1 Corinthians Chapter 1, Verse 25
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25: οτι το μωρον του θεου σοφωτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν και το ασθενες του θεου ισχυροτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν
25: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the
weakness of God is stronger than men.
25: For the foolishness of God is wiser than men: and the weakness of
God is stronger than men.
Because the foolishness of God. That which God appoints, requires, commands, does, etc., which appears to men to be foolish. The passage is not to be understood as affirming that it is really foolish or unwise; but that it appears so to men. Perhaps the apostle here refers to those parts of the Divine administration where the wisdom of the plan is not seen; or where the reason of what God does is concealed.
Is wiser than men. Is better adapted to accomplish important ends, and more certainly effectual, than the schemes of human wisdom. This is especially true of the plan of salvation -- a plan apparently foolish to the mass of men, yet indubitably accomplishing more for the renewing of men, and for their purity and happiness, than all the schemes of human contrivance. They have accomplished nothing towards men's salvation; this accomplishes everything. They have always failed; this never falls.
The weakness of God. There is really no weakness in God, any more than there is folly. This must mean, therefore, the things of his appointment which appear weak and insufficient to accomplish the end. Such are these facts -- that God should seek to save the world by Jesus of Nazareth, who was supposed unable to save himself, Mt 27:40ff; and that he should expect to save men by the gospel, by its being preached by men who were without learning, eloquence, wealth, fame, or power. The instruments were feeble; and men judged that this was owing to the weakness or want of power in the God who appointed them.
Is stronger than men. Is able to accomplish more than the utmost might of man. The feeblest agency that God puts forth -- so feeble as to be esteemed weakness -- is able to effect more than the utmost might of man. The apostle here refers particularly to the work of redemption; but it is true everywhere.
