I Corinthians 1:18-31
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

Today, 04/19/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in I Corinthians 1:18-31.

18 For the Word of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God.

19 For it has been written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the understanding ones.” Isa. 29:14

20 Where is the wise? Where the scribe? Where the lawyer of this world? Did God not make the wisdom of this world foolish?

21 For since in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of preaching to save the ones believing.

22 And since Jews ask for a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom,

23 we, on the other hand, preach Christ crucified (truly an offense to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks),

24 but to the called out ones, both to Jews and to Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God;

25 because the foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and the weak thing of God is stronger than men.

26 For you see your calling, brothers, that there are not many wise according to flesh, nor many powerful, not many wellborn.

27 But God chose the foolish things of the world that the wise might be put to shame, and God chose the weak things of the world so that He might put to shame the strong things.

28 And God chose the low-born of the world, and the despised, and the things that are not, so that He might bring to nothing the things that are,

29 so that no flesh might glory in His presence.

30 But of Him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, both righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

31 so that even as it has been written, “He that glories, let him glory in” the “Lord.” Jer. 9:24

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Suggested Questions:

1. What is the Word of the cross?

2. Where does the wisdom of the world come from? Is it beneficial for humans?

3. Why is the crucifixion of Christ a stumbling block for the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks?

4. Why is Christ the power and wisdom of God?

5. Why is it called the foolishness and weakness of God?

6. What is wisdom according to the flesh?

7. How can the foolish shame the wise and the weak shame the strong?

Suggested Applications:

1. Do you feel insecure or inferior when you see people in the world who have more education, status, power, or wealth than you?

2. Do you act as if you are more valuable than those who do not believe in God and look down on them?

3. Do you feel ashamed when the people of the world mock your faith in God?