What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 1:19? For it is written Paul begins by anchoring his statement in Scripture, pointing back to Isaiah 29:14. By doing this, he reminds the Corinthians—and us—that God’s word has already spoken on the issue of human wisdom versus divine wisdom. Just as Jesus responded to temptation with “It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10), Paul appeals to Scripture as the highest authority. The lesson is clear: whenever we evaluate ideas, movements, or philosophies, we start with what God has already said (Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). I will destroy the wisdom of the wise God declares that any system of thought that tries to explain life apart from Him is destined to collapse. • Throughout history, the “wise” have offered confident conclusions—yet God repeatedly overturns them (Genesis 11:1-9; Exodus 7:10-12; 1 Kings 18:25-39). • The cross especially exposes the limits of human wisdom: what seems like weakness is actually God’s power to save (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24). • Proverbs 3:5-7 calls us to trust the Lord with all our heart and “lean not on [our] own understanding.” When we refuse, the very wisdom we prize becomes our downfall (Romans 1:21-22). Believers can therefore live confidently, knowing that God’s truth stands long after every human philosophy fades (Isaiah 40:8). the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. God not only exposes faulty wisdom; He actively frustrates it. • He confounds proud thinkers so their theories collapse under their own weight (Job 5:12-13; Psalm 33:10). • This frustration often comes through irony: Pharaoh’s plan to kill Hebrew boys leads to Moses’ preservation (Exodus 1-2); Haman’s gallows become his own undoing (Esther 7:9-10). • In the gospel age, God chooses “the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” by saving people through a crucified Messiah (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). For believers, this truth brings freedom. We don’t have to chase every new idea that claims to have life figured out; we rest in the unchanging wisdom of God revealed in Christ (Colossians 2:2-3; James 3:17). summary Paul quotes Isaiah to show that God has always intended to overturn human self-reliance. Every proud intellect that sidelines the Lord will ultimately run aground, while those who humble themselves before the cross discover true wisdom and life. |
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