1 Corinthians Week 3: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”

²⁰ 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? ²¹ 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. ²² For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

²⁶ For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; ²⁷ but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no man may boast before God. ³⁰ But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, ³¹ so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

—1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Sermon Outline

1. People Are

2. God Is

3. We Should Be

References

Weekly Study Guide

Digesting the long list of challenges this fledgling church faced can feel overwhelming. But let’s just take them one by one. So, what do we see in this first chapter of 1 Corinthians? Paul begins by calling for unity within the church (1:1-9). He reminds them that they have been called into fellowship with Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of their identity. Our identity in Christ is one of the main themes that flow throughout this letter. In verses 4-9, Paul expresses heartfelt gratitude for the grace God had given this church. This brings us to the heart of this week’s passage.

One of the primary issues in the Corinthian church was division. The church had become fractured over people claiming allegiance to different leaders. This was not a minor disagreement, but a deep issue that was threatening the unity of the body of Christ. Paul’s admonition here is simple: the church must be united under the lordship of Christ alone. He urges the Corinthians to be of one mind and one judgment. He reminds them that their unity is not based on their connection to any human leaders, but on the gospel they all share.

Another significant issue that Paul highlights is their misplaced value of human wisdom. Corinth was known for its intellectual pursuits and philosophical discourse. The Corinthians had allowed worldly wisdom to infiltrate their understanding of the gospel. They valued what seemed wise in the eyes of the world and struggled to accept the scandal of the cross. Paul confronts this by explaining that God’s wisdom is not like the wisdom of the world. The gospel appears foolish to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God for those who are being saved. The challenge for the Corinthians, and for us today, is to not be swayed by worldly definitions of wisdom, but to recognize the surpassing wisdom of the cross.

As the chapter closes, we see that the Corinthians, like many people today, boasted about their accomplishments, status, and wisdom. Paul addresses this shortcoming by pointing out that God has chosen the weak, foolish, and lowly things of the world to accomplish His purposes. This serves as a rebuke to any temptation to boast in human achievements. The gospel is humbling because it shows that no one can claim any merit before God. There is nothing we can do to earn or deserve our salvation. It is only through God’s grace that anyone is saved, and all boasting should be boasting in God Himself.

In one of the highlights of this chapter, Paul emphasizes the counter-cultural nature of the gospel. He reminds the Corinthians that God often chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong and wise. Many of the Corinthian believers were not of noble birth or worldly stature, yet they were chosen by God. This highlights the truth that salvation is not based on human merit but on God’s grace alone. The result is that no one can boast before God. All glory belongs to God, and He alone is the source of their righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

Much has been written on the topic of “the foolishness of God”. A phrase that is sometimes used to describe this is “the upside-down kingdom”. This phrase highlights the truth that what is wise and sensible to the world oftentimes runs counter to the value system of God. The way Paul puts it is that the foolishness of God is wiser than men. In fact, the core of Christianity revolves around a crucified Messiah. This makes no sense to the unregenerate mind. To them, power, authority, and victory only come in triumph, not in death. Whereas we Christians glory in Christ’s death because it is what frees us from eternal separation from God. This value system of dying to oneself appears upside-down to the world. It doesn’t make sense to them. Isn’t that how God works? He does the unexpected so that we cannot glory in ourselves. He chooses the weak and lowly; He chooses the unlikely to accomplish His purposes. Jesus did the same. He chose humble, unimpressive disciples who would go on to upend the world. Those who trust in themselves and their own wisdom must learn to put that trust in God alone—especially when it doesn’t make sense. As we meditate on what God has for us in this book, let us seek the wisdom of the cross, which appears foolish to the world, but is the power of God for those who are being saved.

Discussion Questions

1. Who is the smartest person you know? Who is the wisest? Why did you choose these particular people?

2. What does Paul mean when he says that the “word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing”? How does Paul contrast human wisdom with God’s wisdom? How is “Christ crucified a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles”? What does Paul mean when he says that God’s foolishness is wiser than men? How does God’s choice of the foolish, weak, and lowly serve to bring Him glory? In other words, why does God desire that all boasting be in Him rather than in human strength or intellect?

3. Read verses 27-29. What are some real-life examples of each of these claims by Paul? What does this reveal about our God? How do these verses undermine any pride we might find in human achievement? What does it mean that Christ is our righteousness? How does this relate to the doctrine of justification? How are God’s attributes on display in this passage?

4. How does the world define wisdom? How do people today confuse the world’s power with God’s power? Why does the world reject the message of the cross? In what ways do we see that rejection today? How do modern people respond to suffering and weakness? How does this contrast with God’s use of weakness in His plan?

5. What does it mean to boast in the Lord (v. 31)? What kinds of things do we typically boast in? What is the difference between being proud of accomplishments (e.g. for yourself or your children) and veering over into being boastful? What has the message of the cross meant in your life? What issue or decision are you facing right now for which you need God’s wisdom?

Going Deeper

1. Why do some people struggle to accept that salvation is a free gift rather than something earned? How does this touch on the innate need we feel for independence and self-sufficiency? How does the message of the cross challenge the pride and self-sufficiency of humanity? How do modern secular philosophies reflect the same attitudes as the Jews (seeking power) and the Greeks (seeking wisdom)?

2. How can we ensure that we do not fall into the trap of relying on human wisdom rather than God’s wisdom? How should understanding that God’s wisdom is different from human wisdom affect the way we make decisions? How should understanding that Christ is our righteousness affect our sense of identity and worth?

Transformational Activity

Worship

Knowing about God is different than knowing and worshiping God. What can we learn about God from this passage that can inspire us to seek to truly know Him better? How does boasting in the Lord change the way we worship, pray, and live our daily lives? Take some time this week to seek to humble yourself before the Lord. Ask Him to reveal areas in your life where you are clinging to self-sufficiency and pride. And lay your heart and motives before Him, praising Him for the ways He is changing you into His likeness.

Family Focus

Read this passage together as a family! 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Worth a Note: In 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Paul emphasizes that the message of the cross, which may seem foolish to the world, is actually the true power and wisdom of God. He highlights that God chooses to work through seemingly weak and insignificant means to bring about salvation, thereby challenging human pride and emphasizing the grace of God in choosing the “foolish things of the world” to confound the wise. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How do both the Jews and the Greeks naturally oppose the message of Christ crucified, but in different ways? (vv. 22-23)

2. How has Christ become for us wisdom from God? How is he also our righteousness, holiness/sanctification, and redemption? (v. 30)

3. In verses 18-25, some people say that God’s truths are too ridiculous (“foolish”) to believe. For example, some say that because they can’t see God, He can’t be real or that there can’t only be ONE way to heaven. Verse 25 is the key to understanding this section. Read it first, and then read 18-25. What’s the main point? (Extra insight! In verses 26-31, “boasting” is about where we find our strength and security!)

Memorize this verse together as a family this week:

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong (1 Cor 1:27).

Family Focused Prayer: Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other’s weaknesses. Pray for those who are perishing to see the word of the cross as the power of God.