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1 Corinthians 1:23

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

But here's what we're actually sharing: Christ died on a cross. To Jewish people, this is completely shocking and offensive. To everyone else who thinks they're smart, it sounds totally ridiculous.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The message that saves you might sound crazy to everyone around you, and that's exactly the point.

📚 Historical Context

In the first century AD, the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthian church in a bustling Greek city that was a melting pot of Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, where intellectual debates and religious expectations were prominent. To the Jews, who anticipated a powerful Messiah that would overthrow oppressors, the notion of a crucified Savior was a major obstacle because it contradicted their scriptures and hopes for deliverance. To the Greeks, who prized philosophy and human wisdom, the idea of a God dying on a cross seemed utterly irrational and foolish, clashing with their ideals of strength and intellect.

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