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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

1 Corinthians 1:18–21

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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4 selected · 6 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 18

  1. 1 Corinthians 2:14Rank 1 from verse 18
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    14But 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.

  2. Romans 1:16Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

  3. 2 Thessalonians 2:10Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

  4. 1 Corinthians 1:23–25Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

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

    24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

    25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

  5. 2 Corinthians 4:3Rank 5 from verse 18
    Open

    3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

From verse 19

  1. Isaiah 29:14Rank 1 from verse 19
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    14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

  2. Jeremiah 8:9Rank 2 from verse 19
    Open

    9The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?

  3. 1 Corinthians 3:19Rank 3 from verse 19
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    19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

  4. Job 5:12–13Rank 4 from verse 19
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    12He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

    13He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

  5. Isaiah 19:11Rank 5 from verse 19
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    11¶ Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

From verse 20

  1. Romans 1:22Rank 1 from verse 20
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    22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

  2. Job 12:17Rank 2 from verse 20
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    17He leadeth counsellers away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

  3. 1 Corinthians 1:19Rank 3 from verse 20
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    19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

  4. 1 Corinthians 3:19Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

  5. Isaiah 44:25Rank 5 from verse 20
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    25That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

From verse 21

  1. Luke 10:21Rank 1 from verse 21
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    21¶ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

  2. Matthew 11:25Rank 2 from verse 21
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    25¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

  3. Romans 1:20–22Rank 3 from verse 21
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    20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

    21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

    22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

  4. 1 Corinthians 1:24Rank 4 from verse 21
    Open

    24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

  5. Ephesians 3:10Rank 5 from verse 21
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    10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 1:18

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cross

↗

Sense 1: An instrument of execution formed of two pieces of timber crossing each other, used for crucifixion. Sense 2: By reference to Christ, his crucifixion and death upon it. Sense 3: A burden of suffering or self-denial borne in following Christ.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

perish

↗

Sense 1: Of a living person or creature, to die, be killed, be destroyed, or be lost. Sense 2: Of a thing, condition, plan, thought, or work, to be ruined, decay, fail, vanish, or come to nothing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

saved

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of save, meaning to rescue, deliver, preserve, keep alive, heal, recover, or bring safely through.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 1:19

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

destroy

↗

Sense 1: To ruin, demolish, consume, or lay waste. Sense 2: To kill or cut off. Sense 3: To cause a thing's structure, use, activity, or present condition to cease.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

prudent

↗

Wise, discerning, thoughtful, circumspect, and careful in judgment or conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 1:20

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

scribe

↗

A writer or clerk; among the Jews, one learned in and teaching the law.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 1:21

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

knew

↗

Perceived, understood, recognized, or was acquainted with.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

pleased

↗

Past-tense, past-participial, or adjectival form of please. Sense 1: Gave pleasure or satisfaction to, was agreeable or acceptable to, or was gratified. Sense 2: Chose, desired, willed, or saw fit.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

save

↗

Sense 1: To rescue, deliver, preserve, keep alive, heal, recover, or bring safely through. Sense 2: Except or apart from.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

believe

↗

Sense 1: To accept as true on testimony or evidence; to be persuaded. Sense 2: To trust or place confidence in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

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Related Concepts

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Surrounding Verses

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17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Selected passage

19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Selected passage

20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Selected passage

21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Selected passage

22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

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