Ministry of Grace Church

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness";

Truth to Learn

Good’s foolishness is better than the world’s wisdom.

Behind the Words

Kosmos is the Greek word translated “world.” It refers to “order” or “arrangement.” It is a reference to the world system, that is, the people and society of this world as opposed to God’s people and His system.

“Foolishness” is translated from the Greek word moria (based on moros) which refers to foolishness, folly, or absurdity.

The word “with” is from para, which expresses a physical nearness or an abstract relationship (with respect to).

“It is written” is the translation of the verb graphō, meaning “to grave” or “to carve.” The most ancient writing was done by carving the letters out of stone or clay tablets; therefore, graphō nearly always refers to writing. The verb is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect.

The word “catches” is from drassomai, which means “to grasp, take, catch, or seize.” This verb is always written in the middle voice, indicating action done by the subject to, or for, himself.

Panourgia is the word translated “craftiness.” It is made up of pas, meaning “all or every” and ergon, meaning “work or a deed.” Literally, this word means “the ability or willingness to do anything.” It is often used to refer to “craftiness, cunning, or unscrupulous behavior.”

Meaning Explained

In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Paul contrasted the wisdom of the world (which is foolishness) with the foolishness of God (which is wisdom). Having rejected God altogether, the people of the world have fashioned their own wisdom to explain away any notion of an all-powerful God. In Paul’s time there were great orators, called sophists (wise ones) who used fancy words and enticing language to persuade their audience that they were speaking “truth.” In reality, especially when laid next to God’s wisdom, these sophists were proclaiming foolishness.

Since Corinth was such a worldly city, the people there were easily caught up in this worldly “wisdom.” Even the teachers within the church had come to believe that they were wise and gifted because they had successfully emulated the oratory skills of the sophists. Unfortunately, in learning the tools and techniques of the sophists, some of the teachers in Corinth had left the true foundation. As a result, they had become proud of their skills instead of becoming humble in their service to God.

To emphasize his point, Paul now quotes from the book of Job. In this passage Eliphaz the Temanite is describing to Job how the wicked of this world are always punished by God’s justice.

He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them. (Job 5:13)

Likewise, teachers within the church who rely on earthly wisdom are fools teaching foolishness to God’s people.

Application

Listen carefully to those who teach in your church. Are they teaching “worldly wisdom” or “the foolishness of God?” God’s “foolishness” is better than the world’s “wisdom.”