What did Paul preach instead of seeking signs and wisdom?
Paul preached Christ crucified rather than pursuing signs or new philosophy. The cross is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks, yet to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Les explains that while the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom, Paul says he would not bother with either one—not looking for signs, nor looking for a new philosophy. Instead, Paul preached Christ crucified. To the Jews this was a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish, but to those who are saved it is the power of God, because salvation must be the exercise of the sovereign power of Almighty God.