FOOTNOTES:

^a Traditionally, ‘apostle.’ The word means ‘someone who is sent to carry out a purpose’ and while it became used in a particular way in the church, it was not an inherently religious word in the Greek language.

^b ‘Christ’ is from the Greek christos, which means ‘applied with oil’ or ‘anointed.’ It translates the Hebrew meshiah, with the same meaning. A prophet or priest applying oil to someone was a symbolic act representing the appointment of the divinely chosen king of Israel.

^c Traditionally, ‘God’s will.’ The word thelema means ‘desire’ or ‘intention’ or ‘what is wanted’ and is used of humans and God and can be as inconsequential as ‘the intention to leave’ or as weighty as ‘the intention to liberate the world.’ It was not a theological term for an unassailable and inevitably satisfied divine will.

^d The word adelphos, literally means ‘brother’ or ‘sibling.’ It was also frequently used to refer to ‘cousin’ or ‘relative,’ and even for members of the same ideological or ethnic group. With Jesus’ insistence on a radically inclusive understanding of God’s instruction, it is always pushing further than what already seems to be the most wide-sweeping view people hold. In the New Testament letters, it comes to be used of anyone who has joined the Christ community, regardless of gender.

^e Traditionally, ‘church’ or ‘assembly,’ the word ekklesia is about a community of people called from within a larger society to respond to the needs of that society, such as a neighborhood association.

^f Traditionally, ‘call on’ but it is in the Middle voice, which carries a sense of acting on oneself. In this instance, it communicates people naming themselves as connected with Jesus. It’s about associating oneself with the person and purpose of Jesus.

^g Traditionally ‘grace’

^h Traditionally, ‘grace’

ⁱ Or ‘made rich’

^j This word is logos, which can mean ‘word’ or ‘message’ or ‘conversation,’ but focuses more on the concepts being discussed rather than on the language being used.

^k The word ‘enriched’ is added here for clarity, referring back to verse 5.

^l The word here most literally means ‘left behind’ as in a race when some of the runners are left behind the leaders and are left out of the rewards. The traditional translation in this verse is ‘lack,’ which is part of it, but it misses the aspect of exclusion for what the ‘winners’ of the race are receiving.

^m Traditionally, ‘beyond reproach’ or ‘blameless.’

ⁿ The Greek is koinonia, traditionally, ‘fellowship’ and means a sharing of experience and co-participation.

^o Literally, “in the name of”

^p Or speak to, or encourage, or speak out or call by name

^q Or ‘splits’

^r Literally, ‘those of Chloe.’ Many translations render it as “members of Chloe’s household,” but ‘household’ is not in the Greek. It seems, rather, to be referring to a worshiping group led by Chloe.

^s Or ‘competition’ or ‘fighting’ or ‘contention’

^t Cephas is from the Aramaic version of ‘Peter.’ They both are from the Aramaic and Greek words for ‘stone’ or ‘rock.’ See Matthew 16:18.

^u Traditionally, ‘baptized. In English, translations have traditionally simply taken the Greek word and put it in English letters: baptizo to ‘baptize.’ The historical reason for this was that the first translators of the Bible into English practiced infant baptism, and the Greek word literally means ‘dip’ or ‘immerse something in a liquid,’ it didn’t fit with their doctrine and practice.

^v Literally, “in the name of”

^w Traditionally, ‘baptize. In English, translations have traditionally simply taken the Greek word and put it in English letters: baptizo to ‘baptize.’ The historical reason for this was that the first translators of the Bible into English practiced infant baptism, and the Greek word literally means ‘dip’ or ‘immerse something in a liquid,’ it didn’t fit with their doctrine and practice.

^x Literally, “in my name”

^y Traditionally, ‘gospel’ or ‘good news.’ The word ‘gospel’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon term god-spell, which means ‘good story.’ The Greek euangelion literally means ‘good message’ and was used specifically of a message announced publicly, which fits the use of the word ‘news.’ The historical context comes from when rulers and military leaders returned to a city after victory in battle, and a herald would be sent ahead to announce the victory and the ruler’s impending arrival. The writers of the Bible took this word and applied it to Jesus’ victory of a different kind. The use of “triumphant message’ here is intended to communicate the full meaning of the word in context and not the narrow dictionary definition.

^z Literally, ‘wisdom,’ but the word sophia is being used in this passage in a number of ways. In order to clarify the usage in each instance, additional describing words have been added in the translation. It can refer to ‘prudence’ or ‘good insight’ or it can mean something more like ‘philosophy’ including the esoteric discussions of abstract ideas by elite and highly educated individuals or the ‘philosophy’ as in the perspective held by a group.

^aa Literally, ‘be made empty.’

^bb This refers not to whether it factually happened but the values of love for others and self-giving that went into Jesus being willing to give himself on the cross. It’s about the message the cross conveys, rather than simply a report that the crucifixion took place.

^cc Traditionally, ‘foolishness’

^dd The word ‘power’ is added for clarity. The Greek participle tois apollumenois is traditionally translated as "those who are perishing." However, apollumi can also mean "to destroy" or "to render powerless," and in the middle voice, it implies an ongoing, self-involved process. In the context of 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul critiques reliance on human power and wisdom, contrasting it with God's transformative power in the cross (1:20-25). Translating as "those whose power is being destroyed" highlights the subversion of human systems in God's reign. Unlike "perishing," which is often understood to refer to eternal condemnation, this rendering captures the ongoing dismantling of human self-reliance and domination, aligning with the cross's subversion of worldly power.

^ee Or ‘to those who are being done away with’

^ff The word ‘supposed’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^gg The word ‘deemed’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^hh The word ‘supposed’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

ⁱⁱ The phrase ‘are thought to’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^jj Quotation of Isaiah 29:14

^kk The phrase ‘known for being’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^ll Traditionally, ‘scribe.’ It referred to those who worked with documents, including studying, transcribing, and teaching. In the Gospels, it typically refers to scholars who worked with the Hebrew Bible and other sacred literature. Here, it refers more to the writings of philosophers and related literature.

^mm Literally, “Where is the debater of this Age.”

ⁿⁿ Or ‘evidence’ or ‘proofs’

^oo Traditionally, ‘power.’ This is the same word traditionally translated as ‘miracle’ in other places.

^pp Traditionally, ‘foolishness.’ The word ‘supposed’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^qq The word ‘consider’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The phrase is more literally, ‘wiser than human wisdom.’ The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^rr The word ‘supposed’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^ss The word ‘consider’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The phrase is more literally, ‘stronger than human strength.’ The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^tt The word ‘considered’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^uu Traditionally, ‘flesh.’ The Greek sarx literally means the stuff bodies are made of but is often used metaphorically for other things, such as being human, impulses grounded in self-preservation instinct and shortsighted gain, instincts to behave with aggression and domination, and often, in reference to family or ethnic connection. That’s how it is used here, as in “they’re my flesh and blood.”

^vv Reference to Jeremiah 9. Traditionally, ‘noble’ or ‘of noble birth.’ The idea of being born to wealth, power, or elite social status is what is in view.

^ww The phrase ‘considered to be’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^xx The phrase ‘considered to really be’ is not in the Greek but is added for clarity. The oral culture used inflection and other ways to communicate rhetorical nuances. In English we do the same, such as using our fingers to make “air quotes” in a situation when we are using a word in a way that contrasts with what we actually understand. In writing, English writers use additional words to clarify the rhetoric or use quotation marks or italics to clarify intended meanings.

^yy Traditionally, ‘no flesh’ or ‘no one’ or ‘no human being’ or ‘no man.’ The Greek sarx literally means the stuff bodies are made of but is often used metaphorically for other things, such as being human, impulses grounded in self-preservation instinct and shortsighted gain, instincts to behave with aggression and domination, and often, in reference to family or ethnic connection. That’s how it is used here, as in “they’re my flesh and blood.”

^zz Quotation of Jeremiah 9:24