¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize,^(A) but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom^(B) and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness^(C) to those who are perishing,^(D) but to us who are being saved^(E) it is the power of God.^(F)

²⁷ And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.^(A)

Doxology

²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world^(A) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save^(B) those who believe.^{(C) 22} Jews demand signs^(D) and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified:^(E) a stumbling block^(F) to Jews and foolishness^(G) to Gentiles,

⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,^(A) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,^{(B) 5} so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.^(C)

¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma^(A) of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.^{(B) 16} To the one we are an aroma that brings death;^(C) to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?^(D)

³ And even if our gospel^(A) is veiled,^(B) it is veiled to those who are perishing.^(C)