1st Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 18 Holy Bible

ASV 1stCorinthians 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.
read chapter 1 in ASV

BBE 1stCorinthians 1:18

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.
read chapter 1 in BBE

DARBY 1stCorinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us that are saved it is God's power.
read chapter 1 in DARBY

KJV 1stCorinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
read chapter 1 in KJV

WBT 1stCorinthians 1:18


read chapter 1 in WBT

WEB 1stCorinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
read chapter 1 in WEB

YLT 1stCorinthians 1:18

for the word of the cross to those indeed perishing is foolishness, and to us -- those being saved -- it is the power of God,
read chapter 1 in YLT

1st Corinthians 1 : 18 Bible Verse Songs

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerses 18-25. - The nature of true Christian preaching. Verse 18. - For the preaching of the cross; rather, the word of the cross. To them that are perishing; rather, to the perishing; to all those who are now walking in the paths that lead to destruction (2 Corinthians 2:15). To them it was foolishness, because it requires spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14); and, on the other hand, human wisdom is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:19). Foolishness. It shows the heroic character of the faith of St. Paul that he deliberately preached the doctrine of the cross because he felt that therein lay the conversion and salvation of the world, although he was well aware that he could preach no truth so certain at first to revolt the unregenerate hearts of his hearers. To the Jews "the cross" was the tree of shame and horror; and a crucified person was "accursed of God" (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13). To the Greeks the cross was the gibbet of a slave's infamy and a murderer's punishment. There was not a single association connected with it except those of shame and agony. The thought of "a crucified Messiah" seemed to the Jews a revolting folly; the worship of a crucified malefactor seemed to the Greeks "an execrable superstition" (Tacitus, 'Ann.,' 15:44; Pliny, 'Epp.' 10:97); yet so little did St. Paul seek for popularity or immediate success, that this was the very doctrine which he put in the forefront, even at a city so refined and so voluptuous as Corinth. And the result proved his inspired wisdom. That very cross became the recognized badge of Christianity, and when three centuries had elapsed it was woven in gold upon the banners and set in jewels on the diadems of the Roman empire. For had not Christ prophesied, And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me"? Unto us which are being saved; who are on the way of salvation. The same present participle is used in Luke 13:23; Acts 2:47; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Revelation 21:24. It is the power of God. Because the cross is at the heart of that gospel which is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16; Romans 8:3), though many were tempted to be ashamed of it. It could never be a carnal weapon of warfare, and yet was mighty for every purpose (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) For the preaching.--In the original the contrast comes out more strongly between this and the previous statement, the same phrase being repeated, thus, "For the word of the cross," in contrast to "the wisdom of more words" above. This is the word of real power.Them that perish.--Better, those that are perishing, and us who are being saved, the former referring to those who have not received the gospel, and the latter to those who have (2Corinthians 2:15; 2Corinthians 4:3).The power of God.--The cross and all that it represents is the greatest display of the power of God (Acts 8:10).