1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
We must renounce our own wisdom because it is folly….If a man attempts to make men holy or happy; if he undertakes to convert the world, by mathematics, or metaphysics, or moral philosophy, he is foolish, and his wisdom, as a means to that end, is folly. ….He must renounce all dependence on those means if he would accomplish that end…..He means to say that human knowledge is entirely inadequate to save men; because that end can only be accomplished by the gospel. (Charles Hodge comment)
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Psalm 7:11-13 KJV
Every faculty of soul, and member of body, are used as a weapon of unrighteousness against God ….As man is sinful all over, so is he cursed all over inside and outside, soul and body, is written all with woes and curses, so full, that there is not room for another to interline, or add to what God hath written. (William Gurnall)
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14 KJV
The bite of the tarantula (an Italian spider) can only be cured by music. Nor can any thing heal the wounds which sin and Satan have made in the soul, but the music of the gospel; the sweet, harmonious, and joyful sound of free salvation by the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ alone. (A. Toplady)
It is only by Christ and his name that those favours can be expected from God which are necessary to our salvation, and that our services can be accepted with God. This is the honour of Christ’s name, that it is the only name whereby we must be saved, the only name we have to plea in all our addresses to God. (Matthew Henry)
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Titus 2:11-12 KJV
This gospel grace brings salvation (reveals and offers it to sinners and ensures it to believers)-salvation from sin and wrath, from death and hell. Hence it is called the word of life; it brings to faith, and so to life, the life of holiness now and of happiness hereafter. The law is the ministration of death, but the gospel the ministration of life and peace. This therefore must be received as salvation (its rules minded, its commands obeyed), that the end it may be obtained, the salvation of the soul. And more inexcusable will be neglecters of this grace of God bringing salvation now be. (Matthew Henry)