1
Παῦλος κλητὸς ἀπόστολος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ καὶ Σωσθένης ὁ ἀδελφὸς
Paul, a called apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Sosthenes the brother,
The epistolary superscription: the sender, his apostleship grounded in God's will (not self-claim — pointed in a letter contesting his authority), with Sosthenes as co-sender.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject (nominative of superscription)Παῦλος: the apostle's Roman cognomen; the Greek letter-opening names the sender first.
κλητὸςcalledNominativeattributive adjectiveκλητός: 'called'; verbal adj. of καλέω — apostleship is by divine summons, not self-appointment.
ἀπόστολοςapostleNominativeapposition to Παῦλοςἀπόστολος: 'one sent,' commissioned envoy; from ἀποστέλλω (send with authority).
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession (whose envoy)Χριστός: 'Anointed,' the Messiah; here functionally a name-title for Jesus.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to Χριστοῦ
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
θελήματοςwillGenitiveobject of διά (means/ground of calling)θέλημα: 'will'; Paul's apostleship rests on God's decision, not human appointment — a basis for his authority at Corinth.
θεοῦof GodGenitivesubjective/possessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣωσθένηςSosthenesNominativesubject (coordinate co-sender)Σωσθένης: 'Sosthenes'; perhaps the synagogue ruler of Acts 18:17, now a believer and Paul's associate.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativeapposition to Σωσθένηςἀδελφός: 'brother'; the family term for a fellow believer — Sosthenes is known to the Corinthians.
2
τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Κορίνθῳ, ἡγιασμένοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, κλητοῖς ἁγίοις, σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐπικαλουμένοις τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ, αὐτῶν καὶ ἡμῶν·
to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place — both their Lord and ours:
The addressees: a fractured local church reframed as 'the church of God,' sanctified and called — and pointedly set within the universal company of all who call on the Lord, deflating any local party-spirit.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
τῇto theDativearticle
ἐκκλησίᾳchurchDativeindirect object (addressee)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, congregation'; the LXX term for the gathered covenant people (qāhāl), now the Christian community.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession (whose church)θεός: God; 'church of God' subordinates the squabbling congregation to its true owner — not Paul's, Apollos's, or Cephas's.
τῇthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
οὔσῃthat isPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · εἰμίattributive participle→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΚορίνθῳCorinthDativedat. of placeΚόρινθος: Corinth, the wealthy, cosmopolitan Roman colony on the isthmus — proverbial for commerce and vice.
ἡγιασμένοιςhaving been sanctifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἁγιάζωsubstantival ptc. in apposition to ἐκκλησίᾳ→ intensive perfect (settled state)ἁγιάζω: 'make holy, consecrate'; the perfect marks an accomplished, abiding consecration — already saints, despite their faults.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of sanctification)
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
κλητοῖςcalledDativeapposition (verbal adj.)κλητός: 'called'; their sainthood, like Paul's apostleship (v.1), is by divine summons — a deliberate echo.
ἁγίοιςsaintsDativeapposition (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; set-apart ones — covenant-people language applied to the church.
σὺνtogether withpreposition + dative (association)
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐπικαλουμένοιςwho call uponPres Mid Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἐπικαλέωsubstantival participle (object of σύν)→ customary presentἐπικαλέω (mid.): 'call upon, invoke'; an OT idiom for worship (Joel 2:32) — here directed to the Lord Jesus.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἐπικαλουμένοιςὄνομα: 'name'; invoking the name = confessing and worshiping the person — applied to Jesus as to YHWH.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possession (whose name)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX rendering of YHWH, confessed of Jesus — the title saturates this letter's opening.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
παντὶeveryDativeattributive adjective
τόπῳplaceDativedat. of placeτόπος: 'place'; the universal scope ('in every place') relativizes Corinthian factionalism — they are one congregation among many.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive (possessive, w/ implied κυρίου)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡμῶνoursGenitivegenitive (possessive)ἡμῶν: 'ours'; the closing 'their Lord and ours' binds all believers under one common Lord.
3
χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The grace-and-peace blessing closing the salutation; Father and Lord Jesus stand together as the single source of the gift.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (nom. in greeting formula)χάρις: 'grace'; Paul reshapes the Greek χαίρειν greeting into 'grace' — God's unmerited favor.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (coordinate)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness/well-being, paired with grace in Paul's standard greeting.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)
πατρὸςFatherGenitiveapposition to θεοῦπατήρ: 'Father'; the relational name for God shared by Father and people.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κυρίουthe LordGenitiveobject of ἀπό (coordinate source)κύριος: 'Lord'; Father and Lord Jesus set in parallel as one source of grace and peace — an implicit high Christology.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
4
Εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ μου πάντοτε περὶ ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῇ χάριτι τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ δοθείσῃ ὑμῖν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ,
I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus,
The customary epistolary thanksgiving opens the body — but tellingly anchored in God's grace given them, not (as elsewhere) in their virtue; the gifts that will soon need correcting are first received as grace.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ΕὐχαριστῶI give thanksPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐχαριστέωmain verb→ customary presentεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; the standard verb opening a Pauline thanksgiving period.
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativeindirect object (recipient of thanks)
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
πάντοτεalwaysadverb (frequency)πάντοτε: 'always'; the constancy of Paul's thanksgiving for them.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of περί
ἐπὶforpreposition + dative (cause/basis)
τῇtheDativearticle
χάριτιgraceDativeobject of ἐπί (ground of thanks)χάρις: 'grace, favor'; the basis of thanksgiving — God's gift, which alone constitutes their standing and their gifts.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (whose grace)
τῇthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δοθείσῃthat was givenAor Pass Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · δίδωμιattributive participle→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the passive ('was given') marks grace as sheer gift — received, not achieved.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of the gift)
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
5
ὅτι ἐν παντὶ ἐπλουτίσθητε ἐν αὐτῷ, ἐν παντὶ λόγῳ καὶ πάσῃ γνώσει,
because in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge —
The reason for thanks: their enrichment in Christ, specified as speech (λόγος) and knowledge (γνῶσις) — the very endowments the Corinthians prized and would later misuse.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect)
παντὶeverythingDativesubstantival adj. (dat. of respect)
ἐπλουτίσθητεyou were enrichedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · πλουτίζωmain verb→ constative aoristπλουτίζω: 'make rich, enrich'; the passive points to God as the enricher — divine bounty, not Corinthian attainment.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of enrichment)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect)
παντὶallDativeattributive adjective
λόγῳspeechDativedat. of respect (specifying the riches)λόγος: 'word, speech, utterance'; here the gift of articulate expression — a quality Corinth admired (cf. 2:1–5).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάσῃallDativeattributive adjective
γνώσειknowledgeDativedat. of respect (specifying the riches)γνῶσις: 'knowledge'; spiritual insight — prized at Corinth and later qualified ('knowledge puffs up,' 8:1).
6
καθὼς τὸ μαρτύριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐβεβαιώθη ἐν ὑμῖν,
even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,
Their enrichment corresponds to the firm establishment of the gospel testimony among them: the gifts attest a genuinely rooted message.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καθὼςeven ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, even as'; correlating the enrichment with the testimony's confirmation.
τὸtheNominativearticle
μαρτύριονtestimonyNominativesubjectμαρτύριον: 'testimony, witness'; the proclaimed gospel message — here borne about Christ.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobjective genitive (testimony about Christ)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the genitive is most likely objective — the witness whose content is Christ.
ἐβεβαιώθηwas confirmedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · βεβαιόωmain verb→ constative aoristβεβαιόω: 'confirm, establish, make firm'; a commercial/legal term for ratifying — the gospel was validated among them (anticipating βεβαιώσει, v.8).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativedat. of sphere
7
ὥστε ὑμᾶς μὴ ὑστερεῖσθαι ἐν μηδενὶ χαρίσματι, ἀπεκδεχομένους τὴν ἀποκάλυψιν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·
so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you eagerly await the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The result of that confirmation: a community lacking no charisma — yet oriented forward, awaiting the Lord's revealing, which frames their gifts as provisional, for the interim.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὥστεso thatconjunction (result, + infinitive)ὥστε: 'so that, with the result that'; introducing the consequence of the confirmed testimony.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ infinitive)
ὑστερεῖσθαιto lackPres Pass Inf · ὑστερέωinfinitive of result→ present (ongoing state)ὑστερέω: 'come short, lack, be deficient'; passive 'be left behind' — they fall short in no gift.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect)
μηδενὶanyDativeattributive adj. (negated)μηδείς: 'no one, none'; here 'in no gift' — comprehensive sufficiency.
χαρίσματιgiftDativedat. of respectχάρισμα: 'grace-gift'; a Spirit-given endowment (the cognate of χάρις, v.4) — developed fully in chs. 12–14.
ἀπεκδεχομένουςeagerly awaitingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἀπεκδέχομαιadverbial ptc. (attendant circumstance)→ present (ongoing)ἀπεκδέχομαι: 'await eagerly' (double-prefixed intensive of δέχομαι); strained, expectant waiting for the End.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀποκάλυψινrevealingAccusativedirect objectἀποκάλυψις: 'unveiling, revelation'; the eschatological disclosure of Christ at his coming (the parousia).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveobjective genitive (whom is revealed)κύριος: 'Lord'; the one whose appearing is awaited.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
8
ὃς καὶ βεβαιώσει ὑμᾶς ἕως τέλους ἀνεγκλήτους ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
who will also confirm you to the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A relative clause carrying the assurance forward: the same Lord (or God) will keep them firm to the end — blameless at the Day; their security rests on him, not on their gifts.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)ὅς: the antecedent is debated — the nearer Χριστοῦ (v.7) or 'God' (cf. v.9, who is plainly the confirmer).
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
βεβαιώσειwill confirmFut Act Indic 3 Sg · βεβαιόωmain verb (rel. clause)→ predictive futureβεβαιόω: 'confirm, establish'; the future picks up v.6 — as the testimony was confirmed, so they will be kept firm.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (extent of time)
τέλουςthe endGenitiveobject of ἕως (temporal terminus)τέλος: 'end, completion'; the consummation — Christ's coming, named next as 'the day.'
ἀνεγκλήτουςblamelessAccusativeobject complement (predicate adj.)ἀνέγκλητος: 'unaccused, beyond reproach' (ἀ- + ἐγκαλέω, 'bring a charge'); a forensic term — no charge can stand against them at the Day.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedat. of timeἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the day of the Lord' — the OT day of judgment now centered on Christ's appearing.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive (whose day)κύριος: 'Lord'; 'the day of the Lord' (Joel, Amos) reassigned to Jesus Christ.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
9
πιστὸς ὁ θεὸς δι' οὗ ἐκλήθητε εἰς κοινωνίαν τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν.
God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The bedrock under the whole thanksgiving: God's faithfulness. Because the faithful God called them into fellowship with his Son, the future confirmation of v.8 is secure — and the appeal to unity (v.10) follows from this shared κοινωνία.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
πιστὸςfaithfulNominativepredicate adjective (verbless clause)πιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy'; the fronted predicate stresses it — God's reliability is the guarantee of v.8.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (agency)
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of διά)
ἐκλήθητεyou were calledAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · καλέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call'; the effectual divine call (cf. κλητοί, v.2) — God is the caller and so the guarantor.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
κοινωνίανfellowshipAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the call)κοινωνία: 'fellowship, participation, sharing'; common life with the Son — the unifying reality that exposes faction as absurd.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitiveobjective genitive (fellowship with the Son)υἱός: 'Son'; the fellowship is with God's Son — the shared bond beneath all the parties.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to υἱοῦ
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveapposition (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the climactic title closing the thanksgiving, as it opened the address (v.2).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
10
Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, διὰ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ λέγητε πάντες, καὶ μὴ ᾖ ἐν ὑμῖν σχίσματα, ἦτε δὲ κατηρτισμένοι ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ νοῒ καὶ ἐν τῇ αὐτῇ γνώμῃ.
Now I appeal to you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same judgment.
The δέ turns from thanksgiving to the letter's first matter: an urgent appeal, sworn 'through the name' just confessed, for unity in mind and judgment — the thesis statement of chs. 1–4.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
ΠαρακαλῶI appealPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ customary presentπαρακαλέω: 'urge, exhort, appeal' (lit. 'call alongside'); the formal verb of pastoral entreaty, gentler than a command.
δὲnowtransitional/developmental conjunction
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate direct address softens the rebuke — they are family, not factions.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means/adjuration)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ὀνόματοςnameGenitiveobject of διά (basis of appeal)ὄνομα: 'name'; appealing 'through the name' is near-adjuration — the one name (v.2) against many party-names (v.12).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possession (whose name)
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
ἵναthatconjunction (content of appeal, + subjunctive)ἵνα: here introducing the content of the appeal ('that…'), not strictly purpose.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
αὐτὸsame thingAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)αὐτός: 'same'; 'say the same thing' was a Greek political idiom for civic concord — Paul borrows it for the church.
λέγητεyou sayPres Act Subj 2 Pl · λέγωverb of ἵνα clause→ present (general)
πάντεςallNominativenominative in apposition to subject
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle
ᾖthere bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of ἵνα clause (existential)→ present (general)
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativedat. of sphere
σχίσματαdivisionsNominativesubject of ᾖσχίσμα: 'tear, split, division' (cf. 'schism'); a literal rip (Mt 9:16) — here fissures in the congregation's fabric.
ἦτεyou bePres Act Subj 2 Pl · εἰμίverb of ἵνα clause (w/ ptc. predicate)→ present (general)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
κατηρτισμένοιknit togetherPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · καταρτίζωptc. in periphrastic construction (w/ ἦτε)→ intensive perfect (settled state)καταρτίζω: 'mend, restore, make complete, fit together'; used of setting bones and repairing nets — a vivid picture of restored cohesion.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
αὐτῷsameDativeattributive adjective
νοῒmindDativedat. of sphereνοῦς: 'mind, understanding'; the faculty of thought/disposition — shared outlook.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
αὐτῇsameDativeattributive adjective
γνώμῃjudgmentDativedat. of sphereγνώμη: 'opinion, judgment, decision'; settled conviction — concord in conclusions, not merely vague feeling.
11
ἐδηλώθη γάρ μοι περὶ ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί μου, ὑπὸ τῶν Χλόης ὅτι ἔριδες ἐν ὑμῖν εἰσιν.
For it has been made clear to me concerning you, my brothers, by those of Chloe's household, that there are quarrels among you.
The reason for the appeal: a credible report, from Chloe's people, of quarreling — Paul names his source openly, lending the charge weight.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἐδηλώθηit was made clearAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · δηλόωmain verb (impersonal)→ constative aoristδηλόω: 'make clear, reveal, disclose'; the passive presents the information as reliably delivered.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
μοιto meDativedat. of indirect object (recipient)
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of περί
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate address again tempers the disclosure of bad news.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantival, 'those of')
Χλόηςof ChloeGenitivegenitive of relationship (household/people of)Χλόη: 'Chloe' ('verdant'); a woman known to both parties; 'those of Chloe' are her household or agents — Paul's informants.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ἔριδεςquarrelsNominativesubject of εἰσινἔρις: 'strife, contention, quarreling'; a recurring Pauline vice (Rom 1:29; Gal 5:20) — the symptom diagnosed here.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativedat. of sphere
εἰσινthere arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of ὅτι clause (existential)→ stative present
12
λέγω δὲ τοῦτο ὅτι ἕκαστος ὑμῶν λέγει· Ἐγὼ μέν εἰμι Παύλου, Ἐγὼ δὲ Ἀπολλῶ, Ἐγὼ δὲ Κηφᾶ, Ἐγὼ δὲ Χριστοῦ.
Now I mean this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."
Paul specifies the quarrel: rival slogans of allegiance. The four-slogan list (even 'I of Christ') exposes the partisan use of names — turning even Christ into a party-tag.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
λέγωI meanPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ customary presentλέγω: here 'I mean, what I am saying is' — introducing a clarification.
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (cataphoric, points to ὅτι)
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetic of τοῦτο)
ἕκαστοςeachNominativesubjectἕκαστος: 'each one'; distributive — the partisanship is pervasive, not isolated.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive genitive
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of ὅτι clause→ customary present
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
μένon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ series)
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
Παύλουof PaulGenitivepredicate genitive (of possession/belonging)Παῦλος: the slogan claims Paul as patron — ironic, since Paul writes to demolish such partisanship.
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic)
δὲandparticle (δέ in series)
Ἀπολλῶof ApollosGenitivepredicate genitiveἈπολλῶς: 'Apollos'; the eloquent Alexandrian (Acts 18:24) — his rhetorical polish likely drew an admiring faction.
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic)
δὲandparticle (δέ in series)
Κηφᾶof CephasGenitivepredicate genitiveΚηφᾶς: the Aramaic name of Peter ('rock'); a faction perhaps appealing to his apostolic primacy or Jewish-Christian leanings.
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic)
δὲandparticle (δέ in series)
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivepredicate genitiveΧριστός: the fourth slogan — perhaps a super-spiritual party, or Paul's reductio: making even Christ one option among rivals is itself the error.
13
μεμέρισται ὁ Χριστός; μὴ Παῦλος ἐσταυρώθη ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἢ εἰς τὸ ὄνομα Παύλου ἐβαπτίσθητε;
Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
Three rhetorical questions detonate the slogans: Christ cannot be parceled out; Paul was not their crucified savior nor the name into which they were baptized. The cross and baptism belong to Christ alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
μεμέρισταιhas been dividedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · μερίζωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ intensive perfectμερίζω: 'divide, apportion'; the perfect — 'is Christ in a divided state?' The absurd implication of partisanship.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΧριστόςChristNominativesubject
μὴ(surely not)interrogative particle (expects 'no')μή: introducing a question expecting the answer 'no' — 'Paul wasn't crucified for you, was he?'
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
ἐσταυρώθηwas crucifiedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · σταυρόωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ constative aoristσταυρόω: 'crucify'; the cross — the letter's central theme (vv.17–18) — belongs to Christ, not to any human leader.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (benefit/substitution)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal/ownership)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativeobject of εἰςὄνομα: 'name'; baptism 'into the name' transfers one to that person's ownership — and that name is Christ's, not Paul's.
Παύλουof PaulGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐβαπτίσθητεwere you baptizedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · βαπτίζωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ constative aoristβαπτίζω: 'dip, immerse, baptize'; the rite that incorporates into Christ — never into a human patron.
14
εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ ὅτι οὐδένα ὑμῶν ἐβάπτισα εἰ μὴ Κρίσπον καὶ Γάϊον,
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
Paul presses the baptism point onto himself: he is relieved (ironically thankful) to have baptized so few — lest anyone make his name a baptismal banner.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
εὐχαριστῶI thankPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐχαριστέωmain verb→ customary presentεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; here almost wry — grateful that the slender baptismal record gives no party fuel.
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
οὐδέναnoneAccusativedirect object (substantival, negated)οὐδείς: 'no one'; emphatic — 'not a single one of you,' bar the exceptions named.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive genitive
ἐβάπτισαI baptizedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · βαπτίζωverb of ὅτι clause→ constative aorist
εἰifconjunction (in εἰ μή idiom)
μὴnotnegative (εἰ μή = 'except')εἰ μή: idiom 'except, unless'; introducing the two exceptions.
ΚρίσπονCrispusAccusativedirect object (exception)Κρίσπος: 'Crispus'; the former synagogue ruler converted at Corinth (Acts 18:8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΓάϊονGaiusAccusativedirect object (exception)Γάϊος: 'Gaius'; likely Paul's host at Corinth (Rom 16:23).
15
ἵνα μή τις εἴπῃ ὅτι εἰς τὸ ἐμὸν ὄνομα ἐβαπτίσθητε.
so that no one may say that you were baptized into my name.
The point of his relief: to forestall any claim that converts were baptized into Paul's name — the very partisanship of v.12 in embryo.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)
μήnotnegative particle
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)
εἴπῃshould sayAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λέγωverb of ἵνα clause→ ingressive aorist
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal/ownership)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἐμὸνmyAccusativeattributive possessive adjectiveἐμός: 'my, mine'; the emphatic possessive — 'into the name that is mine.'
ὄνομαnameAccusativeobject of εἰς
ἐβαπτίσθητεyou were baptizedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · βαπτίζωverb of ὅτι clause→ constative aorist
16
ἐβάπτισα δὲ καὶ τὸν Στεφανᾶ οἶκον· λοιπὸν οὐκ οἶδα εἴ τινα ἄλλον ἐβάπτισα.
(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)
An afterthought correcting the tally — the household of Stephanas — and a candid admission of imperfect memory, underscoring how peripheral baptizing was to his commission.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἐβάπτισαI baptizedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · βαπτίζωmain verb→ constative aorist
δὲbut/nowdevelopmental conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
Στεφανᾶof StephanasGenitivegenitive of possession (whose household)Στεφανᾶς: 'Stephanas'; 'the firstfruits of Achaia' (16:15), whose household Paul baptized.
οἶκονhouseholdAccusativedirect objectοἶκος: 'house, household'; the family unit including dependents — baptized together.
λοιπὸνbeyond thatadverbial accusative (transitional)λοιπόν: 'as for the rest, furthermore, beyond that'; here drawing a line under the list.
οὐκnotnegative particle
οἶδαI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present senseοἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present meaning); the candid 'I don't know' shows baptizing was not his record-keeping concern.
εἴwhetherconjunction (indirect question)
τιναanyAccusativeattributive (indefinite)
ἄλλονotherAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)ἄλλος: 'other, another'; whether any further person.
ἐβάπτισαI baptizedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · βαπτίζωverb of indirect question→ constative aorist
17
οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλέν με Χριστὸς βαπτίζειν ἀλλὰ εὐαγγελίζεσθαι, οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου, ἵνα μὴ κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρὸς τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel — not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
The reason baptizing was marginal: his commission is to preach. The negative 'not in wisdom of speech' pivots the whole letter toward its theme — the cross versus rhetorical wisdom (vv.18ff.).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀπέστειλένsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send (with a commission)'; the cognate of ἀπόστολος (v.1) — Paul's sending defines his task.
μεmeAccusativedirect object
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
βαπτίζεινto baptizePres Act Inf · βαπτίζωcomplementary infinitive (of purpose)→ present (general)
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong)
εὐαγγελίζεσθαιto preach the gospelPres Mid Inf · εὐαγγελίζωcomplementary infinitive (of purpose)→ present (general)εὐαγγελίζομαι: 'announce good news'; the cognate verb of εὐαγγέλιον — Paul's defining commission.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/means)
σοφίᾳwisdomDativedat. of mannerσοφία: 'wisdom'; here rhetorical/philosophical cleverness — the key term of vv.18–31, prized at Corinth.
λόγουof speechGenitiveattributive/descriptive genitiveλόγος: 'word, speech, eloquence'; 'wisdom of speech' = polished oratory, the cultured rhetoric Paul renounces.
ἵναlestconjunction (negative purpose, + subj.)
μὴnotnegative particle
κενωθῇbe emptiedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · κενόωverb of ἵνα clause→ ingressive aoristκενόω: 'empty, make void, drain of content'; rhetorical flourish would hollow out the cross's intrinsic power.
ὁtheNominativearticle
σταυρὸςcrossNominativesubject of κενωθῇσταυρός: 'cross'; the instrument of shameful execution, now the saving center — introduced as the letter's counter-wisdom.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of possession
18
Ὁ λόγος γὰρ ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῖς μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία ἐστίν, τοῖς δὲ σῳζομένοις ἡμῖν δύναμις θεοῦ ἐστιν.
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.
The thesis grounding v.17: the cross-message sorts humanity into two camps — folly to the perishing, divine power to the saved. The μέν…δέ antithesis structures the whole section.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ὉtheNominativearticle
λόγοςword/messageNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word, message'; 'the word of the cross' = the gospel proclamation centered on Christ crucified.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (modifier, 'that of')
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
σταυροῦcrossGenitiveobjective/content genitive (message about the cross)σταυρός: 'cross'; the genitive defines the message's content and offense — a crucified Messiah.
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ antithesis)
ἀπολλυμένοιςwho are perishingPres Mid Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἀπόλλυμιsubstantival ptc. (dat. of reference)→ present (ongoing process)ἀπόλλυμι (mid.): 'perish, be destroyed, be lost'; the present marks a process underway — those on the road to ruin.
μωρίαfoolishnessNominativepredicate nominativeμωρία: 'folly, absurdity' (cf. 'moron'); a crucified savior strikes the worldly-wise as nonsense.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative particle (δέ)
σῳζομένοιςwho are being savedPres Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · σῴζωsubstantival ptc. (dat. of reference)→ present (ongoing process)σῴζω: 'save, rescue, preserve'; the present 'being saved' frames salvation as a process now in train, mirroring 'perishing.'
ἡμῖνusDativeapposition to σῳζομένοις
δύναμιςpowerNominativepredicate nominativeδύναμις: 'power'; the cross is not weakness but God's saving might — answering 'foolishness' with 'power.'
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
19
γέγραπται γάρ· Ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν, καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν ἀθετήσω.
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will set aside."
Isaiah 29:14 (LXX) grounds the thesis: God himself has pledged to overthrow human wisdom — so the cross's offense to the wise is the working-out of prophecy.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (standing authority)γράφω: 'write'; the perfect γέγραπται = 'it stands written,' the standard formula introducing authoritative Scripture.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἈπολῶI will destroyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (quotation)→ predictive futureἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, ruin'; God the speaker — the same root as 'perishing' (v.18), now active judgment on wisdom.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
σοφίανwisdomAccusativedirect objectσοφία: 'wisdom'; human cleverness as a self-sufficient system, the target of God's destroying.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
σοφῶνwiseGenitivesubstantival adj. (possessive genitive)σοφός: 'wise (one)'; the worldly sages whose wisdom God overturns.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
σύνεσινdiscernmentAccusativedirect objectσύνεσις: 'understanding, discernment, insight'; the capacity to 'put together' — paralleling σοφία.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
συνετῶνdiscerningGenitivesubstantival adj. (possessive genitive)συνετός: 'intelligent, discerning'; the clever, whose insight God will nullify.
ἀθετήσωI will set asideFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀθετέωmain verb (quotation)→ predictive futureἀθετέω: 'reject, nullify, set aside, declare invalid'; to treat as void — God annuls their vaunted discernment.
20
ποῦ σοφός; ποῦ γραμματεύς; ποῦ συζητητὴς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου; οὐχὶ ἐμώρανεν ὁ θεὸς τὴν σοφίαν τοῦ κόσμου;
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
A volley of taunting questions (echoing Isa 19:12; 33:18) parades the world's intellectual types — only to dismiss them: God has already made their wisdom folly.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverbποῦ: 'where?'; the triple 'where?' is a rhetorical dismissal — these figures have nowhere to stand.
σοφόςwise manNominativesubject (verbless)σοφός: 'wise one'; the philosopher/sage of the Greek world.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb
γραμματεύςscribeNominativesubject (verbless)γραμματεύς: 'scribe, scholar'; the Jewish expert in the Law — the learned of Israel.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb
συζητητὴςdebaterNominativesubject (verbless)συζητητής: 'disputer, debater' (from συζητέω, 'dispute together'); the skilled controversialist of the age.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
αἰῶνοςageGenitiveattributive genitiveαἰών: 'age, era'; 'this age' — the present world-order under judgment, contrasted with the age to come.
τούτουthisGenitiveattributive demonstrative
οὐχὶ(has not)interrogative negative (expects 'yes')οὐχί: emphatic 'not'; introducing a question expecting affirmation — 'surely God has…'
ἐμώρανενmade foolishAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μωραίνωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ constative aoristμωραίνω: 'make foolish, show to be folly' (cf. μωρία, v.18); God has exposed worldly wisdom as the real absurdity.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
σοφίανwisdomAccusativedirect object
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitivepossessive/descriptive genitiveκόσμος: 'world'; here humanity in its God-opposing order — its 'wisdom' is what God has shown to be folly.
21
ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ κόσμος διὰ τῆς σοφίας τὸν θεόν, εὐδόκησεν ὁ θεὸς διὰ τῆς μωρίας τοῦ κηρύγματος σῶσαι τοὺς πιστεύοντας.
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through its wisdom, God was pleased through the foolishness of what is preached to save those who believe.
The rationale: since human wisdom failed to find God, God chose deliberately to save through 'foolish' preaching — a sovereign reversal that mocks self-sufficient wisdom.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ἐπειδὴsincecausal conjunctionἐπειδή: 'since, because, inasmuch as'; introducing the causal premise.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/circumstance)
τῇtheDativearticle
σοφίᾳwisdomDativedat. of sphere (God's wise arrangement)σοφία: here God's wisdom — the wise design within which the world's failure unfolds.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔγνωknewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (ἐπειδή clause)→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know, come to know'; the world failed to attain saving knowledge of God by its own intellect.
ὁtheNominativearticle
κόσμοςworldNominativesubject
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σοφίαςwisdomGenitiveobject of διά (means that failed)σοφία: the world's own wisdom — the failed instrument of knowing God.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativedirect object of ἔγνω
εὐδόκησενwas pleasedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐδοκέωmain verb (apodosis)→ constative aoristεὐδοκέω: 'be pleased, take delight, resolve'; God's sovereign good pleasure chose the means of salvation.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
μωρίαςfoolishnessGenitiveobject of διά (paradoxical means)μωρία: 'folly'; the deliberate paradox — God saves precisely through what the world deems absurd.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κηρύγματοςpreachingGenitiveobjective/descriptive genitiveκήρυγμα: 'proclamation, what is preached' (from κῆρυξ, 'herald'); the content/act of preaching, deemed foolish yet saving.
σῶσαιto saveAor Act Inf · σῴζωcomplementary infinitive (of εὐδόκησεν)→ constative aoristσῴζω: 'save'; the goal of God's good pleasure.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
πιστεύονταςwho believePres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle (object of σῶσαι)→ customary presentπιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; faith, not wisdom, is the condition — salvation comes to believers, not the clever.
22
ἐπειδὴ καὶ Ἰουδαῖοι σημεῖα αἰτοῦσιν καὶ Ἕλληνες σοφίαν ζητοῦσιν,
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
The two characteristic demands of humanity: Jewish craving for miraculous proof, Greek appetite for wisdom — both of which the cross confounds.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἐπειδὴfor / sincecausal conjunctionἐπειδή: 'since, because'; resuming the causal explanation of the divine strategy.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καί … καί)
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubjectἸουδαῖος: 'Jew, Judean'; representative of those demanding a sign-authenticated Messiah.
σημεῖαsignsAccusativedirect objectσημεῖον: 'sign, miracle'; the Jews wanted attesting wonders (cf. Mt 12:38) — a crucified Messiah seemed the opposite.
αἰτοῦσινdemandPres Act Indic 3 Pl · αἰτέωmain verb→ customary presentαἰτέω: 'ask, demand, request'; the persistent demand for proof.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
ἝλληνεςGreeksNominativesubjectἝλλην: 'Greek'; standing for the Gentile world enamored of philosophy and rhetoric.
σοφίανwisdomAccusativedirect objectσοφία: 'wisdom'; the Greeks craved intellectual sophistication — and found the cross beneath their dignity.
ζητοῦσινseekPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ζητέωmain verb→ customary presentζητέω: 'seek, search for'; the ongoing pursuit of wisdom.
23
ἡμεῖς δὲ κηρύσσομεν Χριστὸν ἐσταυρωμένον, Ἰουδαίοις μὲν σκάνδαλον, ἔθνεσιν δὲ μωρίαν,
but we preach Christ crucified — to Jews a stumbling-block and to Gentiles foolishness,
Over against both demands stands the apostolic message: a crucified Messiah — an offense to Jews, absurdity to Gentiles. The emphatic 'we' sets the preachers against the world's expectations.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we' — the apostolic preachers, contrasted with the seeking Jews and Greeks.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
κηρύσσομενwe preachPres Act Indic 1 Pl · κηρύσσωmain verb→ customary presentκηρύσσω: 'proclaim, herald' (cognate of κήρυγμα, v.21); the act of public announcement, not persuasive argument.
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativedirect objectΧριστός: 'Messiah'; the scandal sharpens — a crucified Messiah, a contradiction in Jewish terms.
ἐσταυρωμένονcrucifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · σταυρόωattributive participle (predicate adjunct)→ intensive perfect (abiding state)σταυρόω: 'crucify'; the perfect marks the abiding character — 'the crucified one,' Christ as permanently the Crucified.
Ἰουδαίοιςto JewsDativedat. of reference/disadvantage
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ)
σκάνδαλονstumbling-blockAccusativepredicate accusative (in apposition)σκάνδαλον: 'trap-trigger, snare, stumbling-block, offense'; a crucified Messiah is an outrage to Jewish expectation (cf. Deut 21:23).
ἔθνεσινto GentilesDativedat. of reference/disadvantageἔθνος: 'nation'; plural = the Gentiles, here the counterpart to Ἕλληνες (v.22).
δὲon the other handparticle (δέ in antithesis)
μωρίανfoolishnessAccusativepredicate accusative (in apposition)μωρία: 'folly'; to cultured Gentiles a crucified deity is sheer absurdity.
24
αὐτοῖς δὲ τοῖς κλητοῖς, Ἰουδαίοις τε καὶ Ἕλλησιν, Χριστὸν θεοῦ δύναμιν καὶ θεοῦ σοφίαν·
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the called — crossing the Jew/Greek divide — the same crucified Christ is precisely God's power and God's wisdom: the categories the world sought, found only in the cross.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
αὐτοῖςto themDativedat. of reference (intensive w/ τοῖς κλητοῖς)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
τοῖςtheDativearticle
κλητοῖςcalledDativesubstantival adj. (dat. of reference)κλητός: 'called'; the effectually called (cf. vv.2, 9) — for whom the cross is power and wisdom, not offense.
Ἰουδαίοιςto JewsDativeapposition to τοῖς κλητοῖς
τεbothcorrelative particle (τε … καί)τε: 'and'; τε…καί links Jews and Greeks tightly — the call erases the distinction.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
ἝλλησινGreeksDativeapposition to τοῖς κλητοῖς
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeobject (resuming κηρύσσομεν Χριστόν, v.23)
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source
δύναμινpowerAccusativepredicate accusative (in apposition)δύναμις: 'power'; what the Jews really needed, found in the cross — answering their demand for signs.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source
σοφίανwisdomAccusativepredicate accusative (in apposition)σοφία: 'wisdom'; what the Greeks really sought, found in the cross — answering their quest for wisdom.
25
ὅτι τὸ μωρὸν τοῦ θεοῦ σοφώτερον τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐστίν, καὶ τὸ ἀσθενὲς τοῦ θεοῦ ἰσχυρότερον τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
An axiom clinching the paradox: God's so-called folly and weakness — the cross — outstrip all human wisdom and strength. The comparatives are deliberately incongruous, driving the irony home.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
μωρὸνfoolishnessNominativesubject (substantival adjective)μωρός: 'foolish'; the neuter abstract 'the foolish thing of God' = the cross, which only seems folly.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
σοφώτερονwiserNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)σοφός (compar.): 'wiser'; the paradoxical comparison — God's 'folly' surpasses human wisdom.
τῶνthan theGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivegenitive of comparisonἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the genitive of comparison — wiser than [the wisdom of] humans.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἀσθενὲςweaknessNominativesubject (substantival adjective)ἀσθενής: 'weak, feeble'; 'the weak thing of God' = the cross's apparent powerlessness.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
ἰσχυρότερονstrongerNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)ἰσχυρός (compar.): 'stronger, mightier'; God's 'weakness' overpowers all human strength.
τῶνthan theGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivegenitive of comparison
26
Βλέπετε γὰρ τὴν κλῆσιν ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί, ὅτι οὐ πολλοὶ σοφοὶ κατὰ σάρκα, οὐ πολλοὶ δυνατοί, οὐ πολλοὶ εὐγενεῖς·
For consider your calling, brothers: not many were wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.
Proof from their own makeup: God's wisdom-confounding strategy is visible in the church itself — drawn largely from the unwise, unpowerful, and ignoble of Corinth.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ΒλέπετεconsiderPres Act Impv 2 Pl · βλέπωmain verb (imperative)→ present (general command)βλέπω: 'look at, observe, consider'; the imperative summons them to examine the evidence of their own ranks. (Some take it as indicative, 'you see.')
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κλῆσινcallingAccusativedirect objectκλῆσις: 'calling'; here the circumstances at the time of their call — their station when God summoned them.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the warm address as Paul turns the argument onto them personally.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
οὐnotnegative particle
πολλοὶmanyNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πολύς: 'many'; 'not many' (not 'none') — God's choice ran against, not wholly excluding, the elite.
σοφοὶwiseNominativepredicate adjectiveσοφός: 'wise'; few among them were intellectuals by the world's measure.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
σάρκαthe fleshAccusativeobject of κατά (standard of measure)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here 'by human standards' — wise as the world reckons wisdom.
οὐnotnegative particle
πολλοὶmanyNominativesubject (substantival adj.)
δυνατοίpowerfulNominativepredicate adjectiveδυνατός: 'powerful, influential'; the politically/socially mighty — few in the church.
οὐnotnegative particle
πολλοὶmanyNominativesubject (substantival adj.)
εὐγενεῖςof noble birthNominativepredicate adjectiveεὐγενής: 'well-born, of noble descent' (εὖ + γένος); the aristocratic — rare among them.
27
ἀλλὰ τὰ μωρὰ τοῦ κόσμου ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεὸς ἵνα καταισχύνῃ τοὺς σοφούς, καὶ τὰ ἀσθενῆ τοῦ κόσμου ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεὸς ἵνα καταισχύνῃ τὰ ἰσχυρά,
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong,
The strong adversative announces God's deliberate strategy: he elected the world's 'foolish' and 'weak' precisely in order to shame the wise and strong — a purposed inversion of human values.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong)
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
μωρὰfoolish thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)μωρός: 'foolish'; the neuter plural abstracts the persons into 'the foolish things' — emphasizing their nothingness in the world's eyes.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitivepartitive/descriptive genitiveκόσμος: 'world'; the realm whose verdicts God overturns.
ἐξελέξατοchoseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἐκλέγομαι: 'pick out, choose, elect' (mid., 'choose for oneself'); divine election as the engine of the reversal.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subj.)
καταισχύνῃhe might shamePres Act Subj 3 Sg · καταισχύνωverb of ἵνα clause→ present (general)καταισχύνω: 'put to shame, disgrace, humiliate'; God's choice exposes the wise as confounded.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
σοφούςwiseAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)σοφός: 'wise'; the worldly-wise, shamed by God's choice of fools.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἀσθενῆweak thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)ἀσθενής: 'weak'; the powerless of the world, God's chosen instruments.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitivepartitive/descriptive genitive
ἐξελέξατοchoseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb→ constative aorist
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subj.)
καταισχύνῃhe might shamePres Act Subj 3 Sg · καταισχύνωverb of ἵνα clause→ present (general)
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἰσχυράstrong thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)ἰσχυρός: 'strong, mighty'; the powerful, shamed by God's choice of the weak.
28
καὶ τὰ ἀγενῆ τοῦ κόσμου καὶ τὰ ἐξουθενημένα ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεός, τὰ μὴ ὄντα, ἵνα τὰ ὄντα καταργήσῃ,
and God chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things, the things that are not, in order to nullify the things that are,
The reversal climbs to its limit: God chose the lowborn, the despised, 'the things that are not' — to nullify 'the things that are.' Election out of nothingness mirrors creation itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἀγενῆlowly thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)ἀγενής: 'base-born, lowly, of no family' (the negation of εὐγενής, v.26); the socially despised.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitivepartitive/descriptive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐξουθενημέναdespised thingsPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · ἐξουθενέωsubstantival participle (direct object)→ intensive perfect (settled state)ἐξουθενέω: 'despise, treat with contempt, count as nothing'; the perfect — those held in settled contempt by the world.
ἐξελέξατοchoseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb→ constative aorist
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubject
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ participle)
ὄνταthings that arePres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · εἰμίsubstantival participle (apposition)→ stative presentεἰμί (ptc.): 'the things that are not' — the non-entities in the world's reckoning, summing up the despised.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subj.)
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὄνταthings that arePres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · εἰμίsubstantival participle (object of καταργήσῃ)→ stative presentεἰμί (ptc.): 'the things that are' — what the world counts real and substantial, now nullified.
καταργήσῃhe might nullifyAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καταργέωverb of ἵνα clause→ constative aoristκαταργέω: 'render inoperative, abolish, nullify, bring to nothing'; God reduces the 'somethings' of the world to nothing.
29
ὅπως μὴ καυχήσηται πᾶσα σὰρξ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.
so that no flesh may boast before God.
The final purpose of the whole strategy: to exclude all human boasting before God. Election of the nothings leaves no ground for self-glory — the theological point of the reversal.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ὅπωςso thatconjunction (purpose, + subj.)ὅπως: 'so that, in order that'; introducing the ultimate aim of vv.27–28.
μὴnotnegative particle
καυχήσηταιmay boastAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · καυχάομαιverb of ὅπως clause→ constative aoristκαυχάομαι: 'boast, glory, exult'; the key Pauline term — self-boasting is excluded, and reassigned to the Lord (v.31).
πᾶσαall/anyNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, every'; with negation, 'no flesh at all' — a Semitic idiom for 'no human being whatever.'
σὰρξfleshNominativesubjectσάρξ: 'flesh'; here 'flesh' = humanity in its creaturely frailty, with no claim before God.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (in the presence of)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in the presence of'; the courtroom-like setting — no boasting can stand in God's sight.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιον
30
ἐξ αὐτοῦ δὲ ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ὃς ἐγενήθη σοφία ἡμῖν ἀπὸ θεοῦ, δικαιοσύνη τε καὶ ἁγιασμὸς καὶ ἀπολύτρωσις,
But from him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom for us from God — both righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
The positive counterpart: their whole existence is from God, in Christ — who is himself God's wisdom for them, unpacked as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. The 'wisdom' Corinth craved is a person, given by grace.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source — God)αὐτοῦ: 'him' = God; the fronted 'from him' stresses that their standing originates wholly in God, not themselves.
δὲbutadversative/developmental conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἐστεarePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of union)
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
ἐγενήθηbecameAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; Christ 'was made' wisdom for us — by God's act, in his saving work.
σοφίαwisdomNominativepredicate nominativeσοφία: 'wisdom'; the chapter's contested word resolved — true wisdom is Christ himself, not human cleverness.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedat. of advantage
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)
δικαιοσύνηrighteousnessNominativepredicate nom. (epexegetic of σοφία)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, justification'; Christ is our right standing before God — the first facet of his wisdom-for-us.
τεbothcorrelative particle (τε καί)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἁγιασμὸςsanctificationNominativepredicate nom. (epexegetic of σοφία)ἁγιασμός: 'sanctification, holiness, consecration'; Christ is our being-made-holy (cf. ἡγιασμένοις, v.2).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπολύτρωσιςredemptionNominativepredicate nom. (epexegetic of σοφία)ἀπολύτρωσις: 'redemption, release by ransom'; Christ is our deliverance — the climactic, eschatological facet (cf. Rom 8:23).
31
ἵνα καθὼς γέγραπται· Ὁ καυχώμενος ἐν κυρίῳ καυχάσθω.
so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
The capstone purpose, sealed by Scripture (Jer 9:24 LXX): since all is from God in Christ, the only legitimate boasting is boasting in the Lord — the positive answer to v.29's exclusion of self-glory.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + imperatival sense)ἵνα: 'so that'; the purpose-clause here governs a citation whose verb is imperative — the divinely-intended outcome.
καθὼςascomparative conjunction (citation)καθώς: 'just as'; standard introduction to a Scripture quotation.
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωverb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (standing authority)γράφω: 'write'; γέγραπται 'it stands written' — here citing Jeremiah 9:23–24 (LXX 9:22–23).
Ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καυχώμενοςwho boastsPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καυχάομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentκαυχάομαι: 'boast, glory'; the would-be boaster — redirected away from self toward the Lord.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (object/ground of boasting)
κυρίῳthe LordDativeobject of ἐν (ground of boasting)κύριος: 'Lord'; in Jeremiah, YHWH; here applied so that boasting belongs to the Lord (Christ/God) alone — the chapter's closing note.
καυχάσθωlet him boastPres Mid Impv 3 Sg · καυχάομαιmain verb (imperative, in citation)→ present (general command)καυχάομαι: 'boast'; the third-person imperative — the only sanctioned boasting is in the Lord.