God, Paul told the Corinthians, had “chosen things without rank or standing in the world, mere nothings, to overthrow the existing order.”54 By executing the Messiah, the powers that be had condemned themselves to destruction. The Messiah was now enthroned at the right hand of God, preparing to depose “every sovereignty, authority, and power.”55 In Corinth, the cross was central to Paul’s message.
