1 Corinthians 1:18

Preaching. Gr. logos, literally meaning “word.” There is, perhaps, an intended contrast with “wisdom of words” (see on v. 17). Of the cross. That is, concerning the cross. The “preaching of the cross” is the message of salvation through faith in the crucified Lord. Such a message appeared as the height of foolishness to the philosophy-loving Greek and to the ritualistic-minded Jew. Them that perish. They are on the way to perdition, because the one thing that has power to save them, namely, the word of the cross, appears like folly to them. Are saved. Literally, “are being saved.” Paul here describes salvation as a present act. The Scriptures represent salvation as a past, present, and also a future act (see on Rom. 8:24). Power. Gr. dunamis (see on Luke 1:35). To those who, because of their willingness to believe the unadulterated statement of the gospel, “are being saved,” the word of the cross is the “power of God.” This power is demonstrated by the transformation of character that accompanies the sinner’s acceptance of the provisions of grace. The gospel is much more than a statement of doctrine or an account of what Jesus did for mankind when He died on the cross; it is the application of the mighty power of God to the heart and life of the repentant, believing sinner, making of him a new creation (see Rom. 1:16; cf. 2 Cor. 5:17).