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1 Corinthians 1:18

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

Here's the thing, talking about Jesus dying on a cross sounds completely ridiculous to people who are heading toward destruction. But for those of us who've been saved? It's literally the power of God at work.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

What looks foolish to some is actually God's ultimate power move.

📚 Historical Context

The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan center in ancient Greece, filled with diverse cultures and philosophies that often valued human wisdom and power over humility. Paul wrote this letter to address divisions in the early Christian church there, pointing out that the message of the cross seemed foolish to those who didn't believe, as it contradicted the prevailing ideas of strength and intelligence. In the first-century world, crucifixion was a humiliating form of execution reserved for the lowest criminals, making the idea of a Savior dying on a cross counterintuitive and offensive to both Jews and Gentiles.

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