Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,

so that no one may boast before him.

No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

The Church and Its Leaders

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”;

whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.

Lawsuits Among Believers

If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?

Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?

those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—

and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”

If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.