Why is the preaching of the cross foolishness to the world?
The world prizes philosophy and intellectualism, so the simple message of the cross seems like foolishness to those who are perishing. Paul did not come with wisdom of words or high intellectualism but with the gospel, and the lost mass sees the cross of Christ as so much foolishness.
Les teaches that Corinth was part of Greek culture, only about thirty or forty miles from Athens, and the Greeks were hung up on philosophy. On Mars Hill Paul encountered philosophers who spent their days dreaming up some new thing to philosophize about. Paul contrasted that mindset with his own ministry: he did not come with a philosophy or some new thing, but with the gospel, which is the cross of Christ. Les points out that verse 18 is especially appropriate today, because to the lost world all around us—the hustling, bustling mass of humanity—the preaching of the cross is so much foolishness.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
More Questions
What is the preaching of the cross to those who are perishing?
The preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish.
How does the unsaved world view the preaching of the cross?
To the unsaved world, which is perishing, the preaching of the cross is foolishness and means nothing.