teaching notes : 1 cor. 1:18 - 1:25
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english text
greek text
 

1 cor. 1:(17)18-25
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. For the word of the cross is foolishness 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 CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." Where is the wise man? 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 through its wisdom did not {come to} know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

overview
section outline
1:18 - 2:16 the cross vs. man's "wisdom"
1:18 - 1:25 foolishness of the message
1:26 - 1:31 humble status of the believers
2:1 - 2:5 paul's weakness and humility when he was among them
2:6 - 2:16 the true wisdom of god

worldly wisdom vs. the cross (v.18 - 25)
though the cross is foolishness to the world, it is the wisdom of god
rough outline of the section
* god's superiority to the wisdom of this world. (v. 18-20)
* the uselessness of man's wisdom (v. 21)
* the cross is a stumbling block to man's wisdom (v. 23-24)

those who are perishing
their end is clear (perishing)
they consider the cross foolishness
they consider themselves wise
man's wisdom is foolishness
the cross is a stumbling block to men's wisdom

those who are being saved
they realize the cross is the power of god
they are 'being saved' (note passive voice)

god
god destroys the wisdom of the wise (v.19)
god makes foolish the 'wisdom' of the world (v.20)
god saves those who believe (v.21)

application
evangelism : truth is the same regardless of reaction
the goal of man (christians as well) should be to agree with god's truth