1Cor 1:25-26 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 25. The foolishness of God is wiser , &c.] The meaning of these strong expressions is, that the things of God's appointment, which seem to men foolishness , are infinitely beyond the highest degree of human wisdom; and those works of God, which appear to superficial observers weak and contemptible, surpass all the efforts of human power. The means which God has appointed for the salvation of men are so wisely imagined and so energetically powerful , that all who properly use them shall be infallibly brought to the end -final blessedness, which he has promised to them who believe and obey .

‏ 1 Corinthians 1:25-26

Verse 25. The foolishness of God is wiser, &c.] The meaning of these strong expressions is, that the things of God's appointment, which seem to men foolishness, are infinitely beyond the highest degree of human wisdom; and those works of God, which appear to superficial observers weak and contemptible, surpass all the efforts of human power. The means which God has appointed for the salvation of men are so wisely imagined and so energetically powerful, that all who properly use them shall be infallibly brought to the end-final blessedness, which he has promised to them who believe and obey.

Verse 26. Ye see your calling] τηνκλησιν. The state of grace and blessedness to which ye are invited. I think, βλεπετε τηνκλησιν, &c., should be read in the imperative: Take heed to, or consider your calling, brethren; that (οτι) not many of you are wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble: men is not in the original, and Paul seems to allude to the Corinthian believers in particular. This seems to have been said in opposition to the high and worldly notions of the Jews, who assert that the Divine Spirit never rests upon any man, unless he be wise, powerful, and rich. Now this Divine Spirit did rest upon the Christians at Corinth, and yet these were, in the sense of the world, neither wise, rich, nor noble. We spoil, if not corrupt the apostle's meaning, by adding are called, as if God did not send his Gospel to the wise, the powerful, and the noble, or did not will their salvation. The truth is, the Gospel has an equal call to all classes of men; but the wise, the mighty, and the noble, are too busy, or too sensual, to pay any attention to an invitation so spiritual and so Divine; and therefore there are few of these in the Church of Christ in general.