1 Corinthians 1:23

KJV

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} we {G2249} preach {G2784} Christ {G5547} crucified {G4717}, unto the Jews {G2453} a stumblingblock {G3303}{G4625}, and {G1161} unto the Greeks {G1672} foolishness {G3472};

Complete Jewish Bible

we go on proclaiming a Messiah executed on a stake as a criminal! To Jews this is an obstacle, and to Greeks it is nonsense;

Berean Standard Bible

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 1:23, the Apostle Paul articulates the core of his apostolic message: the proclamation of "Christ crucified." This central tenet of the Christian faith, however, was met with starkly contrasting reactions from two primary groups: for the Jews, it was a "stumblingblock" due to their expectation of a conquering Messiah and the perceived curse of crucifixion, while for the Greeks, it was "foolishness," as it defied their philosophical emphasis on human reason and intellectual prowess. Paul thus highlights the profound paradox of God's wisdom, which often appears as absurdity to the world yet is the very power of God for salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's broader argument in [1 Corinthians 1](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1 - Divisions and God's Wisdom") concerning wisdom, power, and the nature of the Gospel. Paul addresses the Corinthian church's divisions, which were partly fueled by an overemphasis on human wisdom, rhetoric, and charismatic leaders. He contrasts this human wisdom with God's divine wisdom, which is revealed not through eloquent speech or philosophical debate, but through the seemingly weak and scandalous message of the cross. Verses like [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross") and [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's Foolishness and Weakness") further elaborate on this theme, asserting that "the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." Paul deliberately chooses the cross, a symbol of shame and defeat, as the focal point of his preaching, precisely because it subverts human expectations and reveals God's true power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a major Roman port city, a melting pot of cultures, philosophies, and religions. It was known for its intellectual schools, where Greek philosophy (e.g., Stoicism, Epicureanism) flourished, emphasizing logic, rhetoric, and human reason. To such a culture, the idea of a divine being suffering a humiliating death on a cross was utterly illogical and offensive. For the Jews, who had a rich history of prophetic expectation, the Messiah was envisioned as a powerful, kingly figure who would deliver Israel from Roman oppression and establish an earthly kingdom, fulfilling prophecies like those in [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Coming King"). The concept of a crucified Messiah was antithetical to this expectation, as the Law in [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Curse of the Hung Man") declared anyone hung on a tree to be cursed by God, making the cross a sign of divine rejection rather than divine salvation.
* **Key Themes:** The verse directly contributes to several major themes in 1 Corinthians and Pauline theology. Foremost is the **paradox of divine wisdom vs. human wisdom**. Paul argues that what the world considers wise or powerful (eloquence, philosophy, political strength) is foolishness to God, and what God uses (the cross, suffering, weakness) is true wisdom and power. Another key theme is the **centrality of the cross** in Christian theology. For Paul, the crucifixion of Christ is not merely an event but the very essence of the Gospel, the means by which God reconciles humanity to Himself. This also ties into the theme of **God's power in weakness**, demonstrating that God's strength is made perfect in what appears to be human frailty, as articulated in [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Power in Weakness"). The verse also highlights the **universal offense of the Gospel**, showing that the message of salvation through a crucified Savior challenges the deeply ingrained assumptions and expectations of all cultures.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **preach (Greek, _kērýssō'_):** To herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel). This term denotes a public, authoritative proclamation, not merely a suggestion or philosophical discussion. Paul sees himself as a herald of God's definitive message.
* **stumblingblock (Greek, _skándalon'_):** A trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e., snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin). For the Jews, the crucified Christ was an obstacle that caused them to trip and fall away from faith, a source of profound offense that challenged their understanding of God's Messiah.
* **foolishness (Greek, _mōría'_):** Silliness, i.e., absurdity. For the Greeks, the message of a crucified God was utterly irrational and nonsensical, a concept beneath the dignity of philosophical inquiry or divine power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But we preach Christ crucified":** This clause establishes the unwavering core of Paul's ministry and the Christian message. The "we" is emphatic, referring to Paul and his fellow apostles, contrasting their message with the worldly wisdom sought by some in Corinth. "Christ crucified" is the specific content of their proclamation, emphasizing Jesus' identity as the Messiah and the central, atoning act of His death on the cross. It is not merely "Christ" but "Christ crucified," highlighting the specific, scandalous nature of His death as the means of salvation.
* **"unto the Jews a stumblingblock":** This phrase explains the Jewish reaction. For Jews, who anticipated a glorious, conquering Messiah, the idea of a Messiah who suffered a shameful, cursed death on a cross was an insurmountable obstacle to faith. It contradicted their national and religious expectations, leading to offense and rejection.
* **"and unto the Greeks foolishness":** This clause details the Greek response. For the Greeks, who valued human reason, philosophical discourse, and the pursuit of intellectual wisdom, the notion of a divine being dying a humiliating death was utterly absurd and irrational. It seemed to them a sign of weakness, not power, and thus unworthy of serious consideration.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse to underscore his theological point. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, clearly demonstrated by the stark contrast between "Jews" and "Greeks" and their opposing reactions ("stumblingblock" vs. "foolishness"). This highlights the universal nature of the Gospel's offense to human wisdom. Closely related is **Paradox**, as the very message that appears as weakness and absurdity to the world—the crucifixion—is simultaneously presented by Paul as the ultimate revelation of God's power and wisdom (as he elaborates in the surrounding verses). There is also an element of **Irony** in Paul's choice of words; what the world deems foolish and weak is, in God's economy, the most profound wisdom and strength. This rhetorical strategy serves to challenge the Corinthians' worldly values and redirect their focus to the true source of divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The message of "Christ crucified" stands as the ultimate expression of God's redemptive plan, revealing a divine wisdom that transcends and often contradicts human understanding. It underscores that salvation is not achieved through human intellectual prowess, moral striving, or adherence to legalistic codes, but solely through God's radical act of self-giving love on the cross. This divine wisdom, appearing as foolishness to the world, is the means by which God demonstrates His power to save all who believe, regardless of their background. The cross is therefore not just a historical event, but the interpretive key to understanding God's character, His justice, and His boundless grace.

* [1 Corinthians 2:2](/1_corinthians/2-2 "1 Corinthians 2:2 - Paul's Sole Focus")
* [Romans 9:32-33](/romans/9-32-33 "Romans 9:32-33 - Israel Stumbles Over the Stumbling Stone")
* [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 1:23 serves as a profound reminder that the Gospel message will always be counter-cultural and challenging to worldly wisdom. In an age that often prioritizes intellectual sophistication, self-sufficiency, and tangible success, the message of a crucified Savior who calls for humility, repentance, and dependence on God can still be perceived as foolishness or a stumbling block. For believers, this verse calls for a radical reorientation of values, embracing the "foolishness" of the cross as the ultimate wisdom and power of God. It encourages us to find our strength not in human achievements or philosophical arguments, but in the seemingly weak and scandalous truth of Christ's atoning sacrifice. It also challenges us to boldly proclaim this message, knowing that its power lies not in our eloquence, but in the Holy Spirit's ability to transform hearts through the truth of the crucified and risen Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might the message of "Christ crucified" still be a "stumblingblock" or "foolishness" in our contemporary culture?**
* **How does this verse challenge our own inclinations to seek wisdom or validation from worldly sources rather than from God?**
* **What does it mean for us to "preach Christ crucified" in our daily lives, beyond just verbal proclamation?**
* **How can we embrace the paradox of God's power being made perfect in weakness, both in our personal faith and in our witness to others?**

### FAQ

**Why was "Christ crucified" a stumblingblock for the Jews?**

Answer: For the Jews, the concept of a crucified Messiah was a profound "stumblingblock" because it directly contradicted their deeply ingrained expectations of the Messiah. They anticipated a powerful, conquering king who would liberate Israel politically and establish a glorious earthly kingdom, fulfilling prophecies of a reigning descendant of David (e.g., [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Coming King")). Furthermore, the Mosaic Law in [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Curse of the Hung Man") stated that anyone "hung on a tree is cursed by God," making crucifixion a sign of divine rejection and shame, not a means of salvation or a mark of the Messiah. Thus, a crucified Messiah appeared to be a contradiction in terms, an offense to their religious sensibilities and national hopes.

**Why was "Christ crucified" foolishness to the Greeks?**

Answer: To the Greeks, steeped in philosophical traditions that highly valued human reason, logic, and intellectual discourse, the message of a crucified God was utterly "foolishness" or absurd. Their worldview emphasized the pursuit of wisdom through rational thought and rhetorical skill. The idea of a divine being suffering a humiliating, ignominious death on a cross was antithetical to their understanding of divine perfection, power, and dignity. For them, a god who would die such a shameful death was not worthy of worship; it seemed irrational and beneath the realm of serious philosophical consideration, a concept fit only for the uneducated or simple-minded.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The message of "Christ crucified," though a stumblingblock to Jews and foolishness to Greeks, stands as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, intricately woven throughout the biblical narrative. The cross, seemingly a symbol of defeat, is in fact the climax of God's victory over sin and death, foreshadowed in Old Testament sacrifices and prophecies of a suffering servant (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")). Jesus, the Messiah, did not come as a conquering king in earthly power, but as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fulfilling the Passover sacrifice and the Day of Atonement. His crucifixion, far from being a sign of weakness, is the supreme demonstration of God's love ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")) and wisdom, where through His death, He disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The "foolishness" of the cross is thus revealed as God's profound strategy to reconcile humanity to Himself, offering salvation to all who believe, proving that God's ways are infinitely higher than human ways ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher")). It is the very power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Peter 2:8

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Galatians 5:11

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

Isaiah 8:14

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 8:15

And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

1 Corinthians 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.