As Paul searched the Scriptures, he learned that throughout the ages "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. And so, viewing the wisdom of the world in the light of the cross, Paul "determined not to know anything, 128 . . . save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2.

Mens Paulus ransagede skrifterne, lærte han, at gennem tiderne var der ikke blevet kaldet "mange verdsligt vise, ikke mange mægtige, ikke mange fornemme; men det, der var dårskab for verden udvalgte Gud for at gøre de vise til skamme, og det, der var svagt for verden, udvalgte Gud for at gøre det stærke til skamme; og det for verden ringe og det foragtede, det, der ikke var noget, udvalgte Gud for at gøre det, der var noget, til intet, for at intet menneske skal rose sig for Gud." 1Kor. 1,26-29. Og når Paulus således så verdens visdom i korsets lys, fattede han det forsæt "ikke at ville vide af noget andet ..... end Jesus Kristus og det som korsfæstet." 1Kor. 2,2.