FOOLISHNESS OF THE MESSAGE

Paul, an apostle, wrote to the Corinthians, “Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:21-22)

The contrast through chapters one and two of this letter are between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of people. Another version of verse 21above reads, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” (NASV) It is a foolish message because it is one we must believe and not just figure out… it is by faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) 

Just after this in 1 Corinthians 2, Paul says clearly, “My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (vs. 4-5)
What takes the foolishness out of the message is a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” That makes what was once foolish… very wise and believable.

“We speak of what we know and bear witness of what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” Jesus