1 Corinthians 1:21 cpdv — For the world did not know God through wisdom, and so, in the wisdom of God, it pleased God to accomplish the salvation…

Catholic Public Domain Version

"For the world did not know God through wisdom, and so, in the wisdom of God, it pleased God to accomplish the salvation of believers, through the foolishness of our preaching. "

— 1 Corinthians 1:21, Catholic Public Domain Version

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1 Corinthians 1:21 in Other Translations

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1 Corinthians 1 — Context

18

For the Word of the Cross is certainly foolishness to those who are perishing. But to those who have been saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God.

19

For it has been written: “I will perish the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the discernment of the prudent.”

20

Where are the wise? Where are the scribes? Where are the truth-seekers of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of this world into foolishness?

21

For the world did not know God through wisdom, and so, in the wisdom of God, it pleased God to accomplish the salvation of believers, through the foolishness of our preaching.

22

For the Jews ask for signs, and the Greeks seek wisdom.

23

But we are preaching Christ crucified. Certainly, to the Jews, this is a scandal, and to the Gentiles, this is foolishness.

24

But to those who have been called, Jews as well as Greeks, the Christ is the virtue of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 1:21 say?
1 Corinthians 1:21 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “For the world did not know God through wisdom, and so, in the wisdom of God, it pleased God to accomplish the salvation of believers, through the foolishness of our preaching. ”
Where is 1 Corinthians 1:21 in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 1:21 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 1, verse 21.
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.
What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?
Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.
What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 1:21.
What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 1:21 in?
1 Corinthians 1:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 1:21?
1 Corinthians 1:21 reads (CPDV): “For the world did not know God through wisdom, and so, in the wisdom of God, it pleased God to accomplish the salvation of believers, through the foolishness of our preaching. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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