KNOW THE WORD OF GOD

New American Standard Bible (©1995) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. International Standard Version (©2008) For the message about the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed, but it is God's power to us who are being saved. Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010) The message of the crucifixion is insanity to the lost, but to those of us who have life it is the power of God. GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995) The message about the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed, but it is God's power to us who are being saved. King James 2000 Bible (©2003) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God. American King James Version For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God. American Standard Version For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God. Douay-Rheims Bible For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness; but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God. Darby Bible Translation For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us that are saved it is God's power. English Revised Version For the word of the cross is to them that are perishing foolishness; but unto us which are being saved it is the power of God. Webster's Bible Translation For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but to us who are saved, it is the power of God. Weymouth New Testament For the Message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are on the way to perdition, but it is the power of God to those whom He is saving. World English Bible For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God. Young's Literal Translation for the word of the cross to those indeed perishing is foolishness, and to us -- those being saved -- it is the power of God,

Barnes' Notes on the Bible For the preaching of the cross - Greek, "the word (ὁ λόγος ho logos) of the cross;" that is, the doctrine of the cross; or the doctrine which proclaims salvation only through the atonement which the Lord Jesus Christ made on the cross, This cannot mean that the statement that Christ died "as a martyr" on a cross, appears to be foolishness to people; because, if that was all, there would be nothing that would appear contemptible, or that would excite their opposition more than in the death of any other martyr. The statement that Polycarp, and Ignatius, and Paul, and Cranmer died as martyrs, does not appear to people to be foolishness, for it is a statement of an historical truth, and their death excites the high admiration of all people. And if, in the death of Jesus on the cross, there had been nothing more than a mere martyr's death, it would have been equally the object of admiration to all people. But; the "preaching of the cross" must denote more than that; and must mean: (1) That Christ died as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of people, and that; it was this which gave its speciality to his sufferings on the cross. (2) That people can be reconciled to God, pardoned, and saved only by the merits and influence of this atoning sacrifice. To them that perish - τοις μεν απολλυμενοις tois men apollumenois. To those who are about to perish, or to those who have a character fitting them for destruction; that is, to the wicked. The expression stands in contrast with those who are "saved," that is, those who have seen the beauty of the cross of Christ, and who have fled to it for salvation. Foolishness - Folly. That is, it appears to them to be contemptible and foolish, or unworthy of belief. To the great mass of the Jews, and to the pagan philosophers, and indeed, to the majority of the people of this world, it has ever appeared foolishness, for the following reasons: (1) The humble origin of the Lord Jesus. They despise him that lived in Nazareth; that was poor; that had no home, and few friends, and no wealth, and little honor among his own countrymen. (2) they despise him who was put to death, as an impostor, at the instigation of his own countrymen, in an ignominious manner on the cross - the usual punishment of slaves. (3) they see not why there should be any particular efficacy in his death. They deem it incredible that he who could not save himself should be able to save them; and that glory should come from the ignominy of the cross. (4) they are blind to the true beauty of his personal character; to the true dignity of his nature;