1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 1:20–27

²⁰Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

²²Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,^c ²⁴but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom,^d and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

²⁶Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Footnotes

c 1:23 BYZ and TR to Greeks
d 1:25 Literally than men; twice in this verse

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Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Greek it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

1 Corinthians 1:20

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Where	Ποῦ	Pou	Adverb	G4226 where, whither
wise	σοφός	sophos	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular	G4680 wise
Where	ποῦ	pou	Adverb	G4226 where, whither
scribe	γραμματεύς	grammateus	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1122 a scribe, town-clerk, man of learning
Where	ποῦ	pou	Adverb	G4226 where, whither
philosopher	συζητητὴς	syzētētēs	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G4804 a disputer
of this	τούτου	toutou	Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3778 this, he, she, it
age	αἰῶνος	aiōnos	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G165 an age, a cycle of time
not	οὐχὶ	ouchi	IntPrtcl	G3780 by no means, not at all
God	Θεὸς	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
made foolish	ἐμώρανεν	emōranen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G3471 I make foolish, taint, make useless
the	τὴν	tēn	Article - Accusative Feminine Singular	G3588 the
wisdom	σοφίαν	sophian	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G4678 wisdom
of the	τοῦ	tou	Article - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3588 the
world	κόσμου	kosmou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2889 the world, universe

1 Corinthians 1:21

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
For	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
since	ἐπειδὴ	epeidē	Conjunction	G1894 when, since
in	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
the	τῇ	tē	Article - Dative Feminine Singular	G3588 the
wisdom	σοφίᾳ	sophia	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G4678 wisdom
of God	Θεοῦ	Theou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
the	ὁ	ho	Article - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3588 the
world	κόσμος	kosmos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2889 the world, universe
through	διὰ	dia	Preposition	G1223 through, on account of
wisdom	σοφίας	sophias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G4678 wisdom
not	οὐκ	ouk	Adverb	G3756 no, not
know	ἔγνω	egnō	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1097 I come to know, learn, realize
God	Θεὸς	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
was pleased	εὐδόκησεν	eudokēsen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2106 I am resolved, well-pleased
through	διὰ	dia	Preposition	G1223 through, on account of
the	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
foolishness	μωρίας	mōrias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3472 folly, absurdity
of what	τοῦ	tou	Article - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3588 the
was preached	κηρύγματος	kērygmatos	Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular	G2782 a proclamation, preaching
to save	σῶσαι	sōsai	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active	G4982 I save, heal
those who	τοὺς	tous	Article - Accusative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
believe	πιστεύοντας	pisteuontas	Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural	G4100 I believe, have faith in

1 Corinthians 1:22

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Jews	Ἰουδαῖοι	Ioudaioi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G2453 Jewish
demand	αἰτοῦσιν	aitousin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G154 I ask, request, beg, petition
signs	σημεῖα	sēmeia	Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural	G4592 a sign, miracle, indication
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
Greeks	Ἕλληνες	Hellēnes	Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G1672 a Hellene, a Greek
search for	ζητοῦσιν	zētousin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2212 I seek, search for, desire
wisdom	σοφίαν	sophian	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G4678 wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:23

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
but	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
we	ἡμεῖς	hēmeis	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural	G1473 I
preach	κηρύσσομεν	kēryssomen	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural	G2784 I proclaim, herald, preach
Christ	Χριστὸν	Christon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G5547 anointed, the Messiah, the Christ
crucified	ἐσταυρωμένον	estaurōmenon	Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular	G4717 I crucify
a stumbling block	σκάνδαλον	skandalon	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G4625 a snare, stumbling-block
to Jews	Ἰουδαίοις	Ioudaiois	Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural	G2453 Jewish
and	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
foolishness	μωρίαν	mōrian	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G3472 folly, absurdity
to Gentiles	ἔθνεσιν	ethnesin	Noun - Dative Neuter Plural	G1484 a race, people, the Gentiles

1 Corinthians 1:24

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
but	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
to those	αὐτοῖς	autois	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
who	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
are called	κλητοῖς	klētois	Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural	G2822 called, summoned
both	τε	te	Conjunction	G5037 and, both
Jews	Ἰουδαίοις	Ioudaiois	Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural	G2453 Jewish
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
Greeks	Ἕλλησιν	Hellēsin	Noun - Dative Masculine Plural	G1672 a Hellene, a Greek
Christ	Χριστὸν	Christon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G5547 anointed, the Messiah, the Christ
power	δύναμιν	dynamin	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G1411 might, power, marvelous works
of God	Θεοῦ	Theou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
wisdom	σοφίαν	sophian	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G4678 wisdom
of God	Θεοῦ	Theou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god

1 Corinthians 1:25

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
For	Ὅτι	Hoti	Conjunction	G3754 that, since, because
the	τὸ	to	Article - Nominative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
foolishness	μωρὸν	mōron	Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular	G3474 stupid, foolish
of God	Θεοῦ	Theou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
is	ἐστίν	estin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
wiser	σοφώτερον	sophōteron	Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative	G4680 wise
than man’s	ἀνθρώπων	anthrōpōn	Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural	G444 a man, one of the human race
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
the	τὸ	to	Article - Nominative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
weakness	ἀσθενὲς	asthenes	Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular	G772 weak, infirm, sick
of God	Θεοῦ	Theou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
stronger	ἰσχυρότερον	ischyroteron	Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative	G2478 strong, mighty, powerful
than man’s	ἀνθρώπων	anthrōpōn	Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural	G444 a man, one of the human race

1 Corinthians 1:26

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Brothers	ἀδελφοί	adelphoi	Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural	G80 a brother
consider	Βλέπετε	Blepete	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural	G991 I look, see
your	ὑμῶν	hymōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
calling	κλῆσιν	klēsin	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G2821 a calling, summons
Not	οὐ	ou	Adverb	G3756 no, not
many	πολλοὶ	polloi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G4183 much, many, often
wise	σοφοὶ	sophoi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G4680 wise
by human standards	κατὰ	kata	Preposition	G2596 down from, against, according to, throughout, during
not	οὐ	ou	Adverb	G3756 no, not
many	πολλοὶ	polloi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G4183 much, many, often
powerful	δυνατοί	dynatoi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G1415 powerful, able, possible
not	οὐ	ou	Adverb	G3756 no, not
many	πολλοὶ	polloi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G4183 much, many, often
of noble birth	εὐγενεῖς	eugeneis	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G2104 of noble birth, noble

1 Corinthians 1:27

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
God	Θεός	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
chose	ἐξελέξατο	exelexato	Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular	G1586 I choose, elect
the	τὰ	ta	Article - Accusative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
foolish things	μωρὰ	mōra	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural	G3474 stupid, foolish
of the	τοῦ	tou	Article - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3588 the
world	κόσμου	kosmou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2889 the world, universe
to	ἵνα	hina	Conjunction	G2443 in order that, so that
shame	καταισχύνῃ	kataischynē	Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2617 I shame, disgrace, put to utter confusion
the	τοὺς	tous	Article - Accusative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
wise	σοφούς	sophous	Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural	G4680 wise
God	Θεός	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
chose	ἐξελέξατο	exelexato	Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular	G1586 I choose, elect
the	τὰ	ta	Article - Accusative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
weak things	ἀσθενῆ	asthenē	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural	G772 weak, infirm, sick
of the	τοῦ	tou	Article - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3588 the
world	κόσμου	kosmou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2889 the world, universe
to	ἵνα	hina	Conjunction	G2443 in order that, so that
shame	καταισχύνῃ	kataischynē	Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2617 I shame, disgrace, put to utter confusion
the	τὰ	ta	Article - Accusative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
strong	ἰσχυρά	ischyra	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural	G2478 strong, mighty, powerful