Reflection on 1 Corinthians 1: The Foolishness of God vs the Wisdom of Man

The Apostle Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians by flipping the world’s idea of wisdom upside down. In 1 Corinthians 1:21, he writes that “the world through its wisdom did not know him.” That struck me deeply. I spent years caught up in the world’s wisdom, chasing “secrets to the universe” through new age and new thought teachings. I thought I was gaining insight, but I was blind to the truth of Jesus Christ.

Paul reminds us that the wisdom of the world will never lead to God. It glorifies human achievement, self-discovery, and self-empowerment. The wisdom of God looks like foolishness to the world: a Savior hanging on a cross, weakness overcoming strength, humility defeating pride.

In verses 26–31, Paul points us back to humility. He tells us to remember who we were before Christ: the broken, the overlooked, the ones with nothing to boast about. God chooses people the world dismisses so that no one can boast in themselves. As verse 31 declares: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

This exposes the false foundation of many belief systems outside of Christ. The self is amplified, elevated, and worshiped while the cross is ignored. Paul shows us the truth: anything that glorifies the self above Jesus is empty.

Verse 25 says, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” To the world, following Christ looks foolish. To us, it is life itself.

Following Christ will never look impressive in the world’s eyes. It will often feel upside down, even foolish. But that is the very place where God’s wisdom shows its strength. When you stop chasing the world’s version of wisdom and let your life point back to the cross, you begin to see what Paul meant when he said, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Reflection Question: Where are you still tempted to chase the world’s wisdom or amplify yourself instead of Jesus?

If you have ever walked away from a moment like this with good intentions but no follow-through, that is where In His Voice, I Walk changes things. It gives you a place to move from passing thoughts into lasting transformation. Instead of letting reflections slip away, you will begin to see patterns in how God is leading you, write out the places He is convicting you, and track the steps He is asking you to take. Over time, you will look back and see how far He has brought you.