1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing…”

1 Corinthians 1:18

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

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.

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.

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

For that preaching of the crosse is to them that perish, foolishnesse: but vnto vs, which are saued, it is the power of God.

Darby Translation

For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us that are saved it is God's power.

Young's Literal Translation

for the word of the cross to those indeed perishing is foolishness, and to us — those being saved — it is the power of God,

Bible in Basic English

For the word of the cross seems foolish to those who are on the way to destruction; but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the power of God.

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“the preaching”

1 Corinthians 2:2 Galatians 6:12–14 1 Corinthians 1:23 1 Corinthians 1:24

1 Corinthians 2:2 · BSB

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Galatians 6:12–14 · BSB

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:23 · BSB

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

1 Corinthians 1:24 · BSB

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

“to”

2 Thessalonians 2:10 2 Corinthians 4:3 Acts 13:41 2 Corinthians 2:15 2 Corinthians 2:16

2 Thessalonians 2:10 · BSB

and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

2 Corinthians 4:3 · BSB

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

Acts 13:41 · BSB

‘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.’ ”

2 Corinthians 2:15 · BSB

For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2:16 · BSB

To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

“foolishness”

1 Corinthians 2:14 1 Corinthians 1:21 1 Corinthians 3:19 Acts 17:32 Acts 17:18 1 Corinthians 1:25

1 Corinthians 2:14 · BSB

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 1:21 · BSB

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.

1 Corinthians 3:19 · BSB

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

Acts 17:32 · BSB

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.”

Acts 17:18 · BSB

Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was procla…

1 Corinthians 1:25 · BSB

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

“unto”

Romans 1:16 1 Thessalonians 1:5 2 Corinthians 10:4 Hebrews 4:12 1 Corinthians 15:2 Psalm 110:2

Romans 1:16 · BSB

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.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 · BSB

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.

2 Corinthians 10:4 · BSB

The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Hebrews 4:12 · BSB

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 Corinthians 15:2 · BSB

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Psalm 110:2 · BSB

The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

Also

Acts 2:47

Acts 2:47 · BSB

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

19For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Read 1 Corinthians 1