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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/1-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/46_1Co_01_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 1:23 - The Message of the Cross" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/1.htm">New King James Version</a> but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense], <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But we preach that Christ was nailed to a cross. Most Jews have problems with this, and most Gentiles think it is foolish. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> but our message is that Christ was crucified. This offends Jewish people and makes no sense to people who are not Jewish. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> As for us, we proclaim the crucified Christ, a message that is offensive to the Jews and nonsense to the Gentiles; <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> but we preach the Messiah crucified. He is a stumbling block to Jews and nonsense to gentiles, <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks, <a href="/net/1_corinthians/1.htm">NET Bible</a> but we preach about a crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to the non-Jews, <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> while we proclaim a Christ who has been crucified--to the Jews a stumbling-block, to Gentiles foolishness, <a href="/web/1_corinthians/1.htm">World English Bible</a> but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> also we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to Greeks foolishness, <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> we, however, preach Christ having been crucified, a stumbling block indeed to the Jewish and foolishness to Gentiles, <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> also we -- we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to Greeks foolishness, <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And we proclaim Christ crucified, to the Jews truly a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But we are preaching Christ crucified. Certainly, to the Jews, this is a scandal, and to the Gentiles, this is foolishness. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/1.htm">New American Bible</a> but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But we preach Christ crucified, which is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Syrians. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But we preach The Messiah as crucified, a scandal to the Judeans and madness to the Aramaeans.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> but we preach Christ crucified; to the Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks, foolishness: <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> but we preach Christ having been crucified, to the Jews indeed a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness; <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews indeed an offence, and to the Greeks folly; <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe, <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> while we proclaim a Christ who has been crucified--to the Jews a stumbling-block, to Gentiles foolishness, <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> but we preach Christ crucified; to the Jews, a stumbling-block, and to the gentiles foolishness; <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> to the Jews indeed a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but to them that are called, <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=195" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/1.htm">The Message of the Cross</a> …22Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmeis (PPro-N1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">we</a> <a href="/greek/2784.htm" title="2784: kēryssomen (V-PIA-1P) -- To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.">preach</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christon (N-AMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ</a> <a href="/greek/4717.htm" title="4717: estaurōmenon (V-RPM/P-AMS) -- From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.">crucified,</a> <a href="/greek/4625.htm" title="4625: skandalon (N-ANS) -- A snare, stumbling-block, cause for error. Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick, i.e. Snare.">a stumbling block</a> <a href="/greek/3303.htm" title="3303: men (Conj) -- A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de."></a> <a href="/greek/2453.htm" title="2453: Ioudaiois (Adj-DMP) -- Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.">to Jews</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">and</a> <a href="/greek/3472.htm" title="3472: mōrian (N-AFS) -- Folly, absurdity, foolishness. From moros; silliness, i.e. Absurdity.">foolishness</a> <a href="/greek/1484.htm" title="1484: ethnesin (N-DNP) -- Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.">to Gentiles,</a> 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/5-11.htm">Galatians 5:11</a> Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. <a href="/romans/9-32.htm">Romans 9:32-33</a> Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, / as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” <a href="/1_peter/2-7.htm">1 Peter 2:7-8</a> To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” / and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. <a href="/isaiah/8-14.htm">Isaiah 8:14</a> And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare. <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">Acts 17:32</a> When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.” <a href="/romans/1-16.htm">Romans 1:16</a> I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. <a href="/galatians/6-14.htm">Galatians 6:14</a> But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. <a href="/philippians/3-18.htm">Philippians 3:18</a> For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Isaiah 28:16</a> So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken. <a href="/matthew/11-6.htm">Matthew 11:6</a> Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.” <a href="/luke/2-34.htm">Luke 2:34</a> Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, <a href="/john/6-60.htm">John 6:60-66</a> On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?” / Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you? / Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? ... <a href="/john/12-37.htm">John 12:37-41</a> Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ... <a href="/acts/13-41.htm">Acts 13:41</a> ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” <a href="/romans/11-9.htm">Romans 11:9-11</a> And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. / May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” / I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness;we.<a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18</a> For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.<a href="/1_corinthians/2-2.htm">1 Corinthians 2:2</a> For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.<a href="/luke/24-46.htm">Luke 24:46,47</a> And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: … unto the Jews.<a href="/isaiah/8-14.htm">Isaiah 8:14,15</a> And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem… <a href="/matthew/11-6.htm">Matthew 11:6</a> And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.<a href="/matthew/13-57.htm">Matthew 13:57</a> And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.foolishness.<a href="/1_corinthians/1-28.htm">1 Corinthians 1:28</a> And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:<a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a> But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/14-20.htm">Block</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-17.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-13.htm">Crucified</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">Foolishness</a> <a href="/romans/16-26.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">Greeks</a> <a href="/romans/16-12.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/romans/16-26.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-17.htm">News</a> <a href="/romans/14-20.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">Preach</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-17.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/romans/16-17.htm">Stumbling</a> <a href="/romans/14-13.htm">Stumblingblock</a> <a href="/romans/14-13.htm">Stumbling-Block</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">Block</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-2.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-2.htm">Crucified</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">Foolishness</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">Greeks</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-12.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-15.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-32.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-14.htm">Preach</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-14.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">Stumbling</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">Stumblingblock</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">Stumbling-Block</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 1</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-1.htm">After his salutation and thanksgiving for the Corinthians,</a> 10. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">Paul exhorts them to unity,</a> 12. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-12.htm">and reproves their dissensions.</a> 18. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">God destroys the wisdom of the wise,</a> 21. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">by the foolishness of preaching;</a> 26. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-26.htm">and calls not the wise, mighty, and noble,</a> 28. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-28.htm">but the foolish, weak, and men of no account.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>but we preach Christ crucified The apostle Paul emphasizes the centrality of the crucifixion in the Christian message. The crucifixion of Jesus is the pivotal event in the New Testament, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies such as <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>, which speaks of the suffering servant. The message of the cross is foundational to Christian theology, representing the atonement for sin and the means of reconciliation with God. In the Greco-Roman world, crucifixion was a shameful and brutal form of execution, reserved for the lowest criminals. Preaching Christ crucified was countercultural and challenged societal norms, highlighting the transformative power of the Gospel.a stumbling block to Jews For the Jewish people, the concept of a crucified Messiah was scandalous. The Jews expected a triumphant, political Messiah who would liberate them from Roman oppression and restore the kingdom of Israel. The idea of a suffering and crucified Messiah contradicted their messianic expectations and interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures. Passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/21-23.htm">Deuteronomy 21:23</a>, which states that anyone hung on a tree is cursed, further complicated their acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. This stumbling block is a fulfillment of prophecies such as <a href="/isaiah/8-14.htm">Isaiah 8:14</a>, where the Messiah is described as a stone of stumbling.and foolishness to Gentiles To the Gentiles, particularly the Greeks who valued wisdom and philosophy, the message of the cross appeared as foolishness. The idea that salvation could come through a crucified man was absurd and irrational to their philosophical mindset. Greek culture esteemed intellectualism and rhetorical skill, and the simplicity of the Gospel message seemed naive and unsophisticated. This perception is addressed in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18</a>, where Paul contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God. The cross, while foolish to human reasoning, is the power of God for salvation, demonstrating that divine wisdom often subverts human expectations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth, a city known for its diverse population and cultural influences. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth, commerce, and moral challenges, which influenced the church's struggles with unity and doctrine. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jews.htm">Jews</a> The ethnic and religious group to whom the message of a crucified Messiah was a stumbling block, as they expected a triumphant, earthly king. 4. <a href="/topical/g/gentiles.htm">Gentiles</a> Non-Jewish people who considered the message of the cross foolishness, as it contradicted their philosophical and cultural expectations. 5. <a href="/topical/c/christ_crucified.htm">Christ Crucified</a> The central event of the Christian faith, representing the sacrificial death of Jesus, which is the foundation of the gospel message.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_centrality_of_the_cross.htm">The Centrality of the Cross</a> The message of Christ crucified is the core of the gospel and should remain central in our preaching and teaching. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_challenges.htm">Cultural Challenges</a> Just as the message of the cross was counter-cultural in Paul's time, it remains so today. We must be prepared to face misunderstanding and opposition. <a href="/topical/f/faith_over_human_wisdom.htm">Faith Over Human Wisdom</a> The gospel challenges human wisdom and calls us to trust in God's plan, which may seem foolish to the world. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_gospel.htm">Unity in the Gospel</a> Despite cultural and philosophical differences, believers are united in the message of the cross, which transcends all barriers. <a href="/topical/p/personal_reflection.htm">Personal Reflection</a> Consider how the message of the cross challenges your own preconceptions and calls you to a deeper faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 1</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_acts_29_network.htm">What is the Acts 29 Network?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_anthropopathism_mean.htm">What does 'Foolishness of the Message' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_christless_christianity.htm">What defines Christless Christianity?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_celtic_cross's_meaning.htm">What is the significance of the Celtic Cross?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) But we preach.--The gospel of Christ crucified made its way by those very qualities which they regarded as "weakness and folly," vindicating itself as "the power of God," more mighty than any "sign" a Jew might ask for; and "the wisdom of God" surpassing any merely intellectual "wisdom" which a Greek might desire.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - Christ crucified; rather perhaps, a crucified Messiah. It was only by slow degrees that the title "the Christ," i.e. the Anointed, the Messiah, passed into the name Christ. A stumbling block. They had for centuries been looking for a regal and victorious Messiah, who should exalt their special privileges. The notion of a suffering and humiliated Messiah, who reduced them to the level of all God's other children, was to them "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence" (<a href="/romans/9-33.htm">Romans 9:33</a>; comp. <a href="/isaiah/8-14.htm">Isaiah 8:14</a>). These two verses, translated into Syriac, furnish a marked play on words (miscol, stumbling block; mashcal, folly; seed, cross); and some have seen in this a sign that St. Paul thought in Syriac. Unto the Greeks; rather, unto Gentiles; א, A, B, C, I). Unto the Jews... unto the Greeks. Both alike had failed. The Jew had not attained ease of conscience or moral perfectness; the Greek had. not unriddled the secret of philosophy; yet both alike rejected the peace and the enlightenment which they had professed to seek. Foolishness. The accent of profound contempt is discernible in all the early allusions of Greeks and Romans to Christianity. The only epithets which they could find for it were "execrable," "malefic," "depraved," "damnable" (Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny, etc.). The milder term is "excessive superstition." The heroic constancy of martyrs appeared even to M. Aurelius only under the aspect of a "bare obstinacy." The word used to express the scorn of the Athenian philosophers for St. Paul's "strange doctrine" is one of the coarsest disdain (ἐχλεύαζον), and they called him "a seed pecker" (<a href="/acts/17-18.htm">Acts 17:18, 32</a>), i.e. a mere picker up of "learning's crumbs." <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. we ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. preach κηρύσσομεν (kēryssomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2784.htm">Strong's 2784: </a> To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth. Christ Χριστὸν (Christon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. crucified, ἐσταυρωμένον (estaurōmenon) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4717.htm">Strong's 4717: </a> From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness. a stumbling block σκάνδαλον (skandalon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4625.htm">Strong's 4625: </a> A snare, stumbling-block, cause for error. Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick, i.e. Snare. to Jews Ἰουδαίοις (Ioudaiois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2453.htm">Strong's 2453: </a> Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. and δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. foolishness μωρίαν (mōrian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3472.htm">Strong's 3472: </a> Folly, absurdity, foolishness. From moros; silliness, i.e. Absurdity. to Gentiles, ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1484.htm">Strong's 1484: </a> Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 1:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 1:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 1:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 1:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>