"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). Paul gloried in the cross (Galatians 6:14). Jesus "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8). Through the cross God reconciles and cancels the handwriting against us (Colossians 1:20; 2:14).
The cross is the center of the Christian message—not only a historical Friday, but the meaning of Christ's death for us. These twelve King James passages focus on what the cross is and does: power and wisdom, glory, reconciliation, and discipleship that takes up the cross. For the Good Friday narrative of the crucifixion day, see good-friday; for the empty tomb, see Easter and resurrection of Jesus.
The power and glory of the cross
1. 1 Corinthians 1:18
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish, but to the saved it is the power of God. The cross divides hearers—and displays God's power to those being saved.
2. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
We preach Christ crucified... unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Crucified Messiah is not a backup plan; it is wisdom.
3. Galatians 6:14
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. The only safe boast is the cross.
4. 1 Corinthians 2:2
"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Paul's ministry lens was narrowed to Christ crucified.
Obedient unto the cross; reconciling
5. Philippians 2:8
"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. The cross was chosen obedience, the lowest step of His humility.
6. Colossians 1:20
"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself. The cross is where peace and reconciliation are made.
7. Colossians 2:14
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us... nailing it to his cross. Guilt's record is nailed there—canceled.
8. Ephesians 2:16
"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"
That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. The cross kills hostility and makes one new people.
Take up the cross; look to Jesus
9. Luke 9:23
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. The cross is also a daily path for disciples—not only a past event.
10. Matthew 16:24
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Following Jesus means a cross-shaped life of self-denial.
11. Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He endured the cross for joy beyond it—our pioneer.
12. Galatians 3:13
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. The cross bore the curse in our place.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, You became obedient unto the death of the cross. Thank You that the cross is the power of God for my salvation, the place of peace and canceled debt. Help me glory only in Your cross, take up my cross daily, and keep looking unto You who endured it for the joy set before You. In Your name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about the cross?
The cross is the power of God to the saved (1 Corinthians 1:18), the place of Christ's obedience unto death (Philippians 2:8), reconciliation and canceled debt (Colossians 1:20; 2:14), and the pattern for disciples who take up their cross (Luke 9:23).
Where does Paul say he glories in the cross?
Galatians 6:14: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
How is this different from Good Friday or Easter?
Good Friday recounts the crucifixion day; Easter celebrates the resurrection. This page focuses on the meaning of the cross itself—power, reconciliation, and discipleship.
What does it mean to take up your cross?
Luke 9:23 and Matthew 16:24 call disciples to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Jesus—a daily path of costly obedience, not a necklace only.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about Good Friday · Bible verses about Easter · Bible verses about the resurrection of Jesus · Bible verses about salvation · Bible verses about forgiveness
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