The Blog

In verse eighteen, Paul explains how the message of the cross will be offensive to some and full of hope for others. In verse nineteen, Paul refers to Isaiah 29:14 to emphasize a point Christ made. God’s way of thinking or processing information is not like normal human wisdom. We can spend a lifetime accumulating human wisdom and yet never learn the most critical aspect of eternal life. In verse twenty-two, Paul talks about the Jews requiring signs for their belief, and Gentiles requiring wisdom. Many Jews considered the gospel to be foolish because they already had this presupposition of the Messiah being a conquering king accompanied with signs and miracles. The Gentiles too did not believe in the gospel because of their disbelief of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The gospel is still seen as absurd to many in this world. This looks foolish to the world, but Christ is our power. Knowing Christ personally will always be the greatest wisdom anyone could have.

1 Corinthians 1:18-24
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.”[a]
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. 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.