Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

18 For 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.(A) 19 For it is written,

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

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law?[b] Where is the debater of this age?(C) Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For 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. 22 For the Jews ask for signs(D) and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified,(E) a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.[c] 24 Yet to those who are called,(F) both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:19 Is 29:14
  2. 1:20 Or scholar
  3. 1:23 Other mss read Greeks

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]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isa 29:14
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:21 The Gk. lacks God
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:23 Or Christ
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:24 Or chosen
  5. 1 Corinthians 1:24 Or Christ
  6. 1 Corinthians 1:25 Lit. than men
  7. 1 Corinthians 1:25 Lit. than men