Scriptural text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Lesson Background: The apostle Paul found the Corinthian church on his second missionary Journey around 50 A.D. Paul wrote this letter to the church at Corinth during his third missionary journey. The main reason Paul wrote this first letter to the Corinthian believers was in response to a letter he received asking his advice about issues they were debating such as marriage and the use of food offered to idols. But the apostle was greatly troubled by reports from Corinth about divisions, contentions, and other issues. In this week’s lesson, Paul addressed the issue of human wisdom versus God’s wisdom.
Word of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-25):
God’s Power (vv. 18-19). “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.” Here, Paul presents the different effects of the “preaching of the cross.” To those who “perish” or are lost, it is “foolishness,” but to those who of “us who are saved it is the power of God.” Our response to “the preaching of the cross,” the gospel of Jesus Christ, shows whether we believe “God” and His wisdom, or reject Him which is “foolishness,” it makes no sense. The truth does not make God responsible for the perishing of unbelievers; they “perish” or are lost because of their own sin and stubbornness to repent.
(vs. 19). “For I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” The word “prudent” means “wise in forethought” and basically means the same as wise. Here, Paul shows how the cross triumphs over human “wisdom.” Paul was concerned that the pride of the Corinthians had caused them to forget “the wisdom” of the cross.
(23a). “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block.” Since the message of “Christ crucified” was “unto the Jews a stumbling block,” they could not get over it. They saw the cross as a means of torture and death, but God used it as a means of salvation and deliverance from sin. The “Jews” had expected their Messiah to be a great deliverer and earthly king, and therefore they would never own anyone who lived in poverty and died such an accursed death. While the preaching of “Christ crucified” was a “stumbling block unto the Jews,” to the “Greeks” it was “foolishness.”
God’s Wisdom (vv. 24-25). (verse 24). “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” Those who are “called” and sanctified, have received the gospel and are enlightened by the Spirit of God and understand more about His glorious “wisdom” and “power” in the doctrine of Christ crucified.
References: International Sunday School Commentary, KJV 2022-2023