1 Corinthians 1:23a-24b
Chapter 1
23
while we proclaim Christ crucified, a great scandal for the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles!
24
But he is Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God, for those called by God among both Jews and Gentiles.
But he is Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God, for those called by God among both Jews and Gentiles.
Commentaries
The Message of the Cross.
We enter the most critical section of the letter, where Paul, who has previously said his primary mission is to evangelize, explains what his gospel truly is—the message he proclaims as Christ’s ambassador. It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the key texts of the entire New Testament, which will then validate or undermine everything we think, write, say, or do in God’s name throughout history. His message is the cross of Jesus. Through a series of bold and powerful contrasts, Paul brings us closer to the mystery of Christ crucified: “scandal” for the Jews who expect a triumphant Christ; “Foolishness” for the Greeks who seek and rely on reason and wisdom. Paul presents to the Corinthians—and to us—the project that Jesus announced in the synagogue of Nazareth (cf. Lk 4:14-21).