1 Corinthians 1:18-25 KJV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross - Ὁ λογος γαρ ὁ του σταυρου , The doctrine of the cross; or the doctrine that is of or concerning the cross; that is, the doctrine that proclaims salvation to a lost world through the crucifixion of Christ. Is to them that perish foolishness - There are, properly speaking, but two classes of men known where the Gospel is preached: απολλυμενοι , the unbelievers and gainsayers, who are perishing; and σοζομενοι , the obedient believers, who are in a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:19

For it is written - The place referred to is Isaiah 29:14 . I will destroy the wisdom of the wise - Των σοφων , Of wise men - of the philosophers who in their investigations seek nothing less than God, and whose highest discoveries amount to nothing in comparison of the grand truths relative to God, the invisible world, and the true end of man, which the Gospel has brought to light. Let me add, that the very discoveries which are really useful have been made by men who feared God,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:20

Where is the wise - the scribe - the disputer of this world? - These words most manifestly refer to the Jews; as the places ( Isaiah 29:14 ; Isaiah 33:18 ; Isaiah 44:25 ;) to which he refers cannot be understood of any but the Jews. The wise man σοφος , of the apostle, is the חכם chakam ; whose office it was to teach others. The scribe, γραμματευς , of the apostle, is the ספר sopher ; this signifies any man of learning, as distinguished from the common people,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God - Dr. Lightfoot observes, "That σοφια του Θεου , the wisdom of God, is not to be understood of that wisdom which had God for its author, but that wisdom which had God for its object. There was, among the heathen, σοφια της φυσεως , wisdom about natural things, that is, philosophy; and σοφια του Θεου , wisdom about God; that is, divinity. But the world in its divinity could not, by wisdom, know God." The plain meaning of this verse is, that the wise... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:22

For the Jews require a sign - Instead of σημειον , a sign, ABCDEFG, several others, both the Syriac, Coptic, Vulgate, and Itala, with many of the fathers, have σημεια , signs; which reading, as undoubtedly genuine, Griesbach has admitted into the text. There never was a people in the universe more difficult to be persuaded of the truth than the Jews: and had not their religion been incontestably proved by the most striking and indubitable miracles, they never would have received it. This... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:23

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 salvation by shedding his blood for them. Unto the Jews a stumbling block - Because Jesus came meek, lowly, and impoverished; not seeking worldly glory, nor affecting worldly pomp; whereas they expected the Messiah to come as a mighty prince and conqueror; because Christ did not come so, they were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:24

But unto them which are called - Τοις κλητοις . Those, both of Jews and Greeks, who were by the preaching of the Gospel called or invited to the marriage feast, and have accordingly believed in Christ Jesus; they prove this doctrine to be divinely powerful, to enlighten and convert the soul, and to be a proof of God's infinite wisdom, which has found out such an effectual way to glorify both his justice and mercy, and save, to the uttermost, all that come to him through Christ Jesus. The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:25

The foolishness of God is wiser, etc. - The meaning of these strong expressions is, that the things of God's appointment, which seem to men foolishness, are infinitely beyond the highest degree of human wisdom; and those works of God, which appear to superficial observers weak and contemptible, surpass all the efforts of human power. The means which God has appointed for the salvation of men are so wisely imagined and so energetically powerful, that all who properly use them shall be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Verse 18 18.For the preaching of the cross, etc. In this first clause a concession is made. For as it might very readily be objected, that the gospel is commonly held in contempt, if it be presented in so bare and abject a form, Paul of his own accord concedes this, but when he adds, that it is so in the estimation of them that perish, he intimates that no regard must be paid to their judgment. For who would choose to despise the gospel at the expense of perishing? This statement, therefore,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:19

Verse 19 19.For it is written, etc. He shows still farther, from the testimony of Isaiah, how unreasonable a thing it is that the truth of the gospel should be regarded with prejudice on the ground that the wise of this world hold it in contempt, not to say derision. For it is evident from the words of the Prophet, that their opinion is regarded as nothing in the account of God. The passage is taken from Isaiah 29:14, where the Lord threatens that he will avenge himself upon the hypocrisy of... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:25

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:19

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