foolishness – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: foolishness

1 Corinthians 3:19 – Wisdom or Foolishness?

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Will

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.”

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:23 – A Foolish Trap

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Will

but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

Truth to Learn

The world does not understand the simple gospel message.

Behind the Words

“Preach” is translated from the verb kērussō, which means “to proclaim, to herald, or to preach.” It is expressed in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood. This portrays present ongoing action.

The word “crucified” is from stauroō, which means “to be nailed to a pole or a cross.” It is probably the most painful and certainly the most degrading form of execution performed by the Romans.

Skandalon (from which we get our English word “scandal”) is the word translated “stumbling block.” It literally refers to the trigger of a trap on which the bait is laid. In general usage, it indicates an enticement to self-destructive action.

“Foolishness,” as we have seen previously, is from moros, from which we get our English word moron. It denotes foolishness or absurdity.

Paul uses a grammatical device in this verse to compare the foolishness of “religious” Jews and “wise” Greeks with Christians. He does so with the two Greek particles men and de. Men roughly means “indeed” and de means “and” or “but.” In English, we might say, “on the one hand … but on the other hand …”

Meaning Explained

Continuing on with his comparison of the foolishness of worldly wisdom and the wisdom of the “foolish” gospel, Paul now states clearly what the Greeks and the Jews think of the Gospel message. The Jews have their minds so blinded regarding the truth of their Messiah that the “good news” becomes a snare, a trap for them. They believed that their Messiah was coming as a conquering king (which He will someday), not as a meek and mild-mannered man who was executed on a cross. They are so blinded by their own belief regarding their Messiah that they reject Him completely. This reference to a “stumbling block” may be referring to Psalms 11, which Jesus also quoted in Matthew 21:42,

The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalms 118:22-23)

The Greeks, on the other hand, had no such beliefs about the Messiah. In fact, most of the Roman Empire believed that Caesar was the “son of god” and their conquering hero. To them, the idea of Jesus being the Son of God was absurd. After all, this supposed Messiah did not fight any battles and He certainly didn’t conquer anyone. Likewise, the Greeks, who revered men of education and accomplishment, saw this executed Jewish criminal as a cast-off of society, certainly not worthy of any respect, let alone worship.

Application

Neither religious activity nor great mental accomplishment can bring you closer to God. They can’t even provide lasting personal satisfaction. Only faith in the good news of God’s Son and His work on the cross can produce these things.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:18 – Completed and Sealed

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Will

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.

Truth to Learn

Salvation is a completed and sealed transaction.

Behind the Words

The word translated “message” is logos. It generally refers to something being said (a word, a message, or a saying).

“Foolishness” is from the Greek noun mōria, which refers to foolishness, folly, or absurdity.

“Who are perishing” is translated from apollumi, which is composed of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used here as an intensifier, and ollumi, meaning “to destroy” or “to cause to perish.” Thus, apollumi could be translated as “completely destroy” or “completely perish.” It is expressed here as a present participle in the passive voice, indicating an ongoing action that is being done to someone.

The words “who are being saved” are from sōdzō, which means “to save,” “to deliver,” or “to preserve from harm, danger, or destruction.” It, too, is expressed here as a present participle in the passive voice.

Dunamis is the Greek word translated “power.” It refers to “the ability or power to do something.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul made a subtle transition from talking about baptism (more specifically, the problem of devoting oneself to the person who baptized them) to talking about the gospel message. Paul said that his commission to preach the gospel was not so that he could use fancy words, eloquent speech, or worldly wisdom to persuade people to believe. This may have been intended as a criticism to those in Corinth who claimed to be followers of Apollos, who we know was a very eloquent speaker (see Acts 18:24).

Now Paul makes a very stark contrast between two groups of people, those who are in the process of being destroyed and those who are in the process of being saved. “But,” you may ask, “I thought that we were saved when we first believed. Do we have to be doing something to stay saved?” Back in verse seven we talked about two aspects of our salvation: the day we believed the gospel message and “were saved” and that final day when God will accomplish our salvation, giving us our eternal body and keeping us in His presence forever.

Here, Paul throws us a curve. He refers to the unsaved as “those who are being destroyed” and to us as “us who are being saved.” Paul is not teaching that salvation is a process. He clearly teaches elsewhere that we are saved (Ephesians 2:18) and that our salvation was sealed at the time that we believed (Ephesians 1:13, 14). However, we still have a sinful human nature and we continue to sin. But each time we sin, we are forgiven because of the blood of Christ which continually washes us clean. Until that day in which we are given our heavenly body, we will struggle with our sin nature and our adversary. But, through our Lord Jesus Christ, right now we HAVE the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Application

Occasionally, all Christians don’t “feel” like they are very godly and some question their salvation. Remember that salvation is not a feeling it is a completed, sealed transaction.

In God's service, for His glory,