Explore the Bible Online

1 Corinthians 1:18-28

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

18. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20. Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21. For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: 27. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1 Corinthians 1:18-28 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:18

Theological / Devotional

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).

By SdaBc