I have been reading First Corinthians for a couple weeks or more, and in the last several days I have been looking over chapter one and two. It strikes me because Paul goes to great lengths to explain the source of the wisdom that he shares with the Corinthians. None of it comes from man. All of it comes from the Holy Spirit.
Qualification
Before I get too far into this discussion, there is something, I need to share one point and that is the way I look at God’s Word and how I share it. I feel the way as way as Paul explains his emotions at the beginning of Chapter 2.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)
1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
You see, for me, when I write these words in this blog, my words do not come easily. Tthere is no great power or wisdom in the words I write. In fact, I write and rewrite just to find the words to preface God’s Word. The strength to share something comes when I trust in the Word of God to make the point. I trust in Him and the power of His Word and the Guidance of the Holy Spirit to set the right thought and tone.
I have no business sharing a thought that might change a mind or attitude, or even stimulate thought, but if I can share the Word of God and plant a seed. I can share how that Word affected me. There is power and truth in the Word. Paul is clear in his teaching; I like how he says it in Colossians.
Colossians 1:24-27 (ESV)
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
These letters that Paul wrote to specific churches were compiled and provided for us. You notice how in verse 26 Paul does not say “my saints,” he says, “his saints.” Every effort that he makes is to show us that our wisdom and power does not come from man but the Holy Spirit – God in us.
Chapter 1 in 1 Corinthians drove that home for me.
Paul’s Greeting
It is important to know who the intended audience was for Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. It was not just anyone that might call themselves Christians; it is to those who are Christians.
1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV)
2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
Think about that: “sanctified in Christ Jesus.” When I read that letter and am reminded of the power of that introduction, I cannot help but consider; “Am I part of the intended audience?”
I know that I am saved by grace and not by works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
That is the promise, but am I living a life following the example of Jesus. I cannot help but think of Philippians 2.
Philippians 2:1-3 (ESV)
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
What wisdom there is in these passages that shore up Paul’s opening to the Corinthians. Saved by grace, yet charged with living a life like Christ Jesus, and Paul goes on to remind us that we have the tools to do so in our hands. It is the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 1:17-19 Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
In the opening of the letter, Paul lauds over the Corinthians. He speaks to the knowledge and wisdom that they have been given through the Holy Spirit. 18 and 19 of chapter 1 as he is setting his foundation for the believers in Corinth. He lauded over them with praise and prayers, and then he reminds them of the things that they were taught in 1 Corinthians 1:4-9. He also covered the division in the church where the congregation was turning to men rather than God. He also reminded them what was important… and it was not men’s wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:17-19 (ESV)
Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
a19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Paul explained to the Corinthians that they are chosen, and they have received great gifts from God. The knowledge they sought did not come from men, but it comes from God through men. These men do not deserve to be singled out or worshiped; only God is worthy of our praise.
1 Corinthians 1:21-25
Paul continues to remind the Corinthians of the Wisdom of God versus the wisdom of man.
1 Corinthians 1:21-24 (ESV)
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
When I read and reread this passage I am humbled to the point of overwhelming gratitude. Paul reminds the Corinthians… and me that look those that are caught up in the world miss this whole message. But not those that are called. They see the power and wisdom of God. What an amazing gift.
1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV)
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
God did not choose us because we were wise or strong in the eyes of the world. He chose us on his standards, which baffled the world.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
He selected those that were not wise as the world calls wise or strong as the world defines strong.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV)
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
What more can we say but to boast in the Lord? He is our everything, and He has set our path so that we might follow by his will.
Christ Crucified
All these things, Paul said to remind us all that his goal was to share with us the power and glory of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV)
1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Paul made no effort to build himself up only to brag of Jesus; our Lord and Savior. And if that is not enough, he continues in verse four.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (ESV)
and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Those two verses are so powerful. I read them over and over, and there is only one way that I can interpret them that I can find.
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (ESV)
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
a 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
It just calms my spirit in a way that nothing else can.
The Example and The Power
What an example we have in Christ Jesus. It could be overwhelming IF we had no reference point or nowhere to turn to grow close to our savior. But we do have that. It is the Word of God. And we have the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Word. What power we have in His Word.
It took several minutes as I pondered all these passages in Corinthians, but rather than being overwhelmed I was reminded of a passage in Philippians.
Philippians 2:4-8 (ESV)
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
What a powerful example Christ Jesus is of true obedience to the Father. His faith and trust are beyond measure, but it did not stop with Philippians. More encouragement came from Romans.
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
And just one more promise that lifts me when faced with the challenges of life is in the last command Jesus gave directly to the Apostles.
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We are never alone. The Holy Spirit resides in those that have been saved, and Jesus promised he would be with us always.
Closing Thoughts
I read through Chapter one and two in 1 Corinthians several times. The more I read these two chapters, the more thankful I am for God’s spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ESV)
2 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
What an amazing gift God gives to those who love him. This wisdom is foolishness to the world that is perishing and beyond description to who love Jesus and put their faith in Him.
I must include one last passage; it is from Matthew.
Matthew 6:30-34 (ESV)
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your Holy Word. Thank you for the gift of wisdom that can only come through the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Praise be to you, God.
Give me the courage and confidence to speak your words always in accordance to your will that you will be glorified by all that I do. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen
a Isaiah 29:14
I pretty much listen exclusively to Christian radio in the car. Occasionally I will slip back to the Rock of the late 60s and early 70s when my need for a little nostalgia kicks in, but that can be hit or miss and last only if the station plays my favorites. But I digress…