Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:25

What does 1 Corinthians 1:25 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 1:25 means

Paul concludes that even what seems like God’s foolishness is wiser than men, and what appears as His weakness is stronger than men. Of course, God is neither foolish nor weak; Paul uses irony to underline how far superior God’s saving plan is to human schemes. The cross, viewed as weakness, triumphs over sin and death; viewed as folly, it reveals a wisdom no philosopher could devise. This humbles human pretensions and secures the church’s confidence in the gospel. Believers can rest in God’s design, knowing that apparent paradoxes in His ways conceal unmatched wisdom and power accomplishing redemption in Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because what seems foolish in God is wiser than men; and what seems feeble in God is stronger than men.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men: and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Because the foolishness ofGod is wiser than men, and the weakness ofGod is stronger than men.

Context

This summarizes the argument of verses 18–24 and prepares the way for application. Having established the superiority of God’s wisdom in the cross, Paul will point the Corinthians to their own calling (verse 26): not many of them were impressive by worldly measures. Verses 27–29 will show that God chose the lowly to nullify the proud so that no one might boast. Verses 30–31 will climax by locating all wisdom and righteousness in Christ, ensuring that any glorying is in the Lord alone.

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

v.25This passage

v.26For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 14:2

    Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal-zephon: over against it shall ye encamp by the sea.

  • Joshua 6:2

    And Jehovah said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor.

  • Zechariah 4:6

    Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:18

    For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.

  • Judges 7:2

    And Jehovah said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

  • 1 Samuel 17:40

    And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his wallet; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

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