1 Corinthians 1:18

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:18-19

Two classes of gospel hearers. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Instead of the "preaching of the cross," the New Version reads, the "word of the cross," and the word of the cross stands in contrast to the word of worldly wisdom. How great is the contrast! We have here two classes of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

The nature of true Christian preaching. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

How St. Paul regarded the preaching of the gospel. By an easy movement he advances to the gospel, to the mode of preaching it as essential to its Divine success, and thus reaches the climax of his reasoning in the first chapter. Other functions of his apostleship will come hereafter into view—the resolute disciplinarian, the firm, administrator, the tender but unyielding executive of the Head of the Church. At present, however, one thing absorbs him, namely, the Divine institution of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross - Greek, “the word (ὁ λόγος ho logos) of the cross;” that is, the doctrine of the cross; or the doctrine which proclaims salvation only through the atonement which the Lord Jesus Christ made on the cross, This cannot mean that the statement that Christ died “as a martyr” on a cross, appears to be foolishness to people; because, if that was all, there would be nothing that would appear contemptible, or that would excite their opposition more than in the death of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

1 Corinthians 1:18-21. The preaching of the cross The doctrine of the crucifixion of the Son of God, to expiate the sins of mankind, and procure salvation for such as should believe in him; is to them that perish By obstinately rejecting the only name whereby they can be saved; foolishness Accounted an absurd, ridiculous, and impossible thing, and what no men of sense will believe; but unto us who are saved That is, believe in order to salvation; it is the power of God The great... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Contrasts in wisdom and power (1:18-31)The whole idea of salvation from sin through the death of Christ on the cross appears foolish to the average person, but to believers it shows God’s power (18). God’s way has always been different from that of people in general. Whether they be Greek philosophers, Jewish scholars, or just ordinary citizens, people always think their schemes and ideas are full of wisdom; but God shows them up to be foolish (19-20).God, in his wisdom, saves people by way of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 1:18

preaching = word, or message. Greek. logos, as in 1 Corinthians 1:17 . them that perish = those that are perishing. Greek. apollumi. Compare 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; 2Co 4:3 . 2 Thessalonians 2:10 . See John 17:12 . foolishness . Greek. moria. Only in this Epistle, verses: 1 Corinthians 1:21 , 1 Corinthians 1:23 ; 1Co 2:14 ; 1 Corinthians 3:19 . us which are, &c . = those who are being saved, (even) us. This is the order in the Greek. Salvation has more than one aspect. See Romans 13:11... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 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. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to naught.THE GLORY OF THE CROSSAll of the value judgments of people were nailed to the cross of Christ. People glorify the arrogant, proud, mighty and successful, but Christ was patient, meek, humble and submissive. A crucified Saviour was simply beyond the boundaries of human... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:18

1 Corinthians 1:18. For the preaching of the cross, &c.— "The doctrine of the cross is a doctrine of such a nature as could not recommend itself by human eloquence to the imaginations of vicious and vain disputants, such as were most of the heathen philosophers; but to those who are saved,—to serious and well-disposed persons, who embrace truth wherever they find evidence of it, and who are more pleased with what improves their minds, than with the vain eloquence of the heathen oratory; to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:18

18. preaching, c.—literally, "the word," or speech as to the cross in contrast to the "wisdom of words" (so called), :-. them that perish—rather, "them that are perishing," namely, by preferring human "wisdom of words" to the doctrine of the "cross of Christ." It is not the final state that is referred to; but, "them that are in the way of perishing." So also in 2 Corinthians 2:15; 2 Corinthians 2:16. us which are saved—In the Greek the collocation is more modest, "to them that are being saved... read more

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