The word of the cross

The central message of Paul’s preaching was the cross of Christ. God became man and went to the cross to save sinners. This is the content of “the word of the cross.” When it is proclaimed, it produces two responses in those who hear it. (1) To those who are perishing, it sounds foolish. (2) But to those who are being saved, it is the power of God. At that time, there were three kinds of people who took pride in their wisdom. (1) The “wise man” was one who was well versed in Greek philosophy and able to reason about matters logically. (2) The “scribe” refers to the Jewish scribes – those who were thoroughly familiar with the Old Testament and took pride in their knowledge. (3) The “debater of this age” refers to other people who delighted in arguments and disputes. (4) However, God was pleased to save those who believe, not through the wisdom of these people, but through “the foolishness of the message preached.” To demonstrate this, Paul quotes Isaiah 29:14: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.”

Paul’s mission

Next, Paul speaks about his method of ministry. (1) The Jews demanded signs. A “sign” was proof that Jesus was the Messiah. If Jesus were truly the Messiah, then the kingdom of God should already have been established on the earth. However, Jesus was crucified and died. Therefore, the message of the cross was a “stumbling block” to the Jews. (2) The Greeks pursued “wisdom.” To them, the message that Jesus, a condemned man who died on a cross, was the Savior was utterly foolish. (3) However, Paul did not preach a message that catered to the way people thought. Rather, he proclaimed only “Christ crucified.” How do you respond to Paul’s words: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind” (v 25)? No one can be saved apart from faith in Christ crucified. Let us once again remember what the most important message truly is.