What does 1 Corinthians 1:18 mean?

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Explanation

1 Corinthians 1:18 discusses the differing perceptions of the message of the cross between believers and non-believers. To those who do not believe (“them that perish”), the message of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is seen as “foolishness.” This suggests that to the skeptical or those outside the Christian faith, the idea that salvation and divine power come through the crucifixion of Jesus, which appears to be a defeat, is nonsensical and absurd.

Conversely, to the believers (“us which are saved”), the cross is “the power of God.” For Christians, the crucifixion is not a symbol of defeat but a profound intervention by God in human history, offering redemption and demonstrating His power to save humanity from sin and death. The message isn’t just a matter of intellectual assent but is transformative; it is an experience of God’s saving power.

Historical Context

Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians to address issues within the church at Corinth. This community was diverse, composed of Jews and Gentiles, and was influenced by the surrounding Greek culture, which prized wisdom and oratory skills. During this time, the message of a crucified messiah would have been seen as scandalous and incongruent with the societal expectations of power and wisdom. The concept of a deity suffering on the cross was counterintuitive to both Jewish expectations of a triumphant messiah and Greek ideals of rationality and strength.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse encapsulates the paradox of Christian salvation—God’s strength manifesting through apparent weakness and God’s wisdom coming through what seems foolish to human understanding. Theologians through the ages have seen in this message a countercultural element of Christianity, which opposes conventional views of power.

For some, the “foolishness” indicates the humbling nature of the Gospel that requires individuals to recognize their need for a savior. Others point out that the message of the cross subverts human pride and intellectual achievement as means of knowing God.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages believers to embrace the Gospel message without shame, regardless of how it may be perceived by society. It challenges Christians to re-evaluate cultural definitions of success and wisdom based on the paradoxical power of the crucifixion. It also calls for a reflection on personal attitudes toward the Christian message—is it truly the power of God in one’s own life?

In terms of daily behavior, it might inspire acts of sacrificial love and service that run counter to the prevalent self-promoting and power-seeking norms, mirroring the self-giving love shown on the cross.

Cross-References

• Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
• 2 Corinthians 4:3-4: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
• 1 Corinthians 2:14: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Language Study

In examining the original Greek text, the word for “perish” is “ἀπολλυμένοις” (apollymenois), which has a connotation of destruction or loss. The term for “foolishness” is “μωρία” (moria), which implies absurdity or senseless behavior, and is the root for the English word “moronic.” “Saved” comes from “σῳζομένοις” (sozomenois), meaning being rescued or delivered from danger.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of a god dying or being sacrificed is not unique to Christianity and can be found in various mythologies and religions, such as the story of the Norse god Odin, who hung from the world tree Yggdrasil. However, the Christian narrative is unique in that it posits God as becoming incarnate and dying as a human being, rather than as a remote deity or mythological figure undergoing cycles of death and rebirth.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific community generally approaches religious texts from a historical and literary perspective, analyzing them as documents reflecting the beliefs, practices, and understandings of particular cultures rather than weighing in on their theological truths. From a psychological perspective, scholars might explore how belief in the power of the cross can affect individual behavior and mental health.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse insights on this verse. Some emphasize the contrast between God’s wisdom and human wisdom, noting that what seems foolish to humans may indeed reflect a higher divine wisdom. Others see the verse’s focus on “us which are saved” as a call to Christian unity, a reminder that all who are in Christ share in understanding the salvific significance of the cross. Contemporary commentators might also explore the implications of this verse in a multi-faith or secular society, discussing the nature of preaching and witnessing in contexts where the message of the cross is not commonly understood or valued.