1 Corinthians 1:21
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.
Tag: Wisdom of God vs Wisdom of Man
The Corinthian church was set in the context of Greek wisdom and philosophy. The Greeks loved their wisdom (the word philosophy is two Greek words, Love and Wisdom). In Paul's day there were 40-50 different bents of wisdom. People followed they one they "thought" right. This is what the believers at Corinth brought into the church. They began to follow Paul, Peter, Apollos, etc. They wanted to follow the one who they "thought" best. But, in the above verse, what we see is God never intended man's wisdom to be able to bring someone to Christ. Man can't be saved by human wisdom. Using man's wisdom to lead them to Christ simply will not work. Note how John MacArthur describes this thought:
"Although it is true that men have recognized much that is true about life, a Christian has no need of human philosophy. It is unnecessary and, more often than not, misleading. Where it happens to be right it will agree with Scripture, and is therefore unnecessary. Where it is wrong it will disagree with Scripture, and is therefore misleading. It has nothing necessary or reliable to offer. By nature it is speculation, based on man’s limited and fallible insights and understanding. It is always unreliable and always divisive. “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Col. 2:8)." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set (33 Vols.)
If we want to lead others to find meaning, truth and value in life it will NOT be through any human wisdom. God did not design man to be lead to Christ via that method. It WILL BE through the simply truths of the Gospel message. As man attempts to elevate his wisdom about life it will only take him farther from Christ and the true meaning of life. We only need Christ.
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