Reading: The Cross of Christ, pg. 212-222
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1.18-24
The cross as the wisdom and power of God is the main theme of 1 Corinthians 1.17-2.5, especially as contrasted with the wisdom and power of the world. It is Paul’s mention of the gospel that triggers his meditation, for he knows immediately that he is faced with a decision about its content. The choice is between “words of human wisdom” and “the cross of Christ.” If he were to choose human wisdom, the cross would be “emptied,” denuded, indeed destroyed. So he chooses “the message of the cross,” which he knows to be foolishness to those who are perishing, but at the same time is the power of God to those who are being saved. Powerless wisdom or foolish power: it was (and still is) a fateful choice. The one combination that is not an option is the wisdom of the world plus the power of God. | Stott, pg. 220
What are some of the ways that we are prone to choose the power of the world over what may make us look foolish and weak?
Christ and his cross is all our theme;
The myst’ries that we speak
Are scandal in the Jew’s esteem,
And folly to the Greek.
But souls enlightened from above
With joy receive the word;
They see what wisdom, power, and love
Shine in their dying Lord.
-Isaac Watts