The Wisdom of God

1 Corinthians 1:18–31 NLT

18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” 20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

INTRODUCTION:

I- GOD’S FOOLISHNESS HAS CIRCUMVENTED THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD. (1 Corinthians 1:18-20).

1 Corinthians 1:18–20 NLT

18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” 20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.

A- The message the world counts as foolish is the very power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT

18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

(18 Ὁ λόγος γὰρ ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῖς μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία ἐστίν, τοῖς δὲ σῳζομένοις ἡμῖν δύναμις θεοῦ ἐστιν.)

1- The message of the cross (Ὁ λόγος γὰρ ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ) is not popular with the world.

a- The world cannot understand the proclamation of the cross - How can it be relevant to contemporary people.

1- σταυροῦ= “a pole stuck into the ground in an upright position with a crosspiece attached to its upper part so that it was shaped like a or like a—‘cross.’ εἱστήκεισαν δὲ παρὰ τῷ σταυρῷ ‘they stood near the cross’ Jn 19:25. In Mt 27:32 (τοῦτον ἠγγάρευσαν ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ ‘they forced him to carry Jesus’ cross’)

Because of the symbolism associated with the cross, translations of the NT in all languages preserve some expression which will identify the cross, not only as a means of capital punishment, but as having a particular form, namely, an upright pole with a crossbeam. Cannot refer to just an upright “stake.”

2- The message of a crucified savior is absolute foolishness to those who are lost.

a- τοῖς μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία

ἀπολλυμένοις= to be lost, in the religious or spiritual sense—‘to be lost, to perish.’

μωρία= foolishness, nonsense, what is thought to be foolish.

b- Example of the reaction of the Athenians (Acts 17:32) “...some laughed in contempt”

3- Those of us who believe know that the message of the cross is the power of God for salvation! (1 Corinthians 1:18b)

1 Corinthians 1:18b NLT

18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

a- Note What Paul States in Romans 1:16!

Romans 1:16 NLT

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

B- God has discarded that which the world counts as intelligent and wise. (1 Corinthians 1:19)

1 Corinthians 1:19 NLT

19 As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

(19 γέγραπται γάρ· Ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν, καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν ἀθετήσω.)

1- Worldly wisdom dictates that salvation can only come through human effort.

a- Check out the other world religions:

Judaism - keeping the law

Islam - Religious practices, such as ritual prayers, reciting Koranic passages, obeying laws, carrying out jihad.

Eastern religions such as Hinduism: performance of duty, meditation, achieving enlightenment.

Cult Groups (such as Mormans and Jehovahs Witnesses, etc.): performance of religious works, participate in rituals

2- The intelligence of men dictates the acceptance of special knowledge.

a- even then, no real salvation is applicable.

b- Atheism and agnosticism is the way they go.

3- God casts aside (ἀθετήσω) and destroys (Ἀπολῶ) worldly wisdom and empty intellectualism.

C- God has made the wisdom of the world to look foolish. (1 Corinthians 1:20)

1 Corinthians 1:20 NLT

20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.

(20 ποῦ σοφός; ποῦ γραμματεύς; ποῦ συζητητὴς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου; οὐχὶ ἐμώρανεν ὁ θεὸς τὴν σοφίαν τοῦ κόσμου;)

1- God’s wisdom displays the world’s wisdom as utter foolishness (ἐμώρανεν )

(Romans 1:18-23)

Romans 1:18–23 NLT

18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

II- GOD’S PLAN REJECTS HUMAN WISDOM. (1 Corinthians 1:21-25)

1 Corinthians 1:21–25 NLT

21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

A- God, in His wisdom saw the utter futility of letting human wisdom come up with salvation’s plan. (1 Corinthians 1:21-23)

1 Corinthians 1:21–23 NLT

21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

(21 ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ κόσμος διὰ τῆς σοφίας τὸν θεόν, εὐδόκησεν ὁ θεὸς διὰ τῆς μωρίας τοῦ κηρύγματος σῶσαι τοὺς πιστεύοντας.

22 ἐπειδὴ καὶ Ἰουδαῖοι σημεῖα αἰτοῦσιν καὶ Ἕλληνες σοφίαν ζητοῦσιν·

23 ἡμεῖς δὲ κηρύσσομεν Χριστὸν ἐσταυρωμένον, Ἰουδαίοις μὲν σκάνδαλον ἔθνεσιν δὲ μωρίαν,)

1- God, in His wisdom, saw that people could never come to know Him through their own wisdom.

a- How could man ever do enough good works to offset their sins?

(note what the scriptures say about people: Luke 18:19.

Luke 18:19 NLT

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.

(Galatians 3:10)

Galatians 3:10 NLT

10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”

b- How could man ever meditate enough to gain enlightenment of eternal things?

c- How could man ever study enough to gain enough knowledge about God to understand Him?Even if we could know all about God, that is not enough. (John 17:3)

John 17:3 NLT

3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

d- How could man ever fulfill his duty well enough to gain God’s favor?

2- Both Jews and Gentiles look in the wrong place for salvation. (1 Corinthians 1:22)

1 Corinthians 1:22 NLT

22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.

a- The Jews want a sign and Greeks want human wisdom.

3- The message ordained by God is offensive to both Jews and Gentiles. (1 Corinthians 1:23)

1 Corinthians 1:23 NLT

23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

B- God chose to ordain a plan that surpasses human wisdom and provides the power to transform lives. (1 Corinthians 1:21b, 24-25)

1 Corinthians 1:21b (NLT)

21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 1:24–25 NLT

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

21 ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ κόσμος διὰ τῆς σοφίας τὸν θεόν, εὐδόκησεν ὁ θεὸς διὰ τῆς μωρίας τοῦ κηρύγματος σῶσαι τοὺς πιστεύοντας.

(24 αὐτοῖς δὲ τοῖς κλητοῖς, Ἰουδαίοις τε καὶ Ἕλλησιν, Χριστὸν θεοῦ δύναμιν καὶ θεοῦ σοφίαν.

25 ὅτι τὸ μωρὸν τοῦ θεοῦ σοφώτερον τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐστίν, καὶ τὸ ἀσθενὲς τοῦ θεοῦ ἰσχυρότερον τῶν ἀνθρώπων.)

1- God uses the “foolish preaching” of the cross of Christ to save souls and transform lives.

2- The “foolish plan” of God to save souls is wiser than the wisest of human plans.

a- Fact: Man (in his wisdom) can define all of the problems and failures of the human heart and mind, but cannot save a soul or transform a life for the good.

Sociology & Psychology define the problems, but do not provide the solutions.

b- God’s “foolish plan” radically transforms lives and saves souls!

3- God’s “weakness” (as displayed on the cross) is stronger than the strongest strength of human kind.

a- The idea of a crucified savior appears to the world as weak.

b- It was through the crucifixion that the Kingdom of God was born.

III- GOD CHOOSES TO USE THOSE WHOM WORLDLY WISDOM REJECTS. (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 NLT

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

A- God uses for His glory the people that the world rejects. (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)

1 Corinthians 1:26–28 NLT

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

(26 Βλέπετε γὰρ τὴν κλῆσιν ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί, ὅτι οὐ πολλοὶ σοφοὶ κατὰ σάρκα, οὐ πολλοὶ δυνατοί, οὐ πολλοὶ εὐγενεῖς·

27 ἀλλὰ τὰ μωρὰ τοῦ κόσμου ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεός, ἵνα καταισχύνῃ τοὺς σοφούς, καὶ τὰ ἀσθενῆ τοῦ κόσμου ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεός, ἵνα καταισχύνῃ τὰ ἰσχυρά,

28 καὶ τὰ ἀγενῆ τοῦ κόσμου καὶ τὰ ἐξουθενημένα ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεός, τὰ μὴ ὄντα, ἵνα τὰ ὄντα καταργήσῃ,

1- God does not look for and call out those who are praiseworthy, strong or intelligent and wise to follow Jesus.

2- God chooses those of us who weak, powerless and foolish to use in overcoming the rich, strong and powerful of the world.

3- God uses us to demonstrate the worthlessness of the world’s priorities.

a. All that the world counts as powerful and valuable will be destroyed by this crucified savior.

(2 Peter 3:10-13)

2 Peter 3:10–13 NLT

10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

B- God, through Christ, has done for us what human wisdom could never do. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT

30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

(30 ἐξ αὐτοῦ δὲ ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ὃς ἐγενήθη σοφία ἡμῖν ἀπὸ θεοῦ, δικαιοσύνη τε καὶ ἁγιασμὸς καὶ ἀπολύτρωσις,)

1- Christ made us pure, holy, and free.

(John 8:36)

John 8:36 NLT

36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

2- Christ united what sin divides.

(Romans 12:13)

Romans 12:13 NLT

13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

(Ephesians 2:15-16)

Ephesians 2:15–16 NLT

15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

3- Jesus can do this because He IS widom!

C- The believer has no reason to boast other than in Christ! (1 Corinthians 1:29, 31)

1 Corinthians 1:29 NLT

29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:31 NLT

31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

(29 ὅπως μὴ καυχήσηται πᾶσα σὰρξ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.)

(31 ἵνα καθὼς γέγραπται· Ὁ καυχώμενος ἐν κυρίῳ καυχάσθω.)

1- The believer has no right to boast in self.

2- We are to boast in Christ and what He has done for us!

CONCLUSION: