What does 1 Corinthians 3:19 mean that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God?
Human wisdom—the world's philosophy, literature, and art—is foolishness in God's sight. God's saving wisdom comes through the preaching of the cross, which unbelievers consider foolish; when they accept that seeming foolishness, they receive the power and wisdom of God.
Les explains that 1 Corinthians 3:19 follows Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 1:18. The preaching of the cross—that Christ died, was buried, and rose again—is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to the saved it is the power of God. The unsaved person must become a fool in his own thinking, accepting what he considers foolishness, the gospel, so that he can receive God’s wisdom. The wisdom of this world includes its great philosophy, literature, and art, but in God’s view it is foolishness. Paul keeps stressing wisdom in these early chapters to show that true wisdom is gained by going to the gospel, which lost people deem foolish, and then God’s power and wisdom are poured out on the believer.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.