1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

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

1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "saved", "preaching", "cross", "perish", "foolishness", and "power". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "saved" and "preaching", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "For Christ sent me not to baptize..." into verse 19's "For it is written I will destroy...", so "saved" and "preaching" belong inside that flow. In 1 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "saved" and "preaching" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.