Those who are trying to compel you to be circumcised are such as wish to make a fair show in the flesh, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

To

"Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish, For in your days I will do a deed, A deed which you will never believe, Though one should declare it unto you."

I am Christ's fragrance upwafted unto God, among those who are being saved and those who are perishing;

But even if my gospel, too, is "veiled," it is among those who are on the way to perish that it is "veiled."

and with all deceit of unrighteousness for those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth for their salvation.

Foolishness

For when, in the wisdom of God, the world by its philosophy knew not God, the world by its philosophy knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save those who believe.

The unspiritual man rejects the teachings of God's Spirit; for him it is folly. He cannot understand it, for it is spiritually discerned,

For the philosophy of this world is foolishness in God's sight. It is written, He snares the wise in their own craftiness,

A few of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also encountered him again and again. Some were saying, "What has this beggarly fellow to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods," because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

Unto

but to those who are the called, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.

by which also you are saved, if you are holding fast the message which I preached to you; unless indeed you have believed in vain.

FOR I AM PROUD OF THE GOSPEL. IT IS GOD'S SAVING POWER FOR EVERY ONE WHO BELIEVES. FOR THE JEW FIRST, AND ALSO FOR THE GENTILE.

for the weapons of my warfare are not weapons of the flesh, but mighty for God, in pulling down all fortresses.

for my gospel did not come to you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. For you know also the manner in which I behaved myself among you for your sakes.