1 Corinthians 1:24

The "called" contrast with the unsaved among both Jews and Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:30). Christ is the instrument of God’s power in conquering the forces of evil and delivering people from their control. Moreover He is the instrument of God’s wisdom in solving the problem human reasoning could not unravel, namely, how people can know God and come to God. The wisdom literature of the Old Testament personified wisdom as God’s agent in revelation, creation, and redemption. Jesus Christ personally is that wisdom because He is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:30).

"This is Paul’s most brilliant epigrammatic description of the world in which the Gospel is preached, and of the Gospel itself." [Note: Barrett, p. 54.]