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Scripture · New Testament

1 Corinthians 1:18

1 Corinthians 1:18 is verse 18 of 1 Corinthians chapter 1, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.

Berean Standard Bible

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

BSB source and public domain terms

King James Version

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

World English Bible

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

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1 Corinthians 1:16–20 · Berean Standard Bible

16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that I do not remember if I baptized anyone else.

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Read all of 1 Corinthians 1

Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

1 Corinthians 1:23

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

1 Corinthians 1:24

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

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Galatians 6:12

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:13

For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

Galatians 6:14

But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Acts 13:41

‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”

2 Corinthians 2:15

For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2:16

To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

2 Corinthians 4:3

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

1 Corinthians 1:21

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 1:25

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

1 Corinthians 2:14

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

Acts 17:18

Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.

Acts 17:32

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”

1 Corinthians 15:2

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Psalms 110:2

The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

Psalms 110:3

Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth.

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.

2 Corinthians 10:4

The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

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