(DECEMBER 7, 2009)
Introductory remarks:
"Paul greets the Corinthian church and says he thanks God for them and prays they will grow on the knowledge and be ready for the coming of Christ. He has heard they have been fighting about who baptized them. He says the disciples didn't baptize in their own names and he didn't come to baptize but to preach Christ. The Greeks wanted wisdom but the teaching of Christ crucified seemed foolish to them. God confounds the wise, strong and noble in the world by choosing the foolish, weak, and humble. No one will have reason to glory except for being in Christ" (A Survey of 1 Corinthians - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Greeting and Thanksgiving vv. 1-9; Divisions in the Church vv. 10-17; Christ the Power and Wisdom of God vv. 18-31.
Greeting and Thanksgiving
Verse 1, "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother."
LGT "Paul, a called apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God and Sosthenes, our brother."
Paul, a called apostle: the words to be are not in the original Greek. The correct reading is a called apostle. Paul's apostleship is not from himself or from man but strictly from God. Of Jesus Christ: Paul is claiming his authority to preach Christ and Christ crucified. The term apostle in this context is that he was a called apostle; today some use the term in an etymological sense of a messenger. Now even when we use the word in this sense a man would still have to be called of God if he were to preach the Word of God. Many today say they were called, but it is impossible to get them to describe their calling, without lying of course. Paul, however, does describe his calling, while he was persecuting the Church, on the road to Damascus [Acts 9] he was called. Through the will of God: Paul says that those who attempt to oppose his teachings were to take it up with God, for it was He that appointed Paul an apostle. Paul knew that he was not of the original twelve, but he knew he was equal to them because God had appointed him directly. "The refusal of the Judaizers to recognize Paul as an equal to the twelve made him more careful to claim his position" (Robertson). And Sosthenes, our brother: Paul includes Sosthenes in his salutation. The literal translation is Sosthenes the brother, but this is just a Greek idiom for our brother. Sosthenes carried the letter to Paul from Corinth, and now he will carry this Epistle back to them. "And, to make this more fully appear, he joins Sosthenes with him in writing who was a minister of lower rank [that is, he was not inspired as Paul was]. Paul, and Sosthenes his brother, not a fellow apostle, but a fellow minister, once a ruler of the Jewish synagogue, afterwards a convert to Christianity, a Corinthian by birth, as is most probable, and dear to this people, for which reason Paul, to ingratiate himself with them, joins them with himself in his first salutations. There is no reason to suppose he was made a partaker of the apostle's inspiration, for which reasons he speaks, through the rest of the epistle, in his own name, and in singular number" (Matthew Henry). Robertson notes: "This Sosthenes, now with Paul in Ephesus, is probably the same Sosthenes who received the beating meant for Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:17). If so, the beating did him good for he is now a follower of Christ. He is in no sense a co-author of the Epistle, but merely associated with Paul because they knew him in Corinth. He may have been compelled by the Jews to leave Corinth when he, a ruler of the synagogue, became a Christian."
Verse 2, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours."
LGT "To the assembly of God which is in Corinth, having been sanctified by Christ Jesus, called saints, with all the ones calling on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in every place, both their [Lord] and ours:"
To the assembly of God: the assembly of the kingdom belonging to God. Paul is not addressing a denomination, simply an assembly of believers who gathered to study together and worship God, and who were united in their belief in Christ. The idea of having an edifice didn't happen until the fourth century. I believe the building of these great cathedrals was a sign of decline for the church; for before they started building structures they would call "church", they met in homes, synagogues and even graveyards, that is, the assembly met wherever they could meet without outward interference. Which is in Corinth: it has already been noted that Corinth was a very sinful city, a very unlikely place, as we might think, to have a church. But God, the Grand Architect of the Church, goes wherever believers are gathered, "where two or more are gathered in the name of Christ, He is in that assembly." Besides, God cannot look on sin itself; He only sees those united to Christ by the blood of Christ. Having been sanctified by Christ Jesus: having been sanctified by the agency of Christ Jesus: this is a perfect participle, which means that the believer has been sanctified once for all. The perfect tense in the Greek means that it took place in the past, has reached a culminating place, and then continues on into the future as a completed result; so, you see, the moment a believer accepts Jesus Christ he or she is sanctified (set apart unto God) through the blood of Christ, and is from the moment of salvation is sanctified perfectly forever. This sanctification is not a process, it is a once and for all fact, that is, it is positional sanctification. Spiritual maturity is a process that takes place our entire lives. "The term sanctification is used in several different ways, as we have already seen in Romans. Here it is positional sanctification, which is the position we have in Christ. When sanctification is joined to God the Father of God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, then it is generally positional. When sanctification is connected with the Holy Spirit, than that is practical sanctification (that is when the Holy Spirit is producing His works through us) Sanctification is a position we have in Christ. If you have trusted Him, He has been made over to your sanctification. You are as saved right now, as you will be a million years from now, because you are saved in Christ. You cannot add anything to that" (McGee). Called saints: because of our sanctification we are called saints. The infinitive to be is not in the Greek, so it should read as we have it, called saints. We are not saints because we live saintly lives, as the Roman Church believes, we are saints because Christ has set us apart unto all good works. Remember, only God can make a saint, and He does this the moment any one believes on Christ as Savior. With all the ones calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: all those who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that is, that say the same thing about Christ that God says about Christ. To confess Christ as the Son of God is to be a saint. In every place: Paul includes all in every place who call on the name of the Lord, so this includes you and me, and that this epistle is for us. Both their [Lord] and ours: this interpolation [Lord] by the Greek commentators is correct. All who call on the name of the Lord are called saints.
Verse 3, "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
LGT "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ."
This is Paul's common salutation to all the churches. Grace is the Greek form of welcome and Peace the Jewish.
Verse 4, "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ."
LGT "I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus:"
I thank my God: this shows a close personal relationship Paul has with God. Always concerning you: Paul begins by giving thanks by praying to God for his friends. We should make it a habit of remembering our friends before God in order to keep the friendship close in our minds. Remember the old adage, 'out of site out of mind." For the grace of God: I believe Paul speaks of God's grace more than any other subject because this is the basis for all of Christian doctrine. God is the active agent in all the believer's lives, and the believer is the responder to His grace. Grace is more than "underserved favor," it is on this basis that we are saved, and that we are being sustained by His wonderful grace. Grace is what God is doing for us because of Christ Jesus our Lord. Which was given you in Christ Jesus: This God given grace is provided every believer at the moment of salvation. Grace is never given based upon who and what we are, but who and what Christ is, and what He accomplished on the cross. The moment we believed, we were placed in union with Christ, and it is in this union that we are recipients of His Divine grace. We are the beneficiaries of all the Divine Riches of His Grace, but we can never appreciate them without dedicated studying of His Word. It is one thing to posses something, and another thing to appreciate that thing. It is useless to simply have knowledge of something, and quite another thing to fully appreciate that thing. "For where 'grace' is, 'works' are not; where 'works,' it is no more 'grace.' If therefore it be 'grace,' why are ye highminded? Whence is it that ye are puffed up?" (Chrysostom).
Verse 5, "That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge."
LGT "That in every thing ye were enriched in Him, in all discourse, and all knowledge."
That in every thing: what is every thing? Every thing is that which springs from the Word of God, notably, all the Divine Riches of His Grace, and must not be confused with material things. Ye were enriched in Him: the believer finds all his or her spiritual joy and blessings in Christ. In all discourse: discourse is one means by which the doctrines of Christ are relayed on to other believers. And all knowledge: knowledge comes from the Word of God; knowledge is the appropriation of Bible Doctrine, whereas wisdom is the application of Bible knowledge. Knowledge always precedes discourse, and it is through discourse that others are able to define ones knowledge. This is so very true in Christians who want to teach doctrine; they must first gain the knowledge and then discourse. Spiritual gifts are also included in the first phrase all things. God bestowed on the Corinthian church supernatural gifts in spite of their carnality.
Verse 6, "Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:"
LGT "Just as the testimony of Christ was established in you:"
Justas the testimony of Christ: the testimony is the gospel of grace, and was a witness concerning who and what Christ is, and what He accomplished on their behalf, as Paul had taught them. Was established in you: to establish means to "render constant and unwavering. One of the true signs of spiritual maturity in a believer is their stability. The spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to them before the Bible was complete was to strengthen them and help them become stable in their lives. Instead of allowing these spiritual gifts to accomplish the Spirits design, they became puffed up and missed the pint altogether. Paul is teaching this church that it is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His grace that establishes them, and that he is Christ's spokesman.
Chrysostom notes on this verse:
"Under the color of praise and thanksgiving he touches them sharply. 'For not by heathen philosophy,' saith he, 'neither by heathen discipline,' but by 'the grace of God,' and by 'riches,' and the 'knowledge' of the Word given by Him, were you enabled to be confirmed unto the testimony of the Lord; that is, unto the Gospel. For ye had the benefit of many signs, many wonders, unspeakable grace, to make you receives the Gospel. Therefore ye were established by signs and grace, why do ye waver?" Now these are the words of one both reproving, and at the same time prepossessing [attracting] them in his favor."
Verse 7, So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
LGT "So that ye are behind in not one gift, awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ."
So that ye are behind in not one gift: this has a reference to supernatural gifts, however, it also makes reference to the Divine Riches of His Grace which every believer possess the moment he or she accepts Christ as Savior. Paul is building a case for these Corinthian believers to understand that they are fully equipped, and that they have as much as any other family of believers. The supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit were designed by God to get the Word out, by way of tongues, prophecy, spiritual teachers, &c., and also to establish them in the faith; just as the Divine Riches of Grace are designed for the same reason for us in this Age of Grace today. (I might suggest that each one of you review these Divine Riches of Grace as I have outlined recently: if you don't have a copy, call me and I will send you a copy). Every believer has received these Riches of Grace, but they can only be fully appreciated if they are studied and understood; there is nothing more comforting in our Eternal Salvation than to realize our complete eternal position in Jesus Christ our Lord. Our stability rests in who and what Christ is, and what He has accomplished on our behalf on Calvary's Tree. Awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ: When our Christ will be revealed, and we see Him face to face, and we will know even as we are known. Waiting for the Lord with great expectation is the hope of every mature believer, for this means that we are occupied with Him.
Verse 8, "Who shall confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
LGT "Who also will establish you to [the] end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Who also will establish you to the end: the relative who refers to Jesus Christ, and He is establishing us here and now, for he began the work the moment we were saved, and He continues this work until the day of our redemption when he comes and receives the entire church unto Himself. We have received the Divine Riches of His Grace in order that we might not waver under trials and tribulations; so you see how important the knowledge of these Riches of Grace are; not just to the Corinthians of old, but for each and every one of us, if we are to stand firm unto the end, that is, when Christ finally comes for us. Blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ: this is the beauty of "positional Truth." We are not said to be sinless at that day, but blameless, for Christ has taken away every sin from us forever, and has imputed on us His perfect righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21), and so we are blameless before the Father, and fitted for his presence. Praise His wonderful name!
Verse 9, "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
LGT "God is faithful, through Whom you were called into fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
God is faithful: our whole life on this earth, and our life in eternity depends on the faithfulness of our God. God is immutable which means He has never changed, is not at the present changing, and will never change in the future; so this categorical statement God is faithful we can trust our entire existence upon Him. Through whom you were called: God is the agent of our calling. Because of the faithfulness of God we can rest assured that He has called us: Into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord: Fellowship [gr. koinonia] here means "partnership"; how wonderful is this? Because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, God has called us into partnership with His Son. This is the meaning of our being "joint heirs with Christ," and as joint heirs we are loved by the Father with exactly the same love He has for His Son; Jesus Christ our Lord has made us acceptable with the Father, and now we have all the divine benefits Christ enjoys; if only this truth of joint-heir ship were taught more in churches, I believe we would have many more private Bible studies, and less dependence on the Hierarchical clergy to pamper the people in order to keep their congregation growing in numbers, with little concern about growing in grace. It has really come down to financial concern over spiritual concern. This partnership we have with the Lord Jesus has been a very hard doctrine to learn for others like myself who have been brought up in churches that taught us that Jesus was our King, and that He is to be reverenced as our King. Jesus came to Israel as their King and Messiah and they rejected Him on both accounts. He will come and reign someday over Israel, as well as the rest of the world as King; but today, since His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and His present session in heaven at the right hand of the Father, Christ has made every believer in this present dispensation of grace, joint heirs with Himself, and we are all positionally seated with Him at the Father's right hand. We are brothers and sisters with Christ in God's Family, and our lives should be lived based on these wonderful facts; our position in Christ can never change, as a matter of fact, "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). This union we share with our Big Brother should motivate us to willingly want to serve Him, and if we are willing to serve Him, the Holy Spirit will be able to work in and through us, all it takes is a positive response to the Word of God, adjusting our lives to His Word, and we will please Him and receive a well done at the Bema Seat of Christ.
Divisions in the Church
Verse 10, "Now I beseech you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
LGT "Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and there be no divisions among you, but ye be knit together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
Now I beseech you, brethren: Paul had just completed his salutation and thanksgiving and now he begins to get to the meat of the Epistle. The word beseech [gr. parakalo] has the meaning to call to one's side. What Paul is about to say to the Corinthians is very painful for him, and it is really in contrast to what he had been saying to them. Paul says that it is his authority as an apostle that compels him to speak these words. Through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: it is really Christ speaking these words, That is, Doctrine is the Word of God, and Paul is the intermediate instrument inspired by the Holy Spirit. That ye all say the same thing: that you all are united concerning Bible Doctrine. Of course Paul is referring here to the fundamentals of grace teaching, and that he knew they would disagree on minor points of doctrine, and that when they do disagree they should do it in a spirit of love. And there be no division among you: Paul did not want the church divided on these issues of the gospel of grace. "The divisions of the Corinthian church arose on questions of marriage and food (1Co 7:3); on eating meat offered to idols (1Co 8:7; 1Co 10:20); on the comparative value of spiritual endowments, such as speaking with 'tongues' (chp.14); on the privileges and the demeanor of women in the assemblies of worship (1Co 11:5-15); on the relations of the rich and the poor in the agape or love feasts (1Co 11:17-22); and on the prerogatives of the different Christian teachers (1Co 1:12-13; 3:3-22)" (Vincent). That ye be knit together: The metaphor here is obvious to any girl or woman who loves to knit; if you have a pattern and then deviate from that pattern for a couple of lines, you will have to pull the yarn loose and begin anew. Paul did not expect the Corinthians to be in complete agreement on all things, but on the important issues that would divide the fellowship, as some of them mentioned above by Vincent. The knitting together is the maturing process of the Holy Spirit; Paul desired they would grow together in the Truth. In the same mind: mental agreement. And in the same judgment: the mind sets the frame of logic and the judgment is the opinion or conclusion one comes to. I believe we have here Paul saying they should keep open minds to doctrine without any preconceived notions derived from the Judaizers and other false teachers. Its hard to love those who disagree with us, so we must remember that they are also joint heirs with Christ, and we must love them on that account, even if they refuse to be right, as we are.
Verse 11, "For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you."
LGT "For it was pointed out to me concerning you, my brethren, by the ones of [the household] of Chloe, that there is strife among you:"
For it was pointed out to me concerning you: it seems that Paul was reluctant to believe these reports but was convinced by overwhelming evidence, because I cannot believe Paul would sit around and listen to gossip, as we do. My brethren: Paul calls them his brethren because even though these charges against them were serious, they did not cease being his brethren in Christ. By them which are of the household of Chloe: "These persons may have been slaves who had come to Ephesus on business for their mistress (remember Paul is writing this letter from Ephesus), or members of her family. Chloe means tender verdure [greenness], and was an epithet [nickname] of Demeter (Ceres), the goddess of agriculture and rural life. It is uncertain whether she belonged to the Corinthian or to the Ephesian church" (Vincent). The fact that Chloe allowed Paul to use her name gave credence to the charge: That there is strife among you: the strife was inappropriate wrangling [internal strife and power struggle], because the church was full of baby Christians, and everyone knows that among babies there is a lot of whining and whimpering, they could not get along as a family should.
Verse 12, "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Appolos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ."
LGT "But I say this, because each of you says, I am of Paul, and I of Appolos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ."
But I say this: Paul says, I mean this. Because each of you says: "My reason for saying that there are contentions among you is, because every one of you glories in the name of some individual" (Calvin). Paul does not say you all are this in unison, but separately in a contentious spirit. Each of these groups were looking at the man without the emphasis on the message, and this showed that they were still carnal babies, because the message of these men was all the same, that is, "faith alone on Christ alone." I am of Paul: Paul was the one who planted this church, and so there was this faction that claimed to be his disciple. And I of Appolos: Appolos was not an apostle, but he was an elder in Corinth, and was known for his eloquence, and he was Paul's successor in Corinth, who was watering the seed planted by Paul. The church at Corinth was made up of both Gentile and Jewish believers, and Paul and Appolos appealed to the Gentiles, while Cephas and Christ was the appeal to the Jewish branch. The division was not centered on the Jews versus the Gentiles, but on their lust for power, as we will see. And I of Cephas: the Jewish branch of the assembly at Corinth was claiming to be followers of Peter. And I of Christ: these factions were so self-righteous that they say they did not look to men, but they were of Christ; their claim was that they were far above the rest, because they followed Christ. The fact of the matter is, that the men mentioned before Christ, were servants of Christ, and their preaching came directly from Christ, so there should not have been any division whatsoever, unless one of these men preached some other gospel than the gospel of grace. There are cults today that claim to be Disciples of Christ but are in no way even close to being part of the family of God.
Verse 13, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"
LGT "Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified on your behalf? Or to the name of Paul were ye baptized?"
All three of these questions are rhetorical [symbolic] and require the answer by the double negative "in no way." "Whenever Paul instead of arguing he interrogates only, his doing so implies a confessed absurdity" (Chrysostom). Has Christ been divided: the church may stand divided, but Christ remains immutable [never changing] throughout eternity; Christ cannot be divided. The Corinthian Church was estranged from Christ through their divisions; the body of Christ must stand united in Him. Was Paul crucified on your behalf: you cannot put the apostle above the one who made him an apostle. This statement by Paul proves his humility to Christ. Paul said he was crucified with Christ, but we know that this is speaking of positional truth, and that every believer has been crucified with Christ, positionally. Or to the name of Paul were ye baptized: this baptism can only be Spirit baptism that every believer is baptized with at the moment of salvation; water baptism is in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; water baptism was practiced during the apostolic days as a symbol of Spirit baptism, teaching the believer's union into the very name of Christ, before the Bible was complete. The division of the Church at Corinth was that they were giving up the fact that Christ purchased them with His own blood, and they were looking to mere men for their comfort and growth.
Verse 14, 15, "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I baptized in mine own name."
LGT "I give thanks that I baptized not one of you, except Crispus and Gaius, that any one should say ye were baptized unto my own name."
I give thanks that I baptized not one of you: this statement should quiet those who claim Paul was a sacra mentalist. Now Paul is speaking of water baptism, the symbol of Spirit baptism that became an issue in the first church, and is still an issue today. Believe it or not, there are those who believe baptism is required for salvation. I agree that it is necessary to be baptized to be saved, but only if you mean Spirit baptism, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord is saved, baptized by the Holy Spirit, placing us into union with Christ, and kept by the power of His grace throughout all eternity. Except Crispus and Gaius: "Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth before his conversion (Acts 18:8), a Roman cognomen [distinguishing nickname], and Gaius a Roman praenomen [Roman first name] probably the host of Paul and of the whole church in Corinth (Rom. 16:23), possibly though not clearly the hospitable Gaius of III John 5, 6. The prominence and importance of these two may explain why Paul baptized them" (Robertson). That any one should say ye were baptized unto my own name: Paul did not want the Corinthians to put the stress on Him, and thus take away the real meaning of the baptism, that is, that they died with Christ, were risen with Christ and are now ascended with Christ in the heavenlies. Christ did not baptize any one for the same reason as Paul is stating here, that they would put the wrong emphasis on the baptism, and brag about who baptized them.
Verse 16, "And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other."
LGT "And I baptized also the household of Stephanas, as for the rest I know not if I baptized any other."
If water baptism were such an important ritual or sacrament to Paul, you would think he would be able to remember whom he baptized. "Paul clearly denies here that he considers baptism essential to the remission of sin or the means of obtaining forgiveness" (Robertson). This is not hard to understand if we keep water baptism in its proper dispensation, that is, in the first apostolic church. Spirit baptism by the Holy Spirit happens in all dispensations since the outpouring of His Spirit at Pentecost, and is administered supernaturally by the Holy Spirit, and not by human means.
Verse 17, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
LGT "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to announce the Glad Tidings, not in wisdom of words, in order that the cross of Christ be made void."
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to announce the Glad Tidings: Baptism always followed conversion, and it was not that Paul did not regard water baptism in the first church, it was just that he says that "God did not send him to be a baptizer", but an announcer of Glad Tidings. Not in wisdom of words: "Paul asserted that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach; further, what he has to preach is not a philosophy to be discussed, but a message to be believed" (TEGT). In order that the cross of Christ be made void: it is not the presentation of the gospel that is important, but the truth of the gospel that is to be believed. To confound the message that Jesus died, and that He has been resurrected, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, is to make null and void the true gospel. Paul makes it very clear that any other gospel than the gospel of grace is trash to be burned. Water baptism has absolutely nothing to do with salvation, and any one who makes it a condition to salvation falls under the anathema of God, that is, "let them be damned." Water baptism was for a short period, but salvation is for eternity. One thing I want to make absolutely clear; there are two baptisms; one is spiritual, that is, supernatural by the Holy Spirit, and is absolutely necessary for salvation, while the other baptism is symbolic, and simply signifies outwardly that a person has been saved. Spirit baptism happens simultaneously with believing on Christ, while water baptism happens after one believes in Christ. Water baptism was instituted for the church before the Bible was complete, and Spirit baptism happened to every believer the moment of salvation, from Pentecost throughout this age of grace. The first church was baptized with water and the Holy Spirit; today, in the age of grace, we are only baptized with the Holy Spirit, for water baptism is no longer necessary, since we have the Word of God. Paul will make this clear to us as we study the rest of his Epistles.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
Verse 18, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
LGT "For the Word of the cross is foolishness to the ones perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
For the Word of the cross: the fact of the truth of the cross; exactly what Christ accomplished on the cross, that is, he paid the price for all sin. Is foolishness to the ones perishing: to those who reject the Christ of the cross are perishing, that is, they are on their way to hell; Paul says they are perishing because they consider the cross as mere foolishness, and we know "the fool has said in his heart, no God" (Psa. 14:1). But to us who are being saved: "Salvation is described by Paul as a thing done in the past, we are saved (Rom. 8:24), as a present state, ye have been saved (Eph. 2:5), as a process, ye are being saved (1 Cor. 15:2), as a future result, thou shalt be saved (Rom. 10:9). In each of these definitions, it must be remembered; they are absolutes, that are to be understood, that once saved always saved. This is part and parcel of the immutable Word of God. If God cannot be trusted we might just as well go join any religious group, or for that matter, any false cult, for we will at least then be able to manifest our self-righteousness. It is the power of God: the preaching of any other gospel than the gospel of grace is powerless; Paul says here that the cross must be the central theme in all preaching of Christ, and that it is the power to "save unto the uttermost that come unto God through Him" (Heb. 7:25). The preaching of the cross has been the only power to save since the beginning of time, as we know it. "Paul indirectly reproves, however, the perverted judgment of the Corinthians, who, while they were, through seduction of words, too easily allured by ambitious teachers, regarded with disdain an Apostle who was endowed with the power of God for their salvation, and that simply because he devoted himself to the preaching of Christ" (Calvin).
Verse 19, "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
LGT "For it has been written [and stands written], I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the understanding of the understanding ones I will set aside."
Paul is quoting Isaiah 29:14. The wisdom of the saved on earth is putting into everyday experience the truth of the Word of God; the wisdom of this world is based on everything that science can prove, and so it is very shallow because the world cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God, and therefore, they are left to their vain imaginations. Remember, "Science is a thing that must be understood to be believed, while the Word of God must be believed to be understood." The world's view of believers in the cross of Christ is as foolish basket cases, while in reality, the world is passing away with all its sinful pleasures. When Christ returns at the end of this age He will put all nations under His feet, and all that will be left is the things He allows.
Verse 20, "Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"
LGT "Where [is the] wise? Where [is the] scribe? Where [is the] disputer of this age? Did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?"
Paul uses Isaiah 33:18 loosely. Where is the wise: the Greek scholars were called wise men and philosophers. Where is the scribe: another term for a man of learning. In Jewish life he was a man used in transcribing the Law. Where is the disputer of this age: the Greek skeptic, "the acute and subtle sophist of his age." Did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world: the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. The simplicity of the plan of salvation by grace is totally foolishness to the world. If man could work his way to heaven, this would be profound in the eyes of the world; but since God has made salvation a free gift based on who and what Christ is, and what He did for us at Calvary, the world shrinks in dismay and unbelief; how disappointed the world is that works are not involved in righteousness.
Verse 21, "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."
LGT "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world knew not God through wisdom, God was pleased through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those that believe."
For since, in the wisdom of God: here Paul contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God. The world knew not God through wisdom: worldly wisdom cannot under any circumstance discover God, no matter how hard they investigate, they always come up "short of the glory of God." God was pleased: God is completely satisfied with His divine decree of salvation. Through the foolishness of the proclamation: the act of proclaiming is not what pleases God, but the content of the proclamation, "faith alone in Christ alone." To save those that believe: salvation is simply by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, and this simplicity is God's wisdom. "This is the heart of God's plan of redemption, the proclamation of salvation for all those who trust Jesus Christ on the basis of His death on the Cross. The mystery-religions all offered salvation by initiation and ritual as the Pharisees did by ceremonialism. Christianity reaches the heart directly by trust in Christ as the Savior. It is God's wisdom" (Robertson).
Verse 22, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:"
LGT "Since both Jews ask for a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom:"
Since both Jews ask for a sign: the Jews had the truth in the Old Testament in symbols of their temple worship service and their sacrifices; however, they turned these types into meaningless ceremonies, and missed the entire lesson that was fulfilled in the Anti-Type, Jesus Christ on the Cross. "The Jews often came to Jesus asking for signs" (Matt. 12:38; 16:1; John 6:30). And the Greeks seek wisdom: Paul broke the entire human race down to two divisions: the Jew and the Greek or Gentile. The Greeks sought salvation by knowledge, that is, philosophy. The world is still seeking salvation through philosophy. Someone defined philosophy "as a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there." You guessed it: this was a quote taken from the writings of McGee.
Verse 23, "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness."
LGT "But we proclaim Christ crucified, to Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and to Greeks foolishness."
But we proclaim Christ crucified: the Jews were looking for a deliverer to come and take them away from their misery; and they could not accept a crucified Savior; this is just not the way they thought it should be for such a God chosen people. The crucifixion of Christ was the insult of insults. To Jews indeed a stumblingblock: "Paul wrote: "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (Rom. 9:33). Also Peter wrote; "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient [believe not], the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed (1 Peter 2:7-8)" (McGee). It is not the proclaiming of the cross that men hate, it is the context of the proclamation that men revile. When men ridicule you for your belief, they are not ridiculing you, but the Christ you love and proclaim. And to Greeks foolishness: when in the New Testament the term "Greek" in a general sense means "Gentile."
Matthew Henry describes the attitude of these Greeks:
"They laughed at the story of a crucified Savior, and despised the apostle's way of telling it. They sought wisdom. They were men of wit and reading, men that had cultivated arts and sciences, and had, for some ages, been in a manner the very mint of knowledge and learning. There was nothing in the plain doctrine of the cross to suit their taste, nor humor their vanity, nor gratify a curious and wrangling temper: they entertained it therefore with scorn and contempt. What, hope to be saved by one that could not save himself! And trust in one who was condemned and crucified as a malefactor [criminal], a man of mean birth and poor condition in life, and cut off by so vile and opprobrious [disgraceful] a death! This was what the pride of human reason and learning could not relish. The Greeks thought it little better than stupidity to receive such a doctrine, and pay this high regard to such a person: and thus were they justly left to perish in their pride and obstinacy. Note, it is just with God to leave those to themselves who pour such proud contempt on divine wisdom and grace."
Verse 24, "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
LGT "But to those the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ God's power, and God's wisdom."
But to those the called: the called are the ones who receive Christ, and are sanctified, that is, set apart unto God, who receive the gospel as God's Word, and are enlightened by His Holy Spirit. We who are saved find the Word of God our only hope and have no difficulty with scoffers, for we know that it is deliberate rejection of God's plan of the ages. Both Jews and Greeks: believers from every age, class, and nationality. Christ God's power: in Christ, God was able to save the lost and dying world, for all those who would; He is the power of God unto salvation. This Christ that is a stumblingblock to the Jews, and foolishness to the Greeks, is the power of God to save unto the uttermost that come unto God through Him. And God's wisdom: God's plan of salvation is His wisdom beyond human comprehension, for without the Holy Spirit's enlightening us, we could never be saved; he convinces us of all truth. This is wisdom!
Verse 25, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
LGT "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God stronger than men."
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men: the fact is God and foolishness cannot be; this foolishness is as the world considers the Cross of Christ. And the weakness of God stronger than men: the world considers God's plan of salvation a failure, and that God is just a myth of believer's imagination, and they thus consider God as weak, and as the drug infected scum of the earth during the sixties and seventies, claimed, God is dead. God did what man could not do with all his efforts; God chose the base things of this world to confound the wise. Man believes he must be good to save himself, but God says man can do nothing and that Christ has already accomplished salvation for man. This is God's strength on behalf of man.
Verse 26, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called."
LGT "For look at your calling, brethren, because [there are] not many wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many highborn:"
For look at your calling, brethren: examine your calling. God has called you unto the fellowship of His Son. Because there are not many wise according to the flesh: it is not that no wise men responded to God's call, but not many. According to the flesh means, wisdom that is looked at as wisdom by carnal men. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Not many powerful: men of dignity and power in this world. Not many highborn: those of noble birth. The cross of Christ does not appeal to men of these sorts, because they think they have no need of God's Son. We, the needy of this world, flock to Him for our only hope. "Some folk like to give emphasis to the prominent folk who have accepted Christ - the entertainment greats, the leaders in industry, and the prominent in government. But God majors in average people. He is calling simple folk like you and me" (McGee).
Verse 27, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise: and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty."
LGT "But God chose the foolish things of the world, in order that He might put to shame the wise, and God chose the weak things of the world, in order that He might put to shame the strong things."
But God Chose the foolish things of the world: God chose for Himself. This does not mean that those whom God chose are foolish; they are just foolish in the eyes of the world. These foolish ones are destitute of wealth, rank, prestige, honor and power. In order that He might put to shame the wise: the self sufficient men of this world think they are wise, and that they don't need God; but we foolish believers could not take one step without God. The phrase put to shame means to reveal them as they are in the sight of God. And chose the weak things of the world, in order that He might put to shame the strong things: These weak things are weak in the sight of men. The believer is weak, and is a basket case before God, but as Paul said: "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). It is not until a person realizes he or she is nothing, that God can make them something. God reveals how really foolish the wise of this world are by revealing His strength in the weak and foolish things of this world. The time when all this will become evident is at the return of Christ.
Verses 28, 29, "And the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence."
LGT "And the low born of the world and the despised God chose, [and] the things that are not, in order that the things that are He might annul: so that all flesh might not boast before Him."
And the low born of the world: of no family; the opposite of noble birth. And the despised God chose: "these are the ones the world has branded with contempt" (Vincent). And the things that are not: the things that are, that is, the worlds elite, are significant in appearance only; the believer is passed over by the world's elite as having no existence. He might annul: these boasting elite will be cast off as nothing. So that all flesh might not boast before Him: At the Great white Throne all unbelievers will be judged for their works and will be found wanting; all flesh [mankind] will bow before God and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, but it will be too late; and I might add, it will not be a confession of repentance, but of complete submission; for the unbelieving world will never, not even in the Lake of Fire, repent. The world hates God now, and will hate Him throughout eternity.
Verse 30, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."
LGT "But of Him [God] ye are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."
What a wonderful contrast of how the world views us as foolish and base, and how we are viewed by God in Christ Jesus; God has made us righteous, and sanctified, and redeemed, in His Son (2 Cor. 5:21). It was God's eternal plan that in Christ we are made conformed to Christ. This is positional truth that we will take an eternity to learn. God took the forgotten things of this world and has elevated us to the highest position in all glory, that is, seated with Christ at the Father's right hand. God loves us with exactly the same love He loves His only begotten Son. Now that is love, praise His wonderful name, as Paul instructs us in the next verse.
Verse 31, "That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
LGT "That, just as it is written [and stands written], The one who boasts. Let him boast in the lord."
Paul is quoting Jeremiah 9:23, 24. We have nothing of this world to boast of. In Christ we have everything to boast about; of course this boasting is not "blowing our own horn" but boasting in who and what Christ is, and what He has done for us, that is, boasting in the lord. "If therefore a man has his mind regulated in such a manner that, claiming no merit to himself, he desires that God alone be exalted; if he rests with satisfaction on His grace, and places his entire happiness in His Fatherly love, and, in fine, is satisfied with God alone, that man truly 'glories in the Lord.' I say truly, for even hypocrites on false grounds glory in Him, as Paul declares, (Rom. 2:17) when being either puffed up with gifts, or elated with a base confidence in the flesh, or abusing His Word, they nevertheless take His name upon them" (Calvin).
(It is for His glory and His glory alone that we were created)
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