📖 Biblical Definition
"The foolishness of the cross" is Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 that the message of a crucified Messiah is mōria ("folly") to those who perish but dynamis theou ("the power of God") to those who are saved. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (v. 18). The Greeks sought wisdom (philosophical sophistication); the Jews sought signs (visible power); the apostles preached "Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (vv. 23-24). What looks foolish to the world is the deepest wisdom of God.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
1 Cor 1:18-25: cross as foolishness to perishing, power to saved.
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Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. The world seeks two things: Greeks seek wisdom (sophia), Jews seek signs (sēmeia). Paul preaches the crucified Christ — offensive to both: a stumbling-block (skandalon) to the Jews, foolishness (mōria) to the Greeks. But to those who are called — both Jews and Greeks — the same crucified Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. The cross's apparent weakness is its actual power. The world's wisdom cannot recognize the cross because the cross overturns the world's wisdom. Only the called eye sees the cross for what it is.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Corinthians 1:18 — "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 — "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
1 Corinthians 2:2 — "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern apologetics often softens the cross to make it palatable to seekers; Paul refused that strategy.
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Modern apologetics often tries to make the gospel palatable: smooth the rough edges, present Jesus as inspirational teacher, tone down the cross. Paul refused: "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2). The offense of the cross is deliberate; smoothing it removes the actual power.
Recover the offense: the cross stays foolish to the perishing. That is the point. Only divine call can make the cross beautiful; nothing else can.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek ho logos tou staurou mōria.
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['Greek', 'G3056', 'logos', 'word, message']
['Greek', 'G4716', 'stauros', 'cross']
['Greek', 'G3472', 'mōria', 'foolishness']
Usage
"Cross is foolishness to perishing, power to saved."
"Greeks want wisdom; Jews want signs; Paul preaches crucified."
"Don't smooth the offense."