THE GOSPEL WORKS — EVEN IF IT SOUNDS STUPID

1 Corinthians 1:18-21

¹⁸ Because the word of the cross to those who are perishing is stupidity, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.   ¹⁹ Since it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”   ²⁰ Where is a wise person? Where is a scribe? Where is a debater of this age? Has not God made stupid the wisdom of the world?   ²¹ Because since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not acknowledge God, God decided, through the stupidity of the proclamation to save the believers.

saved by stupidity

Paul’s concern in this passage grows out of the painful realization that the Corinthian believers had begun dividing themselves into competing camps. Reports had reached him that some were claiming to belong to Apollos, others to Cephas, others to Christ, and—most troubling to him—some were claiming to be “of Paul.” Far from flattering him, this distressed him deeply. It implied that his ministry had somehow encouraged personal loyalty rather than devotion to Christ. It suggested that people believed he had persuaded them through rhetorical skill or philosophical brilliance. Paul rejects that idea outright.

He reminds the Corinthians of how he first came to them. He had not arrived with polished arguments or impressive oratory. He had not attempted to win them with intellectual sophistication. Instead, he had proclaimed a message that the world regarded as foolishness: a crucified Messiah. Everything about that message seemed absurd to the surrounding culture. Salvation through a dying Savior made no sense to the philosophers of Corinth. Yet that very message—so unimpressive by worldly standards—had brought life to those who believed. Its power did not rest in Paul’s delivery but in God’s action.

By pointing this out, Paul exposes the emptiness of the rivalries forming in the church. If the gospel came through a message the world calls foolish, then no human messenger deserves credit. No preacher, teacher, or leader can claim to be the foundation of anyone’s faith. The cross eliminates boasting. It strips away the illusion that spiritual life comes through human brilliance. The Corinthians were dividing themselves over personalities when the only name that mattered was the name of the One who died for them.

Paul’s argument presses toward a single conclusion: the gospel is not about human leaders but about Christ crucified and risen. His death breaks the power of sin. His resurrection declares that death no longer has the final word. Through his blood, forgiveness and new life are offered freely. This is the message that saved the Corinthians, and it is the message that continues to save.

The invitation remains the same: believe this word that seems foolish to the world, and discover in it the wisdom and power of God.

LORD, draw people to yourself through the proclamation of this gospel.