1 Corinthians 1:21

For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.

'For seeing' -'For since' (NASV)

'in the wisdom of God' -'For God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find God through human brilliance' (Tay); 'As God in his wisdom ordained, the world failed to find him by its wisdom' (NEB)

'through its wisdom' -relying on pure human wisdom. (Jeremiah

1 Corinthians 10:23; Proverbs 16:25)

'knew not God' -The classic example of this is the city of Athens. One of the major centers of learning in the ancient world, and yet. city full of idols and ignorant of the true God. (Acts 17:16; Acts 17:23)

All human schools of thought had failed to find access to God! (Acts 17:30; Romans 1:21).. point to remember: Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Druidism, Spiritism, Animism, Polytheism were all in existance when Paul wrote these verses! And these systems had failed to find God!

'God's good pleasure' -'God, instead of dumping mankind, was pleased to work for its salvation. It pleased God to save people! God delights in saving people!' (McGuiggan p. 34) (John 3:16; Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10)

'through the foolishness of the preaching' -as the world viewed the message preached (1 Corinthians 1:18). Again, salvation comes from hearing. message. (Romans 10:17)

'to save them that believe' -'Not the cunning, the debaters, the sign-seekers'. (McGuiggan p. 34)