2. [vs. 19]. This verse says “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. ” The word “prudent” means “wise in forethought” and basically means the same thing as “wise. ” Here, Paul refers to Scripture to show how the cross triumphs over human “wisdom. ” He quoted from Isaiah 29. 14. “for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. ” In that passage of scripture, God condemned the Israelites for relying on human “wisdom. ” Just like the Israelites in Isaiah’s day who refused to obey the LORD and admit that they needed forgiveness [see Isaiah 29. 13, 15-16], Paul was concerned that the pride of the Corinthians had caused them to forget “the wisdom” of the cross. In Paul’s day many Jews refused to believer Jesus was the Messiah because He did not live up to their expectations of a powerful leader who would destroy the Roman Empire.
B. God’s wisdom [I Corinthians 1. 20-25]
1. [vs. 20]. This verse says “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” To support his argument that God’s “wisdom” far exceeds worldly “wisdom,” here Paul posed some questions to his readers. First he asked “Where is the wise?” or “where is the philosopher?” Second he asked, “where is the scribe?” or “where is the teacher of the law?” Then he asked “where is the disputer of this world?” or “where is the one in this world who is skilled in making clever arguments?” In essence, Paul was saying “ So what does this say about the philosopher, the law expert, or anyone in this world who is skilled in making clever arguments? God has made the wisdom of the world look foolish. ” All the valued learning of this world was confounded and baffled by the Christian revelation and the glorious triumph of the cross. The “wisdom” of the philosophers “the wise,” and the Jewish rabbis and doctors “the scribes,” the curious searchers into the secrets of nature, “the disputer of this world,” were all “made foolish” by “God” and the preaching of the cross
2. [vs. 21]. This verse says “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. ” A clearer translation of this verse would be “This is what God in His wisdom decided. Since the world did not find Him through its own wisdom, He used the message of the cross that sounds foolish to save those who believe it. ” God’s plan of salvation was out of the reach of the smartest statesmen and philosophers, as well as the greatest pretenders to learning both among the Jews and Greeks. When “God” determined “to save” the world [see John 3. 16], He did it Himself and for good reason. “the world by wisdom knew not God. ” All the boasted science of the heathen “world” did not and could not, effectually bring the “world” to “God. ” In spite of all their “wisdom,” ignorance still prevailed and iniquity still abounded. Men were puffed up with pride by their imaginary knowledge, which pushed them further away from “God. ” As a result, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. ” The message that the apostles preached was “foolishness” in the eyes of worldly-wise men. The truths about our living through one who died [see Galatians 2. 20], our being blessed by one who was made a curse [see Galatians 3. 13], our being justified [see Romans 3. 24; 5. 9; 8. 30; I Corinthians 6. 11] by ne who was himself condemned [see Matthew 12. 7; Luke 24. 20], was all ridiculous to men who were blinded by their own prejudices and pride in their own reasoning and philosophy.
3. [vs. 22]. This verse says “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. ” As hard as it may be to believe, Paul said that Jesus’ own people “the Jews require a sign” [see Matthew 12. 38; Mark 8. 11; John 6. 30] to prove that He was their Messiah. The truth is that Jesus gave them many “signs” in the form of miracles, but nothing He did was enough to convince them. Where “the Jews” sought “signs” from Jesus to prove who He was, Paul said that “the Greeks seek after wisdom. ” To “the Greeks,” Jesus was foolishness. They laughed at the story of a crucified Saviour, and despised the way the apostles told it. They sought “wisdom” but not true “wisdom” which is found only in Jesus Christ. Note. “The Greeks” were readers, men who had cultivated arts and sciences, and for many centuries, they had been idolized for their knowledge and learning. There was nothing in the plain doctrine of the cross that suited them, so they viewed it with scorn and contempt. To “the Greeks” it was ridiculous to hope to be saved by someone who could not save Himself [see Matthew 27. 40, 42; Mark 15. 31; Luke 23. 37, 39]. Their worldly “wisdom” would not let them trust in someone who was condemned and crucified as a malefactor or criminal [see Luke 23. 32-33; John 18. 30], a man who was born into a poor condition in life, and cut off by such a vile death. This was what the pride of human reason and learning could not accept. The Greeks considered it stupidity to accept such a doctrine, and pay such high regard to such a person as Jesus of Nazareth [see John 1. 46]. As a result, God, in His “wisdom” justly left them to perish in their own pride and stubbornness.
4. [vs. 23]. This verse says “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. ” Regardless of what “the Jews” and “the Greeks” thought about the gospel message [see I Corinthians 15. 1-4], Paul boldly declared “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. ” Since the message of “Christ crucified” was “unto the Jews a stumblingblock,” they could not get over it. They saw the cross as a means of torture and death, but God used it as a means of salvation and deliverance from sin. “The Jews” had expected their Messiah to be a great deliverer and earthly king, and therefore they would never own anyone who lived in poverty and died such an accursed death [see Galatians 3. 13]. “The Jews” despised him [see Isaiah 37. 22; Isaiah 53. 3] because He was hanged on a tree, and because he didn’t satisfy them with a sign, although His divine power was seen in innumerable miracles. While the preaching of “Christ crucified” was a “stumblingblock unto the Jews,” to “the Greeks” it was “foolishness. ” They in their own wisdom didn’t understand the gospel message and they really didn’t want to—much like many people today. Paul’s point was that whether or not unsaved “Jews” or “Greeks” received the message of “Christ crucified,” he and other believers were committed to preaching that message. The truth is always the truth.
5. [vs. 24]. This verse says “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ” Having revealed what effect the preaching of the cross had on unsaved “Jews and Greeks” [see verse 23], Paul now addresses how it affected the saved. He said “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ” To those who are “called” or chosen to be saved by accepting God’s gift, Jesus “Christ” is “the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ” To be “called” simply means accepting God’s offer of salvation by putting one’s trust in Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour. Those who are “called” and sanctified, have received the gospel and are enlightened by the Spirit of God and understand more about His glorious “wisdom” and “power” in the doctrine of “Christ crucified” [see verse 23] than in all of God’s other works. The truth of the matter is that we who are “called,” or saved, and sanctified as all believers are, share in God’s “power” and His “wisdom” because we have Jesus Christ who is both “the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ”
6. [vs. 25]. This verse says “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. ” Here Paul gives a reason why it is best to have God’s wisdom and power than man’s wisdom and power. He said “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. ” For sure there is no “foolishness” or “weakness” in God. He is omniscient [all knowing] and omnipotent [all powerful]. Paul was simple making the point that even if “God’s” ways could be seen as “foolishness” and “weakness” [which in itself is ridiculous], He would still be “wiser” and “stronger” than any man. Note. T he way the gospel was preached as well as those who preached it was “foolishness” to unbelievers too. God did not choose any famous men of wisdom or eloquence to plant the church or spread the gospel. Only a few fishermen were called and sent out on this mission [see Matthew 4. 18-20]. They were commissioned to make disciples in every nation [see Matthew 28. 19-20]. They were chosen to take the treasure of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ crucified to the world. At first look, there was nothing about those men that stood out enough to indicate that they came from God. Those who were proud of their learning and wisdom despised their message and yet that message which worldly wisdom considered to be “the foolishness of God is wiser than men. ”
IV. CONSIDER YOUR CALLING [I Corinthians 1. 26-31]
A. Calling the ordinary [I Corinthians 1. 26]. This verse says “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ” In verse 25, Paul wrote that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. ” If the Corinthian believers didn’t understand what Paul meant by God’s weakness being stronger than men, he made his message personal for the Corinthians saying “For ye see your calling, brethren. ” The term “brethren” includes both brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul knew that the Corinthians would understand what he meant concerning foolishness and wisdom [see verses 23-24], if they would simply look at their own “calling” or who God had chosen for salvation and Himself in Corinth. If they would look at their own “calling” or selection by God [see Ephesians 4. 1; I Thessalonians 2. 12], they would see that “not many wise men after the flesh…are called. ” The words “after the flesh,” mean “according to human standards. ” Paul was saying that if the Corinthians looked at themselves and their fellow believers, they would see that God did not call or choose His servants based on human standards like we do [see I Samuel 16. 7]. Then he continued to list the human standards, the things that we would normally use to choose people. Paul said “not many wise” men as the world judges wisdom, are “called” or chosen. Neither are “many mighty” people chosen. The word “mighty” here can mean powerful or influential. Lastly, Paul adds that “not many noble, are called. ” The word “noble” here refers to important families. Simply put, Paul said to the Corinthian believers “Brothers and sisters, God chose you to be his. Think about that. Not many of you were wise in the way the world judges wisdom. Not many of you had great influence, and not many of you came from important families. ” Note. The way the gospel was preached as well as those who preached it was “foolishness” to unbelievers too. God did not choose any famous men of wisdom or eloquence to plant the church or spread the gospel. Only a few fishermen were called and sent out on this mission [see Matthew 4. 18-20]. They were commissioned to make disciples in every nation [see Matthew 28. 19-20]. They were chosen to take the treasure of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ crucified to the world. At first look, there was nothing about those men that stood out enough to indicate that they came from God. Those who were proud of their learning and wisdom despised their message and yet that message which worldly wisdom considered to be “the foolishness of God is wiser than men. ”
B. Confounding the wise [I Corinthians 1. 27-29].
1. [vs. 27]. This verse says, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. ” In the previous verse Paul implied that God didn’t start the Corinthian church with leaders or even members who were well educated, or had great social influence, or even had distinguished families. Then, here Paul describes what kind of people God chooses in contrast to the kind humans would chose. First, Paul said “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. ” The truth is, God chooses people we wouldn’t. Instead of choosing “wise” people as “the world” sees wisdom [see Proverbs 23. 4], God chooses “foolish things of the world to confound” or confuse those whom “the world” considers to be “wise. ” Second, Paul said “and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound” or confuse “the things which are mighty” or strong. Those who are “wise” or “mighty” are “confounded” or confused in order to reveal their ignorance. They can’t understand why God would choose to use the “foolish” or the “weak” instead of the “wise” and “mighty” for His purposes. This just doesn’t make sense to those who have worldly wisdom and power; but Paul would make this make sense later as we shall see in verse 29.
2. [vs. 28]. This verse says, “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. ” Here Paul continues to identify what God chooses in contrast to what man chooses. He said “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen. ” “Base things” refer to those things and people which men hold in the lowest esteem. The “things which are despised” refer to people and things that people have the utmost contempt for. In addition, Paul said God has also “chosen…things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. ” In other words, God chose things and people that the world considers to be nothing, so that He might reduce to nothing or abolish the things that the world held in high esteem.
3. [vs. 29]. This verse says, “That no flesh should glory in his presence. ” Now Paul makes sense out of what he has said by giving the reason why God chooses things and people for Himself that we wouldn’t. God does it so “That no flesh should glory in his presence. ” Pride is a terrible thing [see Proverbs 11. 2; 13. 10; 16. 18] and is one of the three ways that people sin [see I John 2. 16]. When men and women are lifted up in pride, they believe that whatever they have accomplished, they did it by themselves. All of the worldly things that Paul listed in this text are closely related to pride. God knew that if He chose the “wise,” the “mighty” and the “noble” [see verse 26] for His purposes, because of pride they would claim the “glory” and the praise for themselves. But to keep that from happening, God chooses people and things for His purposes so “That no flesh should glory in his presence” and that there will be no opportunity for boasting. This is what Paul meant when he said “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast” [see Ephesians 2. 8-9].
C. Confirmed to be in Christ [I Corinthians 1. 30-31].
1. [vs. 30]. This verse says “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. ” The pronoun “him” here refers to “God” the Father. Paul was telling the Corinthian believers [and us] that it was because of “God” that “ye” or they are “in Christ Jesus. ” Not only that, but “God” has also made Jesus Christ “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” to all believers. Because of “God” the Father, “Jesus Christ” is all we need, or should want. People were foolish, ignorant and blind in the things of God, with all their boasted knowledge; but “God” has made Jesus “wisdom to us” [see Proverbs 2. 6-7; 4. 11]. We were guilty as sinners, but God has made Jesus “righteousness to us. ” He is our great atonement and sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, since Jesus is our “righteousness,” we are found not guilty of our sins [see Romans 3. 21-24; 8. 1]. Before we were saved, we were depraved, corrupt and unholy, but “God” made Jesus “sanctification to us,” by the Holy Spirit [see II Thessalonians 2. 13], for we have been sanctified or made holy unto the LORD [see I Peter 2. 5]. We were in bonds to sin, and God made Jesus “redemption to us,” when He bought us back from sin [see I Corinthians 6. 20; 7. 23; I Peter 1. 18-19] to become our Saviour and Deliverer
2. [vs. 31]. Our final verse says “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the LORD. ” The word “glorieth” means “to boast. ” With these words, Paul was not trying to belittle the believers in Corinth. He was simply telling them that they had no reason to boast before God. When Paul said “according as it is written,” he was referring to Jeremiah 9. 24 which he paraphrased to show that God’s redemptive plan is designed to remove all human boasting and pride and to maximize His own “glory” because salvation comes from God. It is the will of God that all our glorying should be “in the LORD,” and our salvation should only be through Jesus Christ. Man is humbled, and God is glorified and exalted by the whole plan of salvation. Regardless of what we may accomplish, it is God who works in us to do what pleases Him [see Philippians 2. 13]. Therefore, He must receive all the glory [see I Corinthians 10. 31].
V. Conclusion. In this week’s lesson, Paul revealed that there is a great difference between the saving wisdom found in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the earthly knowledge that the world values. Material success and earthly desires are the focus of the worldly which tends to cause pride, arrogance, and rivalries. On the other hand, the gospel of Jesus Christ focuses on spiritual and godly desires, particularly the salvation of sinners and serving others.