1 Corinthians 1:24

KJV

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} unto them {G846} which {G3588} are called {G2822}, both {G5037} Jews {G2453} and {G2532} Greeks {G1672}, Christ {G5547} the power {G1411} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} the wisdom {G4678} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, this same Messiah is God’s power and God’s wisdom!

Berean Standard Bible

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

American Standard Version

but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 1:24 profoundly declares that for those divinely called by God, Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect embodiment of God's omnipotent power and incomparable wisdom. This verse stands as a foundational truth, contrasting sharply with the world's inability to comprehend the profound spiritual realities of the cross and the gospel message, revealing Christ as the divine answer to both human weakness and intellectual pride, universally accessible to all who believe, regardless of their background.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's opening arguments in 1 Corinthians, where he addresses the Corinthian church's significant divisions and their overemphasis on human wisdom, eloquent rhetoric, and philosophical prowess. In the preceding verses ([1 Corinthians 1:18-23](/1_corinthians/1-18-23 "1 Corinthians 1:18-23 - The Message of the Cross")), Paul establishes that the message of Christ crucified is perceived as "foolishness" to those who are perishing and a "stumblingblock" to the Jews (who demand miraculous signs) and "foolishness" to the Greeks (who prioritize human reason and intellectual discourse). Verse 24 then pivots sharply from this worldly, limited, and perishing perspective to reveal the profound, paradoxical truth for those who are genuinely open to God's divine revelation and sovereign calling. It asserts that what the world dismisses as absurd or weak is, in fact, the very manifestation of God's supreme attributes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub in the Roman Empire, known for its wealth, trade, and diverse population. It was also a center for various philosophical schools, rhetorical competitions, and a strong emphasis on intellectual debate and persuasive speaking. This cultural milieu heavily influenced the Corinthian believers, leading some to value human eloquence and philosophical sophistication over the simple, yet profound, message of the cross. Jews in Corinth, like elsewhere, sought signs and wonders as validation of divine truth, while Greeks valued logical consistency and intellectual prowess. Paul's letter directly confronts these cultural biases, asserting that God's way of salvation, though appearing illogical or weak by human standards, transcends and overturns all earthly wisdom and power structures.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in 1 Corinthians and Pauline theology. It underscores the **paradox of the cross**, where God's power and wisdom are most clearly displayed in what appears to be weakness and foolishness to the world ([1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's Foolishness and Weakness")). It highlights the **divine initiative in salvation**, emphasizing that understanding Christ's true nature is not a result of human intellect or effort, but of God's sovereign "calling" and drawing of individuals to Himself. Furthermore, by explicitly mentioning "both Jews and Greeks," the verse reinforces the theme of **unity in Christ**, demonstrating that the gospel transcends all ethnic, cultural, and social barriers, creating a new humanity where all are one in Christ Jesus ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Greek in Christ")). Finally, it establishes **Christ's centrality** as the full revelation of God's character and plan, challenging any reliance on human wisdom or worldly power for spiritual understanding or salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Greek, _klētós'_):** This term refers to those who are divinely invited or summoned. It underscores the concept of God's sovereign initiative in drawing individuals to Himself, highlighting that spiritual discernment and understanding of Christ's true nature are not achieved through human merit, intellectual prowess, or personal striving, but through God's gracious and effectual invitation. Those who are "called" are set apart by God for His purposes.
* **power (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** Derived from this word, we get the English term "dynamite." It denotes inherent strength, ability, and miraculous force. In this context, "Christ the power of God" signifies that Jesus is not merely an instrument of God's power, but the living, active, and inherent manifestation of God's omnipotence. This power is profoundly demonstrated in His crucifixion, resurrection, and the transformative work of salvation, which overcomes sin, death, and all spiritual adversaries.
* **wisdom (Greek, _sophía'_):** This word refers to divine insight, prudence, and knowledge that guides God's perfect plan for salvation and creation. When Christ is declared "the wisdom of God," it means that God's entire redemptive strategy, culminating in Christ's work on the cross, is the ultimate expression of divine intelligence and perfect design. This wisdom transcends and renders foolish all human reasoning and philosophical systems that attempt to comprehend God's ways apart from His revelation in Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But unto them which are called":** This phrase introduces a stark contrast with the preceding verses, which describe the cross as foolishness to the perishing and a stumbling block to unbelieving Jews. The "but" signifies a divine distinction: only those whom God has sovereignly drawn and invited (the "called") are enabled to perceive the profound truth of Christ. This highlights God's initiative in salvation and spiritual understanding, not human effort or intellectual capacity.
* **"both Jews and Greeks":** This clause emphasizes the universal scope of God's calling and the gospel's reach. It transcends the traditional, deeply ingrained ethnic and cultural divisions of the ancient world. In Christ, the message of salvation is equally available and equally powerful for individuals from all backgrounds, dismantling barriers and creating a new, unified community of believers.
* **"Christ the power of God":** For the "called," Christ is not just a teacher or a prophet, but the very embodiment and active manifestation of God's omnipotent power. His life, death, and resurrection are the supreme demonstration of divine might, capable of overcoming sin, death, and all spiritual darkness. This power is not worldly strength but the spiritual force that transforms lives and establishes God's kingdom.
* **"and the wisdom of God":** Complementing the previous clause, this declares that Christ is also the ultimate expression of God's perfect, transcendent wisdom. While the world considers the cross foolish, it is, in fact, God's most profound and intricate plan for redemption. In Christ, all the treasures of divine knowledge and understanding are hidden, revealing a wisdom that far surpasses and exposes the inadequacy of human philosophy and reasoning.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in this concise verse. The primary device is **Antithesis**, signaled by the opening "But," which sets up a direct contrast between the world's perception of the cross (as foolishness or a stumbling block in the preceding verses) and the believer's understanding of Christ as God's power and wisdom. This highlights the radical difference between human and divine perspectives. There is also clear **Parallelism** in the phrases "Christ the power of God" and "and the wisdom of God." This structural balance emphasizes that Christ embodies both attributes equally and simultaneously, presenting a complete picture of His divine nature and function. Furthermore, the declaration that Christ *is* the power and wisdom of God functions as a powerful **Metaphor** or **Personification**, asserting that these divine attributes are not merely possessed by Christ, but are intrinsic to His very being and identity. He doesn't just *have* power and wisdom; He *is* the living manifestation of them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 1:24 is a profound theological statement that grounds the Christian understanding of God's nature and His redemptive plan in the person of Jesus Christ. It asserts that the cross, which appears weak and foolish to the world, is in fact the ultimate display of God's omnipotence and transcendent wisdom. This paradox reveals that God's ways are fundamentally different from human ways, and His "foolishness" is wiser than human wisdom, and His "weakness" is stronger than human strength ([1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's Foolishness and Weakness")). For the "called," Christ is the living demonstration of God's active power to save and transform, and the perfect embodiment of God's intricate, sovereign plan for humanity's redemption. This understanding fundamentally reorients believers to trust in God's revelation rather than human intellect or worldly achievements.

* [Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Gospel, the Power of God")
* [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge in Christ")
* [Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 1:24 offers a powerful anchor for believers navigating a world that often dismisses or misunderstands the Christian faith. It reminds us that our trust is not in human logic, worldly accomplishments, or popular opinion, but entirely in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When faced with challenges, criticisms of faith, or the alluring siren song of worldly wisdom, we are called to remember that God's ways are infinitely higher than our ways ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")). This verse encourages us to embrace the paradoxical nature of God's plan, where true strength is found in apparent weakness (the cross), and profound truth is revealed in what the world dismisses as simple or absurd. It calls us to live by faith in God's power and wisdom, which are fully manifested in Jesus Christ, guiding our understanding, empowering our lives, and giving us confidence in the face of skepticism. Our identity and security are not found in our intellect or status, but in being among the "called" who recognize Christ as the very essence of God's power and wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the world's perception of "foolishness" or a "stumbling block" (as described in [1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified")) relate to your experience of sharing the gospel or living out your faith?**
* **In what areas of your life are you most tempted to rely on human wisdom or worldly strength rather than God's power and wisdom as revealed in Christ?**
* **How does understanding Christ as "the power of God, and the wisdom of God" strengthen your faith and provide comfort in times of personal weakness or confusion?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul specifically mention "both Jews and Greeks" in this verse?**

Answer: Paul's explicit mention of "both Jews and Greeks" is crucial for several reasons, deeply rooted in the historical and theological context of the early church. Firstly, it addresses the universal scope of the gospel, emphasizing that God's saving power and wisdom in Christ are not limited to any single ethnic or cultural group. For centuries, Jews had been God's chosen people, distinguished by the Law and covenant. Greeks, representing the Gentile world, were often seen as outside God's direct covenant. Paul here declares that in Christ, these traditional barriers are broken down, and the divine call extends to all humanity. Secondly, it directly confronts the divisions and prejudices prevalent in the Corinthian church and the broader Roman world. Jews sought signs and held to their Law, while Greeks valued philosophy and rhetoric. Paul shows that Christ transcends and fulfills both these expectations in a way neither group anticipated. Finally, it highlights the unifying power of the gospel. In Christ, a new spiritual family is formed, where ethnic identity no longer determines access to God's grace, echoing themes found in [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Greek in Christ") and [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 1:24 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate and complete revelation of God's power and wisdom. The "power of God" is not merely an abstract concept but is fully embodied in Christ's miraculous life, His authority over sin and death, and supremely in His resurrection from the dead ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God with Power")). His crucifixion, though appearing as weakness to the world, was the most powerful act in history, conquering sin, Satan, and death, thereby demonstrating God's redemptive might ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumphing Over Principalities and Powers")). Similarly, Christ is "the wisdom of God" because in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge in Christ")). God's intricate plan of salvation, conceived in eternity and executed in time through Christ, is the epitome of divine wisdom, making foolish the wisdom of the world ([1 Corinthians 1:20](/1_corinthians/1-20 "1 Corinthians 1:20 - Where is the Wise?")). The incarnation of Christ, His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection are not random events but the perfectly orchestrated display of God's omnipotent power and infinite wisdom, culminating in the redemption of humanity and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, accessible to all who are "called" by His grace ([Ephesians 1:7-10](/ephesians/1-7-10 "Ephesians 1:7-10 - Redemption Through His Blood")).

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 1:30

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Colossians 2:3

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

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.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Romans 8:30

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

1 Corinthians 1:9

God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 1:16

¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.