1 Corinthians 1:18

“For the preaching of the cross, etc.] Not of the Christian’s cross, which he is to take up and bear for the sake of Christ; though this is a doctrine taught by Christ, and his apostles, and found to be true by the saints in all ages; and is what is had in great aversion and contempt, being very disagreeable to the natural man: but of the cross of Christ, the doctrine of salvation by a crucified Christ; or the doctrine of peace and reconciliation by the blood of his cross, and of righteousness, pardon, atonement, and satisfaction by the offering up of himself upon it as a sacrifice for sin, is here intended; and which is foolishness in the esteem of many; and that because man’s wisdom has no…”

“preaching, &c.--literally, "the word," or speech as to the cross; in contrast to the "wisdom of words" (so called), Co1 1:17. them that perish--rather, "them that are perishing," namely, by preferring human "wisdom of words" to the doctrine of the "cross of Christ." It is not the final state that is referred to; but, "them that are in the way of perishing." So also in Co2 2:15-16. us which are saved--In the Greek the collocation is more modest, "to them that are being saved (that are in the way of salvation) as," that is, to which class we belong. power of God--which includes in it that it is the wisdom of God" (Co1 1:24). God's powerful instrument of salvation; the highest exhibition of…”

“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…”

“To them that perish - By obstinately rejecting the only name whereby they can be saved. But to us who are saved - Now saved from our sins, and in the way to everlasting salvation, it is the great instrument of the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:19”

“1:18-31 Paul contrasts eloquence and human wisdom, which were highly valued by some of the Corinthians, with the foolish message of the cross—the expression of God’s wisdom. The followers of Apollos, in particular (see 1:12), were probably attracted by his rhetorical abilities and intellectual approach to ministry (see Acts 18:24-28). In contrast, Paul emphasizes that the real power lies in the simple message of the cross of Christ. 1:18 The message that God is saving the world through a condemned criminal is foolish to unbelievers, for their eyes are blinded to the truth (2 Cor 4:4). For believers, whose eyes have been opened by God, the message of the cross has the ring of truth to it, and…”

“the preaching: Co1 1:23, Co1 1:24, Co1 2:2; Gal 6:12-14 to: Act 13:41; Co2 2:15, Co2 2:16, Co2 4:3; Th2 2:10 foolishness: Co1 1:21, Co1 1:23, Co1 1:25, Co1 2:14, Co1 3:19; Act 17:18, Act 17:32 unto: Co1 1:24, Co1 15:2; Psa 110:2, Psa 110:3; Rom 1:16; Co2 10:4; Th1 1:5; Heb 4:12 1 Corinthians 1:19”