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Book of 1 Corinthians - Chapter 1 - Verse 21

1:21
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.

Meaning

1 Corinthians 1:21 discusses the paradox of God's wisdom versus human wisdom. The verse explains that despite the world's pursuit of wisdom through human intellect and understanding, it still failed to know and understand God. In His divine wisdom, God chose a different path for revealing Himself to humanity. Instead of relying on human wisdom, God decided to use what may seem foolish to the world - preaching. This highlights God's sovereignty and his ability to work beyond human comprehension. By choosing the foolishness of preaching, God demonstrates His power to save those who believe in Him. This verse emphasizes the importance of faith and humility in accepting God's ways, even if they may seem unconventional or foolish to the world. It serves as a reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His wisdom surpasses human understanding.

Theological Overview

Many theologians interpret this verse from 1 Corinthians 1:21 as a reflection of God's wisdom surpassing human understanding. The idea that man's wisdom alone is unable to comprehend or know God suggests that salvation cannot be achieved through human effort or intellectual prowess. Instead, the verse highlights God's sovereignty and his decision to save believers through the seemingly foolish act of preaching. By choosing the "foolishness of preaching," God demonstrates his power to reveal truth and bring salvation to those who have faith. The word "foolishness" in this context may refer to the world's perception of preaching as nonsensical or irrational, yet God uses this method to bring about his divine purposes. Through this theological interpretation, believers are encouraged to trust in God's wisdom and to rely on faith rather than human reasoning as the means of salvation.

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.
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