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The Bible Study New Testament

1 Corinthians 1:23

We proclaim Christ on the cross. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. This was "God's ACT in Christ to set men free!" Note: not "Christ the crucified," nor "Christ crucified," but Christ on the cross! [The TEV correctly translates ESTAUROMENON as a predicative adjunct emphasizing the verbal action.] Not a warrior Messiah, flashing signs of great power from the sky, but a Messiah dying helplessly in shame and disgrace. Compare 2 Corinthians 4:10; 2 Corinthians 13:4. The Jewish Talmud calls him HATTALUY - the hanged (compare Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13). Offensive to the Jews. Because they expected a warrior Messiah who would free them from Roman oppression. Nonsense to the Gentiles. The Eternal Logos dying helplessly on the cross was an impossible idea to them.

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See also 1 Corinthians 1:23 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    1 CORINTHIANS 1:23 e;qnesin The Textus Receptus, following several later manuscripts (C3 Dc 6 177 206 326 489 919 920 1739 1835 _al_), replaces e;qnesin with {Ellhsi. The change was prompted by the d...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 23. _BUT WE_] Apostles, differing widely from these Gentile philosophers:- _PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED_] Call on men, both Jews and Gentiles, to believe in Christ, as having purchased their salvat...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    BUT WE - We who are Christian preachers make Christ crucified the grand subject of our instructions and our aims in contradistinction from the Jew and the Greek. They seek, the one miracles, the other...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    2. CONTRASTS. CHAPTER 1:10-4). CHAPTER 1:10-31. _ 1. Divisions rebuked. (1 Corinthians 1:10)._ 2. The Cross of Christ, the Power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17). The section which begins, after the in...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    1 CORINTHIANS 1:18 TO 1 CORINTHIANS 2:5. THE CROSS, FOLLY TO THE WORLD, IS THE POWER AND WISDOM OF GOD. Paul now explains and justifies 1 Corinthians 1:17_ b_, which to Greek readers must have soun

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    For the story of the Cross is foolishness to those who are on the way to destruction, but it is the power of God to those who are on the way to salvation. For it stands written, "I will wipe out the w...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    AN APOSTOLIC INTRODUCTION (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    PREACH. App-121. CRUCIFIED. That is,. crucified Messiah. THE. Omit. STUMBLINGBLOCK. Greek. _skandalon._ Occurs fifteen times. Nine times translated "offence"; once "offend"; thrice "stumblingblock";...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _but we preach Christ crucified_ The Christian doctrine was the very reverse of what Jews and Greeks demanded. Instead of Messiah upon an earthly throne, triumphant over his enemies, instead of a skil...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    God's Message not intended to flatter the pride of man 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_ Literally, TO THEM TH...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἩΜΕΙ͂Σ ΔΈ. WE, ON THE CONTRARY. ΧΡΙΣΤῸΝ ἘΣΤΑΥΡΩΜΈΝΟΝ. The Christian doctrine was the very reverse of what Jews and Greeks demanded. Instead of Messiah upon an earthly throne, triumphant over His enemi...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    GOD’S MESSAGE NOT INTENDED TO FLATTER THE PRIDE OF MAN...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE PREACHING OF THE SON OF GOD 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-24:_ The message of the cross and redemption by blood seems foolish to many that are lost. Satan lost the battle and sin was defeated by the death o...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΉΜΕΊΣ (G1473) мы (же); эмфатическое, выражает противопоставление, ΚΗΡΎΣΣΟΜΕΝ _praes. ind. act. от_ ΚΗΡΎΣΣΩ (G2784) провозглашать, проповедовать (TDNT; EDNT; NIDNT, 3:48-68). _Praes._ указывает на при...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1930 THE TRUE LIGHT IN WHICH THE GOSPEL IS TO BE REGARDED 1 Corinthians 1:23. _We preach Christ crucified; unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them w...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    FOR THE JEWS, &C.— _Whereas the Jews require signs, and the Gentiles seek after wisdom;_ 1 Corinthians 1:23. _We, nevertheless, preach Christ crucified,—and unto the Gentiles foolishness:_ 1 Corinthia...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _The Word of the Cross and the Wisdom of the World_ (18-31) _Text_ 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are save...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS Unity Operates Through the Instrumentality of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:18-25) 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; WE - Paul and Apollos. CHRIST CRUCIFIED. The Greek expresses not the mere fact of His crucifixion,...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    21 To this day the great, the noble, and the wise are a small minority among the true saints of God. It is a matter of extreme thankfulness that this is so. If high birth or wisdom or any other attain...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    1:23 offence, (f-9) Lit. 'fall-trap,' as Matthew 13:57 ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    GREETING AND THANKSGIVING. PARTISANSHIP IN THE CHURCH St. Paul, after greeting the Church and giving thanks for its spiritual gifts, rebukes the preference for various teachers which was prevalent am...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    PARAPHRASE. 'And this is true, as the facts declare. The Jews will not believe unless a miracle is wrought before their eyes; the Greeks will accept no truth that is not commended by philosophical spe...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    A STUMBLINGBLOCK] The idea of a crucified Messiah was repugnant to the Jews. FOOLISHNESS] The Greeks made a jest of such a religion. As an illustration the raillery of Lucian in a later age may be cit...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    SERVANTS OF CHRIST 1 CORINTHIANS _HILDA BRIGHT_ ABOUT THIS LETTER CORINTH Corinth was an important city. It was on a very narrow section of land (called an ‘isthmus’) in the southern part of Gre...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    BUT WE PREACH. — The gospel of Christ crucified made its way by those very qualities which they regarded as “weakness and folly,” vindicating itself as “the power of God,” more mighty than any “sign”...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 4 THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING In the preceding section of this Epistle Paul introduced the subject which was prominent in his thoughts as he wrote: the divided state of the Corinthian Churc...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    § 4. THE TRUE POWER OF THE GOSPEL. To “preach the gospel” meant, above all, to proclaim the cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:17 b). In Cor [189] “the wisdom of the world” scouted this message as sheer...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The ἐπειδὴ of 1 Corinthians 1:21 and that of 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 are parl [218], the second restating and expanding the first (_cf._ the double ὅταν in 1 Corinthians 15:24, and in...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    1 Corinthians 1:22-25 open out the thought of 1 Corinthians 1:21 : “the world” is parted into “Jews” and “Greeks”; μωρία becomes σκάνδαλον and μωρία; the κήρυγμα is defined as that of Χριστὸς ἐσταυρωμ...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Instead of working miracles to satisfy the Jews, or propounding a philosophy to entertain the Greeks, “we, on the other hand, proclaim a crucified Christ” Χριστὸν ἐσταυρωμένον, _i.e._, _Christ as cruc...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE CROSS GOD'S SAVING POWER 1 Corinthians 1:12 _ Apollos_ had gone straight from Ephesus to Corinth, Acts 19:1. A party gathered around him, especially attracted by his eloquence and intellectual br...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The epistle is to the Church. Its messages are only for those who have been brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ. The character of the Church is indicated in the words, "sanctified in Christ Jesu...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Jesus Christ, Wisdom from God So, Paul said, not many of those who would be called wise, or powerful or noblemen followed Jesus. Most uprisings are successful because the upper crust leaders join and...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    The Crucified Christ Displays God's Wisdom Instead of gospel preaching, the Jews wanted a sign Jesus was the Messiah. McGarvey and Pendleton mention several examples of the Jews' demands for signs (Ma...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    The Jews, in the mean time, ask for miracles, such as God formerly wrought in their favour, and the Greeks, or the Gentiles, to be converted, expect from us, what they would look upon as the highest p...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “ _For indeed_ the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; 23. but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Gentiles foolishness.” This second ἐπειδή, _f...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (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. (19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will brin...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    As usual, the introductory words (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) of the epistle give us no little intimation of that which is to follow. The apostle speaks of himself as such "called [to be] an apostle of Jesus...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE ‘FOOLISHNESS’ OF PREACHING_ ‘Unto the Greeks foolishness.’ 1 Corinthians 1:23 It is a good many years since St. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, spoke of the foolishness of preaching, and the...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE MISSION AND MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH_ ‘We preach Christ crucified.’ 1 Corinthians 1:23 It is of the last importance to the Church’s mission that her message never vary, but be the same identicall...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _A MESSAGE FOR JEW AND GREEK_ ‘The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified.’ 1 Corinthians 1:22 St. Paul is here contrasting the expectations which men...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    I will now turn back to take up the thread of the contents of this epistle from the beginning. Paul was an apostle by the will of God. That was his authority, however it might be with others. Moreover...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    BUT WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED,.... Regardless of the sentiments and opinions of Jews and Gentiles, of what the one required and the other sought after; and in opposition to all their senseless and gr...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; Ver. 23. _But we preach Christ_] We not only preach of him, but we preach him, we give what we preach....

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _For the Jews require a sign_ Demand of the apostles, as they did of their Lord, more signs still, after all they have seen already. _And the Greeks_ Or Gentiles; _seek after wisdom_ The depths of phi...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    CHRIST CRUCIFIED; the doctrine of salvation through a crucified Saviour, as the only foundation of human hope. Acts 4:12. A STUMBLING - BLOCK; because especially the idea of a suffering and crucified...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The foolishness of God wiser than men:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    BUT WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED, UNTO THE JEWS A STUMBLING-BLOCK AND UNTO THE GREEKS FOOLISHNESS,...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Paul writes here as "a called apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." As such, it is the authoritative word of God he communicates, that which requires the subjection and obedience of all the Chu...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    BUT WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED, UNTO JEWS. STUMBLINGBLOCK, AND UNTO GENTILES FOOLISHNESS; 'unto Jews. stumblingblock' -'To the Jews it was incredible that one who had ended life upon. cross could pos...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    17-25 Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    _But we preach Christ crucified; _ we that are the ministers of Christ, come and preach to them, that there was one hanged upon a cross at Jerusalem, who is the Saviour of the world, and was not cut o...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III And again, writing to the Corinthians, he declares, "But we preach Christ Jesus crucified; "[329] Tertullian An Answer to the Jews of the passion itself should be...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Corinthians 1:23 but G1161 we G2249 preach G2784 (G5719) Christ G5547 crucified G4717 (G5772) Jews G2453

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THEY ARE THUS RATHER TO LOOK TO GOD'S WISDOM (1:22-25). ‘Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumblingblock, and to Gentiles foolis...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    SUMMARY. ‘I beseech you, study unity. Instead of this, I hear ye are ranging yourselves into schools and parties, each contending for its favourite preacher as if your salvation hung upon him. Thus is...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Corinthians 1:23. BUT WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED, UNTO THE JEWS A STUMBLING-BLOCK, AND UNTO THE GENTILES FOOLISHNESS. 1 Corinthians 1:24. BUT UNTO THEM WHICH ARE (internally and efficaciously) CALLE...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    BUT WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED (ημεις δε κηρυσσομεν Χριστον εσταυρωμενον). Grammatically stated as a partial result (δε) of the folly of both Jews and Greeks, actually in sharp contrast. We proclaim...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1. _Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,_ This brother had been put to great shame. He was beaten before the judgment-seat, if you remembe...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1, 2. _Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth,_ -Note the humility of Paul in associating with hi...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    I am going to speak about the testimony of the apostle Peter concerning his Lord, but we will first read together part of the writings of his «beloved brother Paul,» that we may see how these eminent...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Christians' position in grace. The unspiritual condition of the Corinthian saints. Danger of following human leaders and exulting in human wisdom. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Paul, Sosthenes, A...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 Corinthians 1:1. _Paul, called to be an apostle._ It was proper to mention this, else he would have had no title to address his letter to the Corinthians, and the catholic church, or saints in gener...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel._ PAUL’S PREACHING I. It exalted the Cross of Christ as the central element of the gospel. The apostle does not teach that truths associat...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    FOR THE JEWS REQUIRE A SIGN, AND THE GREEKS SEEK AFTER WISDOM. Christianity viewed in three aspects I. As associated with a great fact. “Christ crucified.” This maybe looked at-- 1. Historically. A...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 1:23 On Christ as a STUMBLING BLOCK, see note on Isa. 8:11–15. ⇐

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    RANSLATED AND EDITED BY W. F. COBB, D.D. EDINBURGH: JOHN GRANT 31 George IV. Bridge 1908 SAINT PAUL'S FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS EDITORS PREFACE In translating the Comments of Cornelius...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _Into the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness._ Notice here, with S. Chrysostom (_Hom._ iv. moral _in loco_, and above on ver.17), that the power of the Cross shines forth not only...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 1 Corinthians 1:19.— Isaiah 29:14 (nearly as LXX.), and a free imitation of Isaiah 30:18. FOR.—Sustains the _general drift_ of...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION The oldest superscription was probably, "To the Corinthians, the first (Πρὸς Κορινθίους πρώτη)." This is found in א, A, B, C, D. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1 _The_ _greeting. _An opening salutati...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Let's turn to I Corinthians, chapter 1. Paul introduces himself as the writer with Sosthenes in the first verse. Paul, called an apostle (1 Corinthians 1:1) Notice the words to be are in italics. Th...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:28; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 2:2;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE CHURCH OF GOD AT CORINTH 1 Corinthians 1:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We propose taking several studies from the First Epistle to the Corinthians. There will be much to consider here which should help...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    We go on to preach, in a plain and historical, not rhetorical or philosophical, manner, Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumblingblock — Just opposite to the "signs" they demand. And to the Greeks foo...

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Old Testament