“To us who are being saved,” the message of the cross is the power of God. But for the rest of mankind, it is only foolishness. The whole meaning of the cross—the death of a righteous Man required by the righteousness of God, free pardon for sinners, the laying aside of the natural man—are just so many truths that conflict with human reason. If, on the contrary, miracles and spectacular works are offered, a lofty ideal along with a moral code requiring effort—fine, that is the kind of religion which offends no one. Well! All the wise, the scribes, the disputers, in short the powerful intellects of that age, and all ages, are placed under a common, frightening title: “those who are perishing” (v. 18).

It is a fact that among the redeemed of the Lord there are not many wise, powerful or noble people (v. 26), for it is more difficult for them to become “as little children” (Mt. 18:3; 11:25). In order to glorify Himself, God chooses what is weak, vile, and despised, and Christians are just that in the world’s estimation. But what does their own value matter since they are in Christ and He is accounted to them power, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:24, 30).