1 Corinthians 1:18-20
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What's so striking here is that Paul doesn't just say the message about the cross is foolish; he calls the word of the cross itself folly. This isn't just an abstract idea; it's the very reality of God's plan embodied in Jesus' crucifixion. The profound paradox is that what appears as utter weakness and defeat to the world is, in reality, the very source of God's saving power.
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 it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 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?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the deep divisions within the Corinthian church, which are characterized by people boasting in their human leaders and intellectual superiority. He’s contrasting their pride with the radical, counter-cultural message of the cross, explaining that this message, seen as weakness by the world, is actually God's immense power for those who believe. This sets the stage for him to argue that God chose the "foolish" and "weak" things of the world to shame the wise and strong.
Why would anyone boast about a crucified criminal? The cross wasn't just a bad way to die; it was the lowest of the low. Paul slams headfirst into this shocking reality.
Paul calls the message of the cross "folly" to those who are perishing. This isn't just a mild disagreement; it's a profound offense to their way of thinking.
But for believers, this same message isn't foolishness at all. It's the very source of God's incredible power. What makes the difference?
The verse pivots dramatically: 'but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.' This isn't a future power; it's an ongoing reality for those who have embraced Christ.
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Understand the original words
mōria · Greek Noun
Literally "foolishness" or "absurdity," describing the gospel's message from the perspective of those who rely on human rationale and reject divine revelation.
apollymi · Greek Verb (Participle)
Refers to those who have rejected or remain alienated from the saving grace of Christ, currently heading toward eternal separation from God.
sōzō · Greek Verb (Participle)
The present and ongoing experience of believers who have been rescued from the penalty and power of sin through faith in Christ.
grammateus · Greek Noun
A reference to the legal and religious experts or teachers of the law, historically those who studied and interpreted the Old Testament Scriptures.
syzētētēs · Greek Noun
A term for those who pride themselves on intellectual argument, debate, and philosophical inquiry.
aiōn · Greek Noun
Refers to the present temporal world system characterized by values, philosophies, and attitudes that are opposed to God and His kingdom.
The profound, world-altering impact of the cross was often met with ridicule in the Roman world, where crucifixion was a brutal symbol of shame and defeat, not divine power.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth, the central figure of Christianity, is executed by crucifixion under Roman authority in Jerusalem. This event becomes the focal point of Christian belief and message.
c. 30-33 AD
Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus' followers claim he was raised from the dead, a cornerstone event that validates his claims and transforms the disciples from fearful followers to bold evangelists.
c. 30-60 AD
Early Spread of Christianity
The teachings of Jesus and the news of his resurrection spread rapidly through the Roman Empire, primarily through the witness of the apostles and early believers.
c. 40-60 AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul undertakes extensive missionary journeys, establishing churches in major Roman cities and articulating Christian theology through epistles like 1 Corinthians.
c. 55 AD
Writing of 1 Corinthians
Paul writes this letter to the church in Corinth to address divisions, moral issues, and theological misunderstandings within the community.
This passage echoes the sentiment that the message of Christ is the power of God, emphasizing that Paul is not ashamed of this message for salvation.
Galatians 5:11Paul directly addresses the 'stumbling block' of the cross, showing that the offense of the cross was a real issue for some, even in the early church.
1 Corinthians 2:14This verse expands on the idea of spiritual understanding, stating that the natural person cannot accept the things of the Spirit, which directly relates to why the cross seems like folly.
Philippians 2:8-9It highlights Jesus' humility in obedience, even to death on a cross, and God's subsequent exaltation, showing the profound significance of the cross in God's plan.
What's so striking here is that Paul doesn't just say the message about the cross is foolish; he calls the word of the cross itself folly. This isn't just an abstract idea; it's the very reality of God's plan embodied in Jesus' crucifixion. The profound paradox is that what appears as utter weakness and defeat to the world is, in reality, the very source of God's saving power.
Paul is addressing the deep divisions within the Corinthian church, which are characterized by people boasting in their human leaders and intellectual superiority. He’s contrasting their pride with the radical, counter-cultural message of the cross, explaining that this message, seen as weakness by the world, is actually God's immense power for those who believe. This sets the stage for him to argue that God chose the "foolish" and "weak" things of the world to shame the wise and strong.
Paul is addressing the deep divisions within the Corinthian church, which are characterized by people boasting in their human leaders and intellectual superiority. He’s contrasting their pride with the radical, counter-cultural message of the cross, explaining that this message, seen as weakness by the world, is actually God's immense power for those who believe. This sets the stage for him to argue that God chose the "foolish" and "weak" things of the world to shame the wise and strong.
"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 it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwar…" — What's so striking here is that Paul doesn't just say the message *about* the cross is foolish; he calls the *word of the cross* itself folly. This isn't just an abstract idea; it's the very reality…
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Last reviewed October 2026