1 Corinthians 1:18-2:8
18
For the word of the cross is b folly to c those who are perishing, but to us d who are being saved it is e the power of God.
19
For it is written,
f "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
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g Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? h Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
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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.
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For i Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
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but we preach Christ j crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
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but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ k the power of God and l 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: m not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
27
But n God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; o God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even p things that are not, to q bring to nothing things that are,
29
so r 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 s wisdom from God, t righteousness and u sanctification and v redemption,
31
so that, as it is written, w "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 2
1
And I, when I came to you, brothers, x did not come proclaiming to you y the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
2
For I decided to know nothing among you except z Jesus Christ and him crucified.
3
And a I was with you b in weakness and in fear and much trembling,
4
and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of c the Spirit and of power,
5
that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but d in the power of God.
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Yet among e the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not f a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, g who are doomed to pass away.
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But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, h which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
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None of i the rulers of this age understood this, for j if they had, they would not have crucified k the Lord of glory.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:21
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.
1 Corinthians 1:23
But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 4:3
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
2 Thessalonians 2:10
And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:2
And by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain.
Acts 2:47
Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
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Cross References
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
1 Corinthians 1:24
But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
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Cross References
Isaiah 29:14
Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.
Job 5:12 - 13
He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
Jeremiah 8:9
The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?
Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.
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Cross References
Isaiah 29:14
Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.
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Cross References
Isaiah 19:12
Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you that they might know what the Lord of hosts has purposed against Egypt.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 2:6
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness.
Isaiah 44:25
Who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish.
Romans 1:22
Claiming to be wise, they became fools.
1 Corinthians 1:26
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.
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Cross References
Matthew 12:38
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.
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Cross References
Galatians 5:11
But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
1 Peter 2:8
And "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
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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.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:30
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
Colossians 2:3
In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Luke 11:49
Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 2:8
None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
John 7:48
Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?
1 Corinthians 1:20
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?
Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.
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Cross References
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
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Cross References
Psalms 8:2
Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
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Cross References
Romans 4:17
As it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" - in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 2:6
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
Job 34:19
Who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
Job 34:24
He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place.
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Cross References
Ephesians 2:9
Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Judges 7:2
The Lord said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:24
But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
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Cross References
Jeremiah 23:5 - 6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
Jeremiah 33:16
In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith -
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:2
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:
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Cross References
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
Colossians 1:14
In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 3:24
And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 10:17
"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Jeremiah 9:23 - 24
Thus says the Lord : "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 2:4
And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
1 Corinthians 2:13
And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
1 Corinthians 1:17
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.
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Cross References
Romans 16:25
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
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Cross References
Galatians 6:14
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
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Cross References
Acts 18:1
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
Acts 18:6
And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.
Acts 18:12
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must boast, I will boast of the things tha...
2 Corinthians 12:5
On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my o...
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for ...
2 Corinthians 13:4
For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by ...
2 Corinthians 13:9
For we are glad when we are weak and you are st...
Galatians 4:13
You know it was because of a bodily ailment tha...
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:19
By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God - so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
2 Peter 1:16
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Corinthians 6:7
By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.
Zechariah 4:6
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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Cross References
Philippians 3:15
Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
1 Corinthians 3:1
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.
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Cross References
James 3:15
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:28
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are.
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Cross References
Romans 16:25 - 26
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
Ephesians 3:5
Which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:9
And to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.
Colossians 1:26
The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
2 Timothy 1:9
Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
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Cross References
Acts 13:27
For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
Luke 24:20
And how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
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Cross References
Acts 3:17
And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
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Cross References
James 2:1
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
Psalms 24:7 - 10
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Acts 7:2
And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.