1 Corinthians 1:18-31 New International Version (NIV)
18For 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.
19For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are,
29so that no one may boast before him.
30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
31Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
2 comments:
I love these verses. It is so sweet to see that the crucifed Christ preached by the apostles IS the power of God and the wisdom of God! Wow! Wisdom is for planning, purposing, while power is for accomplishing that which is planned and purposed. Christ is both! Hallelujah!
Just last night I was into these verses and I was touched again this morning at their message. Brother Ed Marks was sharing regarding the Believers - our past, present and future.
Taken from outline-"In eternity past God chose us to be holy-to have His divine nature-so that we could become Him in nature, sanctified in our spirit, soul, and body to be His bride in love (Eph. 1:4; 2 Pet. 1:4; cf. Eph. 5:25-27): 1. God chose us in Christ; outside of the sphere of Christ, it is not possible for man to be chosen or blessed by God-1:4.
2. God chose us because He loved us, and He loved us without reason-Jer.31:3; 1 Thes. 1:4.
3. "God has chosen the foolish things of the world that He might shame those who are wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world that He might shame the things that are strong, and the lowborn things of the world and the despised things God has chosen, things which are not, that He might bring to nought the things which are, so that no flesh can boast before God"-1 Cor. 1:27-29.
4. God chose us because of His mercy in His selection of grace-Rom. 9-11,15-16,21,23; 11:4-6.
5. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you"-Jn. 15:16.
6. "I know whom I have chosen"-13:18;cf.2 Tim.2:10.
7. "Who shall bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies"-Rom.8:33.
We cooperate with His chosing by enjoying His Son and all that His Son accomplished for us in his human living, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Hosea 11:4 says "I drew them with cords of a man,/With bands of love" The footnote from the Recovery Version says: It is by all these steps of Christ in His humanity that God's love in His salvation reaches us (Rom. 5:8; 1 Jn. 4:9-10). Apart from Christ, God's everlasting love, His unchanging, subduing love, could not be prevailing in relation to us. God's unchanging love is prevailing because it is a love in Christ, with Christ, by Christ, and for Christ.
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