I Corinthians 1.18

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Let’s continue with 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 which is one of the richest sections in the whole letter. Here Paul contrasts God’s wisdom which was revealed in the cross with human wisdom, especially as prized by the Greek culture of Corinth. Let’s jump right in.

Would someone read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 out loud please?

1 Corinthians 1:18–31 ESV

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Verse 18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

To the unbelieving world, the idea of a crucified Messiah seems absurd. It showed weakness and defeat. But for believers, that same message is God’s saving power. The cross divides humanity into two groups: those perishing and those being saved.

Why might Paul say the cross is “foolishness” to some but “power” to others? Because people’s response depends on spiritual perception. The world sees humiliation; believers see redemption. The same message produces opposite reactions depending on the heart’s condition. It is a heart versus head issue.

Verse 19

For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Paul quotes Isaiah to show that God’s plan always overturns human arrogance. Human wisdom cannot bring salvation or comprehend God’s methods. (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.”)

What “wisdom” does God destroy here? Worldly, self-sufficient reasoning. This is the idea that human intellect or philosophy can reach or replace God’s truth.

Verse 20

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Paul mocks the pride of intellectuals and philosophers, Jewish scholars, and public debaters. None of their systems or arguments can produce salvation. God has shown their wisdom to be empty through the cross.

How does God make worldly wisdom “foolish”? By using what the world despises a crucified Savior to accomplish what human wisdom never could. That is the redemption of humanity.

Verse 21

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

God intentionally allowed human wisdom to fail in knowing Him, so that salvation would come through faith, not intellect. The “foolishness” is not the message itself, but how it appears to the world.

Why might God design salvation to come through “foolish” preaching? So that no one could boast of discovering or earning salvation; it comes only by trusting in God’s revelation through the gospel.

Verse 22

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;

Different groups demand proof: Jews wanted miraculous signs; Greeks sought philosophical depth. Both missed Christ because He didn’t fit their expectations.

How might these two attitudes still appear today? Some seek constant miracles or experiences (“signs”), others rely on intellect or reason (“wisdom”) However, both can miss the simplicity of the gospel.

Verse 23

but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

The cross offends both camps: to Jews, it’s scandalous (a cursed death, per Deuteronomy 21:23 “his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.” ); to Gentiles, it’s absurd to worship a crucified man. Yet this is the core of Christian preaching.

Why is “Christ crucified” the center of Paul’s preaching? Because the cross is where God’s justice and love meet and it’s the only way sinners can be reconciled to God. If you remove the cross, and you lose the gospel.

Verse 24

but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For those whom God calls and opens their hearts, Christ reveals God’s true power and wisdom. The same “foolish” message becomes glorious truth.

What might it mean to be “called” in this context? It refers to those whom God draws through the gospel to faith in Christ and those who respond to His invitation with belief.

Verse 25

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Paul uses irony by saying there’s no real “foolishness” or “weakness” in God. But even what appears weak (the cross) surpasses the greatest human strength or intellect. He telling us that God’s ways are so much higher than ours.

How might this verse challenge our idea of strength and success? It redefines power. God’s strength is displayed through apparent weakness, humility, and sacrifice rather than dominance or fame.

Verses 26–29

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

Paul reminds them that most of the Corinthian believers weren’t from elite classes. God delights in using ordinary, humble people to overturn worldly status — ensuring He alone gets the glory.

Why does God choose “the foolish and weak things”? To reveal His grace and power. Salvation and transformation come from God, not from human merit, intelligence, or social standing.

Verses 30–31

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” A quote:(Jeremiah 9:23–24 “Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”)

Paul closes with the ultimate truth: everything believers have comes “by His doing.” Christ Himself embodies all we need such as wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, all boasting must be in Him alone.

What might it mean that Christ “became” wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption for us? It means our entire spiritual standing is found in Him. He is our wisdom (revealing God), our righteousness (justifying us), our sanctification (transforming us), and our redemption (freeing us from sin’s bondage).

What are the key takeaways from this scripture? The cross reveals God’s true wisdom and power. Human pride and intellect cannot lead to God. God chooses the lowly and humble to display His glory. All boasting must be in the Lord alone.