What does 1 Corinthians 1:21 mean?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21

Explanation

1 Corinthians 1:21 articulates a fundamental Christian belief about the relationship between human wisdom and divine revelation. The phrase “in the wisdom of God” suggests that it is within God’s wise purpose or plan. The verse contrasts human wisdom with God’s wisdom, stating that through human wisdom alone, the world did not come to know God. The term “knew not God” implies that despite human attempts at understanding through philosophy and other means, people could not fully grasp the nature of God and His salvation. The text then introduces a divine paradox, in which it “pleased God by the foolishness of preaching” to bring about salvation for those who believe. This “foolishness” refers to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which may seem absurd or foolish to those who rely solely on human wisdom but is the means by which believers are saved.

Historical Context

The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to the church at Corinth around AD 55. Corinth was a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population and a wide array of philosophies and religions. It was a center for commerce and culture, which included a strong influence from both Greek philosophy and Roman pragmatism. In this context, Paul confronts the challenge of Christians being swayed by the prevailing cultural norms of intellectual elitism and rhetoric. The wisdom mentioned in this verse would likely have included the sophisticated philosophical discourse of the time, which was esteemed by the Greeks. Paul emphasizes that despite the high regard for human reason and philosophy, these could not replace the divine wisdom found in Christ.

Theological Insights

From a Calvinist perspective, this verse might be interpreted as evidence of total depravity, whereby, without divine intervention, human beings are incapable of truly knowing God. From a Catholic viewpoint, there is a potential acknowledgment of natural theology but an insistence on the primacy of revelation for salvific knowledge. An Arminian might focus on the voluntary aspect of belief, wherein God’s grace allows for human response. Liberation theology could interpret the “foolishness” as God’s siding with the marginalized, countering human systems of power and wisdom. Lastly, a modern evangelical view holds that faith in the gospel message, and not intellectual achievement, is the means to salvation.

Practical Applications

This verse challenges individuals to reassess their approach to faith and knowledge. It can be applied in daily life by encouraging humility, openness to the gospel message, and a dependence on God rather than purely on human intellect. It might also encourage Christians to value simple, direct preaching of the gospel above rhetorical flourishes or elaborate apologetics. The verse could be used to inspire believers to share their faith in a straightforward and honest manner, trusting that it is God’s wisdom, not human persuasion, that leads to salvation.

Cross-References

• 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.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:19 – “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”
• 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.”

Language Study

The original Greek term for “world” is “kosmos,” which can refer to the orderly universe or the people within it. “Wisdom” in Greek is “sophia,” conveying not only practical skill but the pursuit of knowledge and philosophy. The term for “knew not” is “egnō,” meaning lacked acknowledgment or recognition in an intimate or relational context. “Preaching” comes from the proclamation (Greek: “kērugmati”), which denotes the official announcement of a herald, whereas “foolishness” (Greek: “mōrias”) connotes absurdity or silliness—antithetical to the respected wisdom (“sophia”) of the time.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the Greco-Roman world, wisdom and philosophical thought were highly valued, with figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle having laid the groundwork for systems of thought that emphasized human reason and logic. Meanwhile, Eastern religions and philosophies, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, offered their paths to enlightenment and understanding of the divine. The Jewish tradition, from which Christianity emerged, also placed a high value on wisdom, as seen in the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament (e.g., Proverbs). Paul’s message draws a sharp contrast with these streams of thought by suggesting that divine wisdom often operates counter to human expectations.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse doesn’t necessarily intersect with empirical methodologies or data-driven conclusions. However, it does touch on a philosophical debate about epistemology and how humans come to know truth. While science relies on observation, experimentation, and reason, this verse suggests that there are truths about God and salvation that transcend the reach of human intellect and instead are grasped through faith and spiritual understanding.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentators have explored this verse’s meaning. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible regards it as God’s purpose to confound the pride of man’s wisdom. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary highlights the contrast between God’s wisdom and human wisdom and emphasizes the divine strategy of using the proclaimed gospel to achieve His ends. John Calvin’s Commentaries on the epistles of Paul observe that Paul is not condemning wisdom per se but rather the vanity of those who do not subordinate their wisdom to God’s wisdom. The Pulpit Commentary explains that 1 Corinthians 1:21 serves to underscore the insufficiency of human wisdom in spiritual matters and the need for revelation and proclamation of the gospel.