King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 1:21 Mean?

1 Corinthians 1:21 in the King James Version says “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to ... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Corinthians 1:21 · KJV


Context

19

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock , and unto the Greeks foolishness;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God (epeide gar en te sophia tou theou ouk egno ho kosmos dia tēs sophias ton theon, ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ κόσμος διὰ τῆς σοφίας τὸν θεόν)—Paul explains why God chose the cross: human wisdom failed. In the wisdom of God means according to God's wise design—He created a world that reveals His existence (Rom 1:19-20). Yet the world by wisdom knew not God (ouk egno, οὐκ ἔγνω, "did not know")—human philosophy, despite access to general revelation, failed to produce saving knowledge of God. The verb ginōskō (γινώσκω) means intimate, relational knowledge, not mere information.

It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (eudokēsen ho theos dia tēs mōrias tou kērygmatos sōsai tous pisteuontas, εὐδόκησεν ὁ θεὸς διὰ τῆς μωρίας τοῦ κηρύγματος σῶσαι τοὺς πιστεύοντας)—God's alternative method: kerygma (κήρυγμα, "proclamation, preaching"), the simple announcement of the gospel. The foolishness of preaching is not that preaching is foolish but that the content preached (the cross) appears foolish. Salvation comes through faith (pisteuontas, πιστεύοντας, present participle: "those believing"), not intellectual achievement.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Greek philosophers (from Socrates to the Stoics) sought to know God or ultimate reality through reason, contemplation, and dialectic. They failed—not for lack of brilliance but because sin blinds the mind (2 Cor 4:4) and hardens the heart. God's solution was not better philosophy but gospel proclamation: the announcement of what God has done in Christ, received by faith, not comprehended by reason.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did human wisdom, despite access to God's revelation in creation, fail to produce saving knowledge of God?
  2. How does "the foolishness of preaching" (simple gospel proclamation) succeed where sophisticated philosophy fails?
  3. What is the relationship between faith and reason, and why is faith necessary for knowing God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ἐπειδὴ1 of 27

after

G1894

since now, i.e., (of time) when, or (of cause) whereas

γὰρ2 of 27

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐν3 of 27

that in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ4 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σοφίας5 of 27

the wisdom

G4678

wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)

τοῦ6 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς7 of 27

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

οὐκ8 of 27

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔγνω9 of 27

knew

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

10 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμος11 of 27

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

διὰ12 of 27

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῆς13 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σοφίας14 of 27

the wisdom

G4678

wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)

τὸν15 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς16 of 27

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

εὐδόκησεν17 of 27

it pleased

G2106

to think well of, i.e., approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing)

18 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς19 of 27

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

διὰ20 of 27

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῆς21 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μωρίας22 of 27

the foolishness

G3472

silliness, i.e., absurdity

τοῦ23 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κηρύγματος24 of 27

of preaching

G2782

a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)

σῶσαι25 of 27

to save

G4982

to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

τοὺς26 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πιστεύοντας·27 of 27

them that believe

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 1:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 1:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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