1 Corinthians

Thursday, 10 April 2014

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 1 Corinthians 2:6

Verse 6 begins with “However.” This is given to contrast his preceding argument which encompassed verses 1-5. Without words that were persuasive or which contain merely human wisdom, he notes that “we speak wisdom among those who are mature.” The “we” is specifically speaking of the apostles, but it is inclusive of the body of believers. This is certain because in verse 10, he will use the term “us” when speaking about spiritual matters revealed to the body. He will continue with the use of “we” and “us” throughout the chapter. What is available to Paul, is also available to all in the body – it is the knowledge of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

This wisdom is “among those who are mature.” What he is implying is that what we know as believers is more mature than all of the other heady knowledge of the world which he has been speaking about. He has relayed to us the various wisdoms which people hold to. The first was the wisdom of the Greeks which relied on the philosophic disciplines, mentioned in 1:22. Next in 2:7, he mentioned the “wisdom of God” which is the message he preached. And now, in this verse he speaks of the “wisdom of this age.”

There are intellectual wisdoms, of which there is nothing wrong in knowing, but they are wisdoms which are futile when devoid of the truth of God. Only when those wisdoms are combined with a knowledge of our Creator do they become true wisdom. As the Bible states on several occasions, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). This is why Paul says that the message of the gospel is for those “who are mature.” It is the highest type of knowledge because it gives the highest form of understanding to all things. The reason for every “what” or “why” is ultimately found in God. Apart from Him, there is always going to be a disconnect to the final resolution of any intellectual matter.

Therefore, the gospel is “not the wisdom of this age.” It is a wisdom which transcends time and goes directly to the mind of God. It is something which cannot be found in the thoughts “of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.” These people, the “rulers of this age,” implies anyone who bears a high degree of intellectual knowledge, but which is devoid of God. If we were to equate them to people of today, we would call them the “evolutionists,” the “global warming scientists,” the “big-bang theorists,” and etc.

These are people who are working on agendas which have removed God from the picture. They are pursuing knowledge, but doing so without including the ultimate reason for all that has or will happen. And therefore, there findings will always “come to nothing.” In the end, without considering God as the “first Cause” there can be no foundation for how things started or where they will end.

Life application: The universe didn’t create itself. If it did, it would have had to exist before it existed; a logical contradiction. This is the type of stupidity which the “rulers of this age” must rely on in order to deny God. Have a little faith, use a little common sense, and be assured that God created, God sustains, and God will keep His promises to those whom He has called.

Lord God, I see Your hand in everything around me. The beauty of the flower from bud to bloom; the intelligence of the bee as it gathers its nectar; the marvel of the rain cycle which nourishes the earth; the intricately balanced spin of the universe and all it contains… wisdom! This is what I see as I behold Your creation – wisdom. I stand in awe of Your greatness. Amen.

Wednesday, 9 April 2014

…that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.1 Corinthians 2:5

In the preceding verse Paul spoke of his speech and preaching. When he came to those at Corinth, it wasn’t with “persuasive words of human wisdom.” Instead he came with a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Now in this verse he explains why – it was for the benefit of his audience. If he came preaching with eloquence and the wisdom of men, they would have been swayed to him and to a message which was devoid of the gospel. But in order to show that his words were to glorify God, he kept them directed to the message of Jesus.

When we hear a message and are swayed by it, we place our faith in it. If we hear a great presentation about the newest product that will help us lose weight, we are bound to put our faith in what we’ve heard and buy the product. If we hear a politician with an ear-tickling message of wealth and prosperity, we may put our faith in him and cast our vote for him.

Whatever the presentation, if it is smooth and properly targeted, we may exercise our faith in what has been said and accept the premise. People do it with products, people, and even religions – all regardless of whether the message is true or not. This is the reason why Paul wrote these words in Galatians 1:6-9 –

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”

In his words to the Galatians, he uses the term “we or an angel from heaven.” Paul was an apostle. Should another apostle come with another message, it is to be rejected. Only the message of the true gospel is acceptable. This is important because even today many claim to be apostles, and yet their message isn’t directed to Jesus. The Bible is written and we are accountable to compare what we hear with the words which have been written.

Angels are considered authoritative speakers who carry heavenly messages. Both Islam and Mormonism claim their message was received by angels. And yet both of them proclaim a message other than the one recorded in the Bible and therefore they cannot be of God. Unfortunately, many are swept up into these false religions because they don’t check with the Bible.

Only through the one true message of Jesus Christ can we avoid falling into a pit of false religion. In the gospel, however, is found the true “power of God.” When the message is received, the believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit and the soul is converted to everlasting life. Paul speaks of this again in 2 Corinthians 4:7 –

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

Life Application: Test all things and hold fast to what is good. Stand firmly on the truth of the Bible and in the gospel of Jesus Christ alone.

Lord, there are so many people who claim they have seen a vision, heard from an angel, or been taken to heaven and given a tour of glory. But me,,, I have Your word. That is sufficient for me. I know that if I keep my eyes directed to its words, my mind contemplating its truths, and my heart directed to Jesus, whom it proclaims, that I will be in good shape. Keep me from being misdirected from the truth of Your word. Amen.

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power… 1 Corinthians 2:4

Still building on his previous three verses, Paul continues with his manner of personal delivery of the message he brought to Corinth. The fact that he has spoken about himself and continues to in this verse in this way will be explained in the verses ahead, but it’s obviously important that he reminds them of it in order to ensure that they mentally go back and see the truth of what he is saying.

And so, in his continued thought he says that “my speech and preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom.” His “speech” would include his private conversations and his witnessing to individuals, etc. When he sat and spoke together with others, he didn’t try to bamboozle them with a lot of overly-intellectual words. His “preaching” would be his public discourses. Whether preaching to an entire group, or standing on a street corner proclaiming Christ, he kept his message simple, concise, and clear.

In fact, in both his private and public speaking, it was “not with persuasive words of human wisdom.” When cooing a potential spouse, we may use words we wouldn’t use towards a general friend. When trying to sell a product, the salesman will talk in an excited manner about the product and not leave a chance for interruptions. When a politician speaks, it is unheard of for them to give negative impressions about themselves; instead they act as if they are the epitome of integrity and capability.

In these, and many other such instances, we use “human wisdom” to effect a change in those we are targeting. The silver-tongued young man wants to obtain the lovely bride; the industrious salesman wants to be promoted and get his commissions; and the politician desires to be in his position of authority. Because there are external motivators, crafty speech of human design is employed. But Paul rejected this method when presenting the gospel to others.

Instead, he came to them “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” His words, unlike the eager lover, may have had words directly cutting to the heart of the listener – “You have violated God’s law.” His words, unlike the salesman, may have had words which would normally blow a sale – “Without Jesus, you cannot be saved.” And, his words unlike the politician, may have had thoughts which were self-debasing – “I too am a sinner, like you. I rely solely on the merits of Jesus Christ my Lord.”

In any words he spoke, his thoughts would have been contrary to what one would expect to obtain the desired results when dealing in non-spiritual related matters. But in the case of the gospel, it is the Spirit who authored Scripture; it is the Spirit who gives the plan of salvation; and it is the Spirit who calls the lost soul to come and be saved. Paul’s words were in line with the Spirit’s intent for those who would hear and believe and they were filled with the power to save.

As he writes in Romans 1:16 – ” For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Life application: Marilyn McCoo, once a member of the pop band the Fifth Dimension, had been presented the message of Jesus on several occasions, but to no avail. Then someone brought the Bible along when they talked to her. In showing her the Word of God and allowing her to look at it directly, she saw in it the wisdom of God and the power of God; she was converted. When witnessing, stick to the gospel and stick to what the Spirit has provided. He will affect His purposes without us getting in the way.

Lord God, please help me to remember that Your word has the power to change hearts and bring lost souls back to You. Keep me from getting so caught up in the wisdom of the world that I forget to simply use what You have already given to tell folks about Jesus. In your word is the all the wisdom I need to tell others the wondrous message of Christ. May Your word and Your Spirit work in them – to Your glory. Amen.

Monday, 7 April 2014

I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 1 Corinthians 2:3

Building on his last two sentences which said that he came to Corinth not with “excellence of speech or of wisdom,” but he came only proclaiming “Jesus Christ and Him crucified,” Paul will now add in a note concerning his own dependency on the Lord. As he came he states that he “was with you.” Vincent’s Word Studies says that this should rather be “I became” instead of “I was.” In other words, what he will describe is something that either grew out of his time there or that was increased during his time there. As he was there for over one and one half years, this is not unlikely.

Regardless of the tense used to describe him, the facts were evident to his readers as he calls them to mind. He was “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” Paul, contrasting himself to the fine orators and bold proclaimers of the world, was a much more feeble and timid person.

His weakness was probably a defect of the eyes. He once stood in the same room with a group of people, including the High Priest, and the following exchange took place –

“Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’ And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?’ And those who stood by said, ‘Do you revile God’s high priest?’ Then Paul said, ‘I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'” Acts 23:1-5

Also, in his letter to the Galatians, he made this statement – “For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.” Galatians 4:15

Additionally, Paul was known to write with unusually large letters, a sign of bad eyesight (Galatians 6:11).

Finally, Paul notes in his second letter to the Corinthians that he had an affliction which he asked the Lord to remove. Three times he implored the Lord. However, Christ told Him that His grace would be sufficient for him; that His “strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

With this probable weakness of the eyes, or something which was comparable to it which he openly writes about, he preached the gospel to those in Corinth. But more – he did so “in fear.” He was a man continuously targeted by those around him. Again, in his second letter to the Corinthians, he will describe some of those fears –

“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

His troubles and fears become so great while he was at Corinth, that the Lord personally came to him to reassure him that He was being watched over. This is seen in Acts 18:9, 11 –

“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.’ And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.'”

And finally, Paul notes not only the “weakness” and the “fear,” but also “much trembling.” Above all, Paul was a man who trembled. This wasn’t a result of the bodily harms which came his way, but in the thought that he would fail the Lord who called him and thus he would grieve the Spirit with whom he was sealed. It was his strongest passion to proclaim Christ, finish the race, and in whatever manner the Lord was so pleased for his end, to accept that end with confidence. If only he could be faithful, he would be pleased with the life he led. This constant battle against his own weakness caused him to tremble.

Life application: Have you determined to exalt the Lord at all costs and to never diminish His glory in the eyes of another? This is our highest calling in life. Let us not fail in this endeavor.

Lord Jesus, if I have but one request, it is that I glorify You with my life and never tarnish Your bright glory in the eyes of another. Though those around me fail to see Your holiness and Your majesty, let me continuously bring it to mind as I properly handle Your word to demonstrate who You are to a lost and dying world. This is my plea to You – be glorified though my conduct. Amen.

Sunday, 6 April 2014

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

“For” builds upon what he has just said, that he “did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom…” In other words, when going to the Greeks who looked for polished speech and fine oratory skills, or when going to the Jews who looked for a competent evaluation of the Scriptures (and being a Pharisee, he could easily provide this), he determined that these wouldn’t be his means of proclaiming Christ. Instead of being caught up in a flashy presentation or in a detailed and hair-splitting study of scriptural subtleties, he would be consumed with the contents of the message itself.

It was Paul’s determination “not to know anything among you.” In this phrase, “to know” is the Greek eidenai. Based on verse 1, he is indicating that he wouldn’t be engaged in or regard anything other than what he had predetermined to proclaim. There would be nothing flashy, there wouldn’t be anything sensational, nor anything without one sole and determined purpose. And that purpose included nothing “except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

In a world which looked for (and still looks for today) eloquence and a composure in oral delivery, Paul overlooked these things. He had a specific message which didn’t need flash. Later in 2 Corinthians 10, it will be noted that his “bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” To him, refining these things for his delivery could only subtract from, not add to, the message. His message was Jesus Christ – the Son of God and the fulfiller of the law. But even more specific, his message was “Him crucified.”

The word “crucified” here is emphatic. The very thing which is “to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness” (1:23) is the same thing that he asserted above all else. Before the cross, all eloquence fades away; before the cross, all wisdom is weighed; before the cross – only before the cross, Scripture becomes clear. Without the cross, nothing can ultimately make sense because without it, sin remains. What Jews overlooked and what Greeks snubbed their minds at and turned their eyes from is the most excellent of all of God’s workings. As Paul says in Philippians 3:8 –

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

Life application: What shames a church isn’t the preacher’s delivery, be he an eloquent orator or a monotone speaker. It isn’t derived from a beautiful presentation of music, order, and intriguing detail from life lessons, or a haphazardly put together gathering. A church’s shame isn’t realized in a small dirty building or a large exquisite cathedral. Instead, it is found in a message which fails to proclaim the cross of Jesus Christ. Every time a congregation meets as a church, if the Person of Jesus Christ isn’t exalted and if the cross isn’t highlighted, that church has failed to glorify God.

Lord, the beauty of Your church is found in the shame of the cross. Keep me, Lord, from being wooed by a peaceful message, an exciting oration, or lively music which fails to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified. May my heart long for, may my eyes look to, and may my thoughts be centered on Jesus Christ alone. With this, I know You will be well-pleased. Amen.