How does an unsaved person become a fool in order to become wise?
An unsaved person becomes a fool by embracing the preaching of the cross—that Christ died, was buried, and rose again—which the perishing consider foolishness. By accepting what the world calls foolish, he gains God’s wisdom, and God’s power is poured out on him.
Les explains that 1 Corinthians 3 says if any man seems wise in this world, let him become a fool so he can really become wise. It sounds like double talk, but it is not. The way the unsaved person becomes a fool is by going back to 1 Corinthians 1:18, the preaching of the cross: that Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead. To those who are perishing or lost, that preaching is foolishness. But to those who are saved, it is the power of God. The unbeliever must recognize that he had better go into what he thinks is foolishness, and out of that foolishness he can get the wisdom of God. Les says we gain wisdom by going to what lost people think is foolishness, the gospel, and then the power of God is poured out on us as His wisdom as well. Verse 19 adds that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
More Questions
What does it mean that a person must become a fool to become wise in 1 Corinthians 3:18?
1 Corinthians 3:18 says that if any man seems to be wise in this world, he must become a fool so that he can really become a wise man.
Who is Paul addressing in 1 Corinthians 3:18 when he says 'let him become a fool that he may be wise'?
In 1 Corinthians 3:18 Paul digresses for the first time to address an unbeliever: if he thinks he is wise in the things of this world, yet wants real wisdom, he must change his approach to life.