1 Corinthians 1:18

New International Reader's Version

The message of the cross seems foolish to those who are lost and dying. But it is God’s power to us who are being saved.

Cross References

Acts 13:41

“ ‘Look, you who make fun of the truth! Wonder and die! I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe. You wouldn’t believe it even if someone told you.’ ” (Habakkuk 1:5)

Acts 17:18

A group of Epicurean and Stoic thinkers began to argue with him. Some of them asked, “What is this fellow chattering about?” Others said, “He seems to be telling us about gods we’ve never heard of.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus. He was telling them that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Acts 17:32

They heard Paul talk about the dead being raised. Some of them made fun of this idea. But others said, “We want to hear you speak about this again.”

Acts 2:47

They praised God. They were respected by all the people. Every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

Romans 1:16

I want to preach it because I’m not ashamed of the good news. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes. It is meant first for the Jews. It is meant also for the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 1:21

God wisely planned that the world would not know him through its own wisdom. It pleased God to use the foolish things we preach to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 15:2

Because you believed the good news, you are saved. But you must hold firmly to the message I preached to you. If you don’t, you have believed it for nothing.

1 Corinthians 2:14

The person without the Spirit doesn’t accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. These things are foolish to them. They can’t understand them. In fact, such things can’t be understood without the Spirit’s help.

1 Corinthians 2:2

My goal while I was with you was to talk about only one thing. And that was Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.

1 Corinthians 3:19

The wisdom of this world is foolish in God’s eyes. It is written, “God catches wise people in their own evil plans.” (Job 5:13)

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fools for Christ. But you are so wise in Christ! We are weak. But you are so strong! You are honored. But we are looked down on!

2 Corinthians 10:4

The weapons I fight with are not the weapons the world uses. In fact, it is just the opposite. My weapons have the power of God to destroy the camps of the enemy.

2 Corinthians 4:3

Suppose our good news is covered with a veil. Then it is veiled to those who are dying.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

Our good news didn’t come to you only in words. It came with power. It came with the Holy Spirit’s help. He gave us complete faith in what we were preaching. You know how we lived among you for your good.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

So people who are dying will be fooled by this evil. These people are dying because they refuse to love the truth. The truth would save them.

Hebrews 12:2

Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 4:12

The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate bones from joints. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.