1 Corinthians 1:23 Meaning and Explanation
“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul preaches a crucified Christ, an offense to Jews and nonsense to Greeks, refusing to soften the message.
What Does 1 Corinthians 1:23 Mean?
Against the world's demands for signs and wisdom, Paul declares what he actually proclaims: Christ crucified. To Jews looking for a triumphant deliverer, a crucified Messiah was an offense; to Greeks seeking wisdom, it sounded like nonsense.
Paul does not trim the message to please either audience. The cross stands at the center, scandalous to one and absurd to the other, yet it is the only message that saves. To remove the offense would be to remove the gospel. So he preaches a crucified Lord boldly, trusting that what stumbles the proud will be the rescue of all who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:23 in the Original Language
skandalon (σκάνδαλον), 'stumblingblock' -- a trap or snare that causes one to stumble or take offense.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 1:23
What does 1 Corinthians 1:23 mean?
Paul preaches a crucified Christ, an offense to Jews and nonsense to Greeks, refusing to soften the message.