What does the “foolishness of the message” mean in 1 Corinthians 1:21?

Answer  
  

The [believers in Corinth](church-in-Corinth.html) were spiritual infants with misunderstandings about the wisdom of God, the principles of His kingdom, and the truth of the gospel message. Thus, in 1 Corinthians 1:18–31, the apostle Paul clarifies that God’s wisdom has long been considered nonsense to ungodly people. Using rhetoric to refute his opponents (see 1 Corinthians 1:10–17\), Paul affirms that many of the world’s most brilliant minds discount the gospel’s message, classifying it as foolishness: “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? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:20–21, NKJV).  
  

The “foolishness of the message” Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 1:21 is God’s paradoxical power and wisdom in the person of Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30\). The Greek term translated as “foolishness” in 1 Corinthians 1:21 means “a ridiculous thought, folly, a wildly mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea.” The unsaved—those who do not have the Spirit of God indwelling them, enlightening and regenerating their minds—cannot accept God’s wisdom, which is conveyed whenever the message of the gospel is preached: “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NLT).  
  

The [message of the cross](message-of-the-cross-foolishness.html) is that God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be crucified as the atoning sacrifice for humanity’s sins. Because Jesus gave His life on the cross, all who put their faith in Him can receive His forgiveness and salvation. To the unsaved, the essential truth of the gospel equates to meaningless hogwash because the worldly mind only values and appreciates human wisdom.  
  

Paul underlines the stark contrast between human wisdom and [God’s wisdom](godly-wisdom.html). He reinforces his teaching by referencing Isaiah 29:14, in which the prophet rebuked Israel for relying on the “wisdom of the wise” and the “intelligence of the intelligent” instead of God’s divine wisdom. The believers in Corinth were making the same grave mistake. Rather than trusting in the wisdom that comes down from heaven, they were depending on the kind of wisdom James labeled “earthy, unspiritual,” and “demonic” (James 3:15\). In their spiritual immaturity, the Corinthian believers were still thinking and acting like unbelievers.  
  

The Holy Spirit renews and transforms the mindset of those who are being saved (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 2:15–16\). Paul said, “It pleased God” (1 Corinthians 1:21, NKJV) to save those who believe in Him through a message that seems like “foolish preaching” to the world (1 Corinthians 1:2, NLT). This is one of the upside\-down truths of God’s kingdom: the way to salvation and [eternal life](eternal-life.html) is through the death of Jesus Christ on a cross (John 6:51; 11:25–26; 14:6\).  
  

Paul states that God’s way of salvation is “foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven” as irrefutable and tangible proof of God, “and it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans” (1 Corinthians 1:22–25, NLT).  
  

By establishing a plan of salvation that is foolish in the world’s estimation, God turned the world’s wisdom into folly and the “foolishness of the message” into divine power and wisdom. No one can come to know God through human understanding. An earthly mindset will only comprehend the gospel as a ridiculous idea. But those who come to the Lord in humble faith are enlightened to see that the message of His redeeming sacrifice on the cross is the power and wisdom of God that sets people free from sin and death and leads to eternal life.  
  

