{Seeing that} (epeid(885c)). Since (epei and d(885c)) with
explanatory gar. {Through its wisdom} (dia t(8873) sophias).
Article here as possessive. The two wisdoms contrasted. {Knew not
God} (ouk egn(935c)). Failed to know, second aorist (effective)
active indicative of gin(9373)k(935c), solemn dirge of doom on both
Greek philosophy and Jewish theology that failed to know God. Has
modern philosophy done better? There is today even a godless
theology (Humanism). "Now that God's wisdom has reduced the
self-wise world to ignorance" (Findlay). {Through the foolishness
of the preaching} (dia t(8873) m(9372)ias tou k(8872)ugmatos). Perhaps
"proclamation" is the idea, for it is not k(8872)uxis, the act of
heralding, but k(8872)ugma, the message heralded or the
proclamation as in verse  23 . The metaphor is that of the herald
proclaiming the approach of the king ( Mt 3:1  4:17 ). See also
k(8872)ugma in  1Co 2:4  2Ti 4:17 . The proclamation of the Cross
seemed foolishness to the wiseacres then (and now), but it is
consummate wisdom, God's wisdom and good-pleasure (eudok(8873)an).
The foolishness of preaching is not the preaching of foolishness.
{To save them that believe} (s(9373)ai tous pisteuontas). This is
the heart of God's plan of redemption, the proclamation of
salvation for all those who trust Jesus Christ on the basis of
his death for sin on the Cross. The mystery-religions all offered
salvation by initiation and ritual as the Pharisees did by
ceremonialism. Christianity reaches the heart directly by trust
in Christ as the Saviour. It is God's wisdom.