demands of neither class. It satisfied neither the expectations of the Jews, nor the requirements of the Greeks. On the contrary, it was to the Jews a stumbling-bloclc. They had anticipated in the Messiah a glorious temporal prince, who should deliver and exalt their nation. To present to them one crucified as a malefactor as their Messiah, was the great- est possible insult. He was to them, therefore, a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, Rom. 9, 33. 1 Pet. 2, 8. To the Greeks this doctrine was foolishness. Nothing in the ap- prehension of rationalists can be more absurd than that the blood of the cross can remove sin, promote virtue, and secure salvation ; or that the preaching of that doctrine is to convert the world.
24. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
The called (kXtjtol) always mean the effectually called, as distinguished from those who are merely externally invited. There is a twofold call of the gospel ; the one external by the word ; the other internal by the Spirit. The subjects of the latter are designated "the called," Rom. 1, Y. 8, 28. Jude 1. Rev. 17, 14. compare Isaiah 48, 12. The Jews desired an ex- hibition of power ; the Greeks sought wisdom : both are found in Christ, and in the highest degree. He is the power of God and the wisdom of God. In his person and work there is the highest possible manifestation both of the divine power and of the divine wisdom. And those who are called not only see, but experience this. The doctrine of Christ crucified produces effects on them which nothing short of divine power can accomplish. And it reveals and imparts to them the true wisdom. It makes them divinely wise ; it makes them holy ; it makes them righteous; and it makes them blessed. It does infinitely more than human wisdom could ever conceive, much less accomplish. It has already changed the state of the intelligent universe, and is to be the central point of influ- ence throughout eternity. This is the doctrine which the wise of this world wish to see ignored or obscured in behalf of their speculations. Just as the heathen exchange the true God for birds an4 beasts and creeping things, and think them- selves profound.