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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:25 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Co 1:25 |
Strong Concordance |
Because [3754] the foolishness [3474] of God [2316] is [2076] wiser than [4680] men [444]; and [2532] the weakness [772] of God [2316] is [2076] stronger than [2478] men [444]. |
| |
King James |
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
foolishness of God--that is, God's plan of salvation which men deem "foolishness."
weakness of God--Christ "crucified through weakness" (Co2 13:4, the great stumbling-block of the Jews), yet "living by the power of God." So He perfects strength out of the weakness of His servants (Co1 2:3; Co2 12:9). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Because the foolishness of God - That which God appoints, requires, commands, does, etc., which appears to people 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 people - 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 people - yet indubitably accomplishing more for the renewing of people, and for their purity and happiness, than all the schemes of human contrivance. They have accomplished nothing toward people's salvation; this accomplishes everything. They have always failed; this never fails.
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 Mat 27:40-43; and that he should expect to save people by the gospel, by its being preached by people who were without learning, eloquence, wealth, fame, or power. The instruments were feeble; and people judged that this was owing to the weakness or lack 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. We may remark:
(1) That God often effects his mightiest plans by that which seems to men to be weak and even foolish. The most mighty revolutions arise often from the slightest causes; his most vast operations are often connected with very feeble means. The revolution of empires; the mighty effects of the pestilence; the advancement in the sciences, and arts, and the operations of nature, are often brought about by means apparently as little suited to accomplish the work as those which are employed in the plan of redemption.
(2) God is great. If his feeblest powers put forth, surpass the mightiest powers of man, how great must be his might. If the powers of man who rears works of art; who levels mountains and elevates vales; if the power which reared the pyramids, be as nothing when compared with the feeblest putting forth of divine power, how mighty must be his arm! How vast that strength which made, and which upholds the rolling worlds! How safe are his people in his hand! And how easy for him to crush all his foes in death! |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The foolishness (τὸ μωρὸν)
Lit., the foolish thing. More specific than the abstract μωρία foolishness (Co1 1:18, Co1 1:21), and pointing to the fact of Christ crucified. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Because the foolishness of God - The gospel scheme, which the world judge to be mere foolishness, is wiser than the wisdom of men; and, weak as they account it, stronger than all the strength of men. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| The foolishness of God is wiser, etc. - The meaning of these strong expressions is, that the things of God's appointment, which seem to men foolishness, are infinitely beyond the highest degree of human wisdom; and those works of God, which appear to superficial observers weak and contemptible, surpass all the efforts of human power. The means which God has appointed for the salvation of men are so wisely imagined and so energetically powerful, that all who properly use them shall be infallibly brought to the end - final blessedness, which he has promised to them who believe and obey. |
9 And [2532] he said [2046] unto me [3427], My [3450] grace [5485] is sufficient [714] for thee [4671]: for [1063] my [3450] strength [1411] is made perfect [5048] in [1722] weakness [769]. Most gladly [2236] therefore [3767] will I [2744] rather [3123] glory [2744] in [1722] my [3450] infirmities [769], that [2443] the power [1411] of Christ [5547] may rest [1981] upon [1909] me [1691].
3 And [2532] I [1473] was [1096] with [4314] you [5209] in [1722] weakness [769], and [2532] in [1722] fear [5401], and [2532] in [1722] much [4183] trembling [5156].
4 For [1063] [2532] though [1487] he was crucified [4717] through [1537] weakness [769], yet [235] he liveth [2198] by [1537] the power [1411] of God [2316]. For [1063] we [2249] also [2532] are weak [770] in [1722] him [846], but [235] we shall live [2198] with [4862] him [846] by [1537] the power [1411] of God [2316] toward [1519] you [5209].
40 And [2532] saying [3004], Thou that destroyest [2647] the temple [3485], and [2532] buildest [3618] it in [1722] three [5140] days [2250], save [4982] thyself [4572]. If [1487] thou be [1488] the Son [5207] of God [2316], come down [2597] from [575] the cross [4716].
41 [1161] Likewise [3668] also [2532] the chief priests [749] mocking [1702] him, with [3326] the scribes [1122] and [2532] elders [4245], said [3004],
42 He saved [4982] others [243]; himself [1438] he cannot [3756] [1410] save [4982]. If [1487] he be [2076] the King [935] of Israel [2474], let him [2597] now [3568] come down [2597] from [575] the cross [4716], and [2532] we will believe [4100] him [846].
43 He trusted [3982] in [1909] God [2316]; let him deliver [4506] him [846] now [3568], if [1487] he will have [2309] him [846]: for [1063] he said [2036], [3754] I am [1510] the Son [5207] of God [2316].
21 For [1063] after [1894] that in [1722] the wisdom [4678] of God [2316] the world [2889] by [1223] wisdom [4678] knew [1097] not [3756] God [2316], it pleased [2106] God [2316] by [1223] the foolishness [3472] of preaching [2782] to save [4982] them that believe [4100].
18 For [1063] the preaching [3056] of the cross [4716] is [2076] to them [3303] that perish [622] foolishness [3472]; but [1161] unto us [2254] which are saved [4982] it is [2076] the power [1411] of God [2316].