Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to a divided Corinthian church, pivoting from the cross as a scandal (v. 23) to the cross as a gift, addressed specifically to "those who are called" within both Jewish and Greek factions.
The words — κλητοῖς (klētois), "the called," is a present participle marking a group defined by divine summons rather than self-identification; it does not mean "believers" in a generic sense but those to whom a call has been issued.
The thread — The same "power of God" phrase (δύναμις θεοῦ) appears in 1 Corinthians 1:18 for "us who are being saved," and 1 Corinthians 1:30 identifies Christ as "wisdom from God" for the same community; Colossians 2:3 locates "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" in Him.
Why it lands — The verse does not declare Christ power and wisdom in the abstract; it says He is so to the called, making the distinction not ethnic or intellectual but responsive. A reader must decide which side of that line they stand on.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
- Colossians 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 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.
- Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
- 1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- Romans 1:4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Proverbs 8:22 The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.
- Luke 7:35 But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
- Romans 9:24 including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles?