1 Cor 1:18-25

1.18 The word for "the Word of the cross" is literally "ho logos." The logos of the cross; the matter, the word, the thing of the cross.

1.18 Both of the key verbs in the sentence (save; perish) are in the passive present. In other words, the act of being saved (sooz-oo) or perishing (apollu-mi; as in "lose one's life from last week) is a constant process being done to us.

1.21 The word here for "pleased" is eudoke-oo, which is the word that God uses in to talk describe Jesus, "the one in whom I am well pleased."

1.21 Paul does not talk about the Holy Spirit directly in these verses, however, Paul speaks about "kerygamatos" (proclamation) and "keryss-oo" (preaching) The kergyma is effective Paul points out, because of the Spirit (1 Cor 2.4); also, faith comes about through the proclamation (15.11; Romans 10:14-15) and faith finally comes from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3). So for Paul, the Spirit is not absent in his words about how the cross becomes effective for us.

1.23 The word for crucified here is in the perfect tense, a reminder that even though Jesus is resurrected, crucifixion is a lasting reality.

1.23 The word for "scandal" is "skandalon" which can mean stumbling block.

1.24 The expression "Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God" is slightly off in that there is no "the" in the greek. Thus, Christ is a power of God and a wisdom of God, technically...