1 Corinthians 1:18-31

“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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