power — Faves of Dave - Bible Study

1Cor. 1:18 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. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

1Cor. 1:20 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? 21 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. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

In our episode last week, Paul admonished the believers at Corinth for childish and divisive attitudes by identifying with one spiritual teacher or another. It would appear that individuals wanted to think of themselves as more spiritual than their fellow believers based on who baptized them or who they were following. Paul asserted that his God-appointed role as an apostle was to preach the message of the gospel removed from eloquent or clever words. Paul wanted the basic and simple message of Jesus Christ crucified to be delivered and let God do the convincing.

Verse 17 appears to be a hinge verse because Paul first dispels the idea that people should be exalting him as some great leader or communicator. Secondly, it moves his conversation from the nature of his role to the nature of the message of Christ crucified.

Notice is verse 18, Paul writes, “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing . . .” Examining this text in the original Greek language, this statement caught my eye because Paul uses the term “logos” that is translated “word.” This is the same term used by the apostle John in his gospel when he writes, “In the beginning was the word . . .” (John 1:1) later, he reveals the “word” is Jesus. Therefore, I wondered if Paul was making some allusion to John’s gospel or did he simply mean the “message of the cross.” After a little more study, I concluded the latter interpretation to be the more likely interpretation. I’ll come back to that shortly.

The important point of Paul in verse 18 is that the message of the cross is one of two things. It is either “folly” (or foolishness), or it is the power of God. Those are the only two options Paul gives, and they are quite different. The message that the Messiah (Christ) died on the cross (and came back to life three days later) is folly to some, Paul says. We might use the words “nonsense” or “crazy.” Paul asserts that such people who consider this message in such a way are “perishing.” However, some people believe or accept it despite how it might seem to their own reason, and to those, this message becomes God’s power to save them from their perishing condition.

Paul cites part of Isaiah 29:14 to argue that this isn’t just Paul’s opinion. He’s showing how God has promised beforehand to do “wonderful things” for the people and, in doing so, he would negate the wisdom and discernment of humanity. Looking at the context of Isaiah, it might be that the nature of these “wonderful things” is precisely what negates the wisdom and discernment of mankind. It’s not that human wisdom or discernment is bad. It’s just that they are insignificant in comparison to God’s power and wisdom. It shows that we need the kind of wisdom that God alone can give. That wisdom accepts God’s revelation and trusts in the Lord. It results in God’s power which saves us from perishing. That’s good!

In verse 21, Paul asks rhetorical questions that could be summarized as “Where is human wisdom today?” His answer seems to be, “It doesn’t exist! People are all going their own way and doing their own thing, and it’s not producing good.” He argues that through human wisdom, the world does not know God. So, God chose to reveal His wisdom through a message that, to some, seems foolish. This is the message that Paul preaches. This is why I think Paul’s “word of the cross” is simply the message of Jesus’ death on the cross. He is preaching the message of who Jesus is (the Christ) and the purpose of his death on the cross.

It’s easy to see why some would consider it foolish, isn’t it? From human reasoning, of all things we could imagine God would do to help us, would it be by sending His Son into his own creation and allowing him to suffer and die on the cross? I don’t think so. Furthermore, it’s probably safe to say that none of us have witnessed someone who died and was buried return to life. It seems, from human wisdom, foolish. Yet, that’s exactly what the Scriptures teach and a truth that some people have endured a martyr’s death defending. Paul said in verse 23 this message is a stumbling block to the Jews and is considered folly among the Gentiles.

However, Paul continues in verse 24 this same message is both God’s power and wisdom available to “those who are called.” To be called means listening and responding to God’s voice and message. God’s message of forgiveness for our sins is preached today, and we can either consider it foolishness and not respond, or we can listen and say, “OK, God. I don’t fully understand this. But, I trust you and receive this as true. That is receiving God’s wisdom and letting our own wisdom be negated. It also affects God’s power within our own lives, giving us eternal life and not perishing.

Verse 25 summarizes Paul’s point that God’s foolishness is wiser than so-called wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than mankind’s strength.

Prayer: Heavenly Father - Thank you for the wisdom and power you have made accessible through the death of Jesus on the cross. May this message go out to the world and people trust in your wisdom.