Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:21

What does 1 Corinthians 1:21 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 1:21 means

In God’s wise design, the world did not come to know Him through its own wisdom. Therefore, God was pleased to save those who believe through what the world calls the foolishness of preaching. This does not mean the message is actually foolish, but that it appears so to human pride. Salvation is not achieved by discovery or philosophy; it is received through faith in the proclaimed gospel of Christ. God delights to use humble means—a crucified Savior heralded by ordinary preaching—to bring people to Himself. This magnifies His grace and strips away boasting, locating the power of salvation in His initiative rather than in human intellect or eloquence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For because, by the purpose of God, the world, with all its wisdom, had not the knowledge of God, it was God's pleasure, by so foolish a thing as preaching, to give salvation to those who had faith in him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for, seeing in the wisdom of God the world through the wisdom knew not God, it did please God through the foolishness of the preaching to save those believing.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For since, in the wisdom ofGod, the world by wisdom has not knownGod,God has been pleased by the foolishness of the preaching to save those that believe.

Context

This verse explains the theological logic behind verses 19–20: God intentionally bypassed human wisdom as the way of salvation. Verses 22–24 will illustrate this with real reactions—Jews seek signs, Greeks seek wisdom—but the same preached Christ meets neither demand on their terms while proving to be God’s power and wisdom to the called. Verse 25 will summarize the paradox: what seems like God’s weakness and foolishness surpasses all human strength and wisdom.

v.20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

v.21This passage

v.22Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 3:10

    to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

  • Romans 1:28

    And even as they refused to have God intheirknowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

  • Daniel 2:20

    Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his.

  • Luke 10:21

    In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:24

    but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

  • Matthew 11:25

    At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:

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