18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Paul continues from the previous passage in regards to division in the church and speaking from the power of the Holy Spirit compared to speaking with worldly wisdom.
In verse 18 and 19 Paul describes the gospel message that Jesus died on the cross as being considered as foolish to people who don’t believe because in worldly wisdom it is incompressible. However to those who believe in the gospel they know of its power because they understand the gospel through spiritual eyes, being moved by the Spirit of God.
God proclaims verse 19 as what it will be like for those who try to comprehend the gospel through worldly understanding. That those who consider themselves wise and intelligent will be frustrated in their understanding.
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Paul poses several rhetorical questions describing what God thinks about worldly wisdom. That by proclaiming the truth about Jesus through a message that worldly wisdom would see as a foolish message, he has thus basically proven worldly wisdom to be foolish. Yet to those who believe what is considered foolish by the world is the truth that sets them free.
22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Paul compares the two types of communities in existence around that time, mainly those who are Jewish and the Gentiles (non-Jews).
If the gospel is preached to the non-believing Jews it is a stumbling block to them according to their worldly wisdom. The fact that they always demanded a sign to prove what was being said was a sign in itself that they only believed if they saw miracles. Therefore the fact that Jesus was crucified on a cross was to the non-believing Jew not so much of a sign, a miracle, or great wonder that they could marvel and wow at. This is why it was a stumbling block to them.
John 4:48 “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
If the gospel is preached to the non-believing Gentiles it is foolishness to them according to their worldly wisdom. The Greeks who were much of the Gentile population in Corinth, had established a worldly wisdom built on such things as philosophy, and human reasoning. To them the fact that Jesus died on a cross to save them from sin was not something that they could reason out or philosophise with beautiful language. It was the complete opposite.
However if the Jew or Gentile was a believer, to them the gospel message was powerful and wiser than human wisdom could ever comprehend. Because to them, they were given the knowledge and understanding from God, moved by the Spirit of God, and seeing the gospel of Christ’s crucifixion for what it really was.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Paul enlightens the readers on the fact that when they became believers in Christ majority of them weren’t considered to be wise according to the worlds standard of what wisdom should be. Most of them were in fact simple men and women, yet God chose them to be great amongst them to shame the wisdom of the world. And Paul gives us the reason for this, so that no one can boast about themselves before God, but rather that they may boast about Jesus for what he has done for them and through them.
This entire passage ties in with the previous passage where Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:17 “17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” He is trying to prove his point to the Corinthians that he himself is not the reason for their being, or should he be any reason for them to cause divisions in the church, because it is through God’s wisdom overall that the message is being preached, not his doing, but God’s will.
Filed under: 1 Corinthians, Apostle Paul, Bible study, Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom, Christianity, corinthians, division, God, Jesus, New Testament, Scripture, wisdom
Good post! I just found your site from the main page and decided to stop by.
I think that last passage is, indeed, the sum of it- the gospel is not preached with eloquence or mere human wisdom. By the power of the Holy Spirit the gospel is preached.
thanks David
true that!