Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness^(A) to those who are perishing,^(B) but to us who are being saved^(C) it is the power of God.^{(D) 19} For it is written:

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

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(A) we have not stopped praying for you.^(B) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(C) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^{[a](D) 10} so that you may live a life worthy^(E) of the Lord and please him^(F) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^{(G) 11} being strengthened with all power^(H) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^{(I) 12} and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(J) who has qualified you^[b] to share in the inheritance^(K) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^{(L) 13} For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(M) and brought us into the kingdom^(N) of the Son he loves,^{(O) 14} in whom we have redemption,^(P) the forgiveness of sins.^(Q)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(R) of the invisible God,^(S) the firstborn^(T) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(U) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(V) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(W) 17} He is before all things,^(X) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(Y) of the body, the church;^(Z) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(AA) from among the dead,^(AB) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(AC) to have all his fullness^(AD) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(AE) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(AF) by making peace^(AG) through his blood,^(AH) shed on the cross.