1 Corinthians 1:23-24
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The shocking part here isn't just that the message is offensive, but that Paul intentionally highlights this offense as the very heart of the gospel. He's not trying to soften the message to make it more palatable; he's declaring that the foolishness and stumbling block of a crucified Messiah is precisely where God's power and wisdom are revealed.
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the divisions and arguments within the Corinthian church, which are often based on who they follow, like Paul or Apollos. He's reminding them that the core of his message, and the only true wisdom, isn't found in eloquent human speech or powerful leaders, but in the seemingly weak and foolish message of a crucified Messiah, which is scandalous to some and absurd to others. This message of the cross is what God uses to save those who believe, cutting through all human pride and boasting.
Paul doesn't hold back. He calls the message of a crucified Messiah 'a stumbling block' and 'folly.' What makes the cross so offensive, and why did God choose this way?
The Offense to Jewish Expectations
Jewish people at the time were expecting a Messiah who would be a powerful king, overthrowing Roman oppression and restoring Israel's glory. A Messiah who died a shameful, agonizing death on a cross—a punishment reserved for criminals—was the ultimate scandal. It seemed to negate everything they believed God would do. The cross, to them, was a sign of defeat and curse, not salvation.
The Foolishness to Gentile Minds
For the Greek-speaking world, which valued philosophy, reason, and human wisdom, the idea of a crucified savior was equally absurd. Their gods were often depicted as powerful, albeit flawed, beings. The notion that the ultimate divine act involved vulnerability, suffering, and death through such a brutal method was considered utter foolishness. It defied their understanding of power and divinity.
If the cross is foolishness and a stumbling block, why does Paul preach it relentlessly? Because God's seemingly weak and foolish plan is actually His ultimate wisdom and power.
The Divine Paradox
Paul understands the offense, but he flips it. For those who believe, the same message is seen differently. It's not folly, but the very "power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18). God chooses the weak, the foolish, the lowly things to shame the strong, the wise, and the esteemed. The cross, in its apparent defeat, becomes the ultimate display of God's power over sin and death.
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Redefining Strength and Wisdom
The cross forces us to re-evaluate our definitions of power and wisdom. True strength isn't about military might or intellectual prowess; it's about sacrificial love and resurrection power. True wisdom isn't about worldly knowledge; it's about embracing the divine mystery of salvation through Christ's atoning sacrifice.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The promised Messiah of Israel, the Anointed One of God, whose life, death, and resurrection constitute the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the basis for redemption.
stauroō · Greek Verb/Participle
The historical act of Jesus being executed on a cross. Theologically, it signifies the atoning sacrifice that satisfies divine justice and bridges the gap between God and sinners.
skandalon · Greek Noun
Anything that causes someone to stumble or fall into sin; an obstacle to belief. The cross is termed this because the idea of a suffering, dying Messiah offended Jewish expectations.
klētos · Greek Adjective/Noun
Those who are chosen by God to receive His grace. It implies an effectual invitation from God that results in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
dynamis · Greek Noun
The innate ability, efficacy, or authority of God. It is often demonstrated in the gospel, which is the instrument through which God exerts His power to save sinners.
The scandal of a crucified Messiah was deeply offensive to Jewish expectations of a triumphant king and seemed like utter foolishness to the sophisticated Greek thinkers of the Roman world.
c. 70 BC - 4 BC
Herod the Great's Reign
Herod, a Roman client king, ruled Judea with a mix of building projects and brutal suppression. His reign created a volatile political and religious climate.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is executed by Roman crucifixion, a common but deeply shameful method of capital punishment reserved for rebels and slaves.
c. 30 AD - 60 AD
Early Christian Mission
The apostles and early followers of Jesus begin to spread the message of his resurrection and Lordship throughout the Roman Empire.
c. 50 AD
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal moment where leaders decide whether Gentile (non-Jewish) converts must follow Jewish law, affirming that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to the Law.
c. 53-57 AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul travels extensively, establishing Christian communities in major cities like Corinth and Ephesus. He faces opposition from both Jewish and Gentile authorities.
c. 55 AD
Writing of 1 Corinthians
Paul writes this letter to the church in Corinth to address divisions, ethical issues, and theological misunderstandings within the community.
Paul directly addresses the offense of the cross, mentioning that if he still preached circumcision, the offense of the cross would be removed.
Romans 1:16This passage highlights the 'power of God' in the gospel, contrasting with the 'folly' perceived by many, underscoring the divine paradox presented in 1 Corinthians 1:23.
1 Corinthians 2:14It further elaborates on the 'natural man' unable to receive the things of the Spirit, explaining why the message of a crucified Messiah would seem like foolishness to those without spiritual understanding.
Deuteronomy 21:23This Old Testament passage, which states that 'a hanged man is cursed by God,' sheds light on why a crucified Messiah would be a profound stumbling block to Jewish people seeking a glorious, uncursed deliverer.
The shocking part here isn't just that the message is offensive, but that Paul intentionally highlights this offense as the very heart of the gospel. He's not trying to soften the message to make it more palatable; he's declaring that the foolishness and stumbling block of a crucified Messiah is precisely where God's power and wisdom are revealed.
Paul is addressing the divisions and arguments within the Corinthian church, which are often based on who they follow, like Paul or Apollos. He's reminding them that the core of his message, and the only true wisdom, isn't found in eloquent human speech or powerful leaders, but in the seemingly weak and foolish message of a crucified Messiah, which is scandalous to some and absurd to others. This message of the cross is what God uses to save those who believe, cutting through all human pride and boasting.
Paul is addressing the divisions and arguments within the Corinthian church, which are often based on who they follow, like Paul or Apollos. He's reminding them that the core of his message, and the only true wisdom, isn't found in eloquent human speech or powerful leaders, but in the seemingly weak and foolish message of a crucified Messiah, which is scandalous to some and absurd to others. This message of the cross is what God uses to save those who believe, cutting through all human pride and boasting.
"but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." — The shocking part here isn't just that the message is offensive, but that Paul intentionally highlights this offense as the very heart of the gospel. He's not trying to soften the message to make i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
