In this verse Paul may be speaking ironically, or putting himself for the moment in the position of the Gentiles who found the Christian message foolish, and of the Jews who considered the cross a sign of weakness. Good News Bible‘s “seems to be” shows this irony.

Paul avoids the Greek noun for foolishness that he has used before. Instead he employs the related adjective that is probably more emphatic. Paul also avoids speaking directly about the foolishness of God. Good News Bible‘s added phrase “what seems to be” shows Paul’s reluctance. This phrase can also be translated as “what looks like” or “what appears to be.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “God acts against all reason—yet he is wiser than all humans.”

Men translates a Greek term that refers to human beings, both male and female. “Human wisdom” and “human strength” (Good News Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible) give the right meaning.

In verses 22-24, Paul has three times mentioned the Jews first and the Gentiles second. In the present verse, although neither group is named, the order is reversed: the Gentiles (Greeks) who are interested in wisdom are referred to by implication, before the Jews who are interested in power (or miracles; see comments on verse 22). If translators find this strange or confusing in their own language, they should not hesitate to put verse 25b before verse 25a.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .