1 Corinthians 1:23
New International Version
but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

New Living Translation
So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

English Standard Version
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

Berean Standard Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

Berean Literal Bible
we, however, preach Christ having been crucified, a stumbling block indeed to the Jewish and foolishness to Gentiles,

King James Bible
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

New King James Version
but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

New American Standard Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness,

NASB 1995
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

NASB 1977
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness,

Legacy Standard Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

Amplified Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense],

Christian Standard Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.

American Standard Version
but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;

Contemporary English Version
But we preach that Christ was nailed to a cross. Most Jews have problems with this, and most Gentiles think it is foolish.

English Revised Version
but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
but our message is that Christ was crucified. This offends Jewish people and makes no sense to people who are not Jewish.

Good News Translation
As for us, we proclaim the crucified Christ, a message that is offensive to the Jews and nonsense to the Gentiles;

International Standard Version
but we preach the Messiah crucified. He is a stumbling block to Jews and nonsense to gentiles,

Majority Standard Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks,

NET Bible
but we preach about a crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.

New Heart English Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to the non-Jews,

Webster's Bible Translation
But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;

Weymouth New Testament
while we proclaim a Christ who has been crucified--to the Jews a stumbling-block, to Gentiles foolishness,

World English Bible
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
also we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to Greeks foolishness,

Berean Literal Bible
we, however, preach Christ having been crucified, a stumbling block indeed to the Jewish and foolishness to Gentiles,

Young's Literal Translation
also we -- we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to Greeks foolishness,

Smith's Literal Translation
And we proclaim Christ crucified, to the Jews truly a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But we are preaching Christ crucified. Certainly, to the Jews, this is a scandal, and to the Gentiles, this is foolishness.

New American Bible
but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

New Revised Standard Version
but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But we preach Christ crucified, which is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Syrians.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But we preach The Messiah as crucified, a scandal to the Judeans and madness to the Aramaeans.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
but we preach Christ crucified; to the Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks, foolishness:

Godbey New Testament
but we preach Christ having been crucified, to the Jews indeed a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness;

Haweis New Testament
but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews indeed an offence, and to the Greeks folly;

Mace New Testament
we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe,

Weymouth New Testament
while we proclaim a Christ who has been crucified--to the Jews a stumbling-block, to Gentiles foolishness,

Worrell New Testament
but we preach Christ crucified; to the Jews, a stumbling-block, and to the gentiles foolishness;

Worsley New Testament
to the Jews indeed a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but to them that are called,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Message of the Cross
22Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.…

Cross References
Galatians 5:11
Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.

Romans 9:32-33
Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, / as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:7-8
To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” / and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

Isaiah 8:14
And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.

Acts 17:32
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.

Galatians 6:14
But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Philippians 3:18
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.

Matthew 11:6
Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”

Luke 2:34
Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

John 6:60-66
On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?” / Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you? / Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? ...

John 12:37-41
Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ...

Acts 13:41
‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”

Romans 11:9-11
And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. / May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” / I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.


Treasury of Scripture

But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness;

we.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Luke 24:46,47
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: …

unto the Jews.

Isaiah 8:14,15
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem…

Matthew 11:6
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Matthew 13:57
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

foolishness.

1 Corinthians 1:28
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

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Block Christ Cross Crucified Folly Foolish Foolishness Gentiles Good Greeks Hard Indeed Jews Nations News Offence Preach Proclaim Stumbling Stumblingblock Stumbling-Block
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1 Corinthians 1
1. After his salutation and thanksgiving for the Corinthians,
10. Paul exhorts them to unity,
12. and reproves their dissensions.
18. God destroys the wisdom of the wise,
21. by the foolishness of preaching;
26. and calls not the wise, mighty, and noble,
28. but the foolish, weak, and men of no account.














but we preach
The phrase "but we preach" emphasizes the apostolic mission and the centrality of the message that Paul and his companions are delivering. The Greek word for "preach" is "κηρύσσω" (kērussō), which means to proclaim or herald. This word conveys the idea of a public declaration, much like a town crier announcing important news. In the context of the early church, preaching was not merely a transfer of information but a divine mandate to proclaim the transformative message of the Gospel. The apostles were not just sharing opinions; they were delivering a message with authority and urgency, rooted in divine revelation.

Christ crucified
The phrase "Christ crucified" is the heart of the Gospel message. The Greek word for "Christ" is "Χριστός" (Christos), meaning "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah." The term "crucified" comes from the Greek "σταυρόω" (stauroō), which means to be impaled on a cross. This was a method of execution reserved for the most heinous criminals in Roman society, symbolizing extreme shame and suffering. For Paul, the crucifixion of Christ is not a point of embarrassment but the very power and wisdom of God. It signifies the ultimate sacrifice for sin, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and demonstrating God's love and justice. The crucifixion is central to Christian theology, as it represents the means by which humanity is reconciled to God.

a stumbling block to Jews
The term "stumbling block" is translated from the Greek "σκάνδαλον" (skandalon), which refers to an obstacle or offense that causes one to trip or fall. For the Jews, the idea of a crucified Messiah was scandalous and contradictory to their expectations of a triumphant, conquering king. The Jewish anticipation of the Messiah was rooted in Old Testament prophecies that spoke of a deliverer who would restore Israel's glory. The crucifixion, therefore, was a major obstacle to Jewish acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah, as it seemed to contradict their understanding of God's plan for redemption and victory.

and foolishness to Gentiles
The word "foolishness" comes from the Greek "μωρία" (mōria), which means absurdity or folly. To the Gentiles, particularly the Greeks who valued wisdom and philosophy, the message of a crucified savior was irrational and nonsensical. Greek culture esteemed intellectual prowess and the pursuit of knowledge, often viewing the physical world and human suffering as inferior or illusory. The notion that salvation could come through the humiliating death of a man on a cross was perceived as foolishness, lacking the sophistication and logic that Greek philosophy prized. Yet, Paul asserts that what seems foolish to human wisdom is, in fact, the profound wisdom of God, revealing the limitations of human understanding and the depth of divine truth.

(23) But we preach.--The gospel of Christ crucified made its way by those very qualities which they regarded as "weakness and folly," vindicating itself as "the power of God," more mighty than any "sign" a Jew might ask for; and "the wisdom of God" surpassing any merely intellectual "wisdom" which a Greek might desire.

Verse 23. - Christ crucified; rather perhaps, a crucified Messiah. It was only by slow degrees that the title "the Christ," i.e. the Anointed, the Messiah, passed into the name Christ. A stumbling block. They had for centuries been looking for a regal and victorious Messiah, who should exalt their special privileges. The notion of a suffering and humiliated Messiah, who reduced them to the level of all God's other children, was to them "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence" (Romans 9:33; comp. Isaiah 8:14). These two verses, translated into Syriac, furnish a marked play on words (miscol, stumbling block; mashcal, folly; seed, cross); and some have seen in this a sign that St. Paul thought in Syriac. Unto the Greeks; rather, unto Gentiles; א, A, B, C, I). Unto the Jews... unto the Greeks. Both alike had failed. The Jew had not attained ease of conscience or moral perfectness; the Greek had. not unriddled the secret of philosophy; yet both alike rejected the peace and the enlightenment which they had professed to seek. Foolishness. The accent of profound contempt is discernible in all the early allusions of Greeks and Romans to Christianity. The only epithets which they could find for it were "execrable," "malefic," "depraved," "damnable" (Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny, etc.). The milder term is "excessive superstition." The heroic constancy of martyrs appeared even to M. Aurelius only under the aspect of a "bare obstinacy." The word used to express the scorn of the Athenian philosophers for St. Paul's "strange doctrine" is one of the coarsest disdain (ἐχλεύαζον), and they called him "a seed pecker" (Acts 17:18, 32), i.e. a mere picker up of "learning's crumbs."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

we
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

preach
κηρύσσομεν (kēryssomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2784: To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.

Christ
Χριστὸν (Christon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

crucified,
ἐσταυρωμένον (estaurōmenon)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4717: From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.

a stumbling block
σκάνδαλον (skandalon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4625: A snare, stumbling-block, cause for error. Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick, i.e. Snare.

to Jews
Ἰουδαίοις (Ioudaiois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

foolishness
μωρίαν (mōrian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3472: Folly, absurdity, foolishness. From moros; silliness, i.e. Absurdity.

to Gentiles,
ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 1:22
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