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

Other Translations of 1 Corinthians 1:23

King James Version

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

English Standard Version

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

The Message

23 we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle - and Greeks pass it off as absurd.

New King James Version

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks NU-Text reads Gentiles. foolishness,

New Living Translation

23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:23

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

(Read 1 Corinthians 1:17-25)

Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live. The preaching of salvation for lost sinners by the sufferings and death of the Son of God, if explained and faithfully applied, appears foolishness to those in the way to destruction. The sensual, the covetous, the proud, and ambitious, alike see that the gospel opposes their favourite pursuits. But those who receive the gospel, and are enlightened by the Spirit of God, see more of God's wisdom and power in the doctrine of Christ crucified, than in all his other works. God left a great part of the world to follow the dictates of man's boasted reason, and the event has shown that human wisdom is folly, and is unable to find or retain the knowledge of God as the Creator. It pleased him, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. By the foolishness of preaching; not by what could justly be called foolish preaching. But the thing preached was foolishness to wordly-wise men. The gospel ever was, and ever will be, foolishness to all in the road to destruction. The message of Christ, plainly delivered, ever has been a sure touchstone by which men may learn what road they are travelling. But the despised doctrine of salvation by faith in a crucified Saviour, God in human nature, purchasing the church with his own blood, to save multitudes, even all that believe, from ignorance, delusion, and vice, has been blessed in every age. And the weakest instruments God uses, are stronger in their effects, than the strongest men can use. Not that there is foolishness or weakness in God, but what men consider as such, overcomes all their admired wisdom and strength.

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

Other Translations of 1 Corinthians 2:2

King James Version

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

English Standard Version

2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

The Message

2 I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did - Jesus crucified.

New King James Version

2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

New Living Translation

2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 2:2

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

(Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Christ, in his person, and offices, and sufferings, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's preaching, but not so as to leave out other parts of God's revealed truth and will. Paul preached the whole counsel of God. Few know the fear and trembling of faithful ministers, from a deep sense of their own weakness They know how insufficient they are, and are fearful for themselves. When nothing but Christ crucified is plainly preached, the success must be entirely from Divine power accompanying the word, and thus men are brought to believe, to the salvation of their souls.