The "called" contrast with the unsaved among both Jews and Gentiles ( 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:30). Christ is the instrument of God"s power in conquering the forces of evil and delivering people from their control. Moreover He is the instrument of God"s wisdom in solving the problem human reasoning could not unravel, namely, how people can know God and come to God. The wisdom literature of the Old Testament personified wisdom as God"s agent in Revelation , creation, and redemption. Jesus Christ personally is that wisdom because He is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes ( Romans 1:16; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:30). [source][source][source]
"This is Paul"s most brilliant epigrammatic description of the world in which the Gospel is preached, and of the Gospel itself." [1][source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 1:12-25 - The Cross God's Saving Power
Apollos had gone straight from Ephesus to Corinth, Acts 19:1. A party gathered around him, especially attracted by his eloquence and intellectual brilliance. Cephas was Peter, and around his name the more conservative elements gathered. Christ, stood for the promised glory of the Messianic kingdom. Paul was filled with dismay on hearing that a fourth division of the Church called themselves by his name. He told the Corinthians that whatever any of their human teachers had done for them, they had contributed only different phases or viewpoints of truth, all of which service sank into absolute insignificance as contrasted with the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The cross here implies not only the doctrine of the Atonement, but the humble bearing of the cross in daily life. There are many who wear a cross as an article of dress, but who evince nothing of its pitying, self-immolating, sacrificial spirit. Everyone needs a Calvary in the heart. Note from 1 Corinthians 1:18, r.v., margin, that being saved is a process, as well as an immediate experience. Oh to have grace to know the Cross, never to be ashamed of it, and to preach a crucified Savior in a humble, crucified spirit! [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 1
1After his salutation and thanksgiving for the Corinthians, 10Paul exhorts them to unity, 12and reproves their dissensions 18God destroys the wisdom of the wise, 21by the foolishness of preaching; 26and calls not the wise, mighty, and noble, 28but the foolish, weak, and men of no account
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 1:24
But to them that are called [αυτοις δε τοις κλητοις] Dative case, to the called themselves. [source]
Christ [Χριστον] Accusative case repeated, object of κηρυσσομεν kērussomen both the power of God No article, but made definite by the genitive. Christ crucified is God‘s answer to both Jew and Greek and the answer is understood by those with open minds. [source]
the power of God [τεου δυναμιν] No article, but made definite by the genitive. Christ crucified is God‘s answer to both Jew and Greek and the answer is understood by those with open minds. [source]
the wisdom of God [τεου σοπιαν] No article, but made definite by the genitive. Christ crucified is God‘s answer to both Jew and Greek and the answer is understood by those with open minds. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 1:24
2 Thessalonians 1:11That [ινα] Common after προσευχομαι proseuchomai (Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 1:17; Philemon 1:9) when the content of the prayer blends with the purpose (purport and purpose). Count you worthy (υμας αχιωσηι humas axiōsēi). Causative verb (aorist active subjunctive) like καταχιοω kataxioō in 2 Thessalonians 1:5 with genitive. Of your calling Κλησις Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος agathos good, akin to αγαμαι agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:11Of your calling [της κλησεως] Κλησις Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος agathos good, akin to αγαμαι agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:11Work of faith [εργον πιστεως] The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
Jude 1:1To them that are called [τοισκλητοις] But this translation (treating τοις klētois as a substantive like Romans 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:24) is by no means certain as two participles come in between κλητοις tois and Κλητοις klētois εν τεωι πατρι ηγαπημενοις Klētois may be in the predicate position (being called), not attributive. But see 1 Peter 1:1. [source]
Jude 1:1Brother of James [αδελπος Ιακωβου] Thus Jude identifies himself. But not the “Judas of James” (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13).To them that are called (τοισκλητοις tois- κλητοις klētois). But this translation (treating τοις klētois as a substantive like Romans 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:24) is by no means certain as two participles come in between κλητοις tois and Κλητοις klētois εν τεωι πατρι ηγαπημενοις Klētois may be in the predicate position (being called), not attributive. But see 1 Peter 1:1.Beloved in God the Father Perfect passive participle of εν agapaō but no precise parallel to this use of αγαπαω en with Ιησου Χριστωι τετηρημενοις agapaō for Jesus Christ Perfect passive participle again with dative, unless it is the instrumental, “kept by Jesus Christ,” a quite possible interpretation. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 1:24 mean?
to themhoweverthecalledJewsbothandGreeksChristof God[the] power[the] wisdom
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: Ἕλλην
Sense: a Greek either by nationality, whether a native of the main land or of the Greek islands or colonies.
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 1:24
Dative case, to the called themselves. [source]
Accusative case repeated, object of κηρυσσομεν kērussomen both the power of God No article, but made definite by the genitive. Christ crucified is God‘s answer to both Jew and Greek and the answer is understood by those with open minds. [source]
No article, but made definite by the genitive. Christ crucified is God‘s answer to both Jew and Greek and the answer is understood by those with open minds. [source]
No article, but made definite by the genitive. Christ crucified is God‘s answer to both Jew and Greek and the answer is understood by those with open minds. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 1:24
Resumes from 1 Corinthians 1:21. The structure is not clear, but probably 1 Corinthians 1:23, 1 Corinthians 1:24 form a sort of conclusion or apodosis to 1 Corinthians 1:22 the protasis. The resumptive, almost inferential, use of δε de like αλλα alla in the apodosis is not unusual. [source]
Common after προσευχομαι proseuchomai (Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 1:17; Philemon 1:9) when the content of the prayer blends with the purpose (purport and purpose). Count you worthy (υμας αχιωσηι humas axiōsēi). Causative verb (aorist active subjunctive) like καταχιοω kataxioō in 2 Thessalonians 1:5 with genitive. Of your calling Κλησις Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος agathos good, akin to αγαμαι agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
Κλησις Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος agathos good, akin to αγαμαι agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
But this translation (treating τοις klētois as a substantive like Romans 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:24) is by no means certain as two participles come in between κλητοις tois and Κλητοις klētois εν τεωι πατρι ηγαπημενοις Klētois may be in the predicate position (being called), not attributive. But see 1 Peter 1:1. [source]
Thus Jude identifies himself. But not the “Judas of James” (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13).To them that are called (τοισκλητοις tois- κλητοις klētois). But this translation (treating τοις klētois as a substantive like Romans 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:24) is by no means certain as two participles come in between κλητοις tois and Κλητοις klētois εν τεωι πατρι ηγαπημενοις Klētois may be in the predicate position (being called), not attributive. But see 1 Peter 1:1.Beloved in God the Father Perfect passive participle of εν agapaō but no precise parallel to this use of αγαπαω en with Ιησου Χριστωι τετηρημενοις agapaō for Jesus Christ Perfect passive participle again with dative, unless it is the instrumental, “kept by Jesus Christ,” a quite possible interpretation. [source]