1 Corinthians 1:19-28

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

19 For it is written,
f "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

20 g Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? h Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For i Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ j crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ k the power of God and l the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brothers: m not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, 1 not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But n God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; o God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even p things that are not, to q bring to nothing things that are,

  1. Cross References
    Isaiah 29:14
    Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.
    Job 5:12 - 13
    He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
    Jeremiah 8:9
    The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?
    Matthew 11:25
    At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.
  2. Cross References
    Isaiah 29:14
    Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.
  3. Cross References
    Isaiah 19:12
    Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you that they might know what the Lord of hosts has purposed against Egypt.
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:6
    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
    1 Corinthians 3:19
    For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness.
    Isaiah 44:25
    Who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish.
    Romans 1:22
    Claiming to be wise, they became fools.
    1 Corinthians 1:26
    For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 12:38
    Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.
  6. Cross References
    Galatians 5:11
    But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
    1 Peter 2:8
    And "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:18
    For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:30
    And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
    Colossians 2:3
    In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
    Luke 11:49
    Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:8
    None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
    John 7:48
    Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?
    1 Corinthians 1:20
    Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
    Matthew 11:25
    At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.
  10. Cross References
    James 2:5
    Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 8:2
    Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
  12. Cross References
    Romans 4:17
    As it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" - in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:6
    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
    Job 34:19
    Who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
    Job 34:24
    He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.