18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which 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. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 KJV )
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
Paul explains how he preached the gospel and the message of the cross—not with eloquent or persuasive words or the philosophical language admired by the Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4). He avoided such methods so that the power of the gospel would not be credited to human wisdom but to the truth of Christ crucified. Though educated in Jewish learning under Gamaliel, Paul set that aside and preached plainly that Jesus, crucified in Jerusalem, is the Son of God and Savior of all who repent, believe, and submit to him. This message didn’t need embellishment; it carried divine authority and was confirmed by the Spirit, not by human effort. The simple preaching of Christ crucified was more effective than all the philosophical and rhetorical skills of the ancient world.
This message had different effects: to those who are perishing, it seemed foolish, but to those being saved, it was the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). To Jews, it was a stumbling block, and to Greeks, foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:23). The Jews expected a Messiah who would be a powerful earthly ruler, not one who lived humbly and died on a cross. They rejected him because he didn’t meet their expectations or offer the kind of signs they wanted (1 Corinthians 1:22; Matthew 12:38). The Greeks, with their emphasis on reason and education, found the idea of a crucified Savior absurd. They scoffed at the notion of trusting someone condemned to die as a criminal, someone poor and obscure, and dismissed the gospel as irrational. Their pride in their intellect blinded them to the truth, and they perished in their arrogance.
But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). Those enlightened by the Spirit see God’s wisdom and power most clearly in Christ crucified. They embrace this truth through personal experience and spiritual insight.
Paul declares that the message of the cross triumphs over human wisdom, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 29:14: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:19–20). God exposed the limits of human knowledge, as even the most educated philosophers and religious leaders could not truly know God through their wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:21). Human pride in reason only led to deeper ignorance and sin. So, God chose to save believers through what the world calls the foolishness of preaching—not because it is foolish, but because it appears so to those who rely on human standards.
The message itself seemed foolish to the world: that we live through one who died, are blessed by one who was cursed, and justified by one who was condemned. The method also seemed foolish: God didn’t use famous philosophers or powerful orators, but humble fishermen to spread the gospel. Yet this “foolishness” proved wiser than human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25). God’s methods, which the world mocks, hold deeper wisdom and power than all human achievement.