{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/002/0020311.htm","path":"chr/ecf/002/0020311.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/002/0020311.htm","text":"And of such it is said, \u201cI will destroy the wisdom of the wise: I will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.\u201d The apostle accordingly adds, \u201cWhere is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world?\u201d setting in contradistinction to the scribes, the disputers 1996 of this world, the philosophers of the Gentiles. \u201cHath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?\u201d 1997 which is equivalent to, showed it to be foolish, and not true, as they thought. And if you ask the cause of their seeming wisdom, he will say, \u201cbecause of the blindness of their heart;\u201d since \u201cin the wisdom of God,\u201d that is, as proclaimed by the prophets, \u201cthe world knew not,\u201d in the wisdom \u201cwhich spake by the prophets,\u201d \u201cHim,\u201d 1998 that is, God,\u2014\u201cit pleased God by the foolishness of preaching\u201d\u2014what seemed to the Greeks foolishness\u2014\u201cto save them that believe. For the Jews require signs,\u201d in order to faith; \u201cand the Greeks seek after wisdom,\u201d plainly those reasonings styled \u201cirresistible,\u201d and those others, namely, syllogisms. \u201cBut we preach Jesus Christ crucified; to the Jews a stumbling-block,\u201d because, though knowing prophecy, they did not believe the event: \u201cto the Greeks, foolishness;\u201d for those who in their own estimation are wise, consider it fabulous that the Son of God should speak by man and that God should have a Son, and especially that that Son should have suffered. Whence their preconceived idea inclines them to disbelieve. For the advent of the Saviour did not make people foolish, and hard of heart, and unbelieving, but made them understanding, amenable to persuasion, and believing. But those that would not believe, by separating themselves from the voluntary adherence of those who obeyed, were proved to be without understanding, unbelievers and fools. \u201cBut to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God.\u201d Should we not understand (as is better) the words rendered, \u201cHath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?\u201d negatively: \u201cGod hath not made foolish the wisdom of the world?\u201d\u2014so that the cause of their hardness of heart may not appear to have proceeded from God, \u201cmaking foolish the wisdom of the world.\u201d For on all accounts, being wise, they incur greater blame in not believing the proclamation. For the preference and choice of truth is voluntary. But that declaration, \u201cI will destroy the wisdom of the wise,\u201d declares Him to have sent forth light, by bringing forth in opposition the despised and contemned barbarian philosophy; as the lamp, when shone upon by the sun, is said to be extinguished, on account of its not then exerting p. 321 the same power. All having been therefore called, those who are willing to obey have been named 1999 \u201ccalled.\u201d For there is no unrighteousness with God. Those of either race who have believed, are \u201ca peculiar people.\u201d 2000 And in the Acts of the Apostles you will find this, word for word, \u201cThose then who received his word were baptized;\u201d 2001 but those who would not obey kept themselves aloof. To these prophecy says, \u201cIf ye be willing and hear me, ye shall eat the good things of the land;\u201d 2002 proving that choice or refusal depends on ourselves. The apostle designates the doctrine which is according to the Lord, \u201cthe wisdom of God,\u201d in order to show that the true philosophy has been communicated by the Son. Further, he, who has a show of wisdom, has certain exhortations enjoined on him by the apostle: \u201cThat ye put on the new man, which after God is renewed in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth. Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole, steal no more; but rather let him labour, working that which is good\u201d (and to work is to labour in seeking the truth; for it is accompanied with rational well-doing), \u201cthat ye may have to give to him that has need,\u201d 2003 both of worldly wealth and of divine wisdom. For he wishes both that the word be taught, and that the money be put into the bank, accurately tested, to accumulate interest. Whence he adds, \u201cLet no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,\u201d\u2014that is \u201ccorrupt communication\u201d which proceeds out of conceit,\u2014\u201cbut that which is good for the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.\u201d And the word of the good God must needs be good. And how is it possible that he who saves shall not be good?\n1 Cor. i. 21-24; where the reading is \u0398\u03b5\u03cc\u03bd not \u0391\u1f50\u03c4\u03cc\u03bd.\n321:1999\n[He thus expounds the Ecclesia.]\n321:2000 321:2001 321:2002 321:2003","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol II: CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: Chapter XVIII.\u2014He Illustrates the Apostle\u2019s Saying, \u201cI Will Destroy the Wisdom of the Wise.\u201d","type":"page"}