Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

¹⁸ For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.^{(A) 19} For it is written,

²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law?^[b] Where is the debater of this age?^(C) Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? ²¹ For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. ²² For the Jews ask for signs^(D) and the Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified,^(E) a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.^{[c] 24} Yet to those who are called,^(F) both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, ²⁵ because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Boasting Only in the Lord

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective,^[d] not many powerful,^(G) not many of noble birth. ²⁷ Instead, God has chosen^(H) what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world^(I)—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, ²⁹ so that no one^[e] may boast in his presence.^{(J) 30} It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness,^(K) sanctification,^(L) and redemption^(M)— ³¹ in order that, as it is written:^(N) Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.^[f](O)

Paul’s Proclamation

2 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery^[a] of God to you, I did not come with brilliance^(A) of speech^(B) or wisdom. ² I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.^{(C) 3} I came to you in weakness,^(D) in fear,^(E) and in much trembling.^{(F) 4} My speech^(G) and my preaching were not with persuasive^(H) words of wisdom^[b] but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.^(I)