But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles — 'we preach' (kēryssō) is emphatic; Paul's message is singular and non-negotiable: Christ crucified (Christos estaurōmenos). 'Stumbling block' (skandalon, from which 'scandal' derives) means offensive, a rock that trips. To Jews, a crucified messiah contradicts scripture's promises of triumph; to Greeks, death-by-torture contradicts divine nature. Yet this is the gospel's heart.

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