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.

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.^(U) Not many of you were wise^(V) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose^(W) the foolish^(X) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not^(Y)—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.^{(Z) 30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,^(AA) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,^(AB) holiness^(AC) and redemption.^{(AD) 31} Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[b](AE)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(A) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(B) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(C) 25} I have become its servant^(D) by the commission God gave me^(E) to present to you the word of God^(F) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(G) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(H) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(I) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(J) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(K) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(L) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(M) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(N) contend^(O) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(P)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(Q) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(R) and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(S) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(T) of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^{(U) 4} I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^{(V) 5} For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(W) and delight to see how disciplined^(X) you are and how firm^(Y) your faith in Christ^(Z) is.

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)

¹² Epaphras,^(A) who is one of you^(B) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(C) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(D) and fully assured.

¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(A) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus^(A) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[a](B) in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^{(C) 9} He is coming with Onesimus,^(D) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(E) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love,^(A) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(B)

²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.^{(A) 29} Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?^(B) Who is led into sin,^(C) and I do not inwardly burn?