"Wisdom War"

Words of Wisdom

Paul elaborates on (v. 17) what they should be focused on…what they should be guided by...

Notice two categories of people, wisdom, and response...

What are the two categories of people? (vv. 18-19)

Stated (v. 18)

Those who are perishing

Unbelievers - the course they are on, their current trajectory

Word of the cross - “what we preach” (v. 21), “Christ crucified” (v. 23), “Christ” (v. 24)

Folly - foolishness, opposite of wisdom, not to be believed/trusted/followed

Those who are being saved

Believers - already saved, but not yet saved - secured, but not completed

Word of cross - “what we preach” (v. 21), “Christ crucified” (v. 23), “Christ” (v. 24)

Power - might/strength/force/ability/what God uses

Supported (v. 19; Isaiah 29:14 “therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.””)

“Wisdom” - life-skill, so called/believed

“Discernment” - understanding

“Destroy” - perish, do away with

“Thwart” - set aside, nullify, neutralize, take away

What are the two categories of wisdom? (vv. 20-21)

Wisdom of the world (v. 20)

Wise (in your eyes), scribe (learned teacher), debater (able disputer) of this age (here and now)

Those respected for what they communicate - their philosophies.

Wisdom of God (v. 21)

God cannot be known by what the world can come up with, but only by the revelation of God.

This is all in accord with God’s wisdom…this IS God’s wisdom.

What God considers wisdom, they consider foolishness; and what they consider foolishness, God considers wisdom.

These conflicting standards of wisdom are direct opposites, and what hangs in the balance is Paul’s preaching.

What are the two categories of response? (vv. 22-25)

Reject (vv. 22-23)

Two main “religions” of unbelievers - Jews and Greeks - both rejecting Christ for their own reasons.

The Jews wanted powerful proofs (Matt. 12:38–39; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; John 6:30).

The Gentiles wanted their own brand of wisdom - reason, philosophy, what made sense to them.

So they reject what is contrary to that - Christ crucified.

Somewhat different in what they accept, but the same in what they reject.

Accept (vv. 24-25)

One group from two.

Acceptance of Christ - Who He truly is and what He has truly done

Recognized as God’s power (v. 18, might/strength/force/ability/what God uses).

Recognized/acknowledged as God’s wisdom (to be believed/trusted/followed).

Gospel Wisdom

The Gospel of Christ is the core or foundation of all true wisdom. It cannot be separated from wisdom. It is essential to all wisdom. There is no understanding of true wisdom apart from the Gospel of Christ. It is the key ingredient to life, therefore it is the key ingredient in living life - wisdom is life skill.

Believers have accepted this, but they must still continue to prioritize this - Gospel centered wisdom.

It is a gift, just like our salvation.

Benediction: 2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8