1 Corinthians 1:19–20: For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Paul defends the mysteriousness of God’s wisdom from the standpoint of human wisdom. First he gives a Scriptural justification. God’s plans often unravel the plans of those who think themselves wise. We remember once again that Paul’s opponents at Corinth thought they had arrived spiritually and were wiser than Paul. They perhaps looked to Apollos as a truly wise person by the standards of that day. In contrast Paul asked, “Where is the wise man?” (1:20). They were not hard to find in Paul’s day. But by and large they were not a part of the Christian movement. Paul could legitimately ask why the Corinthians valued secular wisdom so much when the “wisest” individuals by those standards could not see the truth of Christianity. If such non-Christians were really the true measure of wisdom, then why were they not Christians? 1
Application
- Read James 1:5 and Proverbs 4:5. Will you ask God for His wisdom right now?
- What is the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom?
Thought to Share
Godly wisdom is to seek the wisdom of God. | TWEET IT
Prayer
Lord, teach me to ask in faith for Your wisdom to lead me.
1. Schenck, K. (2006). 1 & 2 Corinthians: a commentary for Bible students. Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House.
