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:

^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.

Glory Only in the Lord

²⁶ For ^[e]you see your calling, brethren, ^(O)that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many ^[f]noble, are called. ²⁷ But ^(P)God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the ^[g]base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence. ³⁰ But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and ^(Q)righteousness and sanctification and redemption— ³¹ that, as it is written, ^(R)“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Sacrificial Service for Christ

^24 (A)I now rejoice in my sufferings ^(B)for you, and fill up in my flesh ^(C)what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for ^(D)the sake of His body, which is the church, ²⁵ of which I became a minister according to ^(E)the ^[a]stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, ^26 (F)the ^[b]mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, ^(G)but now has been revealed to His saints. ^27 (H)To them God willed to make known what are ^(I)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: ^[c]which is ^(J)Christ in you, ^(K)the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we preach, ^(L)warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, ^(M)that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me ^(N)mightily.

Not Philosophy but Christ

2 For I want you to know what a great ^(O)conflict^[d] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, ^[e]both of the Father and of Christ, ^3 (P)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

⁴ Now this I say ^(Q)lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. ⁵ For ^(R)though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing ^[f]to see ^(S)your good order and the ^(T)steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Preeminence of Christ

^9 (A)For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask ^(B)that you may be filled with ^(C)the knowledge of His will ^(D)in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

^12 (A)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always ^(B)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand ^(C)perfect and ^[a]complete in all the will of God.

Closing Exhortations and Blessing

¹⁶ Now when ^(A)this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.