September 12, 2004

THE WORLD...KNEW NOT GOD

1 Corinthians 1:21

   "Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this age? For since 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. 1:20-21). The world professed wisdom, not ignorance, but by its wisdom they "knew not God." What can be said of this wisdom? What would we expect from men who "did not like to retain God in their knowledge [whom] God gave over to a reprobate mind" (Rom. 1:28)? What else could come from Gentiles "who walk in the vanity of their mind, having their understanding darkened..." (Eph. 4:18)?

   Paul quoted Isaiah, "Where is the wise...?" when God was not challenging Gentiles, but Israel , the favored nation. God's wisdom was proclaimed through Moses and personified in Solomon who built God's glorious temple and was famous for wise sayings, great deeds, and profound writings. But Israel forsook all that and turned instead to the traditions of their rabbis. "...ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition" (Mk. 7:9).

   Paul's used this same quote toward the church at Corinth who still admired worldly wisdom. His challenge was to Jews and Greeks, "Where is the wise?" The one who teaches others, "...the scribe?" one educated far above the common man, "...the disputer of this age?" one who pondered all questions both great and small?

Paul was well aware of the Seven Wise Men of Ancient Greece who boasted the collection and sum of all wisdom known to men. They all were Gentiles, idolaters, known for wise sayings, filled with pride, seeking to find God, used their wealth and positions as patrons of temples to the gods and made no reference to the Bible.

   After being silent toward Israel 400 years and allowing Greek philosophy to peak, "has not God made foolish the wisdom of this age?" He used the message of Christ crucified to "save them that believe." "We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness," but to the saved and the called, "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1:23-24).

Ivan L. Burgener