Progressive Salvation in 1 Corinthians 1:18
1 Corinthians 1:18 states, "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (ESV). This verse introduces a central theme in Paul's letter to the Corinthians: the contrast between human wisdom and God's wisdom, particularly as revealed in the cross of Christ [2].
The immediate context of this verse is Paul's discussion of divisions within the Corinthian church, which were partly due to their preference for eloquent speech and human philosophy over the simple message of the cross [1]. Paul emphasizes that he did not come with "wisdom of words" but with the proclamation of Christ crucified, which he knew would be a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles [5].
The phrase "those who are perishing" (Greek: apollymenois) and "us who are being saved" (Greek: sōzomenois) are present participles, indicating an ongoing process rather than a completed state [5]. This grammatical nuance suggests a progressive aspect of salvation. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary highlights this, noting that "them that are perishing" refers to those "in the way of perishing," and "them that are being saved" refers to those "in the way of salvation" [5]. This understanding aligns with other Pauline passages that speak of believers being "renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Colossians 3:10) and being "changed into the same image from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18) [6].
The "word of the cross" (Greek: ho logos ho tou staurou) refers to the message or preaching concerning Christ's crucifixion [5]. To those who reject this message, it appears as folly, but to those who embrace it, it is the manifestation of God's power [3]. This power is not merely intellectual but transformative, leading to salvation. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, discusses how regeneration, a key aspect of salvation, is by the Spirit and not merely an outward observance [4, 7]. John Calvin also emphasizes that while sin is taken away by Christ's death, righteousness is renewed and restored by his resurrection, indicating a process of spiritual renewal [8].
The concept of progressive salvation, or sanctification, is further supported by other biblical texts. For instance, Paul speaks of believers being "quickened" by God even when they were "dead in trespasses and sins," drawing an analogy between Christ's resurrection and the spiritual resurrection of believers [9]. This ongoing work of God in believers is a continuous process of being conformed to Christ's image [6].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 11:18 cross-references: 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 3:3, 1 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 6:1”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 1:18 cross-references: Psalms 110:2, Acts 2:47, Acts 13:41, Acts 17:18, Acts 17:32, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 3:19, 1 Corinthians 15:2, 2 Corinthians 2:15, 2 Corinthians 4:3, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Galatians 6:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, Hebrews 4:12”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 1:18 (BBE) — For the word of the cross seems foolish to those who are on the way to destruction; but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the power of God.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 65: they were baptized anew. And according to the interpretation, almost universally received in our day, of Acts xix. 1-6 , Paul baptized in Ephesus “certain disciples” in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who had already been baptized by John. Another argument on this subject is derived from the fact that in the sixth and eighth verses of this chapter, where our Lord insists on the necessity of regeneration, he says nothing of being born of water. It is simply regeneration by the Spirit that He declares to be necessary. It cannot be suppos”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 1:18: preaching, &c.--literally, "the word," or speech as to the cross; in contrast to the "wisdom of words" (so called), Co1 1:17. them that perish--rather, "them that are perishing," namely, by preferring human "wisdom of words" to the doctrine of the "cross of Christ." It is not the final state that is referred to; but, "them that are in the way of perishing." So also in Co2 2:15-16. us which are saved--In the Greek the collocation is more modest, "to them that are being saved (that are in the way of salvation) as," that is, to which class we b”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 58: the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Again, “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds” and “put ye on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Again, “Put ye on 516 the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” 310 310 2 Cor. 3:18 ; Eph. 4:23, 24 ; Col. 3:10 ; 2 Cor. 4:16 . Accordingly through the blessing of Christ we are renewed by that regeneration into the righteousness of God from which we had falle”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 65: on the supposition that it was no mere observance, but that it was a sacrament in which all that was inward properly and completely accompanied all that was outward.” 3. Still, admitting that the words refer to baptism, they may just as fairly be explained ‘Baptism which is the sign and seal of regeneration,’ as ‘Baptism which is the means or invariable antecedent of regeneration.’ The construction indicates the intimate relation between the two nouns, without determining what that relation is, whether it be that of cause and effect, or o”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 52: his death, but by his resurrection, that we are said to be begotten again to a living hope ( 1 Pet. 1:3 ); because, as 447 he, by rising again, became victorious over death, so the victory of our faith consists only in his resurrection. The nature of it is better expressed in the words of Paul, “Who (Christ) was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification,” ( Rom. 4:25 ); as if he had said, By his death sin was taken away, by his resurrection righteousness was renewed and restored. For how could he by dyi”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 140: of Christ and the future resurrection 696 of his people. He does not say here as he does in Romans viii. 11 , “He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies,” but He that raised Christ from the dead, has quickened you “who were dead in trespasses and sins.” It is clear, therefore, that it is the analogy between the resurrection of Christ from the grave, and the spiritual resurrection of believers, that the Apostle has in view. And this is an analogy to which the Scriptures elsewhere refer, as in Romans vi.”