20 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? 21 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. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. – 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
Christ Crucified
It’s that simple. It is often said that the death of Christ on a Roman cross is both the greatest manifestation of the wrath and the love of God. I certainly cannot argue either point. But Paul adds to the wonder of the cross. Not only is it where the wrath and love of God collided, but the cross also wonderfully displays the power and wisdom of God.
The Messiah dying on a cross was unthinkable to many Jews. God on a cross being mocked during His execution was utter foolishness to many Gentiles. Scriptures seem so obvious in pointing to the death of Christ as man’s only hope for salvation. But many are too intelligent or logical (in their own eyes) to accept this truth. We know that in reality they are blinded. Their pride does not allow them to embrace a humble God. Man’s unmet expectations don’t alter the Truth. Christ crucified, though not the sign the Jews demanded or the wisdom the Greeks sought, is evidence of God’s infinite wisdom.
The Fall
We are all familiar with Genesis chapter three; when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, desiring to know what God knows. We refer to their sin as the Fall, but do we really understand the depths to which humanity plummeted because of their disobedience? Can we grasp the fellowship with God that was foregone because of their lust for the fruit? As their descendants, are we really aware just how dangerous the enemy of our souls is when he begins to appeal to our pride?
Satan may be the great deceiver, but he is not the only one practicing the art. Take an honest look in a mirror. We share not only in the sin of Adam and Eve, but in their faults and weaknesses as well. The family resemblance is strong. The quest for wisdom apart from God is not only futile, it is foolish. A foolishness with great consequences.
Clothed
How can fallen man be reconciled with God? How can sin and perfect Holiness commune? How can pure light look on tainted darkness? By covering them! Along with their deed, Adam and Eve were exposed. Beauty became shame. Innocence became death. The innocent died so the guilty could be covered. Unable to help themselves, God had to intervene.
21 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. – Genesis 3:21
Eternal Wisdom
God was not surprised by the Fall. He knows the weakness of men. He knows the consequences of giving men the will to choose. Before He had Adam name the animals, He knew Adam would need to be covered by their skins. And He knew the sacrifice that would be necessary; and who would have to make it. The wisdom of God preceded the Fall, and it preceded creation.
7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. – 1 Corinthians 2:7
As Paul discusses the wisdom of God, he tells us that God’s wisdom is eternal. It is unlimited. It lifts people from darkness to light. It is the source of salvation and glory. Those who deemed themselves to be wise in their own eyes merely carried out the plan of God for salvation by crucifying Christ.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. – 1 Corinthians 2:8
Christ Crucified
How else could God’s wrath be appeased? How else could the law be fulfilled? How else could God’s holiness be uncrompromised? How else could the pride of man be circumvented? How else could man’s weakness become moot? Who but God, would decree before the ages, the crucifixion of the Lord of glory for our glory? A God who knew that the only way for man to be lifted from his Fall was to come down and lift him up. With a cross. Christ crucified. The Innocent died so the guilty could be covered. With His righteousness.
Revealed Wisdom
Who can embrace the wisdom of God? As Paul points out, the worldly wise, the scribes and the debaters of this age never will. At least; not on their own. The wisdom of God is not only eternal and limitless; it is also a secret; a mystery. In other words, left to ourselves we would never discover or discern it. Rather, God must reveal it to us. And He does so through the Holy Spirit.
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. – 1 Corinthians 2:10-13
Worldly wisdom feeds the flesh. It appeals to our pride. It leads to self promotion. It is foolish. It belongs to a realm God has rescued us from by lifting us out. Thank God we can now share in His wisdom. True wisdom.
God Alone
Only God can comprehend His holiness. Only God can truly understand the consequences of the Fall. Only God in His infinite wisdom had a perfect plan of salvation. He alone knew before the ages the sacrifice that would have to be made. He alone knew who would have to make it. To Him alone belongs all the glory. God, in His wisdom, has given us His Spirit. God in His mercy, has given us the mind of Christ. May we, like Paul, promote the wisdom of our Father.
2 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5