Paul contrasted our natural wisdom with the seemingly foolishness of the gospel. Because our reason is fallen and our wisdom is corrupted by humanistic pride God did an end around our wisdom and devised a means of saving mankind that looks like complete and utter foolishness to natural wisdom. At the cross God outsmarted human wisdom and overpowered His enemies by lavish grace and undeserved forgiveness. The gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God for salvation.