1 Corinthians 1:18

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Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.”

— WEB

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

— KJV

“For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.”

— ASV

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Corinthians 2:14 "Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are…"
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew firs…"
2 Thessalonians 2:10 "and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be …"
1 Corinthians 1:23-25 "but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,"
2 Corinthians 4:3 "Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying;"
1 Corinthians 1:21 "For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of…"
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 "For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish;"
1 Corinthians 3:19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”Job 5:13"

Commentary

preaching, &c.--literally, "the word," or speech as to the cross; in contrast to the "wisdom of words" (so called), Co1 1:17. them that perish--rather, "them that are perishing," namely, by preferring human "wisdom of words" to the doctrine of the "cross of Christ." It is not the final state that is referred to; but, "them that are in the way of perishing." So also in Co2 2:15-16. us which are saved--In the Greek the collocation is more modest, "to them that are being saved (that are in the way of salvation) as," that is, to which class we belong. power of God--which includes in it that it is the wisdom of God" (Co1 1:24). God's powerful instrument of salvation; the highest exhibition of God's power (Rom 1:16). What seems to the world "weakness" in God's plan of salvation (Co1 1:25), and in its mode of delivery by His apostle (Co1 2:3) is really His mighty "power." What seems "foolishness" because wanting man's "wisdom of words" (Co1 1:17), is really the highest "wisdom of God" (Co1 1:24).

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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