The end of verse 23 and the beginning of verse 24 contain a contrast of three things: a stumbling block to Jews, folly to Gentiles, and but to those who are called …. Normally the Greek words showing this contrast can be translated as “on the one hand … on the other hand,” when two contrasting factors are discussed. However, here the contrast involves three factors, not two: Jews, Gentiles, and those who are called. Translators must decided how these three factors are related. The context seems to show that the important contrast is between Jews and Gentiles on the one hand, and Christian preachers on the other. To make this clear, Good News Bible rightly leaves out of verse 23b any elements of contrast between Jews and Gentiles.

At the end of the verse, of God is repeated in Greek as in Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible, and other translations. Paul wishes to emphasize that Christ is not wise or powerful in human terms—even though God makes him “our wisdom” (verse 30). In some languages it may be necessary to translate these phrases as “Christ, who is the power that comes from God, and the wisdom that comes from God” or “Christ, who shows that God is powerful and wise.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .