In this passage, Paul cites concepts from the Old Testament that are not a direct quotation of a given passage. His point is that the message of the gospel, Christ crucified, was revealed by God, not contrived by man. Paul uses various terms and phrases to express the fact the one true message by which God saves sinners offends everyone but those who believe. Various teachers in church history missed Paul’s point and claimed to have some special understanding that other Christians lacked. In so doing they repeat the error that Paul wrote to correct. The message of the cross is revealed, not discovered by religious seers who know something ordinary Christians have not heard.

The message is clear, Biblical, and demonstrated in historical events. The truth of Christ crucified is considered scandalous to the Jews and foolish to the Gentiles. Those who reject what God has revealed devise something different. In application, we cite passages from the Old and New Testament to clarify what God has done in Christ. These include passages that clarify what “prepared” means, and how it is that anyone loves God.

All of this is revealed in the Bible. For example, 1 John 4:10-19 deals with the person of Christ, abiding in Him, loving one another, the reality of future judgment, and the fact that we only love Him because He first loved us. Everything God has done and promised for those who are His, has been turned into some man-made system that has nothing to do with Christ crucified.