“The Cross Is Foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1)

1 Corinthians 1

This is a recap of our Bible Caller Club meeting on May 1st, 2026 over this passage. If you want to join the club and attend future meetings and study with us via phone, click here.

1. What’s happening in this passage?

The book of 1 Corinthians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to a church community in the ancient port city of Corinth. The central theme of the letter is learning to view every aspect of life, including complex personal, social, and moral problems, through the lens of the gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, 1 Cor. 15:1-5). Paul argues that because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the church's lifestyle must reflect a new reality rather than old patterns of selfishness or disorder. In chapter 1, Paul is addressing the selfishness and disorder of division within the church.

Verses 1-9 show how the church is empowered for gospel living through Christ. Paul says “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (9). They should have no issues being united, thus living through the lens of the gospel.

But verses 10-17 raise the issue of division within the congregation. Some are claiming to be disciples of Paul, some of Apollos, some of Cephas, and some of Christ (12). Paul asks some rhetorical questions to show how ridiculous this is. Paul implies a warning, that in following individuals rather than Jesus, it makes the cross of Christ empty (17).

Verses 18-25, shows the way of the cross is foolishness to the world, but the power of God for those being saved. God will make foolishness the wisdom of the world (20). God’s weakness is infinitely greater than even our greatest strength, therefore, we ought not to place any value in worldly wisdom, knowledge, or strength.

Verses 26-31 show how God chooses the weak, so we should not boast. If we are going to boast, it should be in the cross of Jesus Christ.

2. What is God revealing about humanity?

We have a tendency to put stock in worldly wisdom, strength, fame, or wealth. This often culminates in our deviating from following Christ to following individuals. We experience second-hand Jesus, which is no Jesus at all. It is foolishness. We have no reason to boast, because even at our best, our wisdom and strength is nothing compared to God’s. We become equipped for humble gospel living only through the enrichment we have in Jesus and the knowledge of His cross (5).

3. What is God revealing about Himself?

He hates division and makes all human wisdom foolishness (20). He chooses the weak things of this world to shame the strong (27). He is the source of grace and peace, no individual is (3). He is enriching all those in Christ to live the gospel lifestyle (5). He is our only reason to boast (31). It pleases Him to shame the “wise” of this world through the “foolishness” of the cross (21). He is not divided (13), and therefore, wants all His followers to be united as He is.

4. How should our lives change?

We must learn to live the wisdom of the cross, which boasts in no one but Christ alone. We do not follow people, but Christ. This is foolishness to the world, but it pleases God to use the weakest in this world for His glory, not the strongest. Revel in your weakness, because you are in good company. Jesus made Himself weak at the cross to shame the strong. Humble yourself, and do not divide over individuals, but unite under the cross of Christ, which is foolishness to those who are perishing, but for those being saved, it is the power of God (18)!