These people who want to impress others by their external appearance are trying to force you to be circumcised, simply to avoid being persecuted for the cross of the Messiah.

To

"Look, you mockers! Be amazed and die! Since I am performing an action in your days, one that you would not believe even if someone told you!'"

To God we are the aroma of the Messiah among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost.

So if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are dying.

and every type of evil to deceive those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them.

Foolishness

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased to save those who believe through the nonsense of our preaching.

A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the things of God's Spirit, for they are nonsense to him. He can't understand them because they are spiritually evaluated.

For the wisdom of this world is nonsense in God's sight. For it is written, "He catches the wise with their own trickery,"

Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some asked, "What is this blabbermouth trying to say?" while others said, "He seems to be preaching about foreign gods." This was because Paul was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

Unto

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, the Messiah is God's power and God's wisdom.

and by which you are also being saved if you hold firmly to the message I proclaimed to you unless, of course, your faith was worthless.

When the LORD extends your mighty scepter from Zion, rule in the midst of your enemies.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for the salvation of everyone who believes, of the Jew first and of the Greek as well.

For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the world. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down arguments

for the gospel we brought did not come to you in words only, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. Indeed, you know what kind of people we proved to be while we were with you, acting on your behalf.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.