Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians for the sake of the cross, which is a stumbling-block[123] Irenaeus Against Heresies Book I Moreover, they affirm that the Apostle Paul himself made mention of this cross in the following words: "The doctrine of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us who are saved it is the power of God."[53] Tertullian Against Marcion Book V from one who has never experienced rebellion? "The cross of Christ," he says, "is to them that perish foolishness; but unto such as shall obtain salvation, it is the power of God and the wisdom of God."[207] Origen Against Celsus Book III But it is probable that what is written by Paul in the first Epistle to the Corinthians,[150] Excerpts of Theodotus As, then, the magnet, repelling other matter, attracts iron alone by reason of affinity; so also books, though many read them, attract those alone who are capable of comprehending them. For the word of truth is to some "foolishness,"[48] and to others a "stumbling-block; "[49] but to a few "wisdom."[50]