Study Desk

For the message of the cross is foolishness^(ah) to those who are perishing,^(ai) but to us who are being saved^(aj) it is the power of God.^(ak)

For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."^[c](al)

Where is the wise person?^(am) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?^(an) Has not God made foolish^(ao) the wisdom of the world?

For since in the wisdom of God the world^(ap) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save^(aq) those who believe.^(ar)

Jews demand signs^(as) and Greeks look for wisdom,

but we preach Christ crucified:^(at) a stumbling block^(au) to Jews and foolishness^(av) to Gentiles,

but to those whom God has called,^(aw) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God^(ax) and the wisdom of God.^(ay)

For the foolishness^(az) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness^(ba) of God is stronger than human strength.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.^(bb) Not many of you were wise^(bc) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

But God chose^(bd) the foolish^(be) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not^(bf)—to nullify the things that are,

so that no one may boast before him.^(bg)

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,^(bh) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,^(bi) holiness^(bj) and redemption.^(bk)

Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."^[d](bl)