1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 on biblegateway.com
Verse 18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Verse 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Verse 20Where 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? Verse 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. Verse 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, Verse 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, Verse 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Verse 25For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. Verse 26Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Verse 27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; Verse 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, Verse 29so that no one might boast in the presence of God. Verse 30He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, Verse 31in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Devotion
Our culture seems to worship strength, wisdom, sophistication and beauty. Many people seem bent on seeking those qualities, then priding themselves on their achievements. Such seems to have been the case in the Christian community of Corinth. Paul reminds readers that God identifies with what culture considers foolish, weak and despised. God stoops to eye level to show that even at His weakest, most foolish moments, He is wiser and stronger than we are at our absolute best.
That’s a humbling thought for me. If God made a “foolish” mistake, it would still be better than my most admirable achievement. If God had a “weak” moment, it would still be full of more power than my strongest effort. When I boast, then, as Paul admonishes, I best not boast of myself. I need to boast of the Lord and the cross of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
In your kingdom, Jesus, there is no boasting except in the cross where you made weakness into power and foolishness into wisdom. Fill me with your wisdom and strength, so that I may boast not of my self, but only of what you are doing in me. Amen.