1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

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 Church of God. He allows no latitude for the preferences or wills of men, whoever they are. The will of God is supreme and absolute: if communicated graciously through a humble instrument called of God for this very purpose, yet such grace only magnifies the authority of the message. And with him... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

THE CAUSE AND CURE OF DISPUTES This epistle was written by Paul probably during the latter part of his long visit to Ephesus, and it will add interest to its study to re-read Acts 18-20, which speak of his visit to both cities, Ephesus and Corinth. The occasion for its writing, as given in 1 Corinthians 1:11 ; 1 Corinthians 7:1 , was a visit to Paul of a member “of the house of Chloe,” who brought a written communication to him as well as verbal reports of conditions in the church. These... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The Preaching of the Cross 1Co 1:18-31 What is termed a whole body of theology might be gathered from this first chapter. Here we find God, Christ, the Church, the mystery of the Cross, and the fact of redemption. Why does the Apostle gather all these great doctrines around him, so compendiously and so severally? What is his business? We have not seen him in this urgent mood before; usually he has taken time to his work, but he is in it before we imagine he has begun it. He is excited. The... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:18-29

(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 bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

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 points of human wisdom and knowledge; for that which appeareth the foolishness of God, is wiser than men, and able to confound the highest human wisdom; and that which appeareth weakness of God, is stronger than men, who cannot hinder God from converting the world, by means and methods, that... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

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 of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live. The preaching of salvation for lost sinners by the sufferings and death of the Son of God, if explained and faithfully applied, appears foolishness to those in the way to... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-99

1 Corinthians 1 HAVING TO WRITE in this corrective strain Paul very naturally emphasizes at the outset the apostolic place of authority which he held from God; and further, he associates with himself one of themselves. Sosthenes came from Corinth (see Act_18:17 ), and apparently was converted after the beating he got from the Greeks as chief ruler of the synagogue, having supplanted Crispus, who was converted somewhat earlier. Two important facts confront us in the second verse. First, that... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

The foolishness of God wiser than men: v. 20. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? v. 21. For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. v. 22. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; v. 23. but we preach Christ Crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

II. THE TRUE METHOD OF PREACHINGA. Repugnant to the predelictions of both Greeks and Jews1 Corinthians 1:17-2517Not with [in ἐν] wisdom of words, [discourse15] lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18For the preaching [discourse] of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of 20the prudent. Where is the wise? where... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:12-25

the Cross God’s Saving Power 1 Corinthians 1:12-25 Apollos had gone straight from Ephesus to Corinth, Acts 19:1 . A party gathered around him, especially attracted by his eloquence and intellectual brilliance. Cephas was Peter, and around his name the more conservative elements gathered. Christ , stood for the promised glory of the Messianic kingdom. Paul was filled with dismay on hearing that a fourth division of the Church called themselves by his name. He told the Corinthians that... read more