1Cor 1:20-22 | JFB | STEP | 20. Where —nowhere; for God "brings them to naught" ( ). the wise —generally. the scribe —Jewish [ALFORD ]. the disputer —Greek [ALFORD ]. Compare the Jew and Greek of this world contrasted with the godly wise, . VITRINGA thinks the reference is to the Jewish discourses in the synagogue, daraschoth, from a Hebrew root "to dispute." Compare "questions," . If so, "wise" refers to Greek wisdom (compare ). Paul applies here in a higher sense; there the primary reference was to temporal deliverance, here to external; , which is in threefold opposition to there, sanctions this higher application; the Lord in the threefold character being the sole ground of glorying to His people. of this world . . . of this world —rather, "dispensation (or age ) . . . world"; the Greek words are distinct. The former is here this age or worldly order of things in a moral point of view, as opposed to the Christian dispensation or order of things. The latter is the world viewed externally and cosmically. made foolish —shown the world's philosophy to be folly, because it lacks faith in Christ crucified [CHRYSOSTOM ]. Has treated it as folly, and not used its help in converting and saving men ( ) [ESTIUS ].

1 Corinthians 1:20-22

20. Where—nowhere; for God "brings them to naught" (1Co 1:19).

the wise—generally.

the scribe—Jewish [ALFORD].

the disputer—Greek [ALFORD]. Compare the Jew and Greek of this world contrasted with the godly wise, 1Co 1:22, 23. VITRINGA thinks the reference is to the Jewish discourses in the synagogue, daraschoth, from a Hebrew root "to dispute." Compare "questions," Ac 26:3; Tit 3:9. If so, "wise" refers to Greek wisdom (compare 1Co 1:22). Paul applies Isa 33:18 here in a higher sense; there the primary reference was to temporal deliverance, here to external; 1Co 1:22, which is in threefold opposition to 1Co 1:18 there, sanctions this higher application; the Lord in the threefold character being the sole ground of glorying to His people.

of this world . . . of this world—rather, "dispensation (or age) . . . world"; the Greek words are distinct. The former is here this age or worldly order of things in a moral point of view, as opposed to the Christian dispensation or order of things. The latter is the world viewed externally and cosmically.

made foolish—shown the world's philosophy to be folly, because it lacks faith in Christ crucified [CHRYSOSTOM]. Has treated it as folly, and not used its help in converting and saving men (1Co 1:26, 27) [ESTIUS].

21. after that—rather, "whereas."

in the wisdom of God—in the wise arrangement of God.

world by wisdom—rather, "by its wisdom," or "its philosophy" (Joh 1:10; Ro 1:28).

knew not God—whatever other knowledge it attained (Ac 17:23, 27). The deistic theory that man can by the light of nature discover his duty to God, is disproved by the fact that man has never discovered it without revelation. All the stars and moon cannot make it day; that is the prerogative of the sun. Nor can nature's highest gifts make the moral day arise; that is the office of Christ. Even the Jew missed this knowledge, in so far as he followed after mere carnal world wisdom.

it pleased God—Paul refers to Jesus' words (Lu 10:21).

by the foolishness of preaching—by that preaching which the world (unbelieving Jews and Gentiles alike) deem foolishness.

save them that believe— (Ro 1:16).

22. For—literally, "Since," seeing that. This verse illustrates how the "preaching" of Christ crucified came to be deemed "foolishness" (1Co 1:21).

a sign—The oldest manuscripts read "signs." The singular was a later correction from Mt 12:38; 16:1; Joh 2:18. The signs the Jews craved for were not mere miracles, but direct tokens from heaven that Jesus was Messiah (Lu 11:16).

Greeks seek . . . wisdom—namely, a philosophic demonstration of Christianity. Whereas Christ, instead of demonstrative proof, demands faith on the ground of His word, and of a reasonable amount of evidence that the alleged revelation is His word. Christianity begins not with solving intellectual difficulties, but with satisfying the heart that longs for forgiveness. Hence not the refined Greeks, but the theocratic Jews were the chosen organ for propagating revelation. Again, intellectual Athens (Ac 17:18-21, &c.) received the Gospel less readily than commercial Corinth.