CHRYSOSTOM:
The man who is wise according to the standards of this world is really very foolish, because he will not cast away his corrupt teaching. A little learning is a dangerous thing, because it makes those who have it unwilling to learn more. The unlearned are more open to conviction, because they are not so foolish as to think that they are wise.1
AMBROSIASTER:
The two most “foolish things of the world” are in particular the virgin birth of Christ and his resurrection from the dead. The wise are confounded because they see that what a few of them deny, the many profess to be true. There is no doubt that the opinions of the many faithful take precedence over those of a small number. Likewise, those who are mighty in this world can easily see the so-called weak things of Christ overturning demons and performing miracles. To the world the injuries and sufferings of the Savior are weak things, because the world does not understand that they have become the source of power through Christ who submitted to suffering in order to overcome death.2
THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA:
Boasting, even if it is of good works, harms the soul of the boaster. Anyone who boasts of worldly achievements is highly worldly himself.3
THEODORET OF CYR:
If Paul had chosen only the most eloquent and gifted people as preachers they would have gloried in their own abilities and been damned for it, whether they preached the truth or not.4
Footnotes
- Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians 5.2. Bray, G. L. (Ed.). (1999). 1–2 Corinthians (p. 17). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES. Bray, G. L. (Ed.). (1999). 1–2 Corinthians (p. 17). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH. Bray, G. L. (Ed.). (1999). 1–2 Corinthians (p. 18). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 173. Bray, G. L. (Ed.). (1999). 1–2 Corinthians (p. 18). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.