What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 1:21? The wisdom of God “For since in the wisdom of God…” (1 Corinthians 1:21) • God’s plan is perfect, far above human reasoning (see Romans 11:33; Isaiah 55:8-9). • Throughout Scripture, His wisdom often surprises people: He chose a shepherd boy to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17), and a humble virgin to bear the Messiah (Luke 1:26-38). • This verse reminds us that everything unfolds within God’s sovereign design—nothing is random. The world’s wisdom failed to know Him “…the world through its wisdom did not know Him…” • Human philosophy and science can observe creation yet still miss the Creator (Romans 1:21-22). • In Athens, brilliant thinkers built an altar “To an Unknown God,” proving their ignorance despite deep learning (Acts 17:18-23). • Spiritual truth must be revealed by the Spirit; the natural mind “does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14). God was pleased “…God was pleased…” • Salvation is God’s joyful initiative. Jesus said the Father “was pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). • Even Christ’s sacrificial suffering was “the LORD’s will” (Isaiah 53:10), showing deliberate, loving intent. • Nothing forced God’s hand; redeeming sinners springs from His gracious heart. The foolishness of what was preached “…through the foolishness of what was preached…” • The message of the cross “is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18). • God uses ordinary words—spoken, read, or shared—to carry eternal power (Romans 10:14-17; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20). • He turns the world’s values upside down: not dazzling rhetoric, but a crucified Savior proclaimed by imperfect messengers. To save those who believe “…to save those who believe.” • Faith, not human achievement, is the channel of salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not from yourselves” (Ephesians 2:8-9). • “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish” (John 3:16) sums up God’s rescue plan. • Belief involves trusting Christ’s finished work and confessing Him as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). summary 1 Corinthians 1:21 reveals a stunning contrast: God’s towering wisdom versus the world’s hollow wisdom. By design, human intellect cannot reach Him; instead, He gladly uses what seems foolish—simple preaching of a crucified and risen Christ—to rescue everyone who believes. The verse calls us to trust His plan, rest in His grace, and boldly share the gospel that saves. |
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