What is the “foolishness of God” and the “weakness of God” in 1 Corinthians 1:25?
To get the proper sense of what is being said in this verse, let’s first read 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 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. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 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.”
This portion is really the unfolding of the Gospel which the Apostle Paul was sent to preach. It is the cross of Christ and the power of God to salvation made known by that cross. We also read Paul’s words in Romans 1:16 where he boldly stated, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Paul did not preach the Gospel “with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” (Verse 17). All that was attractive to the natural man, such as beautiful language, or enticing words, was avoided by him. He was “rude in speech” (2 Corinthians 11:6); he did not preach with enticing words (1 Corinthians 2:4). Paul realized the Gospel needed no human embellishment or human methods to make it effective. All human efforts by rhetoric, sentimental rubbish methods, which are used to stir up and to direct the emotions and sympathies of the natural man only work against the Spirit working through the Word to bring souls to Christ. It was actually said of Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:10, “For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” May we learn that it is not the ability to hold an audience spellbound by our ability to communicate, but it is the pronouncement of the Gospel simply and clearly by the Spirit that is able to save precious souls.
To the lost, the preaching of the Gospel is foolishness. It just doesn’t make sense to the ones who insist upon their personal knowledge and learning to determine the validity of God’s offer of salvation. To we who are saved, we know the Word of God, and particularly the Gospel of Christ to be strong. After all, it has taken us from being guilty sinners to being the very children of God.
Paul goes on to quote Isaiah 29:14 which says, “Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” The Lord will bring to naught the so-called wisdom of the world. He will expose those whose greatest discoveries amount to nothing in comparison to the grand truths relative to God. God’s word has shown the world’s philosophy to be foolishness because it lacks faith in Christ crucified. It has treated it as madness, and not used its help in converting and saving men.
Although men may consider God’s plan of salvation to be nothing more than foolishness, still Paul realizes its power and says, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.” Oh, how vital it is to know that Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” Paul goes on to say, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (Verse 25). You asked a good question, asking about the “foolishness of God” and the “weakness of God.” How are we to understand these expressions?
Well, there is no such thing as “foolishness” in God, nor is there the least degree of weakness in Him; but Paul here is referring to that which the men of the world esteem so. To those who reject the Lord’s wonderful gift of salvation, surely this offer seems foolish. To those who reject the Lord, how weak He must seem by giving His own Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
Paul would later write to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 13:3-4, “Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. For though he was CRUCIFIED THROUGH WEAKNESS, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” This speaks of the appearance of weakness which the Lord manifested. He did not choose to exert his power in the face of His accusers. He appeared to his enemies to be weak and feeble. Yet, we who know Him, understand that His immeasurable strength was displayed when He allowed sinful men to mistreat Him and nail Him to the cross. We often refer to the Lord as the “willing victim” because even on the cross, He was in complete control. Let us conclude with the words of the Lord Jesus concerning His crucifixion in John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (CC) (610.2)