1 Corinthians 3:18
New International Version
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise(A) by the standards of this age,(B) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.
James 4:6
New International Version
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
Footnotes
- James 4:6 Prov. 3:34
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
New International Version
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness(A) to those who are perishing,(B) but to us who are being saved(C) it is the power of God.(D) 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a](E)
20 Where is the wise person?(F) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(G) Has not God made foolish(H) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(I) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(J) those who believe.(K) 22 Jews demand signs(L) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(M) a stumbling block(N) to Jews and foolishness(O) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(P) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(Q) and the wisdom of God.(R) 25 For the foolishness(S) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(T) of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.(U) Not many of you were wise(V) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(W) the foolish(X) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not(Y)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(Z) 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,(AA) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,(AB) holiness(AC) and redemption.(AD) 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b](AE)
2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom(AF) as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[c] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.(AG) 3 I came to you(AH) in weakness(AI) with great fear and trembling.(AJ) 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,(AK) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,(AL) 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.(AM)
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 Jer. 9:24
- 1 Corinthians 2:1 Some manuscripts proclaimed to you God’s mystery
1 Corinthians 2:12-14
New International Version
12 What we have received is not the spirit(A) of the world,(B) but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom(C) but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[a] 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God(D) but considers them foolishness,(E) and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 2:13 Or Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual
Jeremiah 9:23-24
New International Version
23 This is what the Lord says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom(A)
or the strong boast of their strength(B)
or the rich boast of their riches,(C)
24 but let the one who boasts boast(D) about this:
that they have the understanding to know(E) me,
that I am the Lord,(F) who exercises kindness,(G)
justice and righteousness(H) on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.
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