Introduction
1 Corinthians 1:18–31: Paul explains how the wisdom and power of God overturn worldly standards of wisdom and power. He reminds the Corinthians of their own humble standing, and that God chooses the lowly to thwart the so-called wise and powerful (see 1 Samuel 2:1–10; Psalm 18:27; Luke 1:51–53; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5–6).
Today’s Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:30 GNT
God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God’s holy people and are set free.
Read
18 For the message about Christ’s death on the cross is nonsense to those who are being lost; but for us who are being saved it is God’s power. 19 The scripture says,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and set aside the understanding of the scholars.”
20 So then, where does that leave the wise? or the scholars? or the skillful debaters of this world? God has shown that this world’s wisdom is foolishness!
21 For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called “foolish” message we preach, God decided to save those who believe. 22 Jews want miracles for proof, and Greeks look for wisdom. 23 As for us, we proclaim the crucified Christ, a message that is offensive to the Jews and nonsense to the Gentiles; 24 but for those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, this message is Christ, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For what seems to be God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and what seems to be God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
26 Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing. 27 God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. 28 He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. 29 This means that no one can boast in God’s presence. 30 But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God’s holy people and are set free. 31 So then, as the scripture says, “Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done.”
Reflect
Why does Paul say that Christ’s death on the cross is “God’s power” (verse 18)? What is the “foolish” message that Paul preaches (verse 21) and why does he say it is foolish? To whom is the message foolish, and to whom is it good news? Christ is also “our wisdom” (verse 30). Why? Paul says that “whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done” (verse 31). How might you boast of the Lord’s work today?
Pray
God of power and wisdom, remind me of your wondrous deeds so I may boast about you and proclaim the good news of your salvation. Keep me humble and faithful, glorifying you in all I say and do. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
1 Corinthians 2:1–16: The apostle Paul preaches Christ crucified, contrasting the wisdom of the world with God’s “secret wisdom.”
