What does 1 Corinthians 1:23 mean?

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1 Corinthians 1:23

Explanation

The verse 1 Corinthians 1:23 comes from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. In this verse, Paul succinctly describes the core message of the Christian gospel and the diverse responses it elicited from different groups. “Christ crucified” refers to the event of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, which is at the heart of Christian theology as the means of salvation and redemption for mankind. Paul acknowledges that this message is a “stumbling block” to Jews, who had expectations of a conquering Messiah rather than a suffering servant. To the Greeks, who valued wisdom and rhetorical skill, the idea of a divine figure being crucified was considered “foolishness.”

Historical Context

During the time of the early Christian church, Paul’s missionary work brought him into contact with various cultural and religious backgrounds. The Jews had been waiting for the promised Messiah, who they believed would deliver Israel and establish a powerful kingdom on earth. The concept of a Messiah who would suffer and die on a cross did not align with their expectations. The Greeks, heavily influenced by philosophy and human reason, could not fathom a god who would subject themselves to such a lowly and humiliating death. The early church had to navigate these diverse and often conflicting worldviews as they preached the gospel.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse highlights the paradoxical nature of the gospel message – it challenges conventional wisdom and expectations. The cross, a symbol of Roman execution and shame, becomes a symbol of divine love and sacrifice in Christianity. For Jews who believed in a Messiah that would triumph over Israel’s enemies, the idea of a crucified savior was scandalous. Meanwhile, Greek philosophy that sought after lofty ideals struggled with the concept of a deity becoming human and suffering a criminal’s death. This reveals the countercultural and radical nature of Christian proclamation.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, 1 Corinthians 1:23 can be seen as an encouragement to maintain fidelity to the core message of the Gospel, even when it is at odds with the prevailing cultural or religious ideologies. It serves as an admonition that the truth of the Christian faith may be countercultural and challenge popular beliefs, and as such, may not always be received with understanding or acceptance. Additionally, it can encourage modern Christians to be empathetic in their evangelism, understanding that the Gospel might be difficult for others to accept or understand.

Cross-References

• Romans 9:33: “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
• 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.”
• Galatians 5:11: “And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.”
• Acts 17:32: “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.”

Language Study

The key words in this verse in the original Greek are:

• “Christos” (Χριστός): Anointed One or Messiah
• “estaurōmenos” (ἐσταυρωμένος): Crucified, from the verb stauroō, emphasizing the shocking nature of crucifixion for both Jews and Greeks.
• “skandalon” (σκάνδαλον): Stumbling block, indicating something that causes one to trip or fall, metaphorically a cause of offense or disbelief.
• “mōria” (μωρία): Foolishness, from which the English word “moron” is derived, indicating something that lacks sense or is absurd.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, in many ancient religions, gods were often portrayed as powerful and invincible, not vulnerable and suffering. In Greek mythology, for example, the gods on Mount Olympus were distant and often indifferent to human suffering. The crucifixion of a deity would defy these ancient mythological concepts. In contrast, the God of Christianity is one who enters into human suffering and experiences death, which is a conspicuous divergence from many other ancient religious narratives.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not directly correlate with scientific findings or theories as it discusses a historical event and its theological implications rather than a natural phenomenon. However, the historicity of Jesus and the events surrounding his crucifixion have been of interest to historians and archaeologists. While science may provide context or validation for the existence of certain figures or places mentioned in the Bible, the theological claims about the meaning of Christ’s crucifixion remain within the realm of faith.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse, emphasizing different aspects of its message:

• Martin Luther spoke about the “theology of the cross” which suggests that one truly understands God through the suffering of the cross, rather than through human wisdom or achievement.
• John Calvin may have highlighted the sovereignty of God in the salvation plan, focusing on divine wisdom overriding human expectations.
• More contemporary scholars, like N.T. Wright, discuss the historical Jesus and the veracity of the crucifixion, while also addressing the radical shift the early Christian movement represented in the religious thought of the day.
• Furthermore, commentators often discuss the role this verse plays in understanding the early church’s confrontation with both Jewish and Hellenistic cultures.