1 Corinthians 1:24

Amplified Bible

but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
But Christ is God's power and wisdom to the people God has chosen, both Jews and Greeks.

Revised Standard Version
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
but vnto the which are called both of Iewes and Grekes we preache Christ ye power of God and the wysdome of God.

Hebrew Names Version
but to those who are called, both Yehudim and Yevanim, Messiah is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

International Standard Version
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God's power and God's wisdom.Romans 1:4,16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Colossians 2:3;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

New Century Version
But Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God to those people God has called—Jews and Greeks.

Update Bible Version
but to those that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
But to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

English Standard Version
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

World English Bible
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But to them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Weymouth's New Testament
but to those who have received the Call, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but to tho Jewis and Grekis that ben clepid, we prechen Crist the vertu of God and the wisdom of God.

English Revised Version
but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Berean Standard Bible
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Contemporary English Version
Our message is God's power and wisdom for the Jews and the Greeks that he has chosen.

American Standard Version
but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Bible in Basic English
But to those of God's selection, Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power and the wisdom of God.

Complete Jewish Bible
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, this same Messiah is God's power and God's wisdom!

Darby Translation
but to those that [are] called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ God's power and God's wisdom.

Etheridge Translation
but to them who are called, Jihudoyee and Aramoyee, the Meshiha is the power of Aloha, and the wisdom of Aloha.

Murdock Translation
but to them who are called, both Jews and Gentiles, Messiah is the energy of God, and the wisdom of God.

King James Version (1611)
But vnto them which are called, both Iewes and Greekes, Christ, the power of God, & the wisedome of God.

New Living Translation
But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

New Life Bible
Christ is the power and wisdom of God to those who are chosen to be saved from the punishment of sin for both Jews and Greeks.

New Revised Standard
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Geneva Bible (1587)
But vnto them which are called, both of the Iewes and Grecians, we preach Christ, the power of God, and the wisedome of God.

George Lamsa Translation
But for those who are called, both Jews and Syrians, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, unto the called themselves - both Jews and Greeks, Christ, God's power, and, God's wisdom.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But vnto them which are called both of the Iewes and Grekes [we preache] Christe the power of God, and the wisedome of God.

Good News Translation
but for those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, this message is Christ, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Christian Standard Bible®
Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God,

King James Version
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Lexham English Bible
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Literal Translation
but to the called out ones, both to Jews and to Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God;

Young's Literal Translation
and to those called -- both Jews and Greeks -- Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But vnto them that are called (both Iewes and Grekes) we preach Christ the power of God and the wyssdome off God.

Mace New Testament (1729)
both Jews and Gentiles, he is the Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

New English Translation
But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

New King James Version
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Simplified Cowboy Version
But to those who have been saved, they understand Jesus is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Contextual Overview

¹⁷For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]—not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be made ineffective [deprived of its saving power]. ¹⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God's grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written and forever remains written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE [the philosophy of the philosophers], AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER [who do not know Me] I WILL NULLIFY." ²⁰Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world's wisdom? ²¹For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior]. ²²For Jews demand signs (attesting miracles), and Greeks pursue [worldly] wisdom and philosophy, ²³but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense], ²⁴but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵[This is] because the foolishness of God [is not foolishness at all and] is wiser than men [far beyond human comprehension], and the weakness of God is stronger than men [far beyond the limits of human effort]. ²⁶Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

called: 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Luke 7:35, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 9:24

the power: 1 Corinthians 1:18, Romans 1:4, Romans 1:16

the wisdom: 1 Corinthians 1:30, Proverbs 8:1, Proverbs 8:22-30, Colossians 2:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:7 - to bear it withal Numbers 11:7 - the manna Joshua 3:14 - bearing the ark 1 Kings 3:28 - the wisdom Job 12:13 - wisdom Job 36:5 - mighty Psalms 110:2 - the rod Proverbs 1:20 - Wisdom Proverbs 2:7 - layeth Proverbs 8:14 - Counsel Isaiah 48:12 - my called Isaiah 53:1 - the Isaiah 63:5 - mine own Daniel 3:3 - the princes Matthew 11:19 - But Luke 9:31 - spake John 12:38 - the arm Acts 8:10 - the great power Acts 11:20 - preaching 1 Corinthians 1:21 - in 1 Corinthians 4:20 - General 1 Corinthians 15:1 - I declare 2 Corinthians 6:7 - the power Galatians 1:15 - and Galatians 3:1 - Jesus Christ Ephesians 3:10 - manifold 1 Thessalonians 1:5 - but Hebrews 4:12 - is quick

Cross-References

Genesis 1:9
Then God said, "Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place [of standing, pooling together], and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

Genesis 1:10
God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that this was good (pleasing, useful) and He affirmed and sustained it.

Genesis 6:20
"Of fowls and birds according to their kind, of animals according to their kind, of every crawling thing of the ground according to its kind—two of every kind shall come to you to keep them alive.

Genesis 7:14
they and every animal according to its kind, all the livestock according to their kinds, every moving thing that crawls on the earth according to its kind, and every bird according to its kind, every winged thing of every sort.

Genesis 8:19
Every animal, every crawling thing, every bird—and whatever moves on the land—went out by families (types, groupings) from the ark.

Job 39:1
"Do you know the time when the wild goats of the rock give birth [to their young]? Do you observe the calving of the deer?

Job 39:5
"Who sent out the wild donkey free [from dependence on man]? And who has loosed the bonds of the wild donkey [to survive in the wild],

Job 39:9
"Will the wild ox be willing to serve you, Or remain beside your manger at night?

Job 39:19
"Have you given the horse his might? Have you clothed his neck with quivering and a shaking mane?

Job 40:15
"Behold now, Behemoth, which I created as well as you; He eats grass like an ox.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But unto them which are called,.... Effectually, by the grace of God, not merely externally, but internally; these have other sentiments of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation by him; for being called out of darkness, and savingly illuminated by the Spirit of God, they see wisdom, beauty, glory, excellency, and suitableness in Christ, and in his Gospel; and having felt the power of it upon their souls, with them,

both Jews and Greeks, of whatsoever nation they be, and whatsoever their prejudices have been, Christ, to them is,

the power of God, and the wisdom of God: he is "the power of God"; this is opposed to the Jews who stumbled at his weakness, his sufferings and death, even the death of the cross; and is to be understood of him, not as God, in which sense he is Mighty, yea, the Almighty, and which appears by his works of creation and providence; but as Mediator, and of him in his low and mean estate, and even when he was crucified through weakness; in respect to that very thing in which he was weakness, and so stumbling, to others, he is to them that are called the power of God; as is clear by his bearing all the sins of his people in his own body, on the tree, the cross whereon he was crucified, and all the punishment due thereunto; and yet he failed not, nor was he discouraged, nor did he give out, till he had satisfied law and justice perfectly, and made a full end of sin, and an entire reconciliation for iniquity; as also by destroying, by his death, the devil, who had the power of death, and spoiling all his principalities and powers, triumphing over them on his cross; by redeeming his people from all their sins, and the curse of the law, and from him that was stronger than they; by abolishing death, and at last raising himself from the dead; all which show him, even when and "though" crucified, to be the power of God, or to be possessed of Almighty power; for these are things which a mere creature could never have done: and he is "the wisdom of God", also, in the account of these persons; and which likewise is to be understood, it being opposed to the opinions the Greeks had of him, not of him as the essential wisdom of God, as he is the wise Creator and Governor of the universe; but of him as Mediator, and in respect to that for which the Greeks accounted him foolishness: for in redemption and salvation by a crucified Christ, God hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence: there is in this article a high display of the wisdom of God; for hereby justice was satisfied in that nature which sinned, and Satan destroyed in that nature which he himself had been the ruin of; hereby sin was condemned, and yet the sinner saved; pardon and justification came to be in a way of grace, and yet of strict justice; all the divine perfections harmonize, and are glorified, and God has hereby executed his wise designs and counsels of old; yea, even the wisdom of God is seen in Christ's dying the death of the cross, whereby he appeared to be made a curse for us, that he might redeem us from the curse of the law, and that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But unto them which are called - To all true Christians. See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:9.

Both Jews and Greeks - Whether originally of Jewish or Gentile extraction, they have here a common, similar view of the crucified Saviour.

Christ the power of God - Christ appears to them as the power of God; or it is through him that the power of salvation is communicated to them. See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:18.

And the wisdom of God - The way in which God evinces his wisdom in the salvation of people. They see the plan to be wise. They see that it is adapted to the end. They see it to be suited to procure pardon, and sanctification, and eternal life. It is God’s wise plan for the salvation of people; and it is seen by those who are Christians, to be adapted to this end. They see that there is a beauty in his character; an excellency in his doctrines; and an efficacy in his atonement, to secure their salvation. - We may remark on this verse:

(1) That when people become Christians, their hearts are changed. The views of Christians are here represented as diametrically opposite to those of other people. To one class, Christ is a stumbling-block; to others, folly; to Christians he is full of beauty. But those views of the Christian, can be obtained only by a change of heart. And the change from regarding an object or being as foolishness to regarding it as full of beauty, must be a radical and a mighty change.

(2) All Christians have similar views of the Saviour. It matters not whether they were Jew or Greek; it matters not whether they were born in a northern or southern clime - “whether an Indian or an African sun has burned upon them;” whether they speak the same or different languages; whether they were born amidst the same or different denominations of Christians; whether in the same or different countries; or whether they are people in the same or different Christian communities, they have the same views of the Saviour. They see him to be the power and the wisdom of God. They are united in him, and therefore united to each other; and should regard themselves as belonging to the same family, and as bound to the same eternal home.

(3) There is real efficacy in the plan of salvation. It is a scheme of power. It is adapted to the end, and is admirably suited to accomplish the great effects which God designs to accomplish. It is not a scheme intended to show its own imbecility, and the need of another and an independent agent to accomplish the work. All the effects which the Holy Spirit produces on the soul, are such, and only such, as the truth of the gospel is adapted to produce in the mind. The gospel is God’s plan of putting forth power to save people. It seizes upon great elements in human nature; and is adapted to enlist them in the service of God. It is just suited to man as a being capable of reasoning and susceptible of emotion; as a being who maybe influenced by hope and fear; who may be excited and impelled to duty by conscience, and who may be roused from a state of lethargy and sin by the prospect of eternal life, and the apprehension of eternal death. “As such” it should always be preached - as a system “wise,” and “adapted” to the great end in view, as a system most powerful and “mighty to the pulling down of strong holds.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 24. But unto them which are called — τοις κλητοις. Those, both of Jews and Greeks, who were by the preaching of the Gospel called or invited to the marriage feast, and have accordingly believed in Christ Jesus; they prove this doctrine to be divinely powerful, to enlighten and convert the soul, and to be a proof of God's infinite wisdom, which has found out such an effectual way to glorify both his justice and mercy, and save, to the uttermost, all that come to him through Christ Jesus. The called, or invited, κλητοι, is a title of genuine Christians, and is frequently used in the New Testament. αγιοι, saints, is used in the same sense.