“For the word of God is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God!” (I Corinthians 1:18)
Remember how the apostle Paul ended his thoughts in last week’s lesson, noting that Christ had called him not to baptize but to preach the gospel (the “message of the cross”), and not with cleverness of speech (ESV says, “not with words of eloquent wisdom”), lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power”! Because the gospel message (the “word of the cross”) doesn’t appeal to man’s intellect (something the Corinthians prized so greatly) but, as Constable notes, to “a sense of guilt for sin”)! And so the gospel message must never be presented as a human philosophical system, but as the way of salvation! For the lost! And that set the tone for our lesson last night, beginning with verse 18, where the apostle Paul contrasts God’s wisdom with human wisdom! Writing that “the word of the cross (or the preaching or the message of the gospel) is foolishness to those who are perishing (Phillips say, “nonsense to those who are involved in this dying world”), but to us who are being saved from death it is nothing less than the power of God”!
And because the wisdom of the world could never result in anyone coming to know God, Paul writes that “God was well-pleased through the (so-called) foolishness of the message preached (the Word of God) to save those who believe”!
And he notes that “the Jews (normally) ask for a sign, while the Greeks search for wisdom, but that we preach Christ crucified which to the Jews is a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness! But to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God”! And he adds that it’s because “the wisdom of God is wiser than the wisdom of men, and that (even) the weakness of God is stronger than man”!
Then Paul encouraged the Corinthians believers to consider their own calling and realize that it wasn’t based on their human wisdom, or position of power, or nobility! God rather called those (like us!) who are looked upon by the world as weak and lowly, to shame those who consider themselves strong…” so that no man may boast before God’!
Jeremiah 9:23-24 says it well! “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the Lord!”
Wow!
But there’s more good news for the believer! Realize, Paul writes to the Corinthian believers (and to us!), that “you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption”! And he as much as says: “Now there’s something to boast about!”
And it’s something to sing about! Like we did last night! Sing it with me again! Here’s some of it: “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pore contempt on all my pride…Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through His blood…!”
Lord, we thank you for Your word! (And for all the MOBsters who want to get into it!)
Lowell (from the Outer Banks)
Remember how the apostle Paul ended his thoughts in last week’s lesson, noting that Christ had called him not to baptize but to preach the gospel (the “message of the cross”), and not with cleverness of speech (ESV says, “not with words of eloquent wisdom”), lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power”! Because the gospel message (the “word of the cross”) doesn’t appeal to man’s intellect (something the Corinthians prized so greatly) but, as Constable notes, to “a sense of guilt for sin”)! And so the gospel message must never be presented as a human philosophical system, but as the way of salvation! For the lost! And that set the tone for our lesson last night, beginning with verse 18, where the apostle Paul contrasts God’s wisdom with human wisdom! Writing that “the word of the cross (or the preaching or the message of the gospel) is foolishness to those who are perishing (Phillips say, “nonsense to those who are involved in this dying world”), but to us who are being saved from death it is nothing less than the power of God”!
And because the wisdom of the world could never result in anyone coming to know God, Paul writes that “God was well-pleased through the (so-called) foolishness of the message preached (the Word of God) to save those who believe”!
And he notes that “the Jews (normally) ask for a sign, while the Greeks search for wisdom, but that we preach Christ crucified which to the Jews is a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness! But to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God”! And he adds that it’s because “the wisdom of God is wiser than the wisdom of men, and that (even) the weakness of God is stronger than man”!
Then Paul encouraged the Corinthians believers to consider their own calling and realize that it wasn’t based on their human wisdom, or position of power, or nobility! God rather called those (like us!) who are looked upon by the world as weak and lowly, to shame those who consider themselves strong…” so that no man may boast before God’!
Jeremiah 9:23-24 says it well! “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the Lord!”
Wow!
But there’s more good news for the believer! Realize, Paul writes to the Corinthian believers (and to us!), that “you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption”! And he as much as says: “Now there’s something to boast about!”
And it’s something to sing about! Like we did last night! Sing it with me again! Here’s some of it: “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pore contempt on all my pride…Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through His blood…!”
Lord, we thank you for Your word! (And for all the MOBsters who want to get into it!)
Lowell (from the Outer Banks)
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