disputer . Greek. suzetetees. Only here. Compare Acts 15:2 . world = age. App-129 . It was an age of speculation. Acts 17:21 . made foolish . Greek. moraino. See Romans 1:22 . this = the. world . Greek. kosmos. App-129 . The wisdom of the world is human wisdom generally. read more
after that = since. knew . App-132 . it pleased God = God was well pleased. Greek. eudokeo. Occurs twenty-one times. Generally translated "pleased", "well pleased", "take pleasure". preaching = the thing proclaimed. App-121 . believe . App-150 . read more
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?The wise ... refers to the worldly wise such as the Greek sophists.The scribe ... denotes the expert in Jewish religion. "The disputer of this world ..." includes both the others as well as all others who rely upon their own intelligence and do not trust in God.Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ... Although Paul doubtless had in mind that phase of... read more
For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.Knew not God ... The ineffectiveness and frustration of human wisdom are nowhere more dramatically evident than in the long pre-Christian history of the Gentiles, who, turning away from God and walking in the light (!) of their own intelligence, drowned the whole earth in shameful debaucheries. Paul developed this thought... read more
1 Corinthians 1:19-20. For it is written, I will destroy, &c.— See Isaiah 29:11, &c. and Isaiah 33:17-18. By the words wise, scribe, disputer, the Apostle probably meant persons most eminent for their learning and sagacity, whether among Jews or Gentiles. The sages of the latter, and the scribes of the former, are well known: and the disputer of the age may include such of both, as, proud of their natural sagacity, were fond of engaging in controversies, and fancied that they could... read more
1 Corinthians 1:21. For after that, in the wisdom of God— There is some difficulty in ascertaining the precise meaning of these words. Some understand it to be, "That since the world, in the wisdom of God, that is to say, by contemplating the works of the creation, had not by wisdom, that is, by the exercise of their reason, arrived to the true knowledge of God, it pleased God to take another method, and by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." It may seem strange, that the... read more
20. Where—nowhere; for God "brings them to naught" ( :-). the wise—generally. the scribe—Jewish [ALFORD]. the disputer—Greek [ALFORD]. Compare the Jew and Greek of this world contrasted with the godly wise, 1 Corinthians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 1:23. VITRINGA thinks the reference is to the Jewish discourses in the synagogue, daraschoth, from a Hebrew root "to dispute." Compare "questions," Acts 26:3; Titus 3:9. If so, "wise" refers to Greek wisdom (compare Titus 3:9- :). Paul applies Isaiah 33:18... read more
21. after that—rather, "whereas." in the wisdom of God—in the wise arrangement of God. world by wisdom—rather, "by its wisdom," or "its philosophy" (John 1:10; Romans 1:28). knew not God—whatever other knowledge it attained (Acts 17:23; Acts 17:27). The deistic theory that man can by the light of nature discover his duty to God, is disproved by the fact that man has never discovered it without revelation. All the stars and moon cannot make it day; that is the prerogative of the sun. Nor can... read more
II. CONDITIONS REPORTED TO PAUL 1:10-6:20The warm introduction to the epistle (1 Corinthians 1:1-9) led Paul to give a strong exhortation to unity. In it he expressed his reaction to reports of serious problems in this church that had reached his ears."Because Paul primarily, and in seriatim fashion, addresses behavioral issues, it is easy to miss the intensely theological nature of 1 Corinthians. Here Paul’s understanding of the gospel and its ethical demands-his theology, if you will-is... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Contrasts in wisdom and power (1:18-31)The whole idea of salvation from sin through the death of Christ on the cross appears foolish to the average person, but to believers it shows God’s power (18). God’s way has always been different from that of people in general. Whether they be Greek philosophers, Jewish scholars, or just ordinary citizens, people always think their schemes and ideas are full of wisdom; but God shows them up to be foolish (19-20).God, in his wisdom, saves people by way of... read more