The Wisdom of the Cross versus Worldly Wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
1Cor.1.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
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- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μεν: PART
- απολλυμενοις: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ptc,dat,pl,m
- μωρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- σωζομενοις: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ptc,dat,pl,m
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- δυναμις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 (verbal): Direct parallel within the same argument: 'we preach Christ crucified' described as a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, restating that the cross is seen as folly by some.
- 1 Corinthians 2:2-5 (thematic): Paul insists he determined to know nothing except Christ crucified and relied on the Spirit's demonstration of power rather than persuasive wisdom—echoing the contrast between 'foolishness' and God's power.
- Romans 1:16 (verbal): The gospel is explicitly called 'the power of God for salvation'—language that closely parallels 'to us who are being saved it is the power of God.'
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 (verbal): Contrasts human wisdom with God's way of salvation: 'God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe,' directly developing the same paradox in 1:18.
- Isaiah 29:14 (quotation): Paul elsewhere (1:19) appeals to this Isaiah promise ('I will destroy the wisdom of the wise') to show that God overturns human wisdom—an Old Testament source behind the 'foolishness' motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- 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.
1Cor.1.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- γαρ·Απολω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
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- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- σοφων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συνεσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- συνετων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- αθετησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:14 (quotation): Direct citation (LXX/MT): Paul quotes Isaiah to show God will overturn the wisdom of the wise — the immediate source of 1 Cor 1:19.
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 (verbal): Immediate context in the same argument — Paul’s rhetorical challenge ('Where is the wise?') continues the critique of human wisdom that 1:19 expresses.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (thematic): Develops the same theme: God’s hidden wisdom revealed in Christ and the failure of worldly rulers to perceive it, illustrating how divine wisdom confounds human wisdom.
- Matthew 11:25 (thematic): Jesus praises the Father for hiding truths from the 'wise and intelligent' and revealing them to 'little children,' a parallel motif of God overturning human wisdom and status.
- Romans 1:22 (thematic): Paul’s statement that those who 'claimed to be wise became fools' echoes the theme that human pretensions to wisdom are judged and reversed by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.'
- For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.'
1Cor.1.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- που: ADV
- σοφος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- που: ADV
- γραμματευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- που: ADV
- συζητητης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αιωνος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- ουχι: PART
- εμωρανεν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σοφιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:14 (quotation): Paul explicitly alludes/quotes Isaiah's taunt that God will 'destroy the wisdom of the wise,' which 1 Cor 1:20–19 echoes as scriptural warrant.
- 1 Corinthians 3:19 (verbal): Directly repeats the assertion that 'the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God,' reinforcing the same contrast between divine and human wisdom.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (structural): Continues the same argumentative framework: God's hidden wisdom contrasted with human rulers' inability to comprehend the divine plan—explaining why human wisdom fails.
- Romans 1:22 (thematic): Carries a similar theme that human claims to wisdom result in folly ('professing themselves to be wise, they became fools'), underscoring human wisdom's inadequacy apart from God.
- James 3:15 (thematic): Contrasts heavenly wisdom with earthly, sensual, demonic 'wisdom,' echoing the Johannine/Pauline distinction that not all wisdom is from God and some is effectively foolish.
Alternative generated candidates
- Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
- Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1Cor.1.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επειδη: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- σοφια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγνω: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
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- σοφιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
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- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
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- σωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- πιστευοντας: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Cor.1.18 (structural): Immediate context: contrasts the 'foolishness' of the cross with human wisdom — the gospel is called folly to those who are perishing, a direct continuation of the same argument about God's method of salvation.
- 1 Cor.1.27 (verbal): Parallel vocabulary and theme: 'God chose the foolish things of the world'—echoes the idea that God uses what appears foolish (the preaching) to accomplish salvation and to shame human wisdom.
- 1 Cor.2.1-5 (thematic): Paul's argument that he did not come with persuasive words of human wisdom but with demonstration of Spirit and power reinforces that salvation depends on God's power, not rhetorical wisdom, matching the claim of 1:21.
- 1 Cor.3.19 (verbal): Uses the same contrast: 'the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God' — a concise restatement of the conviction that worldly wisdom cannot attain knowledge of God and is judged by God.
- Isaiah 29:14 (allusion): Old Testament background: God overturns and frustrates human wisdom ('I will destroy the wisdom of the wise'); Paul draws on this prophetic tradition to explain God's preference for 'foolish' means of salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through its own wisdom, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was proclaimed to save those who believe.
- For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who believe.
1Cor.1.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επειδη: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ιουδαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- σημεια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αιτουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ptc,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- Ελληνες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- σοφιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ζητουσιν·: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 12:38 (thematic): Pharisees and scribes ask Jesus for a miraculous sign—parallels Paul's claim that 'Jews demand signs' as a pattern of seeking miraculous proof.
- John 2:18 (thematic): Temple authorities demand a sign from Jesus ('What sign do you show us?'), another instance of Jewish leaders seeking signs, echoing 1 Cor 1:22.
- Acts 17:21 (thematic): Luke's portrait of Athenian culture—people given to hearing and discussing new ideas—parallels Paul's remark that 'Greeks seek wisdom' and the philosophical disposition he encountered.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (structural): Immediate context: Paul contrasts the preaching of Christ crucified as a 'stumbling block to Jews' and 'folly to Gentiles,' developing the contrast between Jewish demand for signs and Greek pursuit of wisdom begun in v.22.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
- For Jews ask for signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
1Cor.1.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- δε: CONJ
- κηρυσσομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- Χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εσταυρωμενον: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,acc,sg,m
- Ιουδαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- σκανδαλον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εθνεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- μωριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 (verbal): Same theme/contrast: the message of the cross is portrayed as folly to some and as God’s power/salvation to others (explicitly parallels 'Christ crucified' being seen as folly).
- 1 Corinthians 2:2 (verbal): Paul reiterates the centrality of 'Jesus Christ, and him crucified,' echoing the identical proclamation and priority stated in 1 Cor 1:23.
- Acts 17:32 (thematic): At Mars Hill some Greeks 'sneered' when Paul spoke of resurrection—an example of Gentiles treating the gospel as foolishness, paralleling 'to the Gentiles foolishness.'
- Isaiah 8:14 (allusion): The OT image of God/servant as a 'stone of stumbling' and 'rock of offense' underlies NT language about Christ as a stumbling block to those who reject him, a background for Paul's wording in 1 Cor 1:23.
- 1 Peter 2:8 (allusion): Describes Christ as 'a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense' causing those who disobey to stumble—an explicit NT parallel to Paul's claim that Christ crucified is a scandal/stumbling block.
Alternative generated candidates
- but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.
- but we preach Christ crucified—a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.
1Cor.1.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
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- δε: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- κλητοις: PART,perf,pass,dat,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ελλησιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- Χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δυναμιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- σοφιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 (verbal): Explicitly identifies the message of the cross as 'the power of God,' closely paralleling 1 Cor 1:24's language that Christ is the power of God.
- Romans 1:16 (verbal): Paul's declaration that the gospel 'is the power of God for salvation' echoes the same characterization of divine power associated with Christ in 1 Cor 1:24.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 (verbal): Speaks of Christ (or God in Christ) as 'wisdom from God'—a direct conceptual parallel to 1 Cor 1:24's 'the wisdom of God.'
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 (thematic): Contrasts human wisdom with 'the wisdom of God,' providing the theological background for calling Christ God's wisdom in 1:24.
- Colossians 2:3 (thematic): Describes Christ as the locus of 'all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,' thematically paralleling the portrayal of Christ as God's wisdom in 1 Cor 1:24.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
- Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Cor.1.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μωρον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- σοφωτερον: ADJ,nom,sg,n,comp
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
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- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 (verbal): Same Pauline motif: the 'foolishness' of the cross/God is contrasted with human wisdom; both verses overturn human judgments about wisdom and power.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (thematic): Continues Paul's contrast between human rulers' wisdom and God's hidden wisdom and power—God's plan appears foolish to worldly sages but is supremely wise and victorious.
- Luke 10:21 (thematic): Jesus praises the Father for hiding revelation from the 'wise and learned' and revealing it to 'little children,' reflecting the theme that God's ways surpass and overturn human wisdom.
- Isaiah 55:8-9 (allusion): Proclaims that God's thoughts and ways are higher than human ones, providing an Old Testament background for the claim that divine 'foolishness' and 'weakness' transcend human wisdom and strength.
- Romans 11:33 (thematic): Paul's doxology on the depth and inscrutability of God's judgments and wisdom echoes the idea that God's ways and wisdom exceed human understanding and capability.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
- For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1Cor.1.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Βλεπετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- γαρ: PART
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κλησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
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- ου: PART,neg
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- δυνατοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ευγενεις·: ADJ,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 (verbal): Direct continuation and contrast: after noting that few were wise, powerful, or noble, Paul immediately states God chose the foolish, weak, and lowly — verbal antithesis to v.26.
- 1 Corinthians 1:28 (verbal): Closely linked follow-up clause describing what God chose (the lowly, despised, and things that are not) — reinforces and expands the contrast introduced in v.26.
- James 2:5 (thematic): Affirms the theme that God chooses or honors the poor/lowly in faith rather than the socially or intellectually elite.
- Matthew 11:25 (thematic): Jesus thanks the Father for hiding truths from the wise and learned and revealing them to little children — parallels the motif of divine preference over human wisdom.
- Luke 6:20 (thematic): The Beatitude 'Blessed are you who are poor' echoes the positive valuation of the lowly and marginal that underlies Paul's remark about calling.
Alternative generated candidates
- Consider your calling, brothers: not many were wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.
- Consider your calling, brothers: not many were wise according to the flesh, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
1Cor.1.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- μωρα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εξελεξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
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- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
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Parallels
- Matthew 11:25 (thematic): Jesus praises the Father for hiding truths from the 'wise and prudent' and revealing them to 'babes'—a similar theme of God overturning human wisdom.
- Luke 1:52 (thematic): Mary's Magnificat speaks of God putting down the mighty and exalting the lowly, echoing the reversal of worldly status in 1 Cor 1:27.
- James 2:5 (thematic): James states that God has chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith, paralleling Paul's emphasis on God choosing the lowly/weak to shame the strong.
- Isaiah 29:14 (verbal): God declares he will 'destroy the wisdom of the wise' and confound the understanding of the prudent—language closely reflected in Paul's claim that God chose the 'foolish' to shame the wise.
- Jeremiah 9:23-24 (thematic): Jeremiah warns against boasting in wisdom or strength and points to the knowledge of God as the true ground for boasting, resonating with Paul's subversion of worldly wisdom and might.
Alternative generated candidates
- But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
- But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
1Cor.1.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αγενη: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εξουθενημενα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
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- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- μη: PART
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- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
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- καταργηση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 (verbal): Immediate context—Paul uses parallel language in v.27: God chose the ‘foolish’ and the ‘weak’ to shame the wise and strong, closely repeating the contrast in v.28.
- James 2:5 (verbal): James echoes the motif and terminology: God has ‘chosen the poor of this world’ to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, paralleling God’s preference for the lowly.
- Luke 1:52-53 (allusion): Mary’s Magnificat proclaims that God has ‘brought down the mighty’ and ‘exalted the humble,’ reflecting the same theme of God overturning human status and choosing the lowly.
- 1 Samuel 2:7-8 (thematic): Hannah’s song speaks of God raising the poor from the dust and bringing the lowly to inherit, an Old Testament antecedent of the motif that God selects the humble and nullifies human greatness.
Alternative generated candidates
- God chose the low and despised things of the world, the things that are nothing, to bring to nothing the things that are,
- God chose the lowly and despised, the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,
1Cor.1.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οπως: CONJ
- μη: PART
- καυχησηται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,subj,3,sg
- πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- σαρξ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 4:7 (verbal): Same rhetorical thrust: 'What do you have that you did not receive?... why do you boast as if you did not receive it?'—challenges human boasting before God.
- Romans 3:27 (verbal): Paul asks 'Where is boasting then? It is excluded.'—explicitly denies grounds for human boasting in the matter of salvation/justification.
- Ephesians 2:9 (thematic): 'Not by works, so that no one may boast'—same theological point that divine gift/salvation prevents human boasting.
- Philippians 3:3 (thematic): Contrast between trusting in Christ and 'having no confidence in the flesh'—rejects confidence/boasting in human achievement.
- Jeremiah 9:24 (quotation): Paul will cite this verse in 1 Corinthians 1:31 ('Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord'); Jeremiah limits acceptable boasting to knowing the Lord, undercutting human pride.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that no one may boast before God.
- so that no one might boast before him.
1Cor.1.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εξ: PREP
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εγενηθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- σοφια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- απο: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δικαιοσυνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- αγιασμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- απολυτρωσις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Proverbs 8:22-30 (allusion): Paul’s language mirrors Jewish Wisdom tradition: Wisdom is presented as originating with God and present in the world’s ordering, paralleling Christ described as ‘wisdom from God’ who becomes present for us.
- John 1:14-17 (thematic): The Word ‘became’ flesh and from his fullness we receive grace and truth — a parallel theme of the divine person who becomes the source of saving blessings (wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption).
- Colossians 2:3 (verbal): ‘In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ closely parallels 1 Cor 1:30’s identification of Christ as the source and embodiment of divine wisdom.
- Romans 3:21-24 (verbal): Paul’s discussion of the righteousness of God revealed apart from the law and the redemption/justification available through Christ echoes 1 Cor 1:30’s linking of Christ with righteousness and redemption given to believers.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (thematic): The substitutionary and forensic language — God making Christ sin so that believers might become God’s righteousness — resonates with 1 Cor 1:30’s claim that believers are ‘in Christ’ who is their righteousness and means of sanctification and redemption.
Alternative generated candidates
- And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
- And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
1Cor.1.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- καθως: CONJ
- γεγραπται·Ο: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- καυχωμενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- καυχασθω: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,3,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 9:24 (quotation): Paul is explicitly citing this OT verse ('Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord') as his source; original context contrasts boasting in wisdom, might, or riches with boasting in God.
- 2 Corinthians 10:17 (quotation): Paul repeats the same formula elsewhere ('Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord'), using it as a concluding maxim in polemical argumentation.
- Galatians 6:14 (verbal): Paul contrasts worldly grounds for boasting with his only boast—'in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ'—echoing the theme of boasting properly directed to the Lord.
- Philippians 3:3 (thematic): Paul and his co-workers 'boast in Christ Jesus' and not in the flesh, reflecting the same theological emphasis that true boasting belongs to the Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'
- So then, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'
1Cor.2.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Καγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- καθ᾽υπεροχην: PREP+NOUN,acc,sg,f
- λογου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σοφιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- καταγγελλων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μαρτυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Cor.1.17 (verbal): Paul similarly insists he was not sent to proclaim the gospel with 'wisdom of words' but to preach Christ—close verbal and conceptual echo about avoiding rhetorical excellence.
- 1 Cor.2.4–5 (structural): Immediate context that expands 2:1: Paul clarifies his speech was not persuasive human wisdom but a demonstration of the Spirit and power—direct continuation of the same claim.
- 1 Cor.1.18 (thematic): Contrasts human wisdom with the message of the cross, which appears foolish to the world—same theme that God’s testimony transcends rhetorical skill.
- 1 Cor.1.26–29 (thematic): Paul stresses God’s choice of the weak and foolish to shame the wise and strong, reinforcing the motif that God’s testimony is proclaimed apart from human excellence.
- Rom.1.16–17 (thematic): Paul elsewhere presents the gospel as the power of God for salvation, not dependent on human wisdom—aligns with 2:1’s emphasis on relying on God’s testimony rather than rhetorical display.
Alternative generated candidates
- When I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
- And I, brothers, when I came to you, did not come proclaiming the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
1Cor.2.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- εκρινα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ειδεναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εσταυρωμενον·: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (thematic): Paul contrasts human wisdom with the 'message of the cross'—the same centrality of Christ crucified as the power and wisdom of God that he insists on knowing among the Corinthians.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 (verbal): Explicitly declares 'Christ crucified' as the proclamation Paul and others preach—directly echoes 2:2's focus on Jesus Christ and him crucified.
- Philippians 3:8-10 (thematic): Paul speaks of counting everything loss to 'gain Christ' and to know him, including participation in his sufferings and conformity to his death—parallels the single-minded pursuit of Christ crucified in 1 Cor 2:2.
- Galatians 6:14 (verbal): Paul refuses to boast in anything 'except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,' echoing the exclusive centrality of the crucified Christ in Paul’s identity and message.
- Galatians 2:20 (allusion): Paul’s statement 'I have been crucified with Christ' connects personally to the theology of the crucified Christ that he proclaims in 1 Cor 2:2—linking proclamation and believer participation in the crucifixion.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
- For I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1Cor.2.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- εν: PREP
- ασθενεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- φοβω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τρομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πολλω: ADV
- εγενομην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- 1Cor.2.1-5 (structural): Immediate context — Paul explains why he came 'in weakness and in fear and in much trembling' as part of his argument that he relied on the Spirit's power rather than human wisdom.
- Phil.2.12 (verbal): Uses the same phrase 'with fear and trembling' (μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου), echoing the language of reverent anxiety in Christian conduct and ministry.
- 2Cor.12.9-10 (thematic): Paul's theme of personal weakness: he speaks of weakness as a context for God's strength and later will 'boast' in weaknesses — resonates with admitting weakness in 1 Cor 2:3.
- 2Tim.1.7 (thematic): Contrasts Paul’s reported fear with the theological claim that God 'gave us not a spirit of fear but of power,' highlighting tension between human apprehension in ministry and divine enablement.
Alternative generated candidates
- I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling.
- I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.
1Cor.2.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κηρυγμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εν: PREP
- πειθοι: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- σοφιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αλλ᾽εν: CONJ
- αποδειξει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- δυναμεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1Corinthians 2:1 (verbal): Paul’s immediately preceding statement echoes the same contrast—he came not with ‘lofty speech or wisdom of words’—setting up the verbal and conceptual context for 2:4’s rejection of persuasive human wisdom.
- 1Corinthians 1:17 (verbal): Similar formulation rejecting ‘wisdom of words’ as the means of Paul’s mission; both verses stress that the gospel is not delivered by rhetorical persuasion but by God’s saving action.
- 1Thessalonians 1:5 (verbal): ‘Our gospel came not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit’ closely parallels 1 Cor 2:4’s language—emphasizing that proclamation was accompanied by Spirit-empowered demonstration, not mere rhetoric.
- Romans 15:19 (thematic): Paul claims to have preached ‘by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God,’ echoing 1 Cor 2:4’s emphasis on Spirit and power as the basis and validation of apostolic preaching rather than persuasive speech.
- 2Corinthians 12:12 (thematic): Paul points to ‘signs, wonders and mighty works’ as marks of an apostle—a parallel theme showing that apostolic authority and the effectiveness of preaching are demonstrated by Spirit-wrought power rather than rhetorical skill.
Alternative generated candidates
- My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
- My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but with demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1Cor.2.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιστις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- μη: PART
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- σοφια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αλλ᾽εν: CONJ
- δυναμει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1Corinthians 2:4 (structural): Immediate context: Paul insists his speech was not with human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, paralleling faith rooted in God's power rather than human wisdom.
- 1Corinthians 1:18 (thematic): Contrasts human judgment of 'foolishness' with the message of the cross as the power of God for those being saved — echoes the contrast between human wisdom and divine power.
- Romans 1:16 (thematic): Paul declares the gospel is 'the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,' aligning faith's ground with divine power rather than human wisdom.
- 1Corinthians 3:19-20 (verbal): Affirms that 'the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God' and that God knows human thoughts — a direct challenge to reliance on human wisdom.
- 2Corinthians 12:9 (thematic): God's power is perfected in human weakness; Paul embraces weakness so Christ's power may rest on him, underscoring faith's dependence on divine power rather than human capability.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that your faith might not rest on the wisdom of men but on the power of God.
- so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
For the word about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will frustrate."
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through its wisdom, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.
Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
and God chose the lowborn and despised things of the world—even things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
so that no human being might boast before God. But it is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—righteousness, sanctification, and redemption—
so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." And I, brothers, when I came to you, did not come proclaiming the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.
My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God.