1 Corinthians 1:22

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1 Corinthians 1:22 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom,

King James Version KJV

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

American Standard Version ASV

Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:

Bible in Basic English BBE

Seeing that the Jews make request for signs, and the Greeks are looking for knowledge:

Free Bible Version FBV

The Jews ask for miraculous signs, and Greeks look for wisdom,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Seeing also that the Iewes require a signe, and the Grecians seeke after wisdome.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Since also Jews ask a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom,

World English Bible WEB

For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For both the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

Translation for Translators T4T

The Jews want people to prove, by performing miracles, that their message is true. The non-Jews want to hear only messages consisting of talk that they consider to be very wise.

Plain English Version PEV

You see, the Jewish people want to see God do something powerful, and then they reckon they will believe him. And other people that are not Jews, they just want to hear about smart ideas.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 1:22

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Corinthians 1:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK επειδη και ιουδαιοι σημειον αιτουσιν και ελληνες σοφιαν ζητουσιν

επειδη epeidē G1894 since Conj

και kai G2532 and Conj

ιουδαιοι Ioudaios G2453 Jew Adj-NPM

σημειον sēmeion G4592 sign Noun-ASN

αιτουσιν aiteō G154 to ask Verb-PAI-3P

και kai G2532 and Conj

ελληνες Hellēn G1672 Greek, Gentile Noun-NPM

σοφιαν sophia G4678 wisdom Noun-ASF

ζητουσιν zēteō G2212 to seek Verb-PAI-3P

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 1:22

επειδη epeidē G1894 "since" Conj

Since now refers to a point in time or a cause, as seen in Luke 11:6 and Acts 13:46. This word is used to describe a reason or a time. It appears in various Bible passages to introduce a cause or a time, often indicating a shift in action or thought.

Definition: ἐπει-δή conj.; __1. of time, when now, after that: Luk.7:1 (WH, txt.). __2. Of cause, seeing that, forasmuch as: Luk.11:6, Act.13:46 (WH, txt., RV) Act.14:12 15:24, 1Co.1:21-22 14:16 15:21, Php.2:26.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: after that, because, for (that, -asmuch as), seeing, since See also: 1 Corinthians 1:21; Acts 14:12; Philippians 2:26.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ιουδαιοι Ioudaios G2453 "Jew" Adj-NPM

This word means a person from Judah or a Jew, used in Acts 10:28 and John 4:9 to describe people of Jewish descent. It is also used to describe the land of Judah, as in Matthew 2:6.

Definition: Ἰουδαῖος, -αία, -αῖον (Ἰούδας), Jewish: ἀνήρ, Act.10:28 22:3; ἄνθρωπος, Act.21:39; ψευδοπροφήτης, 13:6; ἀσχιερεύς, 19:14; γυνή, 16:1 24:24; γῆ, Jhn.3:22; χώρα, Mrk.1:5. Substantively, __(a) Ἰουδαῖος, ὁ, a Jew: Jhn.4:9, Act.18:24, Rom.2:28; pl., Rev.2:9 3:9; οἱ Ἰ., Mat.2:2, Mrk.7:3, Jhn.2:6, al.; Ἰ. τε καὶ Ἕλληνες, Act.14:1, al.; κ. προσήλυτοι, Act.2:10; ἔθνη τε κ. Ἰ., Act.14:5; οἱ κατὰ τὰ ἔθνη, Act.21:21; of Jewish Christians, Gal.2:13; of the ruling class who opposed Jesus, Jhn.1:19 2:18 5:10 11:8 13:33, al.; __(b) Ἰουδαία, -ας, ἡ (sc. γῆ, χώρα, cf. Jhn.3:22, Mrk.1:5), (Heb. יְהוּדָה), Judæa: Mat.2:1, Luk.1:5, Jhn.4:3, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 188 NT verses. KJV: Jew(-ess), of Judæa See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 2:13; Revelation 2:9.

σημειον sēmeion G4592 "sign" Noun-ASN

A sign is an indication or token of something, often supernatural. In the Bible, it's used in Matthew 26:48 and Luke 2:12 to describe miracles or events that point to God.

Definition: σημεῖον, -ου, τό [in LXX chiefly for אוֹת ;] a sign, mark, token; __(a) of that which distinguishes a person or thing from others: Mat.26:48 Luk.2:12, 2Th.3:17 (cf. Deiss., LAE, 153.2); before genitive epexeg., Rom.4:11; with genitive obj., Mat.24:8, 30, 2Co.12:12; with genitive subj., Mat.16:3; __(b) a sign of warning or admonition: Mat.12:39 16:4, Luk.2:34 11:29-30, 1Co.14:22; __(with) a sign portending future events (Soph., Plat. al.): Mrk.13:4, Luk.21:7, 11 21:25, Act.2:19, Rev.12:1, 3 15:1; __(d) of miracles and wonders (MM, xxii), regarded as signs of a divine authority: Mat.12:38-39 16:1, 4 Mrk.8:11-12 Luk.11:16, 29 23:8, Jhn.2:11, 18 2:23 4:54 6:30 10:41 12:18, Act.4:16, 22; pl., Mrk.16:17, 20, Jhn.2:11, 23 3:2 6:2, 14 6:26 7:31 9:16 11:47 12:37 20:30, Act.8:6, 1Co.1:22 (Lft., Notes, 162); the same ascribed to false teachers and demons: Mat.24:24, Mrk.13:22, 2Th.2:9, Rev.13:13-14 16:14 19:20; σ. καὶ τέρατα (τ. καὶ σ.; cf. Tr., Syn., § xci), Mat.24:24, Mrk.13:22, Jhn.4:48, Act.2:19, 43 4:30 5:12 6:8 7:36 14:3 15:12, Rom.15:19, 2Th.2:9; id. before καὶ δυνάμεις, 2Co.12:12, Heb.2:4; σ. καὶ δυνάμεις, Act.8:13; δ. καὶ τ. καὶ σ., Act.2:22; σ. διδόναι, Mat.24:24, Mrk.13:22.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 69 NT verses. KJV: miracle, sign, token, wonder See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 12:37; Hebrews 2:4.

αιτουσιν aiteō G154 "to ask" Verb-PAI-3P

To ask or request something from someone, like in Matthew 7:7 where Jesus says to ask and it will be given to you.

Definition: αἰτέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for שׁאל ;] to ask, request: absol., Mat.7:7, Jas.1:6; with accusative of person(s), Mat.5:42, Luk.6:30; with accusative of thing(s), before ἀπό, Mat.20:20, 1Jn.5:15; id. before παρά, Act.3:2, Jas.1:5; with dupl. accusative Mat.7:9, Mrk.6:22, Jhn.16:23. Mid. (on the distinction bet. mid. and act., see M, Pr., 160): absol., Mrk.15:8, Jhn.16:26, Jas.4:3; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.14:7, Mrk.6:24, al.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.27:20, Luk.23:25; with accusative of thing(s), before παρά, Act.9:2; with accusative and inf., Luk.23:23. with inf. Act.7:46, Eph.3:13 (cf. ἀπ-, ἐξ-, ἐπ-, παρ-, προσ- αιτέω). SYN.: ἐρωτάω, which see, πυνθάνομαι. On the proper distinction between these words, see Tr., Syn., § xl, Thayer, see word αἰ. In late Gk., however, αἰ. and ἐ. seem to have become practically synonymous (cf. Act.3:2,3; see Field, Notes, 101 f.; M, Th., I, 4:1; M, Pr., 66.n; MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 68 NT verses. KJV: ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; Luke 6:30; 1 Peter 3:15.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ελληνες Hellēn G1672 "Greek, Gentile" Noun-NPM

A Greek person or Gentile is what this word refers to, describing someone who is not Jewish. In Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:22, it is used to describe those who are not part of the Jewish faith, but are still loved by God.

Definition: Ἕλλην, -ηνος, ὁ [in LXX: Jol.3:6, Zec.9:13 (יָוָן), etc.; 1Ma.1:19, al. * ;] a Greek; opposite to βάρβαρος, Rom.1:14; usually in ΝΤ of Greek Gentiles, opposite to Ἰουδαῖοι: Jhn.7:35, Act.11:29 14:1 16:1, 3 18:4 19:19, 17 20:21 21:28 Rom.1:16 2:9-10 3:9 10:12, 1Co.1:22 1:24 10:32 12:13, Gal.2:3 3:28, Col.3:11; of proselytes, Jhn.12:29, Act.17:4.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 26 NT verses. KJV: Gentile, Greek See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; Acts 20:21; Romans 1:14.

σοφιαν sophia G4678 "wisdom" Noun-ASF

Wisdom refers to higher or spiritual understanding, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:1 and James 3:15.

Definition: σοφία, -ας, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for חׇכְמָה ;] skill, intelligence, wisdom, ranging from knowledge of the arts and matters of daily life to mental excellence in its highest and fullest sense; __(a) of human wisdom: 1Co.2:1 2:4-5, Jas.3:15, Rev.13:18 17:9; σ. Σολομῶνος, Mat.12:42, Luk.11:31; Αἰγυπτίων, Act.7:22; Ἕλληνες σ. ζητοῦσιν, 1Co.1:22; σ. λόγου, 1Co.1:17; τ. σοφῶν, 1Co.1:19 (LXX); τ. κόσμου, 1Co.1:20-21 3:19; ἀνθρωπίνη, 1Co.2:13; σαρκική, 2Co.1:12; of wisdom in spiritual things: Luk.21:15, Act.6:3, 10 7:10, 1Co.2:6, Col.1:28 2:23 3:16 4:5, Jas.1:5 3:13, 17, 2Pe.3:15; λόγος σοφίας, 1Co.12:8; πνεῦμα σοφίας, Eph.1:17; σ. καὶ φρόνησις, Eph.1:8; σ. καὶ σύνεσις, Col.1:9; __(b) of divine wisdom: of God, Rom.11:33, 1Co.1:21 1:24 2:7, Rev.7:12; πολυποίκιλος, Eph.3:10 of Christ, Mat.13:54, Mrk.6:2, Luk.2:40, 52, 1Co.1:30 Col.2:3, Rev.5:12; of wisdom personified, Mat.11:19, Luk.7:35 11:49.† SYN.: σύνεσις, intelligence; φρόνησις, prudence, which with σ. make up (Arist., N. Eth., i, 13) the three intellectual ἀρεταί. σ. is wisdom primary and absolute; in distinction from which φ. is practical, σύνεσις critical, both being applications of σ. in detail (cf. Lft., and ICC on Col.1:9; Lft., Notes, 317 f.; Tr., Syn., § LXXv; Cremer, 870 ff.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 49 NT verses. KJV: wisdom See also: 1 Corinthians 1:17; Colossians 2:23; James 1:5.

ζητουσιν zēteō G2212 "to seek" Verb-PAI-3P

To seek something means to look for it or try to find it, like when Jesus teaches to seek first God's kingdom in Matthew 7:7. It can also mean to worship or plot against someone.

Definition: ζητέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for בּקשׁ pi., also for דּרשׁ, etc. ;] __1. to seek, seek for: Mat.7:7, 8 Luk.11:9, 10; with accusative of person(s), Mrk.1:37, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:24, al.; id. before ἐν, Act.9:11; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.13:45, Luk.19:10; before ἐν, Luk.13:6, 7; ψυχήν, of plotting against one's life ( Exo.4:19, al.), Mat.2:20, Rom.11:3" (LXX) . Metaphorical, to seek by thinking, search after, inquire into: Mrk.11:18, Luk.12:28, Jhn.16:19; τ. θεόν, Act.17:27. __2. to seek or strive after, desire: Mat.12:46, Mrk.12:12, Luk.9:9, Jhn.5:18, Rom.10:3, al.; τ. θάνατον, Rev.9:6; τ. βασιλείαν τ. θεοῦ, Mat.6:33 (Dalman, Words, 121f.); τὰ ἄνω, Col.3:1; εἰρήνην, 1Pe.3:11 (LXX). __3. to require, demand: with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.8:12, Luk.11:29, 1Co.1:22, 2Co.13:3; before παρά, Mrk.8:11, al.; ἵνα, 1Co.4:2 (cf. ἀνα-, ἐκ-, ἐπι-, συν-ζητέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 115 NT verses. KJV: be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 18:8; 1 Peter 3:11.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 1:22

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:22 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 1:22

Context — The Message of the Cross

20Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

22Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom,

23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 16:1–4	Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.
2	Matthew 12:38–39	Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
3	Mark 8:11	Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven.
4	John 2:18	On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?”
5	Luke 11:16	And others tested Him by demanding a sign from heaven.
6	Acts 17:18–21	Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.
7	Luke 11:20	But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
8	John 4:28	Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people,

1 Corinthians 1:22 Summary

[This verse tells us that people have different ways of trying to understand and experience God, with Jews looking for miraculous signs and Greeks seeking wisdom through reason and philosophy, as seen in Acts 17:22-31. However, as Christians, we know that true wisdom and power come from God, as stated in 1 Corinthians 1:24. We can trust in His power and wisdom, rather than relying on our own strength or understanding, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. By recognizing the limitations of human knowledge and trusting in God's wisdom, we can find true wisdom and power, as stated in Jeremiah 9:23-24.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that Jews demand signs?

In 1 Corinthians 1:22, it is stated that Jews demand signs, which refers to their desire for miraculous evidence to confirm the authenticity of a message or messenger, as seen in Matthew 12:38 and Matthew 16:1, where the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven.

Why do Greeks search for wisdom?

The Greeks' search for wisdom, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:22, is rooted in their philosophical tradition, which emphasizes reason and intellectual inquiry, as seen in Acts 17:18, where Paul encounters Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens who are eager to discuss new ideas.

Is it wrong to seek wisdom or signs?

While it is not inherently wrong to seek wisdom or signs, the problem arises when these pursuits become the primary focus, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, where the wisdom of the world is contrasted with the wisdom of God, and in Proverbs 9:10, where the fear of the Lord is identified as the beginning of wisdom.

How does this verse relate to the gospel message?

This verse highlights the contrast between the world's pursuit of wisdom and signs and the simplicity of the gospel message, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:23-24, where the preaching of Christ crucified is presented as a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, yet as the power and wisdom of God to those who believe, as stated in Romans 1:16-17, where the gospel is revealed as the power of God for salvation.

Reflection Questions

What are the things that I demand or search for in my own life, and how do they compare to the pursuit of God's wisdom?
How can I balance my desire for wisdom and understanding with a humble recognition of the limitations of human knowledge, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:20-21?
In what ways can I be guilty of seeking signs or wisdom in my own strength, rather than trusting in God's power and wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6?
How can I apply the principle of 1 Corinthians 1:22 to my own life, recognizing that true wisdom and power come from God, as seen in Jeremiah 9:23-24?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 1:22

For the Jews require a sign,.... The Jews had always been used to miracles, in confirmation of the mission of the prophets sent unto them, and therefore insisted on a sign proving Jesus to be the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 1:22

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: For - literally, Whereas.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22

The Jews were not without some true Divine revelation, and owned the true God, and only desired some miraculous operation from Christ, , to confirm them that Christ was sent from God: without signs and wonders they would not believe; giving no credit at all to the words of Christ. And the Greeks, (by whom the apostle understands the Gentiles), especially the more learned part of them, (for Greece was at this time very famous for human literature), they sought after the demonstration of all things from natural causes and rational arguments, and despised every thing which could not so be made out unto them.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: Ver. 22. For the Jews require, &c.] The reason of their rejecting the gospel is, they are prepossessed against it; they look for that which it affordeth not. A prejudicate opinion bars up the understanding. Intus existens prohibet alienum, like muddy water in a vessel, that causeth the most precious liquor to run over. And the Greeks seek after wisdom] Which yet they attained not. For Sapiens est cui res sapiunt prout sunt, saith Bernard, he is a wise man who conceiveth of things as they are; and all the wisdom of man is only in this, that he rightly know and worship God, saith Lactantius. But this these Greeks could never skill of; no, not these Corinthians (till called and sanctified), who yet were famous for their wisdom (Periander, one of the seven wise men, was a Corinthian), and their city be called by the orator (Cicero) lumen Graeciae, the light of Greece. But whereto tended their light but to light them into utter darkness? And what was all their wisdom without Christ, but earthly, sensual, devilish? James 3:15. Earthly, managing the lusts of the eyes unto the ends of gain; sensual, managing the lusts of the flesh unto ends of pleasure; and devilish, managing the pride of life unto ends of power.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22

(22) For.—This is a further unfolding of the fact of the simplicity of the preaching of the Cross. It pandered neither to Jewish-minded persons (not in the Greek “the Jews,” “the Gentiles,” but simply “Jews,” “Gentiles”) who desired visible portents to support the teaching, nor to those of Greek taste who desired an actual and clear philosophic proof of it. (See Matthew 12:38; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; John 4:48.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22

Verse 22. For the Jews require a sign] Instead of σημειον, a sign, ABCDEFG, several others, both the Syriac, Coptic, Vulgate, and Itala, with many of the fathers, have σημεια, signs; which reading, as undoubtedly genuine, Griesbach has admitted into the text. There never was a people in the universe more difficult to be persuaded of the truth than the Jews: and had not their religion been incontestably proved by the most striking and indubitable miracles, they never would have received it. This slowness of heart to believe, added to their fear of being deceived, induced them to require miracles to attest every thing that professed to come from God. They were a wicked and adulterous generation, continually seeking signs, and never saying, It is enough. But the sign which seems particularly referred to here is the assumption of secular power, which they expected in the Messiah; and because this sign did not appear in Christ, therefore they rejected him. And the Greeks seek after wisdom.] Such wisdom, or philosophy, as they found in the writings of Cicero, Seneca, Plato, &c., which was called philosophy, and which came recommended to them in all the beauties and graces of the Latin and Greek languages.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 1:22

22. the Jews require a sign] The plural, ‘signs’ ‘miracles,’ is the better supported reading here. The Jews (Matthew 12:38; Matthew 16:1; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; John 2:18; John 6:30) required external attestations of the power of Christ, and especially that of the subjugation of the world to His kingly authority. The Greeks sought dialectic skill from one who aspired to be their teacher.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 1:22

For the Jews require a sign - A miracle, a prodigy, an evidence of divine interposition. This was the characteristic of the Jewish people.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:22

22. A sign—Accustomed, under their dispensation, to miracles, the Jews prescribed signs.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 1:22

	Sermon	Description
	(Exodus) Exodus 20:25 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on the message of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. He criticizes churches that prioritize external factors like t
	Battle for the Bible by Tim LaHaye	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the influence of humanism in society and how it has taken control of various aspects of our lives. He highlights the dominance of humanistic p
	The Cross as a Proclamation by Jessie Penn-Lewis	Jessie Penn-Lewis emphasizes the significance of the Cross as the 'Logos' or 'Word' of God, which embodies His inward thought for humanity's salvation. She explains that the power
	The Preaching of Christ Crucified, the Means of Salvation by Samuel Davies	Samuel Davies preaches about the significance of Christ crucified as the means of salvation, highlighting how the preaching of the cross reveals the love, justice, and mercy of God
	Homily on "Father, if It Be possible..." by St. John Chrysostom	John Chrysostom preaches about the significance of Christ's willingness to submit to God's will, even in the face of great suffering and impending danger, as a lesson for believers
	In Relation to His Power by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound significance of Christ, who stands as a stark contrast to the world, embodying the true power and wisdom of God. He explores how Christ's p
	"Seven Steps From Sychar to Immortality" Ch. 4 by Charles Alexander	Charles Alexander preaches about the journey of Jesus from Judea to Galilee through Samaria, emphasizing the divine timing and purpose behind each step, as foretold in the propheci