1 Corinthians 1:17-31
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
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 [t]man may boast before God. 30 But [u]by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, [v]and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-8
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not [c]rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”;20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
In respect to divine things, wisdom, knowledge, insight, deep understanding, represented everywhere as a divine gift, and including the idea of practical application. It is used metonymically for gnœ¡sis (1108), knowledge or theoretical knowledge (Matt 13:54; Mark 6:2; Acts 6:10); divine knowledge (Eph 1:8). Sophía stands for divine wisdom, the ability to regulate one's relationship with God, and is distinct from phrón¢sis (5428), prudence, the ability to know and deal with people (1 Cor 12:8; Eph 1:17; Col 1:9: 2 Peter 3:15). Specifically of insight imparted from God in respect to the divine counsels (1 Cor 2:6,7). Metonymically of the author and source of this wisdom (1 Cor 1:30). As conjoined with purity of heart and life (James 1:5; 3:13,15,17). See Luke 2:40,52.
(III) The wisdom of God means the divine wisdom, including the ideas of infinite skill, insight, knowledge, purity (Rom 11:33; 1 Cor 1:21,24; Eph 3:10; Col 2:3; Rev 5:12; 7:12). Of the divine wisdom as revealed and manifested in Christ and His gospel (Matt 11:19; Luke 7:35; 11:49).
(IV) Fear, wisdom, generally the knowledge of how to regulate one's relationship with God, wisdom which is related with goodness. When one is wise unto God, he is phrónimos (5429), prudent with others and knows how to regulate circumstances.
Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament © 1992 by AMG International, Inc. Revised Edition, 1993
Paul uses traditional language when he calls himself a wise (i.e., skilled) master builder (1 Cor 3:10), and again when he asks (perhaps with an ironic undertone) whether there is none wise enough to settle disputes in the church (6:5).
b. In Rom 11:33ff. Paul extols the divine plan of salvation in wisdom terms and with wisdom ideas. The difference is that the divine wisdom must now be related, not to the law, but to Christ, since faith in Christ is the only way of salvation (Rom 10:4,9-10).
c. Yet Paul does not make of the gospel a simple word of wisdom as the Corinthians seem to do (cf. 1 Cor 1:17; 2:1,4). It is the word of the cross (1:18ff.). At the same time, adopting the language of his critics, Paul describes this word as true wisdom. For the Corinthians, wisdom is apparently not of this aeon but is a blessing of salvation, previously concealed, but now revealed for our eschatological glorification. A form of the wisdom myth lies behind this understanding. Knowing in the descended and exalted Lord the wisdom of God, those who have received revelation have become spiritual and wise, know all things present and future, and are on the far side of judgment in the perfection of the new aeon. Paul deflates this madness, which bypasses the cross, by calling it a worldly wisdom. God has revealed himself only in the folly of the cross which is "wiser" than men (1:25). Christ lives only by the power of God, and similarly believers have no wisdom of their own, but are wise only as they become fools and look to Christ alone for their power and wisdom. God calls fools to himself, and in so doing he confounds the wise. He has chosen things that are not so as to negate things that are. God has made Jesus himself our wisdom, and hence boasting is excluded. The cross makes foolish the wisdom of both Hellenes and scribes. If God invests the world with his wisdom, so that all may know God, the world does not know God through its wisdom (1:21). It is through the foolishness of preaching that God saves believers, the very form of proclamation corresponding to the message (2:1). On this basis, Paul can affirm what the Corinthians say about Christ as the wisdom of God, but only on the basis of the divine initiative at the cross and with firm adherence to the temporal distance of believers relative to the eschaton. Many expositors, of course, refer the wisdom of the world to Greek philosophy, and hence conclude that Paul is here opposing the philosophical and rhetorical presentation of the gospel that would appeal to educated circles in Corinth, not a specific form of Gnosticism and the associated charismatic utterance.
4. Colossians and Ephesians. In Col 1:9 and Eph 1:8 growth in Christian knowledge, which includes knowledge of God's will and worthy conduct, is called sophía. This wisdom comes by grace (Eph 1:7). It embraces knowledge of eschatological blessings in Christ (1:17-18). It is understanding of the mystery of Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom are hid (Col 1:26-27). It contrasts with the false sophía of Gnostic teachers (cf. 2:8), which is human teaching. In Eph 3:10 the context demands that the manifold wisdom of God be the divine plan of salvation that is fulfilled with the common entry of Jews and Gentiles into Christ. But perhaps the idea of a hidden and later reascending wisdom shapes the formulation. Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged edition, Copyright © 1985 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
hope this helps !!!
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
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 [t]man may boast before God. 30 But [u]by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, [v]and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-8
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not [c]rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”;20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
In respect to divine things, wisdom, knowledge, insight, deep understanding, represented everywhere as a divine gift, and including the idea of practical application. It is used metonymically for gnœ¡sis (1108), knowledge or theoretical knowledge (Matt 13:54; Mark 6:2; Acts 6:10); divine knowledge (Eph 1:8). Sophía stands for divine wisdom, the ability to regulate one's relationship with God, and is distinct from phrón¢sis (5428), prudence, the ability to know and deal with people (1 Cor 12:8; Eph 1:17; Col 1:9: 2 Peter 3:15). Specifically of insight imparted from God in respect to the divine counsels (1 Cor 2:6,7). Metonymically of the author and source of this wisdom (1 Cor 1:30). As conjoined with purity of heart and life (James 1:5; 3:13,15,17). See Luke 2:40,52.
(III) The wisdom of God means the divine wisdom, including the ideas of infinite skill, insight, knowledge, purity (Rom 11:33; 1 Cor 1:21,24; Eph 3:10; Col 2:3; Rev 5:12; 7:12). Of the divine wisdom as revealed and manifested in Christ and His gospel (Matt 11:19; Luke 7:35; 11:49).
(IV) Fear, wisdom, generally the knowledge of how to regulate one's relationship with God, wisdom which is related with goodness. When one is wise unto God, he is phrónimos (5429), prudent with others and knows how to regulate circumstances.
Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament © 1992 by AMG International, Inc. Revised Edition, 1993
Paul uses traditional language when he calls himself a wise (i.e., skilled) master builder (1 Cor 3:10), and again when he asks (perhaps with an ironic undertone) whether there is none wise enough to settle disputes in the church (6:5).
b. In Rom 11:33ff. Paul extols the divine plan of salvation in wisdom terms and with wisdom ideas. The difference is that the divine wisdom must now be related, not to the law, but to Christ, since faith in Christ is the only way of salvation (Rom 10:4,9-10).
c. Yet Paul does not make of the gospel a simple word of wisdom as the Corinthians seem to do (cf. 1 Cor 1:17; 2:1,4). It is the word of the cross (1:18ff.). At the same time, adopting the language of his critics, Paul describes this word as true wisdom. For the Corinthians, wisdom is apparently not of this aeon but is a blessing of salvation, previously concealed, but now revealed for our eschatological glorification. A form of the wisdom myth lies behind this understanding. Knowing in the descended and exalted Lord the wisdom of God, those who have received revelation have become spiritual and wise, know all things present and future, and are on the far side of judgment in the perfection of the new aeon. Paul deflates this madness, which bypasses the cross, by calling it a worldly wisdom. God has revealed himself only in the folly of the cross which is "wiser" than men (1:25). Christ lives only by the power of God, and similarly believers have no wisdom of their own, but are wise only as they become fools and look to Christ alone for their power and wisdom. God calls fools to himself, and in so doing he confounds the wise. He has chosen things that are not so as to negate things that are. God has made Jesus himself our wisdom, and hence boasting is excluded. The cross makes foolish the wisdom of both Hellenes and scribes. If God invests the world with his wisdom, so that all may know God, the world does not know God through its wisdom (1:21). It is through the foolishness of preaching that God saves believers, the very form of proclamation corresponding to the message (2:1). On this basis, Paul can affirm what the Corinthians say about Christ as the wisdom of God, but only on the basis of the divine initiative at the cross and with firm adherence to the temporal distance of believers relative to the eschaton. Many expositors, of course, refer the wisdom of the world to Greek philosophy, and hence conclude that Paul is here opposing the philosophical and rhetorical presentation of the gospel that would appeal to educated circles in Corinth, not a specific form of Gnosticism and the associated charismatic utterance.
4. Colossians and Ephesians. In Col 1:9 and Eph 1:8 growth in Christian knowledge, which includes knowledge of God's will and worthy conduct, is called sophía. This wisdom comes by grace (Eph 1:7). It embraces knowledge of eschatological blessings in Christ (1:17-18). It is understanding of the mystery of Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom are hid (Col 1:26-27). It contrasts with the false sophía of Gnostic teachers (cf. 2:8), which is human teaching. In Eph 3:10 the context demands that the manifold wisdom of God be the divine plan of salvation that is fulfilled with the common entry of Jews and Gentiles into Christ. But perhaps the idea of a hidden and later reascending wisdom shapes the formulation. Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged edition, Copyright © 1985 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
hope this helps !!!
