1 Corinthians 1:23 – “but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,”

Extended Explanation

This verse highlights the central message of Christianity—Jesus Christ crucified. Paul makes it clear that the gospel is not designed to meet human expectations or fit cultural preferences. Instead, it stands in direct contrast to what both Jews and Gentiles expected.

To the Jews, the idea of a crucified Messiah was a “stumbling block.” They were waiting for a powerful, conquering king who would restore Israel and defeat their enemies. The thought that the Messiah would suffer and die on a Roman cross was unthinkable. To them, a crucified Savior seemed like a contradiction.

To the Gentiles (non-Jews), especially the Greeks, the message of the cross was “foolishness.” Greek culture valued wisdom, logic, and philosophical debate. They expected deep intellectual insight, not a message about a man dying a shameful death on a cross. To them, the gospel seemed absurd and weak.

Despite these reactions, Paul and the early Christians boldly preached Christ crucified because it is the only way to salvation. This verse reminds us that the message of Jesus does not conform to human expectations—it confronts them.

Historical Context

At the time Paul was writing, both Jews and Gentiles had strong opinions about what a Savior should look like.

• The Jewish Perspective: The Jewish people were longing for the Messiah, a promised deliverer who would establish God’s kingdom. Many expected a warrior-king like David who would overthrow the Roman occupation and restore Israel’s power. Instead, Jesus came as a humble servant who was arrested, beaten, and executed by the very empire they expected Him to defeat. The cross—a Roman execution method meant for criminals—was a complete scandal to them.
• The Greek Perspective: Greeks valued philosophy and intellectual reasoning. They followed thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and they looked for truth that made sense by human logic. The idea that salvation came through a crucified man seemed ridiculous to them. In their minds, strength, success, and knowledge were the marks of a great leader—not suffering and humiliation.

By preaching “Christ crucified,” Paul was directly challenging both of these worldviews. The gospel was not about power as the Jews expected, nor about intellectual wisdom as the Greeks desired—it was about God’s power shown through what seemed like weakness.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches that the gospel is not shaped by human expectations but by God’s wisdom. It reveals two important truths:

1. God’s way is different from man’s way. People expect power, strength, and intelligence, but God chooses what looks weak and foolish to display His power and wisdom. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
2. The cross is essential to salvation. Jesus didn’t come just to teach wisdom or perform miracles—He came to die. The cross is not a side detail; it is at the very heart of Christianity. Without Christ crucified, there is no salvation.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording in this verse is intentional:

• “We preach Christ crucified” – The focus is on Jesus, not on human wisdom or expectations. Paul doesn’t change the message to make it more appealing; he sticks to the truth.
• “A stumbling block to Jews” – The Greek word for “stumbling block” (skandalon) refers to something that causes offense or makes someone trip. The cross was offensive to Jewish expectations.
• “Foolishness to Gentiles” – The Greek word (moria) is where we get the word “moron.” To the Greeks, the gospel sounded completely irrational.

Paul emphasizes that the gospel is not meant to please human minds—it is meant to save sinners.

Biblical Cross-References

• Isaiah 53:3-5 – The prophecy of a suffering Messiah who would bear the sins of many.
• Deuteronomy 21:23 – “Anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” This is why the Jews found the cross so offensive.
• Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:18 – “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.”
• Galatians 6:14 – “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is just as relevant today as it was in Paul’s time. Many people still reject the gospel because it doesn’t fit their expectations.

• Some want a God who gives them success, comfort, and miracles, but they don’t want a suffering Savior.
• Others want a religion that makes sense intellectually, one that aligns with modern human reasoning rather than requiring faith in what seems foolish to the world.

But just like in Paul’s day, the cross remains the only way to salvation. Christians must be bold in sharing the true gospel, even when it offends or seems foolish to others. We are not called to make the message popular—we are called to be faithful to the truth.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

At first glance, it may seem strange to say that the cross, an instrument of torture and death, is connected to God’s love. But that is exactly what makes God’s love so incredible.

Instead of showing His power through military conquest or human wisdom, God showed His love by sending Jesus to die for sinners. The cross is the greatest proof of God’s love:

• Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God could have chosen to save people in a way that fit human expectations, but He chose the way that would truly transform hearts.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the very fulfillment of this verse. He is the reason why the Jews stumbled and the Gentiles scoffed—yet He is also the only way to salvation.

• Jesus is the power of God for salvation. The Jews wanted power, and they missed that true power was found in Jesus conquering sin and death.
• Jesus is the wisdom of God. The Greeks wanted wisdom, but the greatest wisdom is found in God’s plan of redemption through the cross.

This is why Paul later says in 1 Corinthians 1:24 – “But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Jesus didn’t come to fit into human expectations—He came to fulfill God’s perfect plan.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think so many people struggle to accept the message of the cross?
2. Have you ever felt tempted to make Christianity “easier” for people to accept? Why is it important to preach Christ crucified without changing the message?
3. In what ways do modern people still seek signs (like the Jews) or wisdom (like the Greeks) instead of trusting in Christ?
4. How does knowing that God’s wisdom is different from human wisdom help you in your faith?
5. What are some practical ways you can boldly share the message of “Christ crucified” in a world that often sees it as foolishness?

This verse challenges every believer to stand firm in the truth of the gospel. No matter how offensive or foolish it may seem to the world, it remains the power and wisdom of God for salvation. Christ crucified is not a message to be ashamed of—it is the message that saves.