1Cor 1:18-25 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 1:18-31: 1:18-31 Paul contrasts eloquence and human wisdom, which were highly valued by some of the Corinthians, with the foolish message of the cross—the expression of God’s wisdom. The followers of Apollos, in particular (see 1:12 ), were probably attracted by his rhetorical abilities and intellectual approach to ministry (see Acts 18:24-28 ). In contrast, Paul emphasizes that the real power lies in the simple message of the cross of Christ. 1:18 The message that God is saving the world through a condemned criminal is foolish to unbelievers, for their eyes are blinded to the truth (2 Cor 4:4 ). For believers, whose eyes have been opened by God, the message of the cross has the ring of truth to it, and they know its power to convict the human heart (see 1 Cor 1:23-24 ; Rom 1:16 ). Unbelievers, still in their sin, are headed for destruction , for ultimate condemnation. Believers, whose sins have been forgiven, are being saved: They are on their way to eternal life and glory.

Summary for 1Cor 1:18-31: 1:18-31 ^a Paul contrasts eloquence and human wisdom, which were highly valued by some of the Corinthians, with the foolish message of the cross—the expression of God’s wisdom. The followers of Apollos, in particular (see 1:12 ^b), were probably attracted by his rhetorical abilities and intellectual approach to ministry (see Acts 18:24-28 ^c). In contrast, Paul emphasizes that the real power lies in the simple message of the cross of Christ. 1:18 ^d The message that God is saving the world through a condemned criminal is foolish to unbelievers, for their eyes are blinded to the truth (2 Cor 4:4 ^e). For believers, whose eyes have been opened by God, the message of the cross has the ring of truth to it, and they know its power to convict the human heart (see 1 Cor 1:23-24 ^f; Rom 1:16 ^g). Unbelievers, still in their sin, are headed for destruction, for ultimate condemnation. Believers, whose sins have been forgiven, are being saved: They are on their way to eternal life and glory.
1:19 ^h This quotation from Isa 29:14 ⁱ shows God’s estimation of mere human wisdom.
1:20 ^j In God’s eyes, the human wisdom of this world is foolish. Divine wisdom lies in the message of the cross and in Jesus Christ (see 1:24 ^k, 30 ^l).
1:21 ^m Human wisdom alone does not bring people to the true knowledge of God; that comes only through the message of the cross, which the world considers foolish, but which saves those who believe (cp. Matt 11:25 ⁿ).
Summary for 1Cor 1:22-24: 1:22-24 ^o Paul uses the words Greeks and Gentiles interchangeably to refer to non-Jews. 1:22 ^p Unbelieving Jews wanted to see miraculous signs to validate the message (cp. Matt 12:38-39 ^q; 16:1-4 ^r; John 2:18 ^s, 23 ^t; 4:48 ^u). Greeks, renowned for their schools of philosophy, were only interested in human wisdom—i.e., philosophical reasoning.
1:23 ^v Regardless of what unbelieving Jews and Gentiles desired, Paul refused to give them anything but the simple message of the cross. To many Jews, the idea of a crucified Messiah was a contradiction in terms because crucifixion expressed not the power and blessing of God but his curse (see Gal 3:13 ^w; cp. Deut 21:23 ^x).
1:25 ^y What the unbelieving world considers foolish and weak—Christ and the message of the cross—is in reality wiser and stronger than anything the world has to offer. It solves the world’s greatest problem, the problem of sin, and overcomes all the powers of evil that oppose human beings.