1 Corinthians 1:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

NIV: For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

NASB: For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.

CSB: because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

NLT: This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

KJV: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

NKJV: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

This verse must be read carefully and in the context of this chapter to be understood correctly. Paul is not saying that God contains any foolishness or weakness, at all. Instead, he has taught why so many people reject the idea of a crucified Christ as weak and foolish. Paul uses the Greek word mōron, which implies precisely what it appears to in English: something stupid, idiotic, or silly. From a godless perspective, it's stupid to think God would sacrifice His only Son to pay the penalty for human sin. Pagan religions, in particular, would call a deity "weak" if it could be killed on a cross like any common criminal or political dissenter.

Those called by God to believe, however, recognize God's foolishness in giving His Son as the greatest of all wisdom. They see the incredible strength required for Christ to remain on the cross and die instead of exercising His power over those who would kill Him.

It's also important to remember that Paul was well-educated (Philippians 3:4–8), experienced (Acts 17:17), tested (Acts 17:11) and frequently encouraged others to use their God-given minds (Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 2:15). At no point does the Bible embrace ignorance or sneer at the importance of reason. What Scripture does, clearly, is distinguish between knowing about God (James 2:19) and having a trusting faith in God (Matthew 18:3).

First Corinthians 1:18–31 describes the foolishness of the gospel in the world's eyes. Both Jews and Greeks rejected the idea of Christ crucified. Any god who would die on a Roman cross, especially as a sacrifice for human sinfulness, would be seen by worldly eyes as a weak and foolish deity. God, though, will shame the wise and strong by giving the ability to believe in the cross of Christ mostly to the weak and foolish of the world, in human terms. In the end, nobody will boast before him of their own strength and wisdom.

Paul's letter to the Christians in Corinth begins with thanks for the great and powerful gifts God has given to them by His grace and through their faith in Christ. They will stand blameless before God in the end. Right now, though, they must stop dividing themselves according to which Christian teacher they follow and become unified in and around Christ. The gospel message of Christ's death on the cross is weak and foolish to the world, but God has given faith in Christ to those who believe it and find God's power and wisdom.

First Corinthians 1 begins Paul's letter to the Christians in Corinth, a big, bustling city on a major trade route. Paul knows them well, having spent a year and a half leading people to Christ and establishing the church there. He writes from Ephesus to correct some of their wrong attitudes and behaviors and to answer some of their questions. First, though, he thanks God for His grace to the Corinthians, knowing they will stand blameless before Him on the day of the Lord. Still, they must stop being divided and unite in and around Christ.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.