1 Corinthians 1:18-25

New International Version

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

¹⁸For 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) ¹⁹For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”^[a]^(E)

²⁰Where 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? ²¹For 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) ²²Jews demand signs^(L) and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified:^(M) a stumbling block^(N) to Jews and foolishness^(O) to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called,^(P) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God^(Q) and the wisdom of God.^(R) ²⁵For the foolishness^(S) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness^(T) of God is stronger than human strength.

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Footnotes

1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

International Standard Version

The Messiah is God’s Power and Wisdom

¹⁸For 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. ¹⁹For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the intelligence of the intelligent I will reject.”^[a]

²⁰Where 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? ²¹For 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. ²²Jews ask for signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach the Messiah^[c] crucified. He is a stumbling block to Jews and nonsense to gentiles, ²⁴but to those who are called,^[d] both Jews and Greeks, the Messiah^[e] is God’s power and God’s wisdom. ²⁵For God’s nonsense is wiser than human wisdom,^[f] and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.^[g]