1 Corinthians 1:17-20
King James Version
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
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?
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1 Corinthians 1:17-20
New King James Version
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, (A)not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God(B)
18 For the [a]message of the cross is (C)foolishness to (D)those who are perishing, but to us (E)who are being saved it is the (F)power of God. 19 For it is written:
(G)“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 (H)Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the [b]disputer of this age? (I)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
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- 1 Corinthians 1:18 Lit. word
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 debater
1 Corinthians 1:17-20
English Standard Version
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and (A)not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
18 For the word of the cross is (B)folly to (C)those who are perishing, but to us (D)who are being saved it is (E)the power of God. 19 For it is written,
(F)“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 (G)Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? (H)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
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1 Corinthians 1:17-20
New American Standard Bible
17 (A)For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, (B)not with [a]cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.
The Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is (C)foolishness to (D)those who [b]are perishing, but to us who [c]are being saved it is (E)the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“(F)I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.”
20 (G)Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of (H)this age? Has God not (I)made foolish the wisdom of (J)the world?
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- 1 Corinthians 1:17 I.e., persuasive rhetoric
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 Or perish
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 Or are saved
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
