1 Corinthians 10:15 Meaning: Judge What I Say
I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
as to wise men I speak--judge ye what I say:
I speak as to intelligent [persons]: do ye judge what I say.
Meaning in one sentence
Paul calls the Corinthians wise and urges them to judge his argument.
Context
In this chapter, Paul has been warning the Corinthians about the dangers of idolatry. He reminded them how Israel fell into sin in the wilderness and urged them to flee from anything that competes with God. Now, as he turns to a specific argument about sharing in the Lord’s table versus the table of demons, he makes an unusual appeal. He calls them “wise” and tells them to judge for themselves what he is saying. This is striking because earlier in the letter Paul had sharply criticized the Corinthian obsession with human wisdom. Yet here he does not dismiss their intelligence. He invites them to use it, properly, in submission to God’s truth.
Key Words
Two Greek words carry the weight of this verse. First, phronimos, translated “wise” here. This is not the word Paul used for the world’s wisdom that he critiqued in chapter 2 (sophia). Phronimos describes practical good sense, being sensible about one’s own interests. Paul acknowledges that the Corinthians have this capacity, and he appeals to it. Second, krinate, “judge”, comes from a verb meaning to separate or decide. The context here is not condemnation but careful examination. Paul is not demanding blind obedience. He is saying: “Take what I am saying, weigh it, and see for yourself that it is true.” Both words together show that Paul honors the believer’s mind, not as an independent authority, but as a gift to be used in discerning God’s will.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in different lights. Some, like Adam Clarke and the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, hear a hint of irony: the Corinthians prided themselves on wisdom, and Paul says, “Fine, if you are so wise, then judge what I say.” Others, like Albert Barnes and the Cambridge Bible, see genuine respect. Paul does not override their reason but invites its exercise. Calvin combined both: he saw Paul rousing them to deeper attention, while also tacitly reproving their failure to use the understanding they had. Across these views, the common thread is that Paul trusts believers, whether with irony or sincerity, to think carefully about his teaching and apply it faithfully.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Paul is being sarcastic and dismissive, as if he is saying, “Since you think you’re so smart, figure this out yourself.” But the tone is not harsh. Paul has already called them “my beloved” in verse 14. He is genuinely appealing to their capacity to understand. The irony, if present, is gentle and aimed at waking them up, not putting them down.
Living This Out
This week, you will face decisions that test your loyalty to Christ. Perhaps a social situation pulls you toward something you know is wrong. Instead of relying on gut feelings or peer pressure, Paul’s example invites you to stop and think. Use the mind God gave you. Weigh what you hear against Scripture. Ask yourself: Does this honor Christ? Paul trusts you to judge. That is a gift, and a responsibility. Do not use it to justify your own ideas, but to submit to the truth you already know.
Main takeaway: God honors your mind and invites you to use it, not in pride, but in humble examination of His truth.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul told the Corinthians, “You are smart. Now think about what I’m saying.” God wants you to use your brain to follow Him. When you don’t know what to do, stop and think about what is right.
For ages 9, 12
Paul called the Corinthians “wise” and said, “Judge what I say.” He wasn’t being mean. He was trusting them to think carefully about his argument. Sometimes we feel like we should just obey without thinking. But God gave you a mind so you can understand His ways. When you hear something about faith, don’t just accept it, test it with Scripture. That’s what wise people do.
Questions People Ask
Is Paul being sarcastic when he calls the Corinthians 'wise men'?
Some commentators, like Adam Clarke and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, detect a touch of irony, since the Corinthians boasted of their wisdom. But even so, Paul is not dismissing them. He genuinely wants them to use their understanding to grasp the truth. The tone is more like a challenge than a put-down.
Does this verse contradict Paul’s earlier critique of human wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1-2?
It may seem so, but the key is the word for 'wise' here (phronimos) is different from the 'wisdom' (sophia) Paul criticized. Phronimos means sensible, prudent, practical good sense. Paul is not endorsing worldly wisdom; he is appealing to their capacity to think clearly about a moral issue. It is consistent with his call to be 'mature in your thinking' (1 Cor 14:20).
What does Paul want the Corinthians to judge?
He wants them to examine the argument that follows, about the Lord’s Supper and its meaning. He argues that participating in the Lord’s table means sharing in Christ, just as eating pagan sacrifices shares in demons. Therefore, they must flee idolatry. He trusts them to see the logic for themselves.
What does the word 'judge' mean in this verse?
The Greek word is krinō, which means to separate, decide, or discern. It is not about condemning others. Paul is inviting them to weigh his words carefully and come to their own conclusion. This is similar to his command in 1 Corinthians 11:13 to 'judge for yourselves' about propriety in worship.
How should I apply this verse to my daily life?
When you hear teaching or face a moral decision, don’t just follow your feelings or traditions. Use your God-given mind to examine what is true. Read Scripture, think it through, and ask for the Spirit’s guidance. Paul trusts you to judge, so take that responsibility seriously, but always in humility before God.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study