1 Corinthians 1 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Corinthians 1 meaning explained in AI Summary

Theme: Divisions and the Call to Unity in Christ

Paul begins his letter to the Corinthian church by addressing the issue of divisions within their community.

Greetings and Thanksgiving (1-9): Paul establishes his authority as an apostle and expresses gratitude for the Corinthians' faith and spiritual gifts.
Reports of Division (10-17): Paul confronts the reports he's received about factions forming around different leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas) and even claiming superiority based on human wisdom.
Foolishness of Human Wisdom (18-25): Paul argues that the message of the cross, though seemingly foolish to the world, is God's power for salvation. Human wisdom, including philosophy and rhetoric, is inadequate to understand God.
God's Choice of the Foolish (26-31): God intentionally chooses the weak, lowly, and despised to shame the wise and strong, ultimately demonstrating that salvation comes solely through faith in Christ, not human achievement.

Key Points:

Unity in Christ: Despite their differences, the Corinthians are called to be united in Christ, not divided by human leaders or philosophies.
Centrality of the Cross: The message of the cross, though seemingly foolish, is the power of God for salvation.
God's Sovereignty: God chooses the weak and foolish to demonstrate that salvation is entirely his work, not based on human merit.

Overall, Chapter 1 sets the stage for the rest of the letter, where Paul will address specific issues dividing the Corinthian church and call them back to unity and faithfulness to the gospel.

1 Corinthians 1 bible study ai commentary

The overarching theme of 1 Corinthians 1 is the supremacy of Christ and the wisdom of God, revealed in the "foolishness" of the cross, as a corrective to the worldly wisdom and personality cults causing divisions within the Corinthian church. Paul systematically dismantles the Corinthians' pride in human leaders and rhetorical prowess, re-centering their faith on the person and work of Christ, who is the true source of all wisdom, righteousness, and redemption.

1 Corinthians 1 context

The church in Corinth was established by Paul in a bustling, cosmopolitan, and morally lax Roman port city. Corinth was a hub for philosophy and rhetoric, where citizens prided themselves on intellectual sophistication and aligned themselves with charismatic public speakers (Sophists). This cultural value bled into the church, causing believers to form factions around specific Christian leaders (Paul, Apollos, Peter), treating them like rival philosophers. Paul writes to correct this divisive, worldly mindset by contrasting it with the humbling, unifying reality of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In-depth-analysis

v. 1, Called by God's Will: Paul immediately establishes his authority not on personal merit or apostolic election, but on God's sovereign initiative. This counters the Corinthian tendency to evaluate leaders based on human criteria.
v. 1, Sosthenes: Likely the same Sosthenes who was a synagogue ruler and was beaten in front of the proconsul Gallio (Acts 18:17). His inclusion shows collaboration and validates the letter's message.
v. 2, Church of God in Corinth: This is a powerful paradox. He addresses the ekklesia (Grk: ἐκκλησία, "called-out assembly") of God, a holy entity, located in a notoriously unholy city. This highlights that their identity is in God, not their environment.
v. 2, Sanctified... Called to be Saints: "Sanctified" (hēgiasmenois) is in the perfect tense, indicating a past action with ongoing results. Their holiness is an established fact because they are "in Christ Jesus." Yet, they are also "called to be saints" (klētois hagiois), a calling they must live out. Holiness is both a position and a practice.
v. 2, With all those in every place: Paul immediately broadens the scope, reminding the faction-minded Corinthians that they are part of a universal church, united under the one Lord. This is a subtle, initial rebuke of their local divisions.
v. 3, Grace and Peace: Charis (grace) and Eirēnē (peace) was Paul’s standard Christian greeting, blending the Greek (chairein) and Hebrew (shalom) salutations. It grounds the relationship in God's unmerited favor and the wholeness that results from it, two things the divided church desperately needed.

Bible references

Romans 1:1: ‘Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God...’ (Apostolic calling from God)
Ephesians 1:1: ‘...To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus...’ (Standard address to believers as saints)
Acts 18:17: ‘And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him...’ (Probable identity of Sosthenes)
1 Peter 2:9: ‘But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...’ (The identity of the church)

Cross references

Eph 4:4-6 (one Lord, one faith); 2 Tim 1:9 (called by his purpose); Acts 9:15 (Paul's divine commission); Jude 1:1 (called, beloved, and kept).

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you await the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

In-depth-analysis

Paul uses a common rhetorical device: affirm the audience's strengths before correcting their weaknesses. He genuinely thanks God for their spiritual giftedness.
v. 5, Enriched in... all speech and all knowledge: He mentions the very areas—speech (logo) and knowledge (gnosei)—that the Corinthians were priding themselves on and using as a basis for division. Paul frames these not as human achievements but as gifts of grace received "in him."
v. 7, Not lacking in any gift: Paul affirms their spiritual vitality. However, this possession of gifts did not translate to spiritual maturity, a key lesson of the letter.
v. 8, Sustain you to the end, guiltless: This is a profound statement of eternal security. Their final justification ("guiltless in the day of our Lord") rests not on their performance but on Christ's sustaining power.
v. 9, God is faithful: The ultimate ground of their security and calling is God's own character. He initiated their calling "into the fellowship (koinōnia) of his Son," and He will see it through to completion. This fellowship with Christ is the antidote to their fellowship with human leaders.

Bible references

Philippians 1:6: ‘And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.’ (God's faithfulness to finish his work)
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: ‘...may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord... He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.’ (The link between God's faithfulness and our final preservation)
Colossians 1:22: ‘...he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless...’ (Christ's work makes us blameless)

Cross references

Rom 12:6 (having gifts); Eph 4:11-12 (gifts for building up); 1 John 1:3 (fellowship with the Father and Son); Jude 1:24 (He is able to keep you from stumbling).

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in the same mind and the same judgment... what I mean is that each one of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ... For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

In-depth-analysis

v. 10, By the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: This is the highest possible authority. He doesn't command on his own authority but appeals based on their shared allegiance to Christ.
v. 10, No divisions: The Greek word is schismata (σχίσματα), from which "schism" derives. It means rips or tears, a violent image for a broken community.
v. 12, I am of...: The Corinthians were forming personality cults. Apollos was an eloquent Alexandrian preacher (Acts 18:24), Cephas (Peter) represented the Jerusalem apostles, and Paul was their founding father. The "I am of Christ" party may have been a "super-spiritual" group claiming direct connection to Christ, bypassing apostolic authority.
v. 13, Three rhetorical questions: Paul demolishes their logic with three sharp, unanswerable questions that expose the absurdity of their divisions. Christ is singular and cannot be divided. Salvation comes through Christ's crucifixion, not allegiance to a preacher. Baptism is into the name and identity of Christ, not a human leader.
v. 17, Not with words of eloquent wisdom: This introduces the chapter's main argument. Sophia logou ("wisdom of speech" or rhetoric) was highly prized in Corinth. Paul argues that relying on such polished, persuasive human techniques actually empties the cross of its power. The power is in the message itself, not the slickness of its delivery.

Bible references

John 17:21: ‘...that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you...’ (Jesus' prayer for the unity of believers)
Ephesians 4:1-3: ‘...eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (The ethical imperative for church unity)
Acts 18:24-28: ‘...a man named Apollos... an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.’ (Background on Apollos)
Matthew 28:19: ‘...baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...’ (Baptism is into the Triune God, not a man)

Cross references

Gal 3:27 (baptized into Christ); Phil 2:1-2 (being of the same mind); Acts 2:38 (baptized in the name of Jesus Christ).

Polemics

This section is a direct polemic against the Sophist movement in Greco-Roman culture. Sophists were traveling teachers of philosophy and rhetoric who attracted loyal followings and were judged on their oratorical skill. The Corinthians were treating their Christian teachers like Sophists, creating factions and ranking them. Paul's rejection of "eloquent wisdom" is a radical counter-cultural move, asserting that the Gospel's power does not depend on the packaging prized by the world.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

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... For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

In-depth-analysis

v. 18, The word of the cross: The logos tou staurou. The entire Christian message is summarized by the cross. This message acts as a spiritual litmus test, dividing humanity. To one group, it is mōria (μωρία, absurdity, foolishness). To the saved, it is dunamis Theou (δύναμις Θεοῦ, the very power of God).
v. 19, Quote from Isaiah 29:14: Paul uses scripture to show that God has always operated by overturning human expectations and destroying the "wisdom of the wise." This isn't a new plan.
v. 22, Jews demand signs: The Jewish people looked for a Messiah who would perform miraculous signs and bring political deliverance, a conquering king. A crucified Messiah was the opposite of their expectation.
v. 22, Greeks seek wisdom: The Greco-Roman world valued philosophical reasoning, logic, and aesthetic perfection. A god who suffers and dies a shameful criminal's death was illogical and repellent.
v. 23, A stumbling block... folly: "Stumbling block" is skandalon (σκάνδαλον). A crucified Messiah was an offense to Jewish theology (Deut. 21:23 says a hanged man is cursed). "Folly" (mōria) denotes sheer stupidity to the Greek mind. The gospel offends both the religious and the intellectual pride of the world.
v. 24, To those who are called: The difference is not in the message but in the reception, which is enabled by God's "call" (klētos). For the called, the crucified Christ is the ultimate revelation of God's true power and wisdom.
v. 25, Foolishness/Weakness of God: Paul uses a shocking oxymoron. What appears to be God's greatest weakness (the crucifixion) is actually the vehicle for His greatest power (salvation). What appears to be His most foolish plan is the embodiment of a wisdom far beyond human comprehension.

Bible references

Isaiah 29:14: ‘...the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.’ (God's plan to subvert human wisdom)
Romans 1:16: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...’ (Gospel as the power of God)
Deuteronomy 21:23: ‘...for a hanged man is cursed by God.’ (The basis for the cross being a skandalon to Jews)
Luke 2:34: ‘...this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed...’ (Christ as a divisive figure)
John 4:48: ‘So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”’ (The demand for signs)

Cross references

Isa 8:14 (stone of offense); Isa 53:3 (despised and rejected); Matt 11:25 (hidden from the wise); Col 2:3 (in Christ are hidden treasures of wisdom).

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong... so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

In-depth-analysis

v. 26, Consider your calling: Paul now uses the Corinthians themselves as Exhibit A. He forces them to look at their own social standing. By and large, they were not the elite of Corinthian society.
v. 27-28, God chose...: Paul stacks a series of divine choices: the foolish, the weak, the low and despised, the "things that are not." This is a deliberate, strategic choice by God to "shame" and "bring to nothing" what the world values—wisdom, strength, status.
v. 29, So that no human being might boast: This is the ultimate purpose of God's counter-intuitive method. Salvation is orchestrated in such a way that no one can take any credit. All glory goes to God alone.
v. 30, Because of him you are in Christ Jesus: Our entire new existence ("in Christ Jesus") is God's doing ("because of him"). Paul then lists what Christ has become for us.
v. 30, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, Redemption: Christ Himself is the embodiment of these things for the believer. We don't attain them on our own; we receive them by being united to Him. This is a comprehensive summary of salvation.
v. 31, Quote from Jeremiah 9:24: Paul grounds his conclusion in the Old Testament. The only proper response to God's gracious work is to boast, not in self, church, or leader, but solely "in the Lord."

Bible references

Jeremiah 9:23-24: ‘...let not the wise man boast in his wisdom... but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me...’ (The only valid ground for boasting)
Ephesians 2:8-9: ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith... It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.’ (Salvation by grace to preclude boasting)
James 2:5: ‘Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith...?’ (God's preference for the humble)
Romans 3:27: ‘Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.’ (Faith excludes boasting)

Cross references

Zeph 3:12 (a humble people); Matt 5:3 (poor in spirit); 2 Cor 10:17 (same quote from Jer); Rom 3:21-26 (righteousness from God).

1 Corinthians chapter 1 analysis

Rhetorical Strategy: Paul’s argument is a masterpiece of rhetoric designed to dismantle the Corinthians’ own love for rhetoric. He opens with affirmation (1:4-9), moves to gentle rebuke and exhortation (1:10), exposes the absurdity of their position with rhetorical questions (1:13), and then builds a theological foundation for why their entire value system (prizing human wisdom and status) is contrary to the gospel.
The Scandal of the Cross: A core Christian doctrine established here is that the central message of the faith is intentionally offensive to the natural human mind, both the religious and the secular. It cannot be made more palatable with eloquent speech without stripping it of its divine power.
God's Initiative: Throughout the chapter, Paul hammers home the theme of God's sovereign initiative. "Called" is a key word (klētos). God called Paul an apostle; He called the Corinthians to be saints; He calls people out of the world's systems; He is the one who puts us "in Christ." This is the foundation that eliminates all human boasting.
Unity's Foundation: True Christian unity is not found in uniformity of opinion on every matter or in loyalty to a dynamic leader, but in a shared, humbling focus on the crucified Christ and a mutual submission to "the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthians 1 summary

Paul confronts the divisive factionalism in the Corinthian church, which stemmed from their cultural pride in human wisdom and charismatic leaders. He argues that this mindset is antithetical to the gospel. The central message of "Christ crucified" is a "stumbling block" and "foolishness" to the world but is the very "power and wisdom of God" to those who are called. God deliberately chose the lowly and weak—including the Corinthians themselves—to shame the world's values, ensuring that all boasting is in the Lord alone, who is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

1 Corinthians AI 1 Corinthians 2 AI

1 Corinthians 1 AI Image Audio and Video

1 Corinthians chapter 1 kjv

¹ Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
² Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
³ Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴ I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
⁵ That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
⁶ Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
⁷ So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
⁸ Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁹ God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
¹⁰ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
¹¹ For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
¹² Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
¹³ Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
¹⁵ Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
¹⁶ And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
¹⁷ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
¹⁸ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
¹⁹ For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
²⁰ Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
²¹ For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
²² For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
²³ But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
²⁴ But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
²⁶ For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
²⁸ 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:
²⁹ That no flesh should glory in his presence.
³⁰ But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
³¹ That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1 Corinthians chapter 1 nkjv

¹ Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
² To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴ I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
⁵ that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
⁶ even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
⁷ so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁸ who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
¹⁰ Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
¹¹ For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
¹² Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."
¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
¹⁵ lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.
¹⁶ Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
¹⁸ 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.
¹⁹ For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
²⁰ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
²⁶ For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence.
³⁰ But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God?and righteousness and sanctification and redemption?
³¹ that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."

1 Corinthians chapter 1 niv

¹ Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
² To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ?their Lord and ours:
³ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴ I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
⁵ For in him you have been enriched in every way?with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge?
⁶ God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.
⁷ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
⁸ He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁹ God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
¹⁰ I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
¹¹ My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
¹² What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
¹⁴ I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,
¹⁵ so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.
¹⁶ (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.)
¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel?not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
¹⁸ 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.
¹⁹ For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
²² Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things?and the things that are not?to nullify the things that are,
²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.
³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God?that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
³¹ Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."

1 Corinthians chapter 1 esv

¹ Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
² To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴ I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
⁵ that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge ?
⁶ even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you ?
⁷ so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁸ who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
¹⁰ I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
¹¹ For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.
¹² What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ."
¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
¹⁵ so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.
¹⁶ (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)
¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
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.
¹⁹ For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
²⁹ so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
³⁰ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
³¹ so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

1 Corinthians chapter 1 nlt

¹ This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.
² I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
³ May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
⁴ I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.
⁵ Through him, God has enriched your church in every way ? with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.
⁶ This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true.
⁷ Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁸ He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
⁹ God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
¹⁰ I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
¹¹ For some members of Chloe's household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters.
¹² Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter, " or "I follow only Christ."
¹³ Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!
¹⁴ I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,
¹⁵ for now no one can say they were baptized in my name.
¹⁶ (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don't remember baptizing anyone else.)
¹⁷ For Christ didn't send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News ? and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
¹⁸ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
¹⁹ As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent."
²⁰ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.
²¹ Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.
²² It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.
²³ So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense.
²⁴ But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
²⁵ This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
²⁶ Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.
²⁷ Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
²⁸ God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
²⁹ As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
³⁰ God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.
³¹ Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD."