Thursday: Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God
Daily Lesson for Thursday 9th of July 2026
In 1 Corinthians 1:19-20,30, and 31, Paul talks about how God’s wisdom and human wisdom are incredibly different and, thus, mutually exclusive. Notice that Paul does not reject wisdom as such, but he rejects the kind of human wisdom that tries to compete with God. Human wisdom is incapable of freeing men from sin. Only Christ, the wisdom of God, can perform this work. See the table below.
| but to us who are being saved | [the message of the Cross] is the power of God | 1 Corinthians 1:18 |
| but to those who are called | Christ [is] the power of God | 1 Corinthians 1:24 |
Image © Phil McKay Goodsalt.com
Both 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 1 Corinthians 1:24 show that Christ is the power of God, in the sense that He has the power to save people from their sins. Indeed, “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21, NKJV). The phrases “us who are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NKJV), “those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21, NKJV), and “those who are called” (1 Corinthians 1:24, NKJV) refer to the same group, namely, people living the experience of salvation through faith. “The gospel of Christ . . . is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, NKJV).
Christ is not only the power but also the wisdom of God. This means that through Him God faced and solved the problem of sin, a problem that human wisdom was powerless to solve. The wisdom of this world is unable to make people know God (1 Corinthians 1:21). Conversely, through Christ we become wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).
Read 1 Corinthians 1:24-29. Notice the words there, such as “foolishness,” “weak,” “power,” and “wise.” What point is he making?
In reading 1 Corinthians 1:24-29, one should also notice the terms foolish (or foolishness) and weak (or weakness). The point is that human wisdom may consider the message of the Cross to be foolishness and weakness. However, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25, ESV). This doesn’t mean that God is weak or foolish; it’s merely an expression showing how God’s power and wisdom far exceed anything human.
|
Dwell on the words “that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26, NKJV). What message is there for us? |
We often use the term “Wisdom of God” as a Christian meme. We know it is a good idea but we sometimes just use the term because is sounds good in a Christian context.
There is a passage in Proverbs that gives a picture of God’s wisdom that is both poetically beautiful and technically satisfying. Speaking of God’s wisdom the writer has this to say:
The wisdom of God preceded creation and right at the very beginning was founded in justice and right. God’s wisdom was the philosopher, and engineer that drove both creation and salvation.
If you follow this idea through you see it reflected in Pauls writings:
The wisdom of God is instantiated in Jesus for us. Paul makes the connection between the wisdom of God and Jesus. The unknown becomes known for us through Jesus.
I prefer the NKJV of Proverbs 8:22-23. It reads as follows:
22. The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way. Before His works of old.
23. I have been established from everlasting.
The TLB version seems to cause a potential problem in our belief that Jesus always existed by its interpretation that “the Lord formed Me in the beginning.”
I agree. However, I can find several verses in the KJV that also cause similar problems by themselves. There is a danger in “version hopping” to get the translation that suits your belief. Note the differences, but remind ourselves that a a single verse or translation of a verse does not establish a belief.
Good point to remember. Thank you.
Maurice – You state: “The wisdom of God is instantiated in Jesus for us.” The word ‘instantiated’ is an incredibly deep, all-encompassing word describing/expressing the fullness of God contained in His Son – Jesus the Christ – and His Commission and Mission to save mankind from destruction.
I believe wholeheartedly that everyone will benefit when allowing the heart and mind to dwell long and deep on the implications this descriptive word – instantiate – has and its effect on our spiritual and personal life. I see it as being able to open the ‘storehouse of God’s caring Wisdom’, able to reveal the wonderous treasures He is willing to share with His Children. This ‘little’ word’s impact truly is life-changing – thank you, Maurice!
That’s a cool word which I haven’t known before.
Did you get that from Java? 🤔😉😊
Hehe! Close, Tim. It has been kicked around in object-oriented programming for a long time. It is a good word though, and I like the concept it represents in computer science. Who says you cannot learn theology by studying computer science?😀😀
I also had to look up instantiated, I love words & I had never heard this one before. Once I read the definition I totally “got” it. I smiled though when I saw it was commonly used in programming. Thanks again for your always insightful shares that make the lessons come to life.
Paul contrasts God’s wisdom and power with the greatest achievements in human history. The world has had extraordinary achievements and accomplishments for example Isaac Newton revolutionized science, Albert Einstein transformed our understanding of the universe through the theory of relativity besides Steve Jobs who reshaped modern technology. In sports men and women such as Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan, Serens Wiliams, Lionel Messi and Muhammad Ali have all demonstrated remarkable human strength and excellence by going over and beyond accomplishments before their time.
Numerous civilizations have achieved astonishing feats from the Moon landing led by the US and the conqering vast empires like that achieved by Mongols to the enduring influence of Greek philosophy. Yet Paul argues that even if human achievements were to be combined from all generations, cultures, and civilizations, they would still fall infinitely short of God’s wisdom and power- “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25, NIV).
The supreme demonstration of God’s wisdom and power is not found in human achievement but in the cross of Christ. To the Jews, the cross represented a curse, and in the Greco-Roman world it symbolized shame, weakness, and brutal execution. Nevertheless, God transformed this instrument of death into the means of salvation for the world, revealing a wisdom that surpasses every scientific breakthrough, military conquest, philosophical system, or technological innovation. What appeared to be defeat became God’s greatest victory over sin and death.Therefore, the cross remains the ultimate revelation of God’s wisdom and power, standing above every human accomplishment. Paul writes, “But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks
How utterly foolish can humans be to doubt the power and wisdom of God? How can anyone possibly limit what God can do or His knowledge and understanding?
“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! You show unfailing love to thousands, but you also bring the consequences of one generation’s sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. You see the conduct of all people, and you give them what they deserve.” (Jeremiah 32:17-19, NLT).
One of the unfortunate outcomes of sin is that it made human beings foolish and limited in knowledge and understanding. After receiving glorious bodies when Jesus comes, our capacity for knowledge and understanding will be restored as at creation. There is no doubt why we always doubt God’s power and wisdom, because our spiritual, physical, and intellectual capacities were retarded by sin. Human beings do foolish things and think it is God who has a problem! How can the cross of Jesus Christ be foolish? It will never be so; our thinking is foolish. How can the cross of Jesus not be God’s power and wisdom for the salvation of mankind? Human beings can never grasp spiritual things. We need divine knowledge, understanding and revelation for spiritual things to make sense.
”Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31, NLT)
Amen brother. We are so greatful for the grace of God that with this little faith He loves us and Christ Jesus presents us as clean before Him. Blessed be the Cross for without it I would not even be writing this reply!
God’s standard of wisdom and power outperforms that of human, though to the human mind they may be senseless.
As we seek to know Christ, the One who is all knowledgeable and all powerful may we be able to comprehend what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of His love for us which goes beyond human understanding!!!
1 Corinthians 1:26. Paul is talking about before, and before is the key word. He is talking of before we gave our hearts to Christ, accepting the gift of grace, forgiveness, and living in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Also, before we had a daily relationship with Him. Look at what Paul says as contrast of before. After we have received Christ as our Saviour. After we have been born again, we are wise and feel good, rejoicing in the Lord. with joy.
2 Corinthians 1:12.
From the Clear Word
“It is by God’s grace and not human wisdom that we have lived by the truths we have taught. Our conscience is clear that we have conducted ourselves toward you and everyone else as we should.” We too can say this with Paul. Where did Paul get his confidence, which we can have too? From the power and wisdom of being in Christ. Yes, from the gospel of Christ, as pointed out in the lesson today. Romans 1:16.
Paul contrasts the world’s definition of strength with God’s. The world prizes power, dominance, self-assertion, and revenge. But God reveals His greatest power through what appears to be weakness—the cross of Christ.
Humility, tenderness, gentleness, forgiveness, and loving one’s enemies are often dismissed as weakness or foolishness. Yet, in God’s kingdom, they are marks of true spiritual strength because they require the power of Christ rather than the power of self.
Jesus demonstrated this perfectly. He could have called legions of angels, yet He chose humility. He prayed for those who crucified Him. What looked like defeat became the greatest victory in history. The cross turns apparent weakness into divine power.
As Paul concludes, God deliberately uses what the world considers weak and foolish “to shame the strong… so that no one may boast before Him” (1 Corinthians 1:27–29).
The cross teaches that the strongest person is not the one who can overpower others, but the one whose life is controlled by the self-sacrificing love of Christ. That is God’s wisdom, and it is God’s power.
As the saying goes…Today we call our sons Paul and our dogs Nero.
Thinking about how this lesson should be broadcast to everyone. I want to thank everyone who has sent in their thoughts, I have learned so much from this. Thank you for the video too.
“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.” 1 Cor. 1:21 KJV
This verse indicates that God chose that man should not be able to know him through human wisdom. Because of our fallen nature, Satan is at the heart of man’s wisdom, which is corrupt and can never reason itself into unselfishness.
Today’s study is another wonder in the power of Almighty God and his precious son who decided to include us in on all the love, compassion, mercy and so many other beautiful things of the love they have for us. While reading Proverbs 8:20-30 Brother Maurice added, it brought my mind and thoughts to how Amazing our God really is. It also reminds me how as this lesson explains how God’s foolishness and his weakness contrast ours in a huge way, we should always keep our faith in him and never in man’s. Stay with us Lord as we go from day to day and remember your word and never forget it!
1 Corinthians 1:26 opens my eyes to the fact that GOD can use anyone to accomplish His will; to bring glory to Him. The highly esteemed people in great positions or that have high degrees may not be called to carry out the good LORD’s purpose. GOD can use anyone who has little. Makes me think of Psalm 37:16.
Whatever voice we may hear, may this be of the Holy Spirit. Calling us to praise the Lord, the One Who died for us, and Who can forgive our limitations! Thank God for Jesus, the Son of God!
Many theologians these days would want to farther their academic qualifications to be acceptable and to be relevant to the church! What should we now say in the context of today’s lesson? , how do we reconcile the two where Paul says not many that are called are mighty while today’s theologians are craving to be academic giants in theology .
Perhaps that is a symptom of the Laodicean condition – the condition that Christ despises so much that He said He would spit out of His mouth those with that condition. (Rev. 3:14-18)
Joseph, I am an academic (albeit not in theology) but I can tell you that I had to get academic qualifications to be useful in Church employment as a computing teacher. It was not a desire to have Doctor in front of my name. Today, an academic degree is a necessity for life for many of us. I also want to give a shout out to my many adacemic theology friends who have not only given freely of their understanding of scripture, they have also been friends in time of need, offering practical help and advice. Our Christianity is not defined by our academic qualifications but our relationship with Jesus. We all have much to learn about that relationship irrespective of educational background.
Point taken
To be clear, my comment was not meant to oppose obtaining academic degrees. But I remember clearly living next door to a theology student who had his career all mapped out: He would only accept calls to prosperous churches, and he knew how he would climb the ladder to the conference presidency. That is the spirit God cannot bless.
As a secondary thought, we are not saved by theology or the reputation of being a great theologian. We are saved only by a faith in Jesus similar to the faith a child has in her parents. I have been a student of theology for most of my adult life, beginning with taking theology classes in college, but I do not rest my confidence in my knowledge of theology.
Conversely, ignorance is not virtue. We need an intelligent faith, which means we need a thorough knowledge of biblical truth.
Point taken.
Is it not genesis 4:2 that the word Lamb first appeared in the bible?