1 Corinthians 1:18-25
New American Standard Bible
The Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is (A)foolishness to (B)those who [a]are perishing, but to us who [b]are being saved it is (C)the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“(D)I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.”
20 (E)Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of (F)this age? Has God not (G)made foolish the wisdom of (H)the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God (I)the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, (J)God [c]was pleased through the (K)foolishness of the [d]message preached to (L)save those who believe. 22 For indeed (M)Jews ask for [e]signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach [f](N)Christ crucified, (O)to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles (P)foolishness, 24 but to those who are (Q)the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (R)the power of God and (S)the wisdom of God. 25 For the (T)foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and (U)the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.
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- 1 Corinthians 1:18 Or perish
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 Or are saved
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 Or resolved
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 Lit preaching
- 1 Corinthians 1:22 Or confirming miracles
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 I.e., the Messiah
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
New King James Version
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God(A)
18 For the [a]message of the cross is (B)foolishness to (C)those who are perishing, but to us (D)who are being saved it is the (E)power of God. 19 For it is written:
(F)“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 (G)Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the [b]disputer of this age? (H)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the (I)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 (J)Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, (K)to the Jews a [c]stumbling block and to the [d]Greeks (L)foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (M)the power of God and (N)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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- 1 Corinthians 1:18 Lit. word
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 debater
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 Gr. skandalon, offense
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 NU Gentiles
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
King James Version
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.
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1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Amplified Bible
The Wisdom of God
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God. 19 For it is written and forever remains written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise [the philosophy of the philosophers],
And the cleverness of the clever [who do not know Me] I will nullify.”(A)
20 Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world’s wisdom? 21 For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the [a]foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior]. 22 For Jews demand signs (attesting miracles), and Greeks pursue [worldly] wisdom and philosophy, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense], 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.(B) 25 [This is] because the foolishness of God [is not foolishness at all and] is wiser than men [far beyond human comprehension], and the weakness of God is stronger than men [far beyond the limits of human effort].
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- 1 Corinthians 1:21 The straightforward message of salvation seemed foolish to unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Young's Literal Translation
18 for the word of the cross to those indeed perishing is foolishness, and to us -- those being saved -- it is the power of God,
19 for it hath been written, `I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will bring to nought;'
20 where [is] the wise? where the scribe? where a disputer of this age? did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 for, seeing in the wisdom of God the world through the wisdom knew not God, it did please God through the foolishness of the preaching to save those believing.
22 Since also Jews ask a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom,
23 also we -- we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to Greeks foolishness,
24 and to those 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;
Read full chapterNew American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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