The Word of Folly
The Foolishness of the Message Preached
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines folly as:
Lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight.
Criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct.
A foolish act or idea.
An excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking.
Scripture says,
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the Scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For the Jews demand a sign and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
First, let’s clarify what this is NOT saying. This passage is NOT saying that God is foolish. It is not claiming that what God has done is folly. Quite the contrary.
God did not send forth His only begotten Son in folly. This was done in perfect intellect and wisdom. This plan was executed with calculated precision. Done at the right place. In the right time. Christ was sent to die willingly accursed on a tree. Jesus did so, so that every man, woman, and child who believes upon the Son would have everlasting life. This is NOT folly. It is love, wisdom, and grace.
So, what is this Scripture saying? This passage teaches that the perfect wisdom of God seems like foolishness to the world. It appears to be folly. To a world that fashions religions. To a world that says man is inherently good. To religions that say man can work their way into a right standing with God. Religions that even deny the existence of God.
To all of these false points of view. what God has done to reconcile the world to Himself through His Beloved Son on the Cross is folly.
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
The Word of the Cross
What is the word of the cross?
It is that God sent forth His one and only Son. To be born in the likeness of sinful flesh. To live a perfect life under the law. To be crucified on a Roman cross. Enduring the wrath of God for the sin of the world. To die. And to take up His life again on the third day. To take His rightful seat at the right hand of God. Where He now waits for the appointed time to judge the world in righteousness.
Same Message, Different Perspectives
This message is folly to those who are perishing. They do not understand. Because they do not know who God is: good, righteous, just. And who they are: wicked, evil, full of deceit. Thus, they think the cross folly.
Unnecessary. Foolish. Unwise.
But to those who are being saved this same information is viewed differently. To those who understand the true revealed nature of God and the true revealed nature of man, the word of the cross is the power of God. The spoken word leads to the salvation of sinful men.
When the message of the cross is spoken, it is either folly or power. There is no in-between. When the gospel is proclaimed it is a fragrance of death to death to those who are perishing, or a fragrance of life to life to those who are being saved (2 Corinthians 2:15-16, paraphrase). Regardless of the perception of the hearers, when Christ is preached it is a pleasing aroma to God, the Father (2 Corinthians 2:15a). The Father is pleased when His Son is lifted up.
We live in a world that attempts to make the word of the cross palatable. Easily digestible. Not offensive. Less of a scandal. We water it down to suit our own tastes and preferences.
When we attempt to add human wisdom to the message of the Gospel we empty the cross of its power.
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17)
Will you join with me in exalting Christ? In proclaiming the folly of the cross until we die or the Lord comes? Knowing that as we do it pleases God to save some through the gospel that we preach. To the praise and glory of His great name.