As Paul writes his letter, there is a subtle and distinct frustration that Paul has with his people just as Jesus had with his Apostles. The frustration comes as he learns about problems from Chloe’s people (which are unknown), these problems include sexual immorality, collections, offering food to idols and speaking in tongues. This division among the people frustrates Paul because they’re missing the clear point. As he says in 1 Cor.1:12-13 “One of you says “I follow Paul”; another “I follow Apollos”; another “I follow Cephas”; still another “I follow Christ”. Is Christ divided?” He’s seeing the fact that they’re following human wisdom and praising those whom baptize or have great wisdom. He later says how Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach the Gospel. In that sense he’s saying, “Its not about me or anyone else, rather the purpose of the cross and what it signifies through Christ”.
1 Cor. 1:21-25 “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” explains how Gods foolishness is greater than human wisdom. That human wisdom does not lead to God, in fact foolishness (having faith/believing) is what leads to God. Its considered foolish because its based on the fact that Jesus hasn’t come back yet. The cross has great power and significance because that power has not yet been obtained and wont be until Jesus does come back.
The effect that Paul hoped his argument would have on foolishness would be not to see themselves as stupid in the foolish sense, but to be humble and have humility in the foolish sense. Paul’s idea is to have that unity among the people whom are starting to go on separate paths. Its not having the “me” in selfishness mind, but the “God” in unity mind. He’s telling the people to be foolish, to believe and have faith in God through Jesus and his crucifixion, not to praise wisdom of those who preach the word.