Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:23

What does 1 Corinthians 1:23 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 1:23 means

Paul and his companions preach Christ crucified—a message that offends Jewish expectations and seems absurd to Gentiles. For Jews, a crucified Messiah was scandalous; for Gentiles, a dying Savior was foolish. Yet Paul refuses to edit the gospel to win approval. The cross is central because there God dealt with sin and reconciled sinners. The offense and apparent folly are features, not bugs, in God’s plan to save by grace rather than human merit. Preaching Christ crucified keeps the focus on what God has done, not on persuasive technique or cultural fit. It is the nonnegotiable heart of the apostolic message.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But we give the good news of Christ on the cross, a hard thing to the Jews, and a foolish thing to the Gentiles;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

also we--we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to Greeks foolishness,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews an offence, and to nations foolishness;

Context

After describing the demands of Jews and Greeks (verse 22), Paul contrasts them with the apostolic proclamation (verse 23). The next verse (24) will show that, despite these reactions, the same crucified Christ is recognized by the called—both Jews and Greeks—as God’s power and wisdom. Verse 25 will drive home that what appears weak or foolish in God’s way is in fact stronger and wiser than anything human, preparing for the application to the Corinthians’ own calling (verses 26–31).

v.22Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:

v.23This passage

v.24but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 24:46

    and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day;

  • Galatians 6:14

    But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

  • Luke 2:34

    and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;

  • Matthew 11:6

    And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

  • Ephesians 3:8

    Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  • Galatians 5:11

    But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 1

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 1.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 1:23.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary