1 Corinthians 1
The foolishness of the cross
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Paul writes to the church in Corinth, which was splitting into groups: "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas." He asks, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?" Then he says the message of the cross is foolishness to the world but the power of God to those being saved, and that God chose the weak and lowly so that no one can boast except in the Lord.
Where it is in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 1
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Grace and Thanks | 1:1-9 | God has given them every gift, and God is faithful |
| 2. Is Christ Divided? | 1:10-17 | Stop splitting into groups |
| 3. The Message of the Cross | 1:18-25 | God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom |
| 4. God Chose the Weak | 1:26-31 | No one can boast except in the Lord |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul wrote this letter around AD 54 to the church he started in Corinth (Acts 18:1-11).
What was happening. Corinth was a rich, busy Greek city where people loved clever speakers and smart ideas. The church was splitting into groups that followed different leaders. People were proud of their wisdom and gifts.
What this chapter is. Paul starts with thanks. Then he tackles their divisions. Then he says something shocking: God's wisdom looks like foolishness, because it's a cross.
How to read it. Notice how many times Paul mentions boasting.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Grace and Thanks
Paul greets "the church of God in Corinth" (1:2), and all believers everywhere.
"I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus" (1:4).
They lack no spiritual gift as they wait for Jesus to return.
God will keep them strong to the end. "God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful" (1:9).
Section 2 of 4Is Christ Divided?
"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you" (1:10).
Paul heard they were quarreling. Some said, "I follow Paul." Others said, "I follow Apollos," or "Peter," or even, "I follow Christ," as if Jesus were just another team.
"Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?" (1:13).
No. Only Christ died for them.
Section 3 of 4The Message of the Cross
"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" (1:18).
A crucified Savior sounded ridiculous. Crucifixion was the worst kind of death, for criminals and slaves.
Some people wanted miracles. Others wanted clever ideas.
"But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (1:23).
But to those God calls, Christ is "the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1:24).
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (1:25).
Section 4 of 4God Chose the Weak
Paul says, look at yourselves. Not many of you were wise, powerful, or important.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" (1:27).
He chose the lowly and the people others look down on, "so that no one may boast in His presence" (1:29).
Christ himself is our wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord" (1:31).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "God... is faithful" (1:9) | God will keep his people to the end. |
| "That there may be no divisions among you" (1:10) | Christians belong together. |
| "Is Christ divided?" (1:13) | Jesus isn't one team among many. |
| "The message of the cross is foolishness" (1:18) | A crucified Savior seems silly to the world. |
| "The power of God" (1:18) | The cross is how God saves. |
| "God chose the weak things of the world" (1:27) | God doesn't need impressive people. |
| "Boast in the Lord" (1:31) | Our only pride is in what God has done. |
Back Then
Apollos was a gifted speaker who taught in Corinth after Paul (Acts 18:24-28).
Cephas is Peter's name in Aramaic.
Greek culture prized wisdom and speaking skill. Traveling speakers drew big crowds and charged money.
Literal Reader Alert
Does God want us to be foolish? No. Paul means God's way of saving, through the cross, looks foolish to the world. Learning and thinking are good gifts.
Is it wrong to like a certain pastor? No. It's wrong to divide the church over leaders. They all serve the same Lord.
Did Paul not care about baptism? He did (see Romans 6:3-4). He was glad no one could claim they were baptized into his name.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paul | Thankful | God gave them grace (1:4) |
| The church | Divided | They were quarreling (1:11) |
| The world | Unimpressed | The cross seemed foolish (1:23) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does this chapter say to you? Tap one.
I feel unimportant
God chose the weak and lowly. He chose you.
My church is divided
Christ isn't divided. Pray for unity.
The cross seems strange
To the world, yes. To us, it's God's power.
I'm proud
Boast in the Lord, not in yourself.
You Might Have Heard
"Christianity is for smart, successful people."
What's true: God gives people minds and gifts to use.
What the passage is mainly about: God chose the weak and foolish things of the world on purpose. Salvation comes through the cross, which looks like weakness. That way no one can boast except in God.
Where Jesus is: Crucified. The cross is God's power and wisdom.
Good News
The world wanted signs and smarts. God gave a cross.
"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" (1:18).
God doesn't need you to be impressive. Christ is your wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
The message of the cross looks foolish, but it is the power of God. God chose the weak and lowly, so we boast only in the Lord.
Big Idea
The message of the cross looks like foolishness, but it is the power of God. God chose the weak and lowly, so no one can boast except in the Lord.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther built his "theology of the cross" on this chapter. He said the true theologian sees God not in glory and power, but in suffering and the cross.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads 1 Corinthians 1 on the Second, Third, and Fourth Sundays after the Epiphany. In Year B, it reads 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 on the First Sunday of Advent and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 on the Third Sunday in Lent.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
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.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- First Sunday of Advent Year BSecond reading, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
- Second Sunday after the Epiphany Year ASecond reading, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
- Third Sunday after the Epiphany Year ASecond reading, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
- Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Year ASecond reading, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
- Third Sunday in Lent Year BSecond reading, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
For a newsletter or sermon notes
1 Corinthians 1, explained in plain words. A church is splitting into teams. Paul points them to the cross, which looks foolish and is the power of God. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/1-corinthians-1/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church