1:181 Corinthians 1:18

The preaching of Christ crucified divides all hearers into two classes, appearing as foolishness to those who are perishing but proving to be God's saving power to those who are being saved.STB 496.1–497.1+2 Human wisdom by itself can never find God, so God has made the wisdom of this world foolish and chosen to save believers through a message the world calls foolish.Ms 150, 1904, par. 13–14+4 To those who are called, Christ crucified is the complete power of God and wisdom of God, the only means of salvation by which sinners need not perish.Ms 150, 1904, par. 13–14+4 That power is not conveyed by polished oratory or philosophical argument, which would make the cross of no effect, but by plain preaching of Christ in the Spirit's power.CE 94.1–2+4 Rightly received, the cross lays pride and self-glory in the dust, converts the heart, clothes the life with Christ's righteousness, and makes the believer a power for good.Lt 20, 1897, par. 8–11+3

The proclamation of Christ crucified splits the whole human family into two opposite responses, appearing as sheer folly to those who are perishing while proving itself to be God's own saving power to those who are being saved.STB 496.1–497.1+4 That division overturns every human standard of wisdom and strength, for those called to salvation find in Christ God's power and wisdom rather than any ground for human pride.STB 496.1–497.1+1 Worldly wisdom and a character formed by worldly pursuits cannot grasp the cross, and human wisdom by itself cannot lead anyone to know God, so God saves believers through this preached message.Ms 150, 1904, par. 13–14+1 To Jews demanding a sign it is a stumbling block and to Greeks seeking wisdom it is folly, yet to the called from both groups Christ is God's power and wisdom, and its seeming folly does not make it inferior to human wisdom.Ms 150, 1904, par. 13–14+1 The knowledge of God given in this preaching stands above everything else and must be so regarded by students in schools, for it is the source of saving power.STE 19.2+1

The word us marks out the saved as those who personally know the cross as God's power, set over against the wisdom of the world displayed in the surrounding verses where Christ crucified is declared to be God's power and wisdom.Lt 170, 1906, par. 7–11 Whether the cross looks like foolishness or power turns on spiritual discernment, since spiritual things are spiritually discerned.Ms 150, 1904, par. 15–16+2 Without humility and willingness to learn and without the Spirit's revelation its beauty and its way of saving sinners through Christ stay hidden, while honest and teachable believers recognize God's power in it.Ms 150, 1904, par. 15–16+1 Faith rests on God's power rather than human wisdom, and response to the gospel depends on whether its saving light is received or the mind remains blinded to it.Ms 150, 1904, par. 15–16+1 Opinions and prejudices not laid aside at the door of investigation, unbelief, indifference, hardness of heart, and minds blinded so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ cannot shine keep the perishing from seeing, leaving the plain and earnest message of how a sinner can be saved with no discernible aim to them.Ms 40, 1895, par. 5+2 Human limits cannot explain all God's works and purposes, and treating what cannot be fathomed as evidence against Him leads toward darkness, for persisting in doubt makes people less responsive to His Spirit and more subject to deception until what is truly His power is mistaken for foolishness and false wisdom is taken for strength.4T 584.2–585.1

The verse belongs to the instruction of the first, second, and third chapters of First Corinthians, which is of the greatest importance to all who have entered the Lord's army, whose truths are to be studied, understood, and put into practice.STE 132.1+2 It is to be held as assurance in trouble, trial, and opposition, and it marks out the right lines of work for a people God is leading out and preparing for translation, who are to stand as sentinels for God, labor unitedly, serve as willing servants of all, and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.Lt 109, 1901, par. 16 It stands with the call to unity under the molding of the Holy Spirit, that all speak the same thing on a plain thus saith the Lord with no divisions but perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, enriched in utterance and knowledge and confirmed blameless while waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in fellowship with Him.Lt 37, 1899, par. 5–8+1 It carries the rebuke of envy and strife cherished by church members as the reason for the weakness of the church, making believers carnal and causing them to walk as men by dividing over human leaders, one saying I am of Paul and another I am of Apollos, withdrawing from some and binding up with others for imagined reasons, when Paul and Apollos are only ministers by whom they believed, one planting and one watering while God gives the increase.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16 God's purpose in this contrast between human wisdom and status and His wisdom in Christ is to prevent human boasting and to set aside the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of the prudent, making Christ the source of wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, while different servants given different work are to blend their different entrusted gifts together and the gospel is to be preached without dependence on human wise words lest the cross be made of no effect.STE 132.1+2

Human wisdom by itself cannot lead anyone to know God and Jesus Christ His Son, and only revelation of His Word by the Holy Spirit can give that knowledge.Ms 150, 1904, par. 13–14+3 Through successive ages God permitted men to try to find out God by their own wisdom, so that men themselves might see they could not obtain it, until the experiment had been fully tried and the result made it evident that the world by wisdom knew not God.CE 94.1–2+2 Worldly wisdom and a character shaped by worldly pursuits cannot grasp the cross, for God saves those who believe through the preaching of Christ crucified.Ms 150, 1904, par. 13–14+2 In the last days this same failure appears when the greatest scholars, statesmen, and most eminent men turn from the light, while babes and children in Christ and unlearned men willing to learn are far in advance of the worldly wise, since that power from God alone gives success.Ms 106, 1902, par. 36–37

God destroys the wisdom of the wise and brings to nothing the understanding of the prudent, and He makes foolish the wisdom of this world.Lt 85, 1899, par. 9–13+4 It pleased Him by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe, saving believers through preaching that the world calls foolish rather than by the wisdom of the world.Lt 85, 1899, par. 9–13+3 The gospel must therefore be preached without dependence on human wise words, or the cross is made of none effect.Lt 22a, 1902, par. 26–28 This belongs to God's requirement of perfect unity, where different servants given different work blend their different gifts in the same mind and judgment, and to giving the trumpet a certain sound in proclaiming the third angel's message with medical missionary work carried practically with the gospel for this time.Lt 37, 1899, par. 5–8+1

Christ crucified is a stumblingblock to Jews who require a sign and foolishness to Greeks who seek after wisdom.Ms 150, 1904, par. 13–14+4 But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.Ms 150, 1904, par. 13–14+4 The foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men, for Christ is wiser and stronger than men.Lt 121, 1901, par. 9–10+1 The cross of Calvary rightly contemplated gives the proper level to the human mind, laying all desire for self-glorification in the dust and leveling human exaltation and pride, producing self-abasement that promotes lowliness and humbleness of mind and leaves no place for self-exaltation.Lt 20, 1897, par. 8–11

Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.Lt 85, 1899, par. 9–13+3 God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak to confound the mighty, and base and despised things and things which are not to bring to nought things that are.Lt 85, 1899, par. 9–13+4 He overturns worldly wisdom by calling and using people and things the world regards as foolish, weak, and lowly, so that no flesh should glory in His presence and no one can boast before Him.Lt 85, 1899, par. 9–13+4 The humble, unshowy life of Christ illustrates this path, and His servants should not expect to be above their Lord.2T 495.1

Those who are in Christ Jesus have Christ made unto them wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.OEWP 19.2–23.1+4 All growth into the best and highest character formed after the divine similitude comes from Him, so that life, faith, and purity become an instructive example to others.Lt 121, 1901, par. 9–10 People therefore have no cause to glory in themselves, but he who glories must glory in the Lord alone, glorying in nothing save the cross by which the world is crucified and self is crucified to the world.OEWP 19.2–23.1+2 True education is therefore knowledge of God, not grounds for human pride, and education is beneficial only when it leads to holiness and serves God rather than displacing faith, prayer, and the knowledge of God.OEWP 19.2–23.1+2

Pride of intellect explains why the gospel met with little success among the Athenians.RH Aug 3, 1911+4 After learned arguments at Athens brought only three converts, Paul chose to proclaim simply Jesus Christ crucified, so that persuasive human wisdom would not make the cross ineffective.RH Aug 3, 1911 Comparatively few there received the gospel, for hearing and even being convinced of truth was not enough when men refused to humble themselves and accept salvation, trusting in their own distinction and wisdom and preferring human wisdom to wisdom from above.Ms 67, 1894, par. 34–36+2 Eloquence and argument cannot convert the impenitent, for only the Spirit and power of God can apply truth to the heart, while those who come to Christ as lost sinners receive wisdom for salvation and those who trust their own distinction fail to receive the light and knowledge He gives.RH Aug 3, 1911+3

Education alone will not fit a man for a place in God's work nor enable him to obtain a knowledge of God, and those who undertake to carry forward the work in their own strength will certainly fail.CE 94.1–2+2 Man's ideas of education are not to be exalted as supreme, and the inclination to exalt and extol learned men is foolishness in the sight of God.CE 94.1–2+2 God has higher aims for His people than the study of man, greater heights than human wisdom are to be kept before them, and He is waiting to bestow His Holy Spirit upon all who hunger and thirst after righteousness.Lt 85, 1899, par. 9–13+1 The knowledge of God given in the preaching of the cross is above everything else and must be so regarded by students in schools, more valuable than gold, silver, precious stones, worldly honor, and empty applause, received through His Word by the Holy Spirit.CE 94.1–2+2

The cross is the center of Christian truth, for the sacrifice for sin is the great truth around which all other truths gather.GW 315.2 Every teaching of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation must be understood and valued in its light.GW 315.2 Lifted up on the cross, Christ is a monument of mercy, regeneration, salvation and redemption, and the foundation of every sermon.GW 315.2 Its truth has power as a banner to overthrow error, bring light to minds, and lead people to follow.ST

The preaching of the cross is the doctrine of the cross, the imputed righteousness of Christ.3MR 15.1+1 It is truth greater and more precious than what came through Moses descending with glorified face, through the high priest coming from the holy of holies, or through Isaiah fresh from seeing the Lord high and lifted up with His glory filling the temple.3MR 15.1 It comes not in word only but in the power of God to everyone who believes.3MR 15.1+1

Christ crucified is God's complete, living and inexhaustible power to save everyone who truly believes and accepts Him.Ms 107, 1898, par. 1–2+1 The crucified Saviour is complete for those who receive Him, and the work remains living and inexhaustible because He now intercedes in heaven as the propitiation for the world's sins.Ms 107, 1898, par. 1–2 Sinners need not perish through faith in its saving efficacy, for the cross is the sinner's only means of salvation by which God's love and justice are brought into harmony.18MR 80.2

Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ as living Saviour, Christ as Advocate in the heavenly courts, and Christ coming again is God's way of saving sinners.Lt 19g, 1874, par. 2 The light reflected from Calvary makes the plan so simple that children may understand it and so powerful that only those controlled by Satan will resist it.Lt 19g, 1874, par. 2 To those who are saved it breaks sin-cursed hearts while winning them to love Jesus.Lt 19g, 1874, par. 2

Though an instrument of shame and torture, the cross brings hope and salvation to the world.AA 77.1 At the cross human weakness is made plain and strength is revealed in Christ, who is able to save completely those who come to God through Him.CE 81.2 Proclaimed through the word of God, its power enabled the disciples to overcome opposition.AA 77.1

The cross reveals the true value of the human soul, and the character of Christ must be understood before He can be loved with faith.RH Aug 17, 1911 Studying Christ and the cross is the science and song of the redeemed forever.RH Aug 17, 1911 Its power was illustrated at Calvary when mockers under the leaders' influence became conscience-stricken as the darkness lifted, recognized the accusations as false, and later accepted Christ when Peter explained the mystery of the cross at Pentecost.5RED 88.2–89.1

The gospel is to be preached not with wisdom of words, polished oratory, or philosophical argument, lest the cross be made of no effect.CE 94.1–2+3 Eloquence and argument cannot convert the impenitent, and only the Spirit and power of God can apply truth to the heart and bring hearers to faith.CE 94.1–2+2 Education alone will not fit a man for a place in God's work nor enable him to obtain a knowledge of God, and those who undertake the work in their own strength will certainly fail.CE 94.1–2+1 Through successive ages men were permitted to try finding God by their own wisdom until the experiment fully proved that the world by wisdom knew not God, and that knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ His Son comes only through revelation of His word by the Holy Spirit.CE 94.1–2+1 Pride of intellect explains the little success among the Athenians, for hearing and even being convinced was not enough while they trusted their own distinction, refused to humble themselves, and preferred human wisdom to wisdom from above, so those who come as lost sinners receive wisdom for salvation while those trusting self fail to receive light.SLP 96.1–2+1 This preaching belongs to perfect unity, where different servants with different work and different gifts are to be blended together in the same mind and judgment, while God sets aside the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of the prudent.Lt 20, 1897, par. 8–11+1

The cross must be made prominent and never left out of sermons that explain the theory of truth.4T 393.3+3 Presenting Christ as the world's Saviour and exalting His redeeming love helps truth take root and bear fruit, draws listeners to Christ, and redeems a moment that may never come again.4T 393.3+1 Simple, scriptural preaching nourishes spiritually hungry hearts like the bread of life, while covering its shame and reproach with attractive ornament hides what must be heard.GW 32.3 When the cross is not made prominent, unseen workings set it aside through plausible errors that create doubt and distrust, raise doubts, offer flattering promises of gain, stir envy, set dissatisfied elements in motion, and grow desire for greatness, honor, high worldly position, and being called remarkable, as if faith in the cross barred advancement.5T 502.1

There is power in exalting the cross higher and still higher, lifting up the Man of Calvary and steadfastly maintaining the divinity of the Son of the living God.CT 434.1+2 The message is to be given as a positive, affirmative message with a tone of assurance and a certain voice, never uttering sentiments of doubt or uncertainty.CT 434.1+1 Through the Holy Spirit those who teach the story of the cross can speak with renewed minds and words that reach hearers, making proclamation of the crucified Christ central to a clear message of truth.HMW 19.2+1

True preaching is the simple story of the cross and the love of Christ, the plain and earnest way by which a sinner can be saved, which to those perishing has no discernible aim and is foolishness because spiritual things are spiritually discerned, while to those being saved it is power.16MR 232.3+1 It is the preaching of the Word in its living principles, centered on the divinity and atonement of Christ as the true foundation.Ms 130, 1897, par. 19–21 It builds gold, silver, and precious stones on Christ rather than wood, hay, and stubble, sharply distinguishes wheat from chaff, and presents truth clearly and purely as Christ presented it in word and practice, without human anecdotes or private interpretations that drown His voice and make Scripture mean what He never meant.Ms 130, 1897, par. 19–21 Selfishness and selfish ambition to be first make it of none effect, while unselfish principles practiced in daily life, unity in the same mind and judgment with blended gifts, and the molding of the heart by the Holy Spirit speaking through the teacher give it power so hearers understand.Ms 130, 1897, par. 19–21 The world is not to be condemned until after it has had the light, and those holding false ideas are to be pitied, come close to, and given the message softened as much as possible so hearts are softened for the Spirit to mold and much can be done for them.Ms 22b, 1895 [Copy 2], par. 38

Nothing is gained by trying to prove the divine origin of the Bible by argument, because the Bible is its own expositor carrying its own keys with Scripture unlocking Scripture.Ms 40, 1895, par. 5 When its truth is not seen it is because opinions and prejudices were not laid aside at the door of investigation, and the gospel remains hid to the lost whose minds are blinded so the light of the glorious gospel cannot shine to them.Ms 40, 1895, par. 5 God's wisdom in the methods and instruments He uses to carry forward His work is foolishness to the boastful and self-confident because they do not know the mystery of godliness.ST Jul 21, 1881 The most complete and perfect human system apart from God's power and wisdom will fail, while humble means He sanctions must succeed, as the trumpet blasts by Joshua's army around Jericho and by Gideon's little band around the host of Midian were made effectual through God's power to overthrow enemies.ST Jul 21, 1881 His counsels are deep beyond finite comprehension, calling for simple dependence on the mighty arm that can overthrow the strongholds of Satan, so that the prayer of faith offered by humble, obedient, trusting people in prayerful, obedient trust brings victory.ST Jul 21, 1881

The cross of Calvary gives the proper level to the human mind, and when rightly contemplated it lays all desire for self-glorification in the dust.Lt 20, 1897, par. 8–11+1 As it is seen aright it is found to bring a wonderful provision to every believer, for God in Christ and Christ in God levels human exaltation and pride.Lt 20, 1897, par. 8–11+1 It produces a spirit of self-abasement that promotes lowliness and humbleness of mind, leaving no place for self-exaltation but true humility.Lt 20, 1897, par. 8–11+1 This is seen in that the Creator of all worlds humbled Himself to human nature in meekness and lowliness, clothing His divinity with humanity though He was the Majesty of heaven, and though rich becoming poor so that through His poverty believers are made rich, so that any who cherish high-mindedness, self-trust, self-sufficiency and self-complacency dishonor their Maker and will surely be humbled.Lt 20, 1897, par. 8–11+1

The power of God in the preaching of the cross has been placed at the disposal of the church, with power for everyone who holds the beginning of confidence firm to the end.Ms 118, 1902, par. 7+1 It is entered into by complying with Christ's invitation to come to Him and by gladly wearing His yoke of restraint to find rest.Ms 118, 1902, par. 7+1 That coming expels haughty self-sufficiency and brings the meekness and lowliness and humility of Christ into the daily life.Ms 118, 1902, par. 7+1 When a person gives himself to God, Christ controls every part and fiber of the being and makes that person a power for good and a force for good.Ms 118, 1902, par. 7+1

True belief moves a person out of self and into Christ, converts the heart, and changes the character and spirit.RH Aug 17, 1911+1 It clothes the life with the righteousness of Christ, subdues the natural heart and changes the disposition to fit people for heaven, and dying to sin and receiving life in Christ fills the heart with divine love and joy.RH Aug 17, 1911+1 When the cross of Calvary is lifted up and becomes the focus of thought, God's power strengthens spiritual faculties and concentrates energies for service, revealing Christ's incarnate love to be proclaimed to the world.RH Aug 17, 1911 Those who only profess the truth, remain unchanged, trust their own righteousness, and do not obey the Word do not receive this saving power and are not written in the book of life.Ms 143, 1898, par. 22

Grace changes how people value the work of God, so that without spiritual sight they may regard the advocates of truth as inferior to those advancing error, while those who believe receive the cross as God's power.Ms 6, 1892, par. 27–28 The preaching of Christ's cross is foolishness to those who are proud and have no personal experience of its saving power, and people who trust their own wisdom and goodness cannot understand it, for its message calls them to give up self-love and belong wholly to Christ.Ms 6, 1892, par. 27–28+1 Rich and learned people who trust human wisdom, riches, and status for salvation reject this power and exalt themselves above those who come to Jesus and to Christ for life.Ms 65b, 1898, par. 3 Men of wealth and status may turn from the present message for this time because of the cross, while those willing to receive Christ can be blessed by His sacrifice.Ms 65b, 1898, par. 3+1

In the last days the greatest scholars, statesmen, and most eminent men turn from the light because the world by wisdom knows not God.Ms 106, 1902, par. 36–37 To those who are perishing the preaching of the cross is foolishness, so men learned in worldly wisdom reject it, while to those who are saved it is the power of God, and that power from God alone gives success.Ms 106, 1902, par. 36–37+1 The world's wisdom cannot bring people to know God, for the cross overturns human claims to wisdom and power.AA 241.2–3 In explaining the mysteries of the gospel, babes and children in Christ and unlearned men willing to learn are far in advance of the worldly wise, and while some eminent people will reject the light, others will become humble learners of Christ.Ms 106, 1902, par. 36–37+1

The preaching of the cross exposes the true condition of professed believers by the way they receive it.Ms 74, 1899, par. 3–4 Those who are perishing are unconverted professors who bring old dispositions into the church and are not conformed to the Spirit of Christ, and to them that preaching is foolishness.Ms 74, 1899, par. 3–4 When it condemns selfishness and an irreligious course and exposes defects of character they are offended and become enemies of their brethren and of the church.Ms 74, 1899, par. 3–4 It is the carnal, envious, strife-filled, divided and spiritually dwarfed state that could bear only milk and not advanced truth at Corinth, and the same course in 1898 ruins the soul, deceives others and brings the spell of Satan.Ms 74, 1899, par. 3–4

Human limits cannot explain all of God's works and purposes, and to treat what cannot be fathomed as evidence against Him leads toward darkness.4T 584.2–585.1 Persisting in doubt makes a person less responsive to His Spirit and more subject to deception, until what is truly God's power is mistaken for foolishness and false wisdom is regarded as strength.4T 584.2–585.1 The same truth appears foolish to minds governed by unbelief while it is God's power to those who receive spiritual discernment.4T 584.2–585.1 The cross must therefore be made prominent, for it is power to those who are saved and foolishness to those who are perishing.5T 502.1 Unseen working through men and women in positions of trust sets the cross aside by plausible errors that create doubt and distrust where safety is assumed, and when it is not prominent doubts are raised, flattering promises of gain are offered, envy is stirred, dissatisfied elements are set in motion, and desire for greatness and honor grows, with the temptation to think that faith in the cross bars great advancement, high worldly position and being called remarkable.5T 502.1

God saves believers by the foolishness of preaching Christ crucified, not by the wisdom of the world, for the world by wisdom knew not God.Lt 37, 1899, par. 5–8 Human wisdom is thus made foolish and destroyed, while Christ, a stumblingblock to Jews who require a sign and foolishness to Greeks who seek after wisdom, is the power of God and the wisdom of God to the called, both Jews and Greeks.Lt 37, 1899, par. 5–8 Under the molding of the Holy Spirit this calls for unity, that all speak the same thing on a plain thus saith the Lord with no divisions but perfectly joined in the same mind and judgment, enriched in utterance and knowledge and confirmed blameless while waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in fellowship with Him.Lt 37, 1899, par. 5–8 It calls for giving the trumpet a certain sound in proclaiming the third angel's message with medical missionary work carried practically in connection with the gospel message for this time.Lt 37, 1899, par. 5–8 Those who cannot see the bearing of this work must not control it until they understand it and can restore and not tear to pieces.Lt 37, 1899, par. 5–8

The gospel light shining from the cross rebukes selfishness and encourages liberality and benevolence.9T 254.3 It calls God's people out from their limited sphere to enter upon greater enterprises and demands unlimited effort while moral darkness covers the world.9T 254.3 Multiplying demands for means are mercy to keep them from being ensnared by worldliness and covetousness, placing before them objects that call benevolence into action so they can pattern after Christ, and increasing calls to give should not be lamented.9T 254.3 The cross is the source of the believer's hope of eternal life, and remembering that Christ gave His life honors Him by caring for suffering people and seeking to save those who meet truth and righteousness.7T 68.3+1

Carrying Christ's cross means feeling the worth of souls as shown at Calvary, and without that devotion religious work becomes mechanical, formal and powerless and brings no Saviour to people.4T 601.4–602.1 Bearing it for His sake may mean accepting a simple, distinctive, conscientious practice that draws ridicule and separates from conformity to the world, though the world regards the cross as foolishness and it is God's power to those who are saved.1T 525.1–2+1 Conscientious keepers of the Sabbath thus reject worldly popularity and inducements and may seem odd or foolish to unbelievers and even to their own children, which explains the response of those whose happiness is in worldly pleasures and vanities.Lt 9, 1873, par. 9–10 Those devoted to worldly pleasure may regard commitment to Christ as foolish or crazy, while the cross reveals the living godliness and truth absent from merely formal religion.Lt 9, 1873, par. 9–10+1

The preaching of the cross is the simple story of the cross and the love of Christ to be told to the world, which the perishing regard as foolishness but which is God's power to those who are saved.Ms 156, 1901, par. 64–65+1 The world is not to be condemned until after it has had the light, and those receiving false ideas are to be pitied.Ms 22b, 1895 [Copy 2], par. 38 Those who bring the message must come close to people and soften the message as much as possible, and this softens hearts so the Spirit can mold them and much can be done for them.Ms 22b, 1895 [Copy 2], par. 38 It points believers to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith, as the source of strength and effectiveness.Ms 156, 1901, par. 64–65 When minds are in harmony with the mind of God in educating youth, telling children the precious story of the cross lifts the teller's own soul from despondency, gloom and darkness, and considering the Redeemer's infinite sacrifice takes away all desire for the things of this world.Ms 92, 1901, par. 27