Lent · Third Sunday in Lent · Year B
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
February 28, 2027
Overview & Insights
“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.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
In the ancient world, “wisdom” was not an abstract concept unrelated to daily living. To the contrary, it was a way of living based on a given understanding of life’s purpose and of what actions reasonably would accomplish such purpose. Various philosophers (lit., “lovers of wisdom”) competed to gain a following for their particular brand of how-to-live. Similar competition and pursuit of prominence lay at the core of the Corinthian cliques. Enamored with the “wisdom” and success of the professional speakers in the city, a number of house churches were using a similar approach to put them ahead of other church groups. Such behavior made it evident to Paul that they relied on human wisdom rather than God’s. Paul’s firm and uncompromising rejection of this behavior shows how strongly he considers this a direct attack on the gospel itself.
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Commentary
Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through the word of the cross as the power and wisdom of God.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Working Preacher
The RCL Lent 3B epistle (verses 18-25), reading the cross as God's scandalous wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the whole passage and its But God reversal of human wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep study gathering sources on foolishness and wisdom with Greek word notes.
1 Corinthians 1:18 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic verse-by-verse commentaries on the wisdom and folly of the cross.
Background & Word Study
1 Corinthians | Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Corinth, the letter's occasion, and its themes.
Book of 1 Corinthians Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of the letter's argument, framing the cross-and-wisdom passage.
1 Corinthians 1:18 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the passage.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does “the foolishness of the cross” mean?
Paul says a crucified Messiah is a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Greeks, yet “Christ crucified” is the very wisdom and power of God (1 Corinthians 1:23–24). On Holy Cross Day the church glories in what the world counts as weakness.
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