1 Corinthians 3:21

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's (KJV)

Then: Just when the Corinthians think they've got it figured out, Paul adds a zinger. Paul wants change. Now! Put the Lord first. Praise him. The glory doesn't belong to individuals or earthly leaders. But "all things are yours?" How does that fit as a reason for not glorying in men? The Corinthians know that all things are not theirs. The ships in the port of Kenchreai, fields near Corinth, merchandise in the downtown stoas (stores) don't belong to them. Paul has something else in mind.

Actually, the Corinthians recognized the phrase as a popular saying about the worldly wise (Hays, p. 60). Understood philosophically, those like Cicero and Seneca said that the wise owned all things. Paul just told the believers that they posessed all things. This put them individually above their own wise leaders (Paul, Apollos, etc.).

Now: Like the Corinthians we throw out earthly possessions as a meaning for "all things." A popular half-serious joke today is that if God owns the cattle on a thousand hills you can pray and ask him to sell one and help you with your problems. We too get it that Paul' s meaning is spiritual.