Epiphany · The Baptism of Our Lord
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
January 11, 2026
Overview & Insights
“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.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
In the ancient world, “wisdom” was not an abstract concept unrelated to daily living. To the contrary, it was a way of living based on a given understanding of life’s purpose and of what actions reasonably would accomplish such purpose. Various philosophers (lit., “lovers of wisdom”) competed to gain a following for their particular brand of how-to-live. Similar competition and pursuit of prominence lay at the core of the Corinthian cliques. Enamored with the “wisdom” and success of the professional speakers in the city, a number of house churches were using a similar approach to put them ahead of other church groups. Such behavior made it evident to Paul that they relied on human wisdom rather than God’s. Paul’s firm and uncompromising rejection of this behavior shows how strongly he considers this a direct attack on the gospel itself.
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Commentary
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on God choosing the foolish and weak so that no one may boast before him.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's notes on God choosing the lowly of the world and Christ becoming our wisdom and righteousness.
1 Corinthians 1:26 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on Consider your calling, not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble.
1 Corinthians 1 Commentary (Precept Austin) Precept Austin
A resource hub collecting many commentaries, sermons, and word studies on the wisdom of the cross passage.
Background & Word Study
1 Corinthians - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary overview of 1 Corinthians for setting the boasting-in-the-Lord passage in Paul's argument.
1 Corinthians Overview (BibleProject) BibleProject
Animated overview of 1 Corinthians and Paul's contrast between worldly wisdom and the message of the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:26 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word interlinear with parsing for the call of the not-wise and not-noble.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does “the foolishness of the cross” mean?
Paul says a crucified Messiah is a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Greeks, yet “Christ crucified” is the very wisdom and power of God (1 Corinthians 1:23–24). On Holy Cross Day the church glories in what the world counts as weakness.
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