1 Corinthians 1:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} after {G1894} that in {G1722} the wisdom {G4678} of God {G2316} the world {G2889} by {G1223} wisdom {G4678} knew {G1097} not {G3756} God {G2316}, it pleased {G2106} God {G2316} by {G1223} the foolishness {G3472} of preaching {G2782} to save {G4982} them that believe {G4100}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For God’s wisdom ordained that the world, using its own wisdom, would not come to know him. Therefore God decided to use the “nonsense” of what we proclaim as his means of saving those who come to trust in it.

Berean Standard Bible

For 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.

American Standard Version

For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 1:21 powerfully articulates a foundational paradox of God's redemptive plan: humanity, despite its intellectual prowess and philosophical pursuits, proved utterly incapable of knowing God through its own wisdom. Consequently, in a move that defies human logic and pride, God sovereignly chose a seemingly absurd and contemptible method—the simple proclamation of the Gospel—to accomplish the profound work of salvation for all who embrace it through faith. This verse underscores the inadequacy of human wisdom and exalts the unique, counter-intuitive wisdom and power of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's broader argument in [1 Corinthians 1](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1 - Divisions and God's Wisdom") concerning the nature of true wisdom and the source of salvation. Paul addresses the Corinthian church's divisions, which often stemmed from an overvaluation of human eloquence, philosophical schools, and social status. He has already declared in [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross") that "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." Verse 21 expands on this, explaining *why* God chose such a seemingly "foolish" method. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent elaboration in [1 Corinthians 1:22-25](/1_corinthians/1-22-25 "1 Corinthians 1:22-25 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"), where he explicitly contrasts Jewish demands for signs and Greek desires for wisdom with the message of Christ crucified, which is "unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." The verse functions as a theological justification for the simplicity and scandal of the Gospel message.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a thriving Roman provincial capital, a melting pot of cultures, and a hub of intellectual activity. Greek philosophy, rhetoric, and sophisticated argumentation were highly esteemed. Public speakers (sophists) who could deliver eloquent and persuasive speeches were revered. In such an environment, a message about a crucified Jewish Messiah, proclaimed without elaborate rhetoric or philosophical proofs, would have been considered utterly unsophisticated, illogical, and even contemptible by the intellectual elite. The "wisdom of the world" refers to the prevailing philosophical systems, human reasoning, and intellectual achievements that sought to understand reality and attain truth apart from divine revelation. This context highlights the stark contrast between human values and God's chosen means, making Paul's assertion in [1 Corinthians 1:21](/1_corinthians/1-21 "1 Corinthians 1:21 - God's Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom") all the more provocative and counter-cultural.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 1:21](/1_corinthians/1-21 "1 Corinthians 1:21 - God's Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom") contributes significantly to several major themes in the letter and broader biblical theology. It underscores **the inadequacy and futility of human wisdom** to comprehend divine truth or achieve salvation. Despite humanity's intellectual advancements, its own reasoning proved insufficient to truly "know God." This leads to the theme of **God's paradoxical wisdom**, where He deliberately chooses means that appear weak or foolish to human eyes, thereby confounding the wise and exalting His own glory, as further detailed in [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish"). The verse also highlights **the unique power of the Gospel message**, asserting that the simple "foolishness of preaching" is God's chosen and effective instrument for salvation. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **salvation by faith**, emphasizing that it is through believing the proclaimed message, rather than through intellectual achievement or human merit, that individuals are saved, echoing the principle found in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wisdom (Greek, _sophía'_):** Refers to intellectual insight, skill, or knowledge. In this context, it specifically denotes human wisdom, philosophical systems, and worldly reasoning. Paul contrasts this with the true "wisdom of God," which operates on a different, divine plane, often appearing counter-intuitive or foolish to human understanding.
* **knew (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb signifies knowing through experience, perception, or intimate acquaintance, rather than merely intellectual assent. The phrase "knew not God" implies a failure of humanity's deepest intellectual and spiritual faculties to genuinely apprehend or enter into a relationship with God through its own efforts and systems of thought.
* **foolishness (Greek, _mōría'_):** Derived from the root of the English word "moron," this term denotes absurdity, silliness, or idiocy. Paul uses it to describe how the message of the cross and its proclamation (preaching) appeared to the world, particularly to the Greeks who valued philosophical depth and rhetorical sophistication. It is not that the Gospel is inherently foolish, but that it is perceived as such by those who rely on worldly wisdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God":** This initial clause establishes the divine decree and the human failure. "In the wisdom of God" indicates that God, in His sovereign, overarching plan and perfect wisdom, permitted or ordained a scenario where humanity, relying on its own "wisdom" (human intellect, philosophy, and self-derived knowledge), proved utterly incapable of truly knowing or discovering Him. This highlights the inherent limitation and spiritual blindness of unregenerate human reason.
* **"it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching":** This phrase reveals God's counter-intuitive and sovereign choice. "It pleased God" (eudokéō) signifies God's good pleasure, approval, and deliberate will. Rather than using methods that align with human expectations of wisdom or power, God chose what the world deemed "foolishness"—the simple, unadorned proclamation (kērygma) of the Gospel message, particularly the message of Christ crucified. This choice is a deliberate subversion of human pride and intellectual arrogance.
* **"to save them that believe":** This final clause states the ultimate purpose and outcome of God's paradoxical method. The "foolishness of preaching" is not an end in itself, but the divinely appointed means through which God accomplishes salvation. Salvation is offered and received by "them that believe"—those who respond in faith to the proclaimed message, demonstrating that salvation is not earned through human wisdom or effort, but received as a gift through trust in God's revealed truth.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in [1 Corinthians 1:21](/1_corinthians/1-21 "1 Corinthians 1:21 - God's Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom") to underscore his theological point. The most prominent is **Paradox**, evident in the contrast between "the wisdom of God" and the world's inability to know God *by* its own "wisdom," and then the subsequent choice of "the foolishness of preaching" as God's means of salvation. This creates a striking and memorable tension, highlighting that God's ways are fundamentally different from human ways. Closely related is **Irony**, as God deliberately uses what humanity considers absurd or weak to achieve His most profound purpose, thereby shaming the wise and powerful. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established between human wisdom and divine wisdom, and between human methods and God's methods. The term "preaching" (kērygma) can also be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where the act of proclamation stands for the content of the message itself—the Gospel of Christ crucified. These devices collectively serve to dismantle human pride and elevate God's sovereign, counter-intuitive wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Corinthians 1:21 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's wisdom and humanity's spiritual condition. It asserts the utter inadequacy of human reason and philosophy to bridge the chasm between fallen humanity and a holy God. Despite humanity's greatest intellectual achievements, it could not, by its own efforts, truly know or apprehend the Creator. This highlights the biblical doctrine of human depravity and the necessity of divine revelation. God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, chose a method that would humble human pride and ensure that salvation is entirely His work, received by faith, not earned by intellect or merit. This divine strategy ensures that all glory redounds to God alone, preventing any boasting in human wisdom or accomplishment. The "foolishness of preaching" is thus revealed as the ultimate expression of God's profound wisdom and power, perfectly suited to expose human limitations and magnify His grace.

* [1 Corinthians 1:23-25](/1_corinthians/1-23-25 "1 Corinthians 1:23-25 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"): "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
* [Romans 1:21-22](/romans/1-21-22 "Romans 1:21-22 - The Futility of Human Wisdom"): "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"): "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse calls believers to a profound humility and a radical reorientation of values. In a world that continues to worship intellectual prowess, scientific advancement, and sophisticated rhetoric, [1 Corinthians 1:21](/1_corinthians/1-21 "1 Corinthians 1:21 - God's Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom") reminds us that true knowledge of God and the path to salvation are not found through human ingenuity or philosophical speculation, but through divine revelation received by faith. It challenges us to resist the temptation to conform the Gospel message to worldly standards of "wisdom" or to be ashamed of its apparent simplicity. Instead, we are called to embrace and boldly proclaim the "foolishness of preaching," trusting implicitly in God's sovereign power to use this seemingly humble means to accomplish His glorious purpose of salvation. Our confidence should rest not in our own persuasive abilities or the intellectual appeal of our arguments, but in the inherent, God-given power of the Gospel itself. This verse encourages us to trust God's counter-intuitive ways, knowing that His "foolishness" is infinitely wiser than human wisdom, and His "weakness" infinitely stronger.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to rely on my own wisdom or human understanding rather than God's revealed truth?**
* **How does the "foolishness of preaching" challenge my perceptions of what is effective or impressive in sharing the Gospel?**
* **Am I ever ashamed of the simple message of Christ crucified because it seems too unsophisticated for a "wise" world?**
* **How can I more fully embrace and trust God's paradoxical methods for salvation and spiritual growth in my own life and ministry?**

### FAQ

**What does "the wisdom of God" mean in the first part of the verse?**

Answer: In the phrase "in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God," "the wisdom of God" refers to God's overarching, sovereign plan and divine design. It's not that God's wisdom *failed* to reveal Him, but that in His infinite wisdom, He allowed humanity, through its own self-sufficient "wisdom" (human intellect and philosophy), to demonstrate its utter inability to truly know Him. God's wisdom ordained this scenario to expose human pride and to set the stage for His own unique method of salvation. It's part of His perfect plan to reveal Himself in a way that confounds human expectations and ensures His glory.

**Is the Gospel message itself truly foolish?**

Answer: No, the Gospel message is not inherently foolish. The term "foolishness" (Greek, _mōría_) is used here from the perspective of the world, particularly the intellectual Greeks of Paul's day, who would have considered the message of a crucified Messiah proclaimed without sophisticated rhetoric to be utterly absurd or nonsensical. Paul is using the world's assessment of the Gospel to highlight God's paradoxical method. What the world deems foolish, God uses as His profound wisdom and power to save. As Paul states in [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men"), "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

**Why did God choose "the foolishness of preaching" to save those who believe?**

Answer: God chose this seemingly "foolish" method for several profound reasons, all rooted in His divine wisdom and sovereignty. Firstly, it exposes the futility and inadequacy of human wisdom and pride, ensuring that no one can boast in their own intellectual capacity or achievements for salvation (see [1 Corinthians 1:29](/1_corinthians/1-29 "1 Corinthians 1:29 - No Boasting in the Presence of God")). Secondly, it highlights that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, received through simple faith in His proclaimed message, not through human effort or intellectual ascent. Thirdly, it demonstrates God's power to work through humble means, proving that the efficacy of the Gospel lies in its divine origin and content, not in the eloquence or status of the messenger. This method ensures that all glory for salvation belongs to God alone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "foolishness of preaching" finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself, particularly His crucifixion. The message proclaimed, the *kērygma*, is not just any message; it is the message of Christ crucified and risen. To the world, a crucified Messiah was the epitome of weakness and foolishness—a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks, as Paul elaborates in [1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified: Stumbling Block and Foolishness"). Yet, it is precisely in this seemingly absurd event that God's profound wisdom and power are fully displayed. Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of God's wisdom, "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). The cross, far from being a defeat, was God's divinely orchestrated plan to reconcile humanity to Himself, demonstrating both His justice and His love. Through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, the "foolishness" of God's plan becomes the "power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")). Thus, the "foolishness of preaching" is Christ Himself, proclaimed as the wisdom and power of God, who, by His finished work on the cross, saves all who believe, perfectly fulfilling God's paradoxical and glorious design.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 10:21

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Matthew 11:25

¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Romans 1:20

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Romans 1:22

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Ephesians 3:10

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

1 Corinthians 1:24

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Daniel 2:20

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: