GOD’S ‘NO’ TO THE CULTURE
Play Audio
If you prefer listening to today’s Bible guide reading, play this audio file.
If the audio bar is not appearing, click here to play the audio.
Opening Prayer
Father in Heaven, open my heart to receive life-changing truth from your Word today. Change me in ways that reflect the grace and mercy of your Son, Jesus.
Read 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18–2:5
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a]
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b]
2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[c] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 Jer. 9:24
- 1 Corinthians 2:1 Some manuscripts proclaimed to you God’s mystery
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How easy would you find it to buy a cheaper coffee or less stylish clothes? How much does the image of something matter to you?Greek culture had rules by which it evaluated arguments (called rhetoric). These rules governed how an argument was put together and also what it should sound like. An elegant, well-constructed argument was considered wise and, therefore, convincing.
But Paul has no interest in making the gospel ‘wise’ in those terms. Neither, he thinks, does God. Why otherwise would God have chosen those without education, influence, or nobility to further the gospel (vv. 26–29)? God has chosen those the culture despises to be his advocates, intending that none can boast before him. God is saying ‘no’ to human cultures and their claim to wisdom.
Given this, Paul sets out to make God’s argument for Jesus on God’s terms. He refuses the wisdom of rhetoric, resisting the use of eloquence (2:1). While with them, Paul determines only to know ‘Jesus Christ and him crucified’ (2:2). Depending on the Spirit to authenticate his words (2:4, 5), he set out to found their faith on God’s power being demonstrated, rather than rhetoric. That is divine wisdom: Christ crucified (2:2) and the power and wisdom of God (1:24).
Apply
Read John 16:8–11. Ask the Holy Spirit to convince you of any areas where you’re not hearing God’s ‘no’ to the culture around you.
Closing prayer
Forgive me, Father, for those times when I compromise the gospel, too easily influenced by the culture around me. Thank you for the gift of Christ, ‘the power … and the wisdom of God’ (1:24). Help me to live for and proclaim only him.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.