OUR FATHER WHO MADE THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD FOOLISH

In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 18 - 21, the apostle Paul explains the inversion of the things of God vis-a-vis the wisdom of men so that the salvation of mankind did not come through the wisdom of men but rather through the things that men would reject. For Jews, the crucifixion would be considered a curse rather than a blessing while for the Greeks, who used the barometer of logic for a guide, would not see a logical pathway from the crucifixion to redemption.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness 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 bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Most people being saved were not wise or noble by worldly standards and yet God made available to them the incredible gift of salvation because they were made able to believe the gospel of Christ crucified.  The inversion takes this structure when it comes in contact with the world of men;

• Foolish things shame the wise
• Weak things overpower the mighty 
• Despised things are more desirable than choice things
• Non-existing things destroy things that exist

By setting the pathway to salvation in this way, Paul explains that no flesh would be able to take credit for any part of the salvation story and that all who glory could only glory in the Lord.

Amen.

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