Meaning, commentary and cross references
1 Corinthians 1:18
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
NIV · New International Version
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
WEB · World English Bible
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
What does 1 Corinthians 1:18 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross,.... Not of the Christian's cross, which he is to take up and bear for the sake of Christ; though this is a doctrine taught by Christ, and his apostles, and found to be true by the saints in all ages; and is what is had in great aversion and contempt, being very disagreeable to the natural man: but of the cross of Christ, the doctrine of salvation by a crucified Christ; or the doctrine of peace and reconciliation by the blood of his cross, and of righteousness, pardon, atonement, and satisfaction by the offering up of himself upon it as a sacrifice for sin, is here intended; and which is foolishness in the esteem of many; and that because man's wisdom has no…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on 1 Corinthians 1:14–20
18. For the preaching of the cross, etc. In this first clause a concession is made. For as it might very readily be objected, that the gospel is commonly held in contempt, if it be presented in so bare and abject a form, Paul of his own accord concedes this, but when he adds, that it is so in the estimation of them that perish, he intimates that no regard must be paid to their judgment.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 1 Corinthians 1:15–21 (WEB)
15so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name. 16(I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don’t know whether I baptized any other.) 17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News—not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn’t be made void. 18For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.” 20Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him; and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10
and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23–25
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks,
- 2 Corinthians 4:3
Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,
- 1 Corinthians 1:21
For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15–16
For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are being saved and in those who perish:
- 1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”