1 Corinthians 1:23-29 | Verse by Verse Rightly Divided Bible Study

Father God, thank you for this time that we can spend together reading and studying your holy word. Lord, I pray that we will come to really understand your holy word rightly divided more and more each day. In Christ's name we pray, amen. 

1 Corinthians 1:23-29

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

The Jews stumbled at Christ's first coming. The nation as a whole did not believe on Jesus, nor that the kingdom was at hand. Only a remnant of Jews at that time believed and then a remnant of them will believe at His second coming as well. In fact, even the rapture of the Church the Body of Christ will be a wake-up call for many Jews and they will realize that God kept His promises to us and so during the tribulation period it will help them to trust that He will keep His promises to them too.

The Greeks, meaning Gentiles who think that all they need is their own man-made philosophies, science, art, music, technology etc, think that the cross is foolishness. I know several people from my past personally that are very well-read, but they think that the preaching of the cross is absolutely ridiculous. This is because they want to boast in their own wisdom and in the wisdom of other men instead of admitting in their own desperate need for a savior.

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The called are those who will choose to believe the gospel and be saved unto eternal life. God gives us freewill but he also has foreknowledge. He knows exactly who will choose to believe the gospel and who will not. He wants for ALL people to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, but sadly most people will never choose to believe. 

As believers, we understand that the cross was powerful! So powerful that it made us spiritually alive in Christ from the moment that we believed the Gospel and it keeps us eternally secure in Christ. Not only that, but because of the finished work of the cross, believers also have all SPIRITUAL blessings in Christ Jesus and we have a blessed hope! Nothing else could ever do any of that! We also come to understand just how wise the cross was; it even took Satan and his devils by surprise!

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Basically, God is far wiser and stronger than men - there really is no comparison! The cross outwitted Satan. 

1 Corinthians 2:8

“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Christ taking on the lowly form of a man, in order to save man through his death, burial and resurrection, is seen as weak to unbelievers but the Lord Jesus Christ now has a name that is above all names! He will always have a body of a man (though its now a glorified body) all throughout eternity because He wanted to save those of us who would choose to believe and spend eternity in relationship with us! This is far stronger than anything any man or angel could ever possibly do!

Philippians 2:9-11 KJB

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

Most people that we might think of as "wise, mighty and noble" (after the flesh) are far less likely to believe the gospel. It's still possible for them to believe and some of them have believed (which is why Paul says "not many"). But it's pride that usually gets in the way. How many philosophers, scientists, doctors, professors, writers, artists, actors, politicians, CEOs, billionaires, famous athletes, etc are actually saved? Not many. A few are. But especially today in modern times, not many. 

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

The cross is considered foolishness in this present evil world, but the cross really worked. God uses weak people to share the gospel- these are people who have recognized their sin nature and desperate need for a savior, and have then simply believed the Gospel of the grace of God without works. Believers recognize our weakness. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 says,

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

1 Cor 1:38

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

People not only think that the gospel is foolishness, but they also despise God and all believers, especially believers who live godly. They don't mind too much if a believer lives worldly because then they don't have to feel guilty about their own ungodly lifestyle choices and thus they might never acknowledge their sin nature and desperate need for a savior. But, if they come across a believer or believers who are actually living godly, it causes them to notice their own ungodliness more and so they might be more likely to believe the gospel. Man's pride, as well as Satan's deceptions are why so many choose to never believe the gospel. 

Things which are not - believers (especially those who live godly) are not usually well-liked in society, but we are dearly loved by God. We are not loved, nor treated well by the world (we suffer as believers for the sake of the gospel) but God greatly loves us and has given us all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. We do not glory in ourselves, but in God!

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

No flesh - or fallen, sinful creature, will ever glory in God's presence. They will be seen exactly as they are. Sinners. And, their "good works" as filthy rags. Even for believers, we need to walk in the Spirit instead of after the flesh because anything that we do after the flesh will NOT be rewarded at the believers judgment seat of Christ. It must be Christ and His word working in and through us to receive a reward and even then all glory will go to God!

Homework: Try scripture writing: Find a verse that you really like in this chapter and write it out in a journal. You can also color the verse or draw something to go along with it. You can use colored pens or pencils, faith stickers, highlighters to beautify your scripture writing if you want. Really think over and meditate upon the verse through the day.