Faith should not stand in the wisdom of men because human wisdom cannot know God, whereas the power of God is revealed through the foolishness of preaching.
The Bible says the world by wisdom knew not God, so human philosophy and eloquence cannot lead to faith. Instead, faith is placed in the Gospel message, which God uses to save believers. Paul's preaching was not with enticing words of human wisdom but with the demonstration of the Spirit and power, showing that faith's foundation is God's power, not man's intellect.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 — This verse directly states Paul's speech was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but with demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that faith would stand in God's power, not human wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:21 — This verse explains that in God's wisdom, the world by wisdom knew not God, and it pleased God to save believers through the foolishness of preaching.
The Bible teaches that human wisdom is insufficient to know God. In 1 Corinthians 1:21, it says, "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." This indicates that worldly wisdom fails to lead to a knowledge of God, so God uses the message of the cross, which is foolishness to the world, to save those who believe. Paul emphasizes that his preaching was not with "enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Corinthians 2:4). The purpose is that faith should "not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:5). This shows that faith is to be grounded in God's power, not in human eloquence or intellectual persuasion. Furthermore, the Bible declares, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" (1 Corinthians 3:19). Thus, the wisdom of men is not only insufficient but is considered foolishness in God's sight.
Les Feldick explains that faith should not rest on human wisdom because even the most impressive speakers or philosophers cannot provide a true foundation for belief. He points out that Paul came to the Corinthians not with the approval of philosophers but with the simple gospel of the cross, which has not lost its power. Les emphasizes that the power is not in a person's grammar, speaking style, or credentials but in the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Les also teaches that God uses what the world considers foolishness to bring people to faith. He notes that the world's wisdom, including philosophy, literature, and art, is foolishness to God. Instead, salvation comes by believing the Gospel plus nothing, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
Les Feldick teaches that the effectiveness of the Gospel is not dependent on human abilities but on the power of God. He highlights that even when a speaker feels inadequate or only shares a few words, God can use that to transform lives. The demonstration of the Spirit and power, not enticing words, is what brings about faith and salvation.
Les Feldick stresses that faith comes by hearing the Word of God, not by human reasoning or wisdom. He references Romans 10:17, noting that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing comes from the spoken Word of God. This underscores that faith's foundation is the Word, not human intellect.
Paul's Weakness and Simple Preaching
Les shows that Paul preached in weakness and fear, not with enticing words of man's wisdom, yet God used it to save sinners, demonstrating that faith should not rest on human eloquence.
Salvation by Believing, Not Works
Les explains that the world by wisdom knew not God, and it pleases God to save those who believe the Gospel plus nothing, showing that faith is not based on human wisdom but on God's method.
The Mysterious 75 Days After the Tribulation — Daniel 12 Explained
Now then verse 3, They that be wise, in other words they were wise in faith. And you know I always have to, how shall I say, I always have to enlighten folk that regardless of where it was in human history, whether it was Adam and Eve, or whether it was Noah, or whether it was Abram, or Jacob, or Joseph, or any of those, David, Moses, they were all recipients of eternal life by virtue of faith.
The Power of the Word
Les emphasizes that the gospel of the cross has not lost its power; it is not human wisdom but the Word of God and the Holy Spirit that transform lives.
God Uses the Foolish
Les points out that God uses people the world scoffs at, showing that faith does not depend on human credentials or wisdom.
Worldly Wisdom is Foolishness
Les explains that God destroys the wisdom of the wise and makes foolish the wisdom of this world, affirming that faith cannot stand on human understanding.
The World's Wisdom is Foolishness to God
Les teaches that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, and believers gain wisdom by embracing the foolishness of the gospel.
Faith Comes by Hearing God's Word
Les connects faith to hearing the Word of God, showing that faith's foundation is the spoken Word, not human wisdom.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
This verse directly addresses the question, explaining that faith is to rest on God's power, not human wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:21: For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
This verse shows the insufficiency of human wisdom and God's chosen method of salvation through the preaching of the cross.
1 Corinthians 3:19: For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
This verse underscores that the world's wisdom is judged as foolishness by God.
Les Feldick teaches that human wisdom cannot lead to a knowledge of God, as the Bible says the world by wisdom knew not God. Faith must come through the foolishness of preaching, which is God's chosen method to save believers.
Les explains that 'enticing words' refers to persuasive speech or polished oratory. Paul deliberately avoided such methods so that faith would rest on God's power, not on human eloquence.
Les emphasizes that God uses what the world scoffs at, such as simple preaching and unimpressive speakers, to demonstrate His power. This shows that faith's effectiveness is not dependent on human ability.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Chooses the Foolish Over the Wise — 1 Corinthians 1:27-31