1 Corinthians 1:17-21

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁷For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross^(A) of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

¹⁸For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.^(B) ¹⁹For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.^[a]^(C)

²⁰Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law?^[b] Where is the debater of this age?^(D) Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? ²¹For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached.

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Footnotes

1:19 Is 29:14
1:20 Or scholar

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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