Ask people on the street, scroll through social media, and talk with anyone on a college campus about God, and you will find a wide range of ideas and understandings about God. The types of people and their comments about God would not be much different from the ideas people had in Paul’s time, 2,000 years ago. I know because I have done this.
The “wise man” is a Gentile philosopher in general. The “scholar” is the Jewish teacher of the religious law. The “philosopher of this age” is the Greek skilled in elaborate and devious argumentation who engages in long and subtle disputes (sophist).
Paul, in verses 18, 20-21, is quoting Jesus, and he quotes Isaiah 29:14 in verse 19. Luke 10:21 states, “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.'”
Elsewhere, Paul instructs Timothy and Titus to learn so they may have a good understanding of the faith they believe in (2 Timothy 3:14-17; Titus 2:1). However, here he tells the Church in Corinth that the basis of the faith we share is found in the message and action of the cross of Christ. Let go of that, and I am letting go of the fundamental message of my Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
