GOD'S WISDOM AND MAN'S WISDOM

Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Key verse: 18

NIV

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness(A) to those who are perishing,(B) but to us who are being saved(C) it is the power of God.(D) 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a](E)

20 Where is the wise person?(F) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(G) Has not God made foolish(H) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(I) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(J) those who believe.(K) 22 Jews demand signs(L) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(M) a stumbling block(N) to Jews and foolishness(O) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(P) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(Q) and the wisdom of God.(R) 25 For the foolishness(S) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(T) of God is stronger than human strength.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

18 For the word of the cross is (A)folly to (B)those who are perishing, but to us (C)who are being saved it is (D)the power of God. 19 For it is written,

(E)“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 (F)Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? (G)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[a] to save those who believe. 22 For (H)Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ (I)crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (J)the power of God and (K)the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 1:21 Or the folly of preaching
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The message of the cross (18-21)

The message of the cross seems weak and foolish. To unbelievers, Jesus' death looks like failure and defeat. But to those who accept God's offer of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus, it is life, for he bore our sins and conquered death. For us who are being saved, the cross is the power of God. The way of the cross is the one and only way opened by God for sinful men to come to him for forgiveness and life. Those who reject God's way will perish, for there is no other way.

2. Christ, the wisdom and power of God (22-25)

Some people want a great dramatic miracle that stirs their feelings and makes them believe in God; others want a complicated, intellectual-sounding philosophy that feeds their pride. But God sent Jesus. His death and resurrection is the gospel. It is the wisdom of God and the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

Prayer: Lord, give me spiritual eyes to see the cross of Jesus and faith to cling to him every day.

One Word: Christ was crucified for me