. Compare this with Jesus’ commendation of the Ephesian church, which “cannot tolerate evil men” (Revelation 2:2). Tolerance of error is never a virtue when truth is at stake.

Here Paul employs irony. The “fools” are the self-proclaimed “super-apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5) whose boasting and bondage-producing leadership Paul exposes in verses 20–21. Scripture labels those who deny or distort God’s truth as fools (Proverbs 1:7;Romans 1:22). By entertaining such voices, the Corinthians placed themselves in the company of folly rather than wisdom.

The sting is deliberate. They prided themselves on spiritual insight, much like their earlier boast, “We are already kings” (1 Corinthians 4:8). Paul’s sarcasm unmasks their self-confidence. True wisdom begins with fearing the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) and treasures “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). By boasting in human leaders they revealed how far they had drifted from genuine discernment (2 Corinthians 10:12).

2 Corinthians 11:19 is Paul’s loving yet sharp rebuke. The Corinthians eagerly tolerated false teachers, embracing folly while congratulating themselves on being wise. Genuine wisdom does not sentimentalize error; it clings to the pure gospel, tests every voice by Scripture, and refuses fellowship with teachings that diminish Christ’s finished work.