What does the Bible say about being offended by the gospel?

The gospel offends many because it confronts humanity's sense of self-righteousness, declaring that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:22). The message that salvation is entirely based on what Christ has done and not on our works can be a stumbling block for those who take pride in their achievements or moral standing. Moreover, the gospel's assertion that there is no distinction among people—whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor—eliminates any grounds for boasting, which is often offensive to human pride. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:23, 'We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.' Thus, it's essential to understand that the offense of the gospel stems from its radical declaration of grace and truth.