1 Corinthians 1:21-25 (WEL) For since, in God’s wisdom, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God to save those who believe through the foolishness of what was preached. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, 23 But we preach Christ crucified. To the Jews [this is] a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 But to the called, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ is the power and wisdom of God, 25 Because God’s foolishness is wiser than human [wisdom], and God’s weakness is stronger than human [strength].
V21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God to save those who believe through the foolishness of what was preached.
Paul has already explained God’s wisdom vs human wisdom. God’s wisdom is perfect wisdom (facts + understanding + experience = wisdom), love, and holiness. It is God’s decision to make the Gospel to be foolish to Gentiles and a stumbling block to Jews. Pure human thinking, studying, and reason conclude that the “Gospel” is foolishness. Believing the prophets concerning Jesus the Messiah is a stumbling block to the Jews.
The Greek word for foolishness is G3474 μωρός mōró which means “dull, stupid [and here] absurd” (Strong’s). TWNTa has “(Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “The group expresses the world’s judgment on believers; the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are lost (1 Cor. 1:18, 23; 2:14). The philosophers at Athens mock Paul (Acts 17:32), Gallio regards the disputes at Corinth as mōrología (18:15), and Festus thinks Paul is out of his mind (26:24). Even to speak about a crucified man is a breach of etiquette in Hellenistic eyes. But in his saving work, God has reversed the situation. Ignoring the world’s assessment, he has made its wisdom the real folly (1 Cor. 3:19). Paul accepts the fact that from the human standpoint, his message and preaching are foolishness. God does not need human wisdom, for his foolishness is wiser than the world’s wisdom (1:25). In their presentation of the gospel, then, Christians must be ready to be fools for Christ’s sake (4:10). On the basis of the divine work of salvation, a radical break with human culture is thus made. The world has no true understanding of either wisdom or folly, just as it has no true understanding of either strength or weakness. Like strength, wisdom is a gift of God that is manifested precisely in what seems to be foolishness to human eyes. [G. BERTRAM, IV, 832-47]”
ISBE has this note: mōros, “dull,” “stupid” (Mat 7:26; Mat 23:17; Mat 25:2; 1Co 1:25, 1Co 1:27); mōrı́a, “foolishness” (1Co 1:18, etc.); mōrologı́a, “foolish talk” (Eph 5:4).
Fool and foolishness thoughts of others:
Bridge Bible Dictionary: “The writers apply it to those who rely entirely on their own understanding and ability instead of relying on God.”
V22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom…
There are well over 100 Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. If they had believed the prophets and interpreted the prophecies in their plain, normal sense instead of rejecting them from their stubborn hearts, things might have been different.
Here is a list of the top 40 prophecies: https://jewsforjesus.org/learn/top-40-most-helpful-messianic-prophecies
Greeks needed logic and reason, which is why most rejected Paul’s message in Athens. See Acts 17.
V23 …But we preach Christ crucified. To the Jews [this is] a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness…
Regardless of what humans think, we will preach the Gospel and the cross of Jesus.
Summarized Bible: “The plain preaching of a crucified Jesus is more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of an unbelieving world. All the boasted science of the world cannot do for souls what “Christ crucified” does. All one needs, or can desire, they may have in Him (1Co 1:30-31). He is made wisdom to the foolish, righteousness to the guilty, sanctification to the corrupt, and redemption to those who are in bonds.”
This is what we must emphasize today.
V24 …But to the called, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ is the power and wisdom of God…
Those who seek the Gospel logically and reasonably see Messiah as the power (ability and able to do miracles) and God’s wisdom. God’s wisdom is omnisapience, that is, the greatest possible wisdom.
V25 …Because God’s foolishness is wiser than human [wisdom], and God’s weakness is stronger than human [strength].
Paul reasons rightly that any foolishness that might be brought against God would still be wiser than any human ever was, is, will, or possibly be. God’s weakness is stronger than any human or angel.
Comment from (Holman Commentary) “Paul closed this paragraph by explaining how a person could accept the way of salvation in Christ as wise when most people considered it foolish. Believers have come to recognize something about the gospel of the crucified Christ: it is wiser than man’s wisdom. In other words, the message of Christ peers into reality in ways that far exceed any human wisdom.
Moreover, the gospel is stronger than man’s strength. People cannot rescue themselves from bondage to sin or its punishment by their own power. Human wisdom is unable to conquer “the wages of sin” (Rom. 6:23), that is, death. Even so, the good news of Christ rescues and delivers. It overcomes even death (2 Tim. 1:10). Those who believe the gospel know the reality of its wisdom and power. For this reason, they exalt nothing above Christ and his saving work.”
We learn:
- Some character traits about God.
- The all-surpassing greatness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Questions:
- What do you think about the Gospel?
- Have you believed the Gospel?