The Message of the Cross, Ron Ward
GOD'S WISDOM AND MAN'S WISDOM
Passage: 1Corinthians 1:18~25  
Key verse: 18
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.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 : ver 21, 23, 25; 1Co 2:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 : 2Co 2:15; 4:3; 2Th 2:10
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 : Ac 2:47
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 : ver 24; Ro 1:16
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 : Isa 29:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 : Isa 19:11, 12
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 : 1Co 2:6, 8; 3:18; 2Co 4:4; Gal 1:4
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 : ver 27; Job 12:17; Isa 44:25; Jer 8:9; Ro 1:22; 1Co 3:18, 19
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 : ver 27, 28; 1Co 6:2; 11:32
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 : S Ro 11:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 : S Ro 3:22
- 1 Corinthians 1:22 : S Mt 12:38; S Jn 2:11; S 4:48
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 : 1Co 2:2; Gal 3:1
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 : S Lk 2:34
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 : S ver 18
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 : S Ro 8:28
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 : ver 18; Ro 1:16
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 : ver 30; S Col 2:3
- 1 Corinthians 1:25 : S ver 18
- 1 Corinthians 1:25 : 2Co 13:4
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. The message of the cross (18-21)
The message of the cross seems weak and foolish. To unbelievers, Jesus' death looks like failure and defeat. But to those who accept God's offer of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus, it is life, for he bore our sins and conquered death. For us who are being saved, the cross is the power of God. The way of the cross is the one and only way opened by God for sinful men to come to him for forgiveness and life. Those who reject God's way will perish, for there is no other way.
2. Christ, the wisdom and power of God (22-25)
Some people want a great dramatic miracle that stirs their feelings and makes them believe in God; others want a complicated, intellectual-sounding philosophy that feeds their pride. But God sent Jesus. His death and resurrection is the gospel. It is the wisdom of God and the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Prayer: Lord, give me spiritual eyes to see the cross of Jesus and faith to cling to him every day.
One Word: Christ was crucified for me