1st February 2026

The city of Corinth, in the first century, was a prominent commercial and cultural centre within the Roman Empire. It was characterised by economic prosperity, social hierarchy, and a strong emphasis on public honour, rhetorical skill, and philosophical sophistication. Success and authority were often measured by eloquence, intellectual achievement, and social status. Within this context, speaking ability held significant power. Public speakers and philosophers gained prestige through persuasive speech and displays of wisdom. The Corinthian church seems to have embraced these cultural influences, leading to divisions based on allegiance to charismatic leaders and speaking styles (1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul addresses this issue by intentionally redefining the nature of true wisdom and power.

Central to Paul’s argument is crucifixion, and yet it carried a profound cultural stigma. In the Roman world, crucifixion was a form of execution reserved primarily for slaves, criminals, and rebels. It symbolised utter humiliation, shame, and social exclusion. Cicero famously referred to crucifixion as a punishment so degrading that it should not be mentioned in polite Roman society.¹  Crucifixion for the Jews presented a theological problem. Deuteronomy 21:23 associated being ‘hung on a tree’ with a divine curse. Thus, the proclamation of a crucified Messiah directly contradicted both Jewish messianic expectations and Greco-Roman conceptions of honour, power and wisdom. It was simply foolishness. It appeared weak, illogical, and even absurd. After all, how could salvation come through suffering, humility, and death? The Corinthian worldview sought power through strength, wisdom through intellect, and victory through dominance. The cross offers none of these, on the surface.

In contrast, Paul identifies the cross as ‘the power of God’ for those ‘being saved’. He reminded the Corinthians that what looked like foolishness is actually God’s power at work.  The cross reveals a wisdom far deeper than human understanding: a God who conquers sin through sacrifice, who brings life through death, and who displays strength through surrender. What the world dismisses, God uses to transform hearts and redeem humanity.

The message of the cross calls the believing community to a countercultural posture that resists reliance on status, eloquence, or intellectual prestige, and instead locates meaning and identity in God’s redemptive work through Christ. As believers, we are called to embrace this ‘foolish’ message, not just with our words, but with our lives. Trusting in the cross means choosing humility over pride, obedience over popularity, and faith over human reasoning. It means believing that God’s ways, though often misunderstood, are always perfect.

When we cling to the cross, we discover that it is not foolish at all – it is the very source of our hope, our salvation, and our new life in Christ.

^{1  Pro Rabirio Perduellionis Reo (Section 16).}

Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead 
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA

Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm

Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:  
wordoflife@gracecom.church