Two Classes of Gospel Hearers
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God.


I. THE ONE IS PERISHING, THE OTHER IS BEING SAVED. The perishing and the saving are gradual.

1. There is a class gradually losing sensibility — contracting fresh guilt, &c. They are not damned at once.

2. There is a class gradually being saved. Salvation in its fullest extent is not an instantaneous thing, as some suppose.

II. TO THE ONE CLASS THE GOSPEL IS FOOLISHNESS, TO THE OTHER THE POWER OF GOD.

1. It is foolishness to them that are perishing, because it has no meaning, no reality.

2. It is a Divine power to them that are being saved. Enlightening, renovating, purifying, ennobling. The power of God stands in contrust with mere human philosophy and eloquence.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

WEB: 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.




The Word of the Cross
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