Tag: moraino

Romans 1:22 – Foolish Wisdom

Posted on by Will

Professing to be wise, they became fools,

Truth to Learn

The wisdom of this age is the message and teaching of fools.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated, “professing” is the Greek word, phaskontes, which means “to assert or affirm or claim.”

“Wise” is translated from the Greek word sophos. This is a title that wise men of old attached to themselves. Later they changed this to philosophos (he who loves wisdom) who, although claiming to have all knowledge and wisdom, denied the one true God.

The words “they became fools” are a translation of a single Greek word mōrainō, which means “to become a moron or a simpleton.” This, again, is in the passive voice indicating that it is something that was done to them by someone else. We could paraphrase this verse, therefore, as:

Claiming to be wise people, they were made to be fools.

 

Meaning Explained

Remember, in the last verse we learned that those who rejected God, even though the evidence of His presence was made known to them, were not thankful, and they did not glorify God for whom and what He is. As a result, they were made void of wisdom in their reasoning and discussions, and their hearts were darkened.

Paul now puts an exclamation point on that thought by saying, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Not only did God make their reasoning and discussions void of any real wisdom, He then turned them into fools; all the while they are proclaiming how wise and intelligent they were. This is precisely what Isaiah said would happen:

For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.  (Isaiah 29:14b)

King David started out the fourteenth Psalm this way:

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God." (Psalms 14:1a)

And, in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, Paul said:

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. (I Corinthians 3:19)

If you listen to the message of the intellectuals and scientists of today you will hear loud proclamations that there is no God. They will tell you with certainty that everything came into existence billions of years ago at the “big bang” and that we have evolved into the species we are today. But, Scripture makes it very clear that God is in control and is not mocked by those who deny His existence and power. In today’s verse, Paul tells us that instead of being mocked by them, God makes them to be the fools they think others are. A just sentence for someone who claims to be smart and at the same time rejects Almighty God, don’t you think?

 

Application

It is easy for us to feel overwhelmed by the constant message of the wise ones of our world. It’s easy to feel like a fool when we proclaim Biblical truth and the gospel message. But don’t back down! We know who the real fools are, and they desperately need to hear the Good News!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 1:20 – God’s Foolishness?

Posted on by Will

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Truth to Learn

This world’s wisdom is foolishness compared to God’s truth.

Behind the Words

The word “wise” is sophos, which we saw in yesterday’s verse, meaning “wisdom, skill, tact, or expertise in an art form.” It is probably a reference to the Greek philosophers of Paul’s time (those who loved wisdom).

“Scribe” is translated from grammateus, which is based on graphō, which we also saw in yesterday’s verse. It is a reference to the Jewish scribes who were considered the most learned of Jewish scholars and interpreters of the law of Moses.

The word “disputer” is from the Greek noun sudzētētēs. This word is made up of sun, meaning “together” or “with” and dzēteō, meaning “to seek” or “to “inquire.” Thus, sudzētētēs refers to those who inquires of one another or those who debate with one another.

Morainō is the Greek word translated “made foolish.” It is the word from which we get our English word “moron.”

“World” is from kosmos, which refers to “order” or “arrangement.” It is what we get our word “cosmetic” from. It is a reference to the world system as opposed to God’s system.

Meaning Explained

In comparing the message of the gospel to the message of the world system, Paul is making an allusion to the well-known invasion and subsequent defeat of Sennacherib, king of Assyria (see Isaiah chapters 29 through 37). When Sennacherib’s army advanced toward Jerusalem, the Israelites turned to Egypt for help, but the Egyptians were not able to protect Jerusalem. Instead, when the Assyrian army had surrounded Jerusalem, God stepped in and miraculously destroyed Sennacherib’s army and they retreated.

It was the worldly wisdom of the leaders of Israel that led them to seek the help of the Egyptians. As a result of seeking the wisdom of the world, the Israelites became fools and were almost destroyed. Were it not for the “foolishness” of seeking God’s help, they would have perished.

The gospel message is another example of the “foolishness” of us believers who trust in the Bible. We are looked on by the world around us as being fools because we believe God’s message. And yet – the wise people of our time, the learned people of our time, the skilled debaters of our time are the real fools because they reject the simple, foolish message of the cross. Paul is most likely making a reference to Isaiah 29:14:

Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.

Education and worldly wisdom are no match for the truth in God’s Word, the Bible. To follow the wisdom of the world is foolishness, but to follow God is true wisdom.

Application

As tempting as it may be, following the wisdom of the world is foolishness and will only bring destruction. However, following the “foolish” gospel message will bring salvation and eternal life. Which are you following?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved