Lesson 205: 1 Corinthians 1:18
1 Corinthians 1:18
The Blueprint — The Verse
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.
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
Paul writes to Corinth, a proud commercial city valuing rhetoric and wisdom. The crucified Messiah overturns human standards of power and status, dividing responders into those perishing and those being saved.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
After greeting a divided church, Paul refuses to preach with eloquent wisdom lest the cross be emptied. To the perishing the cross is folly; to believers it is God’s saving power.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News — not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn’t be made void.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (1 Corinthians 1:17) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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1 Corinthians 1:19
For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (1 Corinthians 1:19) to continue the passage.
Discussion
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When has the cross seemed foolish to people around you?
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How has the cross been God's power in your life?
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What worldly wisdom competes with the gospel in your church?
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