1 Corinthians 1:18-25
New American Standard Bible
The Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is (A)foolishness to (B)those who [a]are perishing, but to us who [b]are being saved it is (C)the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“(D)I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.”
20 (E)Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of (F)this age? Has God not (G)made foolish the wisdom of (H)the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God (I)the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, (J)God [c]was pleased through the (K)foolishness of the [d]message preached to (L)save those who believe. 22 For indeed (M)Jews ask for [e]signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach [f](N)Christ crucified, (O)to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles (P)foolishness, 24 but to those who are (Q)the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (R)the power of God and (S)the wisdom of God. 25 For the (T)foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and (U)the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.
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- 1 Corinthians 1:18 Or perish
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 Or are saved
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 Or resolved
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 Lit preaching
- 1 Corinthians 1:22 Or confirming miracles
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 I.e., the Messiah
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
International Standard Version
The Messiah is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message about the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the intelligence of the intelligent I will reject.”[a]
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? God has turned the wisdom of the world into nonsense, hasn’t he? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God,[b] God was pleased to save those who believe through the nonsense of our preaching. 22 Jews ask for signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach the Messiah[c] crucified. He is a stumbling block to Jews and nonsense to gentiles, 24 but to those who are called,[d] both Jews and Greeks, the Messiah[e] is God’s power and God’s wisdom. 25 For God’s nonsense is wiser than human wisdom,[f] and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.[g]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isa 29:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 The Gk. lacks God
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 Or chosen
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 1:25 Lit. than men
- 1 Corinthians 1:25 Lit. than men
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
New International Version
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:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a](E)
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.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
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