◄ What Does 1 Corinthians 2:8 Mean? ►

The wisdom of God is very different from the wisdom of this age. Worldly wisdom, demonic wisdom, human wisdom, and wisdom that comes from the fallen rulers of this age (whether it be from the demonic spiritual realm or their human agents through whom they implement their nefarious plans), wisdom that is not from God is foolishness.

The wisdom of God is spiritually discerned and is only given to His blood-bought children. Indeed, God made foolish the wisdom of the world, and we read that He catches the wise in their own craftiness and causes them to fall into a pit that they themselves have built to entrap others.

The Corinthians Christians, to whom this verse was written, had been quite strongly criticised by Paul for division in the fellowship, their lack of spiritual growth, and their carnal way of living. One reason for this lack of Christian maturity was their eagerness to adopt the ways and means of the world's system.

Paul was eager to demonstrate the incredible foolishness of the wisdom of prideful men: the 'wisdom of this age' which these immature Christians seemed to admire so much. He wanted to show the bankruptcy of the wisdom of the rulers of this age, and so Paul used the Cross of Christ to make this important point.

Paul pointed out that not one of the many spiritual principalities, powers, or demonic rulers of this age would have empowered and emboldened the religious leaders of the Jews or the civic channels of the Roman government to crucify the Lord of glory, if they had known the great and eternal victory that His death would have over the spiritual and natural realms. Even though God's plan for the redemption of humanity started in eternity past, and was gradually unfolded to us through Old Testament Scriptures, the rulers of this age did not know the full implications of the Cross and the devastating effect it would have on the realm of darkness. It was His sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection by which Jesus defeated sin, Satan, death, and hell forever, and put to flight the rulers of this age. 

It was for this reason that Paul determined to preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified. Paul knew:"The word of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God." Paul was wanting to discourage these Christians from hankering after the wisdom of this age by pointing out that God has chosen the foolish things of the world, like Paul himself, to shame the wise, and that God has chosen the weak things of the world, like us, to shame the things which are strong.

Paul wanted to show that God in His wisdom turned the tables on the wisdom of this age and Satan's demonic agenda: "We speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Paul wanted to discourage the Corinthian believers and all who are God's children from foolishly following after the 'wisdom of this age,' for it only produces spiritual bankruptcy. Instead, we discover him encouraging these believers (and us) to seek after the wisdom of God and the ways of the Lord, for in so doing we will grow in grace and in a knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, Your plans and purposes are unsurpassed. Thank You for bringing me into Your family and opening up to my understanding the wonderful works of God and the amazing wisdom of God’s plan of salvation. I pray that I may grow in grace and in a deepening knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, with every passing day. In Jesus' name, AMEN.