Greeting

Paul, (A)called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ (B)through the will of God, and (C)Sosthenes our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who (D)are [a]sanctified in Christ Jesus, (E)called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ (F)our Lord, (G)both theirs and ours:

(H)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Gifts at Corinth

(I)I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him (J)in all [b]utterance and all knowledge, even as (K)the testimony of Christ was confirmed [c]in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly (L)waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, (M)who will also confirm you to the end, (N)that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (O)God is faithful, by whom you were called into (P)the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sectarianism Is Sin

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Q)that you all [d]speak the same thing, and that there be no [e]divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are [f]contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that (R)each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of (S)Apollos,” or “I am of (T)Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 (U)Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized (V)none of you except (W)Crispus and (X)Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of (Y)Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, (Z)not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God(AA)

18 For the [g]message of the cross is (AB)foolishness to (AC)those who are perishing, but to us (AD)who are being saved it is the (AE)power of God. 19 For it is written:

(AF)“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

20 (AG)Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the [h]disputer of this age? (AH)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the (AI)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 (AJ)Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, (AK)to the Jews a [i]stumbling block and to the [j]Greeks (AL)foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (AM)the power of God and (AN)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 [k]you see your calling, brethren, (AO)that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many [l]noble, are called. 27 But (AP)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 [m]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 (AQ)righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, (AR)“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:2 set apart
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:5 speech
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:6 Or among
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Have a uniform testimony
  5. 1 Corinthians 1:10 schisms or dissensions
  6. 1 Corinthians 1:11 quarrels
  7. 1 Corinthians 1:18 Lit. word
  8. 1 Corinthians 1:20 debater
  9. 1 Corinthians 1:23 Gr. skandalon, offense
  10. 1 Corinthians 1:23 NU Gentiles
  11. 1 Corinthians 1:26 consider
  12. 1 Corinthians 1:26 well-born
  13. 1 Corinthians 1:28 insignificant or lowly

From Sha’ul, given the kri’ah (call) of Hashem and summoned to be a Shliach of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach birtzon Hashem; and from Sosthenes (Ac 18:17) the Ach b’Moshiach.

To the Kehillah (congregation) of Hashem existing in Corinth, to the ones having been set apart unto kedushah (holiness) in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, given the kri’ah to be Kadoshim, with all the ones who in every place call on the name of Adoneinu, theirs and ours, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.

Chen v’Chesed Hashem and Shalom from Elohim Avinu and Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.

Modeh Ani (I give thanks) to my G-d always concerning you for the Chen v’Chesed Hashem having been given to you in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua,

That in everything you were enriched in Moshiach in all expression and kol da’as (all knowledge),

Even as the edut (testimony) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was confirmed in you,

So that you are not lacking in any matnat Elohim, awaiting the hisgalus (revelation) of Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua,

Who also with chizzuk (strengthening) will confirm you ad es Ketz (until the time of the End‖DANIEL 11:35), unreprovable in the Yom Hashem, the Yom Adoneinu, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua. [AMOS 5:18]

Ne’eman (faithful) is Hashem through whom you were called into the chavurah (company, fellowship, society) of His Ben HaElohim Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua Adoneinu.

10 Now I exhort you, Achim b’Moshiach, b’Shem Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, that you all speak the same thing and that there not be among you machlokot (divisions of dissension 11:18), but that you may have achdus (unity) in the same mind and in the same way of thinking.

11 For it was made clear to me about you, Achim b’Moshiach of mine, by the ones of Chloe, that there is merivah (strife) among you.

12 Now I say this, because each of you says, "I am of Sha’ul," or, "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Kefa," or "I am of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach!"

13 Has Moshiach been divided? Surely Sha’ul was not for you the one talui al HaEtz (“being hanged on the Tree” Dt 21:23)? Surely it was not in the name of Sha’ul that the Moshiach’s tevilah in the mikveh mayim was given to you?

14 Modeh Ani Hashem that to not one of you I gave Moshiach’s tevilah except Crispus and Gaius (Ro16:23),

15 Lest anyone should say that in my name you were given the Moshiach’s tevilah.

16 Now I gave Moshiach’s tevilah also to Stephanas’ household; as to the rest, I do not know if I gave Moshiach’s tevilah to anyone else.

17 For Moshiach did not send me to give Moshiach’s tevilah in the mikveh mayim, but to preach the Besuras HaGeulah, not by means of the lomdes (cleverness, erudition) of the rhetoric of Bnei Adam, lest the gevurah (power) of HaEtz HaKelalat Hashem (the Tree of the Curse of G-d—Dt 21:23) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach be buttel (cancelled out).

18 For the message of HaEtz HaKelalat Hashem (the Tree of the Curse of G-d—Dt 21:23) is narrishkait to the ones perishing. But to us who are being delivered in Yeshu’at Eloheinu, it is the gevurat Hashem (the power of G-d).

19 For it has been written, “I will destroy CHOCHMAT CHACHAMAV (the wisdom of the wise ones) U’VINAT NEVONAV (and the intelligence of the intelligent) I will set aside.” Isa 29:14.

20 Where is the chacham (wise man)? Where is the sofer (scribe) of the yeshiva, where is the talmid chacham? Where is the philosophical debater of the Olam Hazeh? Did not Hashem make the so-called chochmah (wisdom) of the Olam Hazeh to look like narrishkait? [Isa 19:11,12; Job 12:17; Isa 44:25; Jer 8:9]

21 For, als (since)—and this was by the chochmah of Hashem—the Olam Hazeh did not by its chochmah have da’as of Hashem, G-d was pleased through the "sichlut" (foolishness) of the Hachrazah (Proclamation, Kerygma, Preaching) of the Besuras HaGeulah to save the ma’aminim (believers).

22 Yehudim ask for otot (signs Ex 7:3) and Yevanim (Greeks) seek chochmah,

23 But, we proclaim Moshiach and nivlato al haEtz (“his body on the Tree,” DEVARIM 21:23): to Jews, a michshol (YESHAYAH 8:14); to Goyim, narrishkait (foolishness).

24 Yet, to those whom Hashem has given the kri’ah (1C 1:1-2) and summoned, to HaKeru’im (to the Called Ones), both to Yehudim and to Yevanim Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, the Gevurat Hashem and the Chochmat Hashem.

25 For the so-called “sichlut” (foolishness) of Hashem has more chochmah than Bnei Adam, and the “weakness” of G-d has more koach (power) than Bnei Adam (1:18).

26 For you see your kri’ah (call), Achim b’Moshiach, what you were, that not many of you were chachamim (wise ones) by the standards of Bnei Adam, not many ba’alei hashpa’ah (people of influence), not many ba’alei zchus (privileged).

27 But Hashem in His bechirah (selection) chose the things of sichlut (foolishness), that He might bring the chachamim to bushah (shame); and Hashem in His bechirah (selection) chose the things of weakness that He might bring the strong to bushah (shame).

28 And those of the Olam Hazeh without mishpochah atzilah (noble birth) and those which are hanivzim (the despised, Isa 53:3) Hashem chose, choosing the things that are not, in order to bring to naught the things that are.

29 His tachlis (purpose) is that no basar (fallen humanity sold under the power of slave master Chet Kadmon, Original Sin, Rom. 7:14) may boast before Hashem.

30 But you are of Hashem in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua who became to us chochmah (wisdom) from Hashem, our Tzidkanut (Righteousness) and our Kedushah (Holiness) and our Geulah LaOlam (Redemption to the world), [Jer 23:5,6; 33:16]

31 Al menat (in order that), as it has been written, YITHALLEL HAMITHALLEL B’HASHEM ("The one boasting let him boast in the L-rd" YIRMEYAH 9:23).[TEHILLIM 34:2; 44:8]

Appeal to Unity

Paul, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother [a]Sosthenes,

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified (set apart, made holy) in Christ Jesus, who are selected and called as saints (God’s people), together with all those who in every place call on and honor the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, so that in everything you were [exceedingly] enriched in Him, in all speech [empowered by the spiritual gifts] and in all knowledge [with insight into the faith]. In this way our testimony about Christ was confirmed and established in you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift [which comes from the Holy Spirit], as you eagerly wait [with confident trust] for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ [when He returns]. And He will also confirm you to the end [keeping you strong and free of any accusation, so that you will be] blameless and beyond reproach in the day [of the return] of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith]. 11 For I have been informed about you, my brothers and sisters, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are quarrels and factions among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” or “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” or “I am [a disciple] of Cephas (Peter),” or “I am [a disciple] of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided [into different parts]? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? [Certainly not!] 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,(A) 15 so that no one would say that you were baptized into my name. 16 Now I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know if I baptized anyone else. 17 For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]—not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be [b]made ineffective [deprived of its saving power].

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.”(B)

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 [c]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.(C) 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].

26 Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth. 27 But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]. 28 God has selected [for His purpose] the insignificant (base) things of the world, and the things that are despised and treated with contempt, [even] the things that are nothing, so that He might reduce to nothing the things that are, 29 so that no one may [be able to] boast in the presence of God. 30 But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin], 31 so then, as it is written [in Scripture], “He who boasts and glories, let him boast and glory in the Lord.”(D)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:1 This man may have served as secretary to Paul to record his dictation, and may be the synagogue leader mentioned in Acts 18:17.
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:17 Paul may be referring to the danger that convincing people to become Christians by the use of clever rhetoric would result in false conversions (cf 2:5).
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:21 The straightforward message of salvation seemed foolish to unbelievers.