20 Where is the wise person?(A) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(B) Has not God made foolish(C) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(D) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(E) those who believe.(F) 22 Jews demand signs(G) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(H) a stumbling block(I) to Jews and foolishness(J) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(K) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(L) and the wisdom of God.(M) 25 For the foolishness(N) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(O) of God is stronger than human strength.

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20 (A)Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the [a]disputer of this age? (B)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the (C)wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For (D)Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, (E)to the Jews a [b]stumbling block and to the [c]Greeks (F)foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (G)the power of God and (H)the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:20 debater
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:23 Gr. skandalon, offense
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:23 NU Gentiles

20 (A)Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of (B)this age? Has God not (C)made foolish the wisdom of (D)the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God (E)the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, (F)God [a]was pleased through the (G)foolishness of the [b]message preached to (H)save those who believe. 22 For indeed (I)Jews ask for [c]signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach [d](J)Christ crucified, (K)to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles (L)foolishness, 24 but to those who are (M)the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (N)the power of God and (O)the wisdom of God. 25 For the (P)foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and (Q)the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:21 Or resolved
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:21 Lit preaching
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:22 Or confirming miracles
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:23 I.e., the Messiah

20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles,[a] Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:24 Greek and Greeks.