Keraia
1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1:23

The Message of the Cross · 1 Corinthians 1:18–25
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Translations

Modern
…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
Traditional
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Literal
…we, however, preach Christ having been crucified, a stumbling block indeed to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
Latin
…nos autem prædicamus Christum crucifixum: Judæis quidem scandalum, gentibus autem stultitiam,

Original

Greek
English
…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

Notes

1 Corinthians 1:23

Paul insisted on sharing only the simple message of the cross, despite what unbelieving Jews and Gentiles wanted. Many Jews found the idea of a crucified Messiah contradictory. They believed crucifixion showed God's curse, not His power and blessing (see Galatians 3:13; compare Deuteronomy 21:23).

1 Corinthians 1:22–24

Paul uses the words Greeks and Gentiles interchangeably to refer to non-Jews.

1 Corinthians 1:18–31

Paul contrasts eloquence and human wisdom, which some Corinthians valued, with the seemingly foolish message of the cross, which expresses God's wisdom. The followers of Apollos, in particular (see 1 Corinthians 1:12), were likely drawn to his speaking skills and intellectual approach to ministry (see Acts 18:24–28). In contrast, Paul emphasizes that the true power is in the simple message of the cross of Christ.

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Christ Crucifixion First Letter to the Corinthians Gospel Greece, Greek Jew Letter to the Ephesians Mystery Offend, Offense Peter, Second Letter of Second Letter to the Corinthians Second Letter to the Thessalonians Stumbling Block

Topics

Atonement: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Boasting: Spiritual Christ Crucified Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Cross: Jesus Crucified On Greece: Philosophy of Greek: Philosophy of Jesus, the Christ: Death of Jesus, the Christ: Rejected Offense: The Wicked Take, At: Christ Crucified Preaching: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Reasoning: The Gospel Cannot be Explained By Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Salvation: Plan of Stumbling: R. V. Suffering of Christ The Death of Christ: Mode of a Stumbling Block to Jews The Death of Christ: Mode of Foolishness to Gentiles Unbelief: General Scriptures Concerning Wisdom: Worldly Word of God: Unbelief In