"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God."
The "For" in this verse is a preposition which explains verse 17.
The "word of the cross" is the gospel in this passage. Man is saved by faith for faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This "word of the cross" is folly. Which is a fact, not an exagerated statement. But to whom is it folly to? Those who are perishing. They are perishing now and will be in the last judgement day. I am reading these people as the reprobate of God. These people will never come to terms to goodness, and satisfaction of the gospel. They will continue to reject it by God's soveriegn and good will.
Now in this verse we get a transition with the preposition word "but." Which contrasts the last phrase of this verse "to those who are perishing."
"But" what Paul? "to those are being saved it is the power of God."
This again is speaking in the now sense. Those who are now believing will be saved. Salvation is not a past tense action. This part of the verse speaks of the the opposite of those who are the reprobate. It speaks of the Elect in Christ before the foundations of the world who are being saved. For they are the only ones who will see the goodness and satisfaction and joy of the gospel.
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