The Message of the Cross

Paul says the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but God's power to those being saved, and he supports this with Scripture's judgment on human wisdom. Since the world did not know God through its own wisdom, God chose to save believers through what preaching seems to be: something foolish in the world's eyes.

F¹⁸or the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written: ²⁰Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Jews ask for signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but Paul preaches Christ crucified, which appears as offense or folly depending on the hearer. Yet to those who are called, Christ is God's power and wisdom, because what seems foolish or weak in God surpasses human strength and understanding.

²²Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.