The Foolishness of Human Wisdom

 

Lesson One

Reflection

Begin your study by entertaining thoughts on this question.

1.  Which aspects of the gospel (Jesus' life, death, and resurrection) are difficult for people to understand and accept?

While the basic tenants of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are simple and straight forward, people today find it difficult to understand why Jesus or the gospel matter to them. I have seen people reject Christ because salvation by grace through faith in the cross and resurrection of Christ seems too simple…they insist there must be more to it than that to be rendered acceptable to God. They want answers for humanities problems that are scientific, from scholarly sources, and which does not assign responsibility for their sins to themselves. They want a message that is easy to receive, positive, affirming, and immediately advantageous for them personally or professionally. With these modern criteria, the gospel simply does not seem to fit what people want to hear these days. As a result, it is difficult for this generation to see why an ancient story about a poor carpenter turned traveling preacher…who got himself killed by his contemporary authorities has anything to offer them as they face the challenges of a very sophisticated age.

Bible Reading

Read thoughtfully 1 Corinthians 1:18–31.

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is in View. To the Christian this is the most important topic of all time!

The “preaching of the cross” this is a reference to the gospel in all its fullness, which centers in the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ; it encompasses the entire divine plan and provision for the redemption of sinners—this is the theme of entire body of Scripture (1Cor. 15:1-4) and what the ancient OT prophets anticipated (1Pet. 1:10-12). (J. MacArthur)

Commentator Albert Barnes said it so well stating:

The death on the cross was associated with the idea of all that is shameful and dishonorable; and to speak of salvation only by the sufferings and death of a crucified man was fitted to excite in their bosoms only unmingled scorn.^[1]

In this section, Paul distinguishes this message of hope and redemption, the gospel of Christ, from all other messages and philosophies, both ancient and modern.

2. The Lowest Wisdom of God versus the Highest Wisdom of Humanity

        1.  The Greeks highly valued “wisdom”. This is a reference to ancient Greek philosophy. Paul showed in the following verses, however, that there is the kind of "wisdom" that the world worships, and there is the true wisdom that comes from God alone (W. Wiersbe). Not only is the gospel simple (1Cor. 1:17), many consider it "foolish" (1:18). This should not be surprising, since numerous centuries of human wisdom have failed to bring anyone closer to God (1Cor. 1:19-21).

       2.  Jewish scholars looked for supernatural “signs,” while the scholars of Greece pursued knowledge for its own sake—and both misunderstood the gospel in its simplicity (1Cor. 1:22-23).

       3.  Those who were called (1Cor. 1:2, 9), however, responded in faith and were saved (1Cor. 1:18, 24). The gospel's very simplicity shows how much wiser the Creator is than any of his creatures (1:25). Jesus used simple logic and his understanding of human nature to destroy human wisdom (1Cor. 1:19; 3:19; see Matt 21:23-27; 22:15-22; John 8:1-11). Even the lowest wisdom of God far out distances the most elite human wisdom ever!

   C.  Fundamentally, the Corinthians needed a renewal of their minds (Rom. 12:2). They were trying to live their Christian lives on the basis of unsanctified ideals which have self-preservation as its ultimate goal. This kind of life is self-seeking, self-serving, and ultimately self-destructive (Luke 9:24-25). Does such hyper focus on number one sound familiar?

Discovery

Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.

2.  In what ways can the gospel seem foolish? (1Cor 1:18)

Greeks believed that some gods had died and returned (usually they were vegetation deities who returned annually), but they relegated this belief to ancient myth and sometimes even allegorized the myths. Romans regarded crucifixion as a death appropriate for slaves; Jews also saw it as shameful (Deut 21:23). Those viewed as "saviors" were normally gods, kings, wealthy benefactors or miracle workers. Roman society was built around power and status; power was concentrated in the male head of the household, in wealthy and aristocratic families, and so forth. Associating power with a crucified man — the epitome of weakness — thus made no more sense to ancients than it does to modern people outside Christ. [2]

In spite of how the gospel may be perceived, Paul and early believers still preached the cross of Christ!

   A.  There were those Who Preach the Cross.  (1Cor. 1:17- 18).

Paul had not come to Corinth to make disciples for himself; he had come to "preach the gospel" (1:17). But this preaching was not according to the world's wisdom or desires—it was not filled with philosophical arguments or supernatural acts. Paul's preaching was the message of the cross—Jesus Christ crucified on behalf of sinners.

        1.  Such a message always has two results, for ultimately all of humanity will end up in one of these two classes.

        2.  The gospel message sounds foolish . . . to those who are on the road to destruction. For those who desire worldly wisdom, the message of the cross seems stupid. "Who wants a crucified king?" they might ask. To the Greek mind the whole notion was idiotic: salvation, if there were such a thing, would have to come through some appeal to man’s capacity to achieve. Furthermore, the Greek mind viewed God as immutable and unchangeable. The Gospel presentation of Incarnation, the Cross, and Resurrection were simply ruled out; the Gospel contradicted one of the axioms of classical Greek philosophy.

        3. But for those who are being saved . . . the gospel message is the very “power of God.” Paul wrote to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). The gospel message is more than a true story and a good way to live; it is “the power of God.” 

        4.  Only with such power can the gospel message redeem sinful people and transform them into God's people. (W. Wiersbe)

   B.  There are those Who Stumble at the Cross (1Cor. 1:23a).

This was the attitude of the Jews, because their emphasis is on miraculous signs and the cross appears to be weakness.

        1.  Jewish history is filled with miraculous events, from the Exodus out of Egypt to the days of Elijah and Elisha. When Jesus was ministering on earth, the Jewish leaders repeatedly asked Him to perform a sign from heaven; but He refused.

        2.  The Jewish nation did not understand their own sacred Scriptures. They looked for a Messiah who would come like a mighty conqueror and defeat all their enemies. He would then set up His kingdom and return the glory to Israel. The question of the Apostles in Acts 1:6 shows how strong this hope was among the Jews.

At the same time, their scribes noticed in the Old Testament that the Messiah would suffer and die. Passages like Ps 22 and Isa 53 pointed toward a different kind of Messiah, and the scholars could not reconcile these two seemingly contradictory prophetic images. They did not understand that their Messiah had to suffer and die before He could enter into His glory (see Luke 24:13-35), and that the future messianic kingdom was to be preceded by the age of the church. (W. Wiersbe)

        3.  Because the Jews were looking for power and great glory, they stumbled at the weakness of the cross. How could anybody put faith in an unemployed carpenter from Nazareth who died the shameful death of a common criminal? But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom 1:16). Rather than a testimony of weakness, the cross is a tremendous instrument of power! After all, the "weakness of God [in the cross] is stronger than men" (1Cor 1:25).  To the Hebrew, the whole thing was foreign as well. Deliverance would come in another Exodus, with God breaking into history to perform miracles and punish Israel’s enemies. A suffering Savior? Never! Israel would settle for nothing less than a conquering king.

   C.  Then, there are those Who Laugh at the Cross (1Cor. 1:23b).

This was the response of the Greeks. To them the cross was “foolishness.”

         1.  The Greeks emphasized wisdom we still study the profound writings of the Greek philosophers. But they saw no wisdom in the cross, for they looked at the cross from a human point of view. Had they seen it from God's viewpoint, they would have discerned the wisdom of God's great plan of salvation.

         2.  Paul called, on three men to bear witness: “the wise” (the expert), “the scribe” (the interpreter and writer), and “the disputer” (the philosopher and debater). He asked them one question: Through your studies into man's wisdom, have you come to know God in a personal way? They all must answer no! The fact that they laugh at the cross and consider it foolishness is evidence that they are perishing. (W. Wiersbe)

         3.  Paul quoted Isa 29:14 in 1Cor 1:19, proving that God has written a big "0 - Failure!" - over the wisdom of men. In his address on Mars' Hill, Paul dared to tell the philosophers that Greek and Roman history were but "times of this ignorance" (Acts 17:30). He was not suggesting that they knew nothing, because Paul knew too well that the Greek thinkers had made some achievements. However, their wisdom did not enable them to find God and experience salvation. (W. Wiersbe)

Question 2. As you discuss what seems foolish about the gospel, ask group members about their initial encounter with the Gospel of Christ. What age were they? What was hard for them to accept? What were some misconceptions they may have had about following Christ?

3.  How do Jesus' life and death reveal the wisdom and power of God? (1Cor 1:22-24).

   A.  Some Believe and Experience the Power and the Wisdom of the Cross (1Cor. 1:24).

Paul did not alter his message when he turned from a Jewish audience to a Greek one: he preached Christ crucified. "The foolishness of preaching" (1Cor 1:21) does not mean that the act of preaching is foolish, but rather the content of the message. 

   B.  Those who have been called by God's grace, and who have responded by faith (see 2Thess 2:13-14), realize that Christ is God's “power” and God's “wisdom.” Not the Christ of the manger, or the temple, or the marketplace - but the Christ of the cross. It is in the death of Christ that God has revealed the foolishness of man's wisdom and the weakness of man's power.

   C.  We are called into fellowship because of our union with Jesus Christ He died for us; we were baptized in His name; we are identified with His cross. What a wonderful basis for spiritual unity!

   D.  Many Jews considered the Good News of Jesus Christ to be foolish because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering king who did many spectacular signs and miracles. Although Jesus had performed many miracles during his ministry on earth, many Jews who observed his miracles firsthand had refused to believe (Matt 12:38-39; 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-12; Luke 11:16; John 6:30). Jesus had not restored David's throne in the way that they had expected. Besides, he had been executed as a criminal (Deut 21:23) -- how could a criminal be the Savior? This proclamation of Christ crucified was a contradiction of all that they believed, and it became a stumbling block to them (see also Rom 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8). (W. Wiersbe)

   E.  Silly, Superficial, and Simple

Paul had literally been where no man had gone before. He had taken the gospel to uncharted territories and untested hearers. He understood rejection. When Paul mentioned audience reactions (1:21), he had the scars to prove just how violently some resisted the gospel. Problems in sharing the gospel were not theoretical for Paul. Those who proclaim the gospel may find that others think they are ridiculous. If our message did not hold the answer to life and death it might seem silly and superficial. Though some ridicule it, the gospel remains the simple truth. Paul described the attitude we ought to have this way: (Rom 1:16). Like Paul, we must proclaim the simple gospel; it requires no revisions, embellishments, upgrades, or add-ons.

4.  In what ways is God's wisdom different from the world's wisdom?  (1Cor. 1:21-24)

   A.  The mention of the cross in 1Cor 1:17 introduced this long section on the power of the Gospel versus the weakness of man's wisdom. It is interesting to see how Paul approached this problem of division in the church. First, he pointed to the unity of Christ: there is one Savior and one body. Then he reminded them of their baptism, a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  Then he took them to the cross.

   B.  Crucifixion was not only a horrible death; it was a shameful death. It was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen. Crucifixion was never mentioned in polite society, any more than we today would discuss over dinner the gas chamber or the electric chair.

   C.  The key word in this paragraph is wisdom; it is used eight times.

         — The “in the wisdom of God,” (1:21) God wisely established that men could not come to know Him by human wisdom. That would exalt man, so God designed to save helpless sinners through the preaching of a message that was so simple the “worldly wise” deemed it nonsense. Rom 1:18–23.

         — “That believe,” (1:21) from the human side, salvation requires and comes only through faith in the gospel. John 1:12; Rom. 10:8–17.

         — The key idea—that Paul expressed is that we dare not mix man's wisdom with God's revealed message. The entire section on wisdom (1Cor 1:17-2:16) presents a number of contrasts between the revealed Word of God and the wisdom of men.

         — God's wisdom is revealed primarily in the cross of Jesus Christ but not everybody sees this. (W. Wiersbe)

   D.  This very point is one that Paul made in 1 Corinthians 1 and 2.

        — He pointed out that man’s ways of thinking (human “wisdom”) and God’s ways of thinking (His “foolishness”) truly do not correspond.

        — “The Cross” is given as an example. What human mind would have imagined that God would give us righteousness, holiness, and redemption by means of the execution of His Son as a criminal!

        — While the Greek and the Jew each clung to his own notion of how God must act, God had His own ideas. The Cross meant that each must surrender his own way of thinking, and submit to a divine wisdom that operates on principles which are fundamentally different from those that appeal to mere human thought or values!

       — Man is impressed by human accomplishment: God chose to use things man despises.

       — Man is impressed by strength: God chose to use weakness.

   E.  Even in churches, the human tendency is to seek to build little kingdoms around differences—different leaders, different message styles, and different ways of worship. Paul’s whole argument is a warning to the church at Corinth—and to us—that we must learn to look at issues from the divine viewpoint. We must realize God doesn’t think the same way we do. We must be willing to surrender our own way of thinking and earnestly search out His.

   F.  How? God has revealed His thoughts by the Spirit (1Cor. 2:13). And God has given believers the Holy Spirit to interpret the written Word (1Cor. 2:9–15). In the Word and in the Spirit we have been given an astounding gift: “We have the mind of Christ” (1Cor. 2:16). Searching the Word, guided by the Spirit, we are to learn God’s way of thinking (His wisdom), and gradually learn to evaluate all things from His unique perspective.

   G.  This is why a tracing-the-argument approach to Bible study is so important. We’re prone to grasp a single verse or teaching, and try to make it fit our way of thinking. We’re apt to use the Bible to try to prove our point of view, or to disprove another’s. But Paul here teaches us to study the Scripture so we can learn to abandon our own points of view, and submit ourselves instead to God’s. By disciplining ourselves to trace the argument of a section of Scripture, we guard against our natural tendency to misuse, and we set ourselves to grasp the very thoughts of God. (W. Wiersbe)

5.  What does Paul mean when he says God “hath chosen the weak things of the world”? (1Cor. 1:27)

   A.  Perhaps the Corinthian were influenced by the culture of nearby Athens. They seemed to fancy themselves as thinkers and took pride in their supposed intellectual superiority. Paul reminded them that human cleverness is not necessarily God's way or wisdom (1:18–2:16). God's plan of salvation through Christ's death on the Cross is often rejected by wise and clever people. Those who are spiritually wise perceive truth by the Spirit and not the mind alone. This kind of wisdom is God's gift through His Holy Spirit. 

   B.  Proud and clever people are not the ones who appreciate the wisdom of God's plan of salvation through Christ's death on the Cross, but those who are spiritually wise. According to 1 Corinthians 3:18, one must actually become a “fool” in the world's eyes in order to be really wise.

   C.  One does not have to “check his brains at the door” when he becomes a Christian. Human wisdom has its place. God has equipped us with wondrous knowledge, giving us dominion over the earth and intelligence to travel to the moon and back. The capacity of the human mind is beyond comprehension.

   D.  Paul's attack on human wisdom (1Cor. 1:18–31) does not belittle the gift of human intelligence. But the answer to humankind's dilemma is not intellectual and cultural; it is moral and spiritual. The cure is the Cross of Christ—not merely the wooden instrument of death, but the sacrifice that took place there—and the subsequent resurrection of our Lord, His ascension, and finally the bestowal of His Spirit on all those who believe.

But God's “holy foolishness” is at odds with humankind's “wise” ways. Neither the Jews' “do a miracle” approach, nor the Gentiles' philosophical approach (1:22) can grasp the power and wisdom God expressed in the Cross. It is an issue of false versus true wisdom.

   E.  Paul further points out the inferior intellectual and social status of many of the believers. The church was populated with the ordinary instead of the extraordinary person of that day and culture. Their congregation was evidence that God ignore the worldly criteria of favoring and selecting people because of their social elitism, high breeding, outstanding pedigree, political influence or whatever other ‘power’ men pride themselves for. Notice Paul’s explanation: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” (1Cor. 1:27). Yes, God choose those who embrace the foolishness of Christ’s cross, and the result is no one can brag about their human accomplishments or elevated position in life before the Lord.

   F.  But the results are powerful and eternal. Each believer is “in Christ,” and He provides “righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1Cor. 1:30). This “holy foolishness” is illustrated further by Paul's plain manner of preaching and in the convincing power of the Spirit (2:1–5). The purpose was that the faith of the believing Corinthians would not be in man's cleverness, but in the power of God (2:5). However, true wisdom is revealed by the Spirit (2:6–13) to those who are “mature.” This maturity is like a fruit which has developed to completion and perfection; it is ripe.

   G.  Spiritual maturity involves many things. Hebrews 5:11–14 teaches three principles about spiritual maturity as compared with spiritual immaturity:

         1.  First, maturity takes time (v. 12). The believers need to be exposed to the truth of the Word and see it modeled in others over a period of time. God will apply it to the individual life.

         2.  Second, maturity involves growth in the knowledge of the Word of God (v. 13). Babies in Christ are able only to handle the simple things of the gospel (1 Pet. 2:2). Spiritual development (or deformity) is directly related to the amount of intake of the Word.

         3.  Finally, spiritual maturity involves experience in the use of the Word in discerning between good and bad, or truth and error (vv. 13, 14). This is to be a disciplined exercise in spiritual discernment.

6.  So, what do believers have to brag about?

1Cor. 1:30-31, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: ³¹ That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

   A. Beloved, all praise and glory is correctly ascribed to God who acted graciously on our behalf. Accordingly, it is by the activities of the Father that believers are “in Christ Jesus”—spiritually identified with the Savior—and thus possesses wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This wisdom of God is literally Christ crucified and as a result believers are declared righteous and justified in the courtroom of God, sanctified to enter the august presence of God, and ultimately destined for the fullness of redemption! These four underserved blessings are now ours and follow the wisdom of God:

      1. Wisdom—Christ is the wisdom of God; he alone personifies divine wisdom—he is God’s way of salvation. As such he actively accrues the praise to the Father and destroys all human platforms for self-centered pride and confidence…achievement. He is our exclusive claim to wisdom! (Walvoord & Zuck)

      2. Righteousness—it is through our faith in the cross of Christ that moves God, the Judge, to count us as right in his court of law (Rom. 4:24–25). The final verdict concerning all believers is ‘justified.’ If we are acceptable to God in Christ then we do not need the acceptance of mere men who judge and value people for the wrong reasons.

      3. Sanctification—two realities are in view and both are precious acts of the Father’s grace. First, since we have no holy clout or status of holiness with God, he gave us this position, status, and regards us as holy. Secondly, he also gave us the holy power to live free of sin’s enslavement and control—thus a lifestyle experiencing and characterized by holy motives and actions (2Thes. 2:13–15). We can brag about the clout, privileges, and honors God graciously affords us because of who he is and not who we are. (MacDonald & Farstad)

      4. Redemption—while it is true believers are redeemed, we also will be redeemed. Redemption has multiple installments or benefits and blessings. There is more to come! Yes, we are fully saved, but we have not experienced everything God has planned for the Redeemed (Rom. 8:23; Eph. 4:30). Beloved, one day we will traverse new heights of redemption relative to the body, soul, and spirit…we will move…yes...be transported beyond anything and everything we have been trilled to know in Christ heretofore. I am talking about the ultimate next level—glorification! God plans for us are certain and will one day be fully consummated in our individual and collective experience.

   B. Clearly, this is what we glory in, brag about, exult in, rejoice over, and swell with appreciation for…the cross of Christ and God’s gracious acts towards fallen sinners who repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, it is appropriate to glory in the Lord…to boast in the Lord’s goodness to us…to brag on Jesus! Actually, we as God’s people have plenty to brag about (see Matt. 11:25–26).

  C.  The message and miracle of God’s grace in Jesus Christ utterly confounds (“puts to shame”) the high and mighty people of this world. The wise of this world cannot understand how God changes sinners into saints, and the mighty of this world are helpless to duplicate the miracle. God’s “foolishness” confounds the wise; God’s “weakness” confounds the mighty!

The annals of church history are filled with the accounts of great sinners whose lives were transformed by the power of the Gospel. In my own ministry, as in the ministry of most pastors and preachers, I have seen amazing things take place that the lawyers and psychologists could not understand. We have seen delinquent teenagers become successful students and useful citizens. We have seen marriages restored and homes reclaimed, much to the amazement of the courts.

And why does God reveal the foolishness and the weakness of this present world system, even with its philosophy and religion? “That no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:29). Salvation must be wholly of grace; otherwise, God cannot get the glory.

It is this truth that Paul wanted to get across to the Corinthians, because they were guilty of glorying in men (1 Cor. 3:21). If we glory in men—even godly men like Peter and Paul and Apollos—we are robbing God of the glory that He alone deserves. It was this sinful attitude of pride that was helping to cause division in the church.^[3]

Question 6. Bragging or boasting implies a certain amount of pride. Discuss the difference between the sin of being prideful and the wonderful deep pleasure, soaring admiration, and complete satisfaction that we have in Jesus’ accomplishments. (The difference resides in whether the object of our “pride” is ourselves.) In contemplating what God has done for us, see Romans 5:8 and 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Inspiration

Here is an uplifting thought.

You want success? Here's your model. You want achievement? Here's your prototype. You want bright lights, pageants, and media attention? Consider the front-page, center article of the nation's largest daily newspaper.

It is a caricature of “Miss America.” The vital data of the fifty one participants has been compiled to present the perfect woman. She has brown hair. She has brown eyes. She knows how to sing and has a perfect figure: 35–24-35. She is Miss America.

The message trumpets off the page: “This is the standard for American women.” The implication is clear: Do what it takes to be like her. Firm your thighs. Deepen your cleavage. Pamper your hair. Improve your walk.

No reference is made to her convictions … to her honesty … to her faith … or to her God. But you are told her hip size.

In a small photo, four inches to the left, is another woman. Her face is thin. Her skin is wrinkled, almost leathery. No makeup … no blush … no lipstick. There is a faint smile on her lips and a glint in her eyes. She looks pale. Perhaps it's my imagination or perhaps it's time. The caption read, “Mother Teresa: In serious condition.”

Mother Teresa. You know her story. When she won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985, she gave the two hundred thousand dollars to the poor of Calcutta. When a businessman bought her a new car, she sold it and gave the money to the underprivileged. She owns nothing. She owes nothing.

Two women: Miss America and Mother Teresa. One walks the boardwalk; the other walks the alley. Two voices. One promises crowns, flowers, and crowds. The other promises service, surrender, and joy.

Now I have nothing against beauty pageants (although I have my reservations about them). But I do have something against the lying voices that noise our world.

You've heard them. They tell you to swap your integrity for a new sale. To barter your convictions for an easy deal. To exchange your devotion for a quick thrill.

They whisper. They woo. They taunt. They tantalize. They flirt. They flatter. “Go ahead, it's O.K.” “Just wait until tomorrow.” “Don't worry, no one will know.” “How could anything that feels so right be so wrong?” …

For amidst the fleeting promises of pleasure is the timeless promise of [God's] presence.

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

There is no chorus so loud that the voice of God cannot be heard … if we will but listen. — (From In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado)

Response

Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.

7.  In what ways does the media entice us to accept the world's values?

 

 

Question 7. Be sure to include music, printed materials, and billboard advertising when considering the media. What commercials use sex to sell something totally unrelated? How are conservatives depicted in the news? When do news stories or movies prompt us to sympathize with the less-than-honorable characters or choices?

 

8.  Have you sought God's guidance, rather than relying on your own intellect and ability? Explain the circumstances and the outcome.

 

 

Question 8. See Proverbs 3:5–7. For more discussion, how should we draw the balance between acting on the wisdom God gave us and trusting him to lead? Ask your group for any personal experiences.

 

 

9.  In what ways can we ignore the false messages around us and think more like God?

 

 

Prayer

Father, too often the lies of the world drown out your voice. Give us ears to hear you and hearts willing to obey. Help us to stand against the pressure to seek success and power. Give us the strength to choose the timeless truths of your Word over the fleeting promises of the world. And Father, confirm only those thoughts and plans that conform to your will.

 

Journaling

Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.

In light of this passage, how can I make better decisions?

 

 

 

 

Additional Questions

10.  Why is it important to recognize the limits of human wisdom?

 

 

11.  In what ways can you determine if an idea or plan is based on worldly thinking or biblical teaching?

 

 

 

12.  List some benefits of living according to God's wisdom instead of human wisdom.

 

 

For more Bible passages on the limits of human wisdom, see Proverbs 3:5, 7; Ecclesiastes 1:12–18; 2:16; Jeremiah 9:23–24; Ezekiel 28:2–7; Matthew 11:25; 1 Corinthians 3:19, 20.  To complete the book of 1 Corinthians during this twelve-part study, read 1 Corinthians 1:1–31.

 

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^[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 571–572). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 

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^[2] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1749). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

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[3] IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament by Craig S. Keener Copyright © 1993 by Craig S. Keener. Published by InterVarsity Press

An Introduction to 1 Corinthians

 

Introduction:                       “… the rude, the crude, and the lewd!”

The radio preacher's terminology was startling. He was describing the content of many modern films and forms of entertainment. He stressed how today's movies, TV programs, music videos, and records are negatively impacting children, families, and the moral fabric of this country.

“By the time the average youth reaches age sixteen,” the preacher said, “he or she will have seen more than 200,000 acts of violence and 33,000 murders. Movies are reviewed and rated by the degree of socially offensive language, excessive violence, and/or graphic nudity. TV ‘soap operas’—both in the daytime and evening prime time—are admittedly seeing ‘just how far we can push it.’ ”

The radio preacher repeated his startling comment: “We are living in a land of the rude, the crude, and the lewd!” (Source Unknown)

Bible Reading

Read: 1Corinthians 1:1-17.

QUOTE: “To begin with, the church at Corinth was a defiled church. Some of its members were guilty of sexual immorality, others got drunk; still others were using the grace of God to excuse worldly living. It was also a divided church, with at least four different groups competing for leadership (1 Cor 1:12). This meant it was a disgraced church. Instead of glorifying God, it was hindering the progress of the Gospel.

How did this happen? The members of the church permitted the sins of the city to get into the local assembly. Corinth was a polluted city, filled with every kind of vice and worldly pleasure. About the lowest accusation you could make against a man in that day would be to call him "a Corinthians." People would know what you were talking about.

Corinth was also a proud, philosophical city, with many itinerant teachers promoting their speculations. Unfortunately, this philosophical approach was applied to the Gospel by some members of the church, and this fostered division. The congregation was made up of different "schools of thought" instead of being united behind the Gospel message.

If you want to know what Corinth was like, read Rom 1:18-32. Paul wrote the Roman epistle while in Corinth, and he could have looked out the window and seen the very sins that he listed!

Of course, when you have proud people, depending on human wisdom, adopting the lifestyle of the world, you are going to have problems. In order to help them solve their problems, Paul opened his letter by reminding them of their calling in Christ.”   — (from The Bible Exposition Commentary). 

Discovery

Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.

I.  The Corinthian Context

In the third millennium since the birth of the Christian era, modern society is not unlike the sensual society and pagan culture the apostle Paul found in ancient Corinth. The practical need for spiritual purity and power to overcome “the world, the flesh, and the devil” is equally evident then and now. As a wealthy commercial center and port city on the southern tip of Greece, Corinth was known for its great temple of Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love), with its 1,000 ritual priestess-prostitutes. The immoral conditions of Corinth are vividly seen in the fact that the Greek term Korinthiazomai (literally, “to act the Corinthian”) came to mean “to practice fornication.” Corinth was noted for its carnality.

1.  In that setting, the apostle Paul had planted a church during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–17). What were the names of the husband-and-wife team he met in Corinth? (v. 2) This would be Aquila & Priscilla.

2.  Why did he stay with them? (v. 3)

They were all tent makers–the “same craft.”

3.  What was the theme of his message to the Jews? (v. 5)

The theme of the message to the Jews was “that Jesus was Christ.”

4.  Was his witness successful in the synagogue? Why? (v. 6)

No, it was not well received among the Jews.

5.  What significant new strategy did Paul announce to the Jews? (v. 6)

He declared that he would preach the Gospel to the Gentiles.

II. The Corinthian Correspondence

It was probably about five years later, approximately a.d. 55, during Paul's three-year ministry in Ephesus on his third missionary journey, that he wrote the epistle known today as 1 Corinthians. In it Paul responded to disturbing reports and questions about life in this problematic congregation. He had received reports of sectarian divisions and moral disorders within the church. Additionally, a delegation had arrived from Corinth, and (or with) a letter seeking his advice on various difficulties and critical issues in the spiritually gifted but morally weak congregation.

This first correspondence consists of Paul's response to problems related to ten separate issues: a sectarian spirit, incest, lawsuits, fornication, marriage and divorce, eating food offered to idols, wearing of the veil, the Lord's Supper, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection of the human body. With each problem Paul pointed to spiritual solutions. He wanted the Corinthians to learn the calling of the saints, the fellowship of Jesus Christ, and the unity of a spiritual church (1Cor. 1:2, 9, 10).

III. Contemporary Conclusions

Corinth was a first-century church with many problems: sectarianism, spiritual immaturity, church discipline, immoral practices, the roles of the sexes, and the proper use of spiritual gifts. Where these same problems exist in the modern church, the remedies are the same. Studying the godly guidelines and applying the practical insights revealed in this epistle will establish devoted disciples and heal the problems of contemporary churches that may exist—as Corinth—in a “ … land of the rude, the crude, and the lewd.”

Study

Let’s probe the depths of the thoughts and terms of Paul's introduction in his first epistle to the Corinthians (1:1–17):

1.  How did Paul describe himself at the beginning of this Corinthian letter? (1Cor. 1:1)

   A.  Was this common in Paul's correspondence? (Check the opening verses of some of Paul's other epistles.) Why?

   B.  Give the primary meaning the word apostle:

1. Paul's claim of apostolic authority was based on two significant factors. Review the following scriptures and then list those factors: (Acts 9:1–6, 15; 26:15–18; 1 Cor. 15:3–8; 1 Tim. 2:7).

2. Paul was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ on the Damascus road. This call did not come from or through men, but directly from the Lord Jesus. An apostle is literally “a sent one.” The first apostles were witnesses of Christ in resurrection. They also could perform miracles to confirm that the message they preached was divine.^[a]

3. “Called,” Paul was given a special calling from God to preach about Jesus Christ. Each Christian has a job to do, a role to take, or a contribution to make. One assignment may seem more spectacular than another, but all are necessary to carry out God's greater plans for his church and for his world (1Cor. 12:12-27). Be available to God by placing your gifts at his service. Then as you discover what he calls you to do, be ready to do it.

   C.  How did Peter classify Paul's writings? (2 Pet. 3:14–16)

   D.  How did that validate Paul's claim of apostolic authority?

 

2.  What kind of people were in the church at Corinth? (1Cor. 1:2)

   A.  How did Paul describe them in his greeting? (1Cor. 1:2, 3)

The word church means “a called-out people or assembly.” Each church has two addresses: a geographic address ("at Corinth") and a spiritual address ("in Christ Jesus").

   B. FROM GOD TO US

As we read the opening words of Paul's letter, we may wonder: How do these ancient words apply today? We are distanced from the original readers by time, space, culture, and language. But we do share five striking similarities with the Corinthian Christians:

1.  We are people equally needing God's truthful instruction.

2.  We live in a similar aggressively pluralistic society that denies absolutes and makes personal rights absolute.

3.  This claim to personal rights challenges the lordship of Jesus Christ within the church today, even as it did then.

4.  The ancient philosophy that might and money make right continues to divide churches and destroy people's lives.

5.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ remains the solid fact upon which our faith rests. To some, it will always be a stumbling block. So, in spite of the obvious differences between ourselves and the Corinthians, the points of similarity make it crucial that we read this letter as God's Word for our day.

   C.  Define the words “sanctified” and “saints.” (1Cor. 1:2, 3)

The churches are made up of saints, that is, people who have been or "set apart" by God. A saint is not a dead person who has been honored by men because of his or her holy life. No, Paul wrote to living saints, people who, through faith in Jesus Christ had been set apart for God's special enjoyment and use.

In other words, every true believer is a saint because every true believer has been set apart by God and for God.

    D.  Does Paul's use of the term “saint” imply perfection or potential? (Rom. 1:17; 2 Thess. 1:10–12 and Jude 3.)

    E.  What qualities and characteristics of life should be seen in people who are “sanctified saints”? (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Thess. 4:1–8.)

A Christian photographer told about a lovely wedding that he "covered." The bride and groom came out of the church, heading for the limousine, when the bride suddenly left her husband and ran to a car parked across the street! The motor was running and a man was at the wheel, and off they drove, leaving the bridegroom speechless. The driver of the "get-away car" turned out to be an old boyfriend of the bride, a man who had boasted that "he could get her anytime he wanted her." Needless to say, the husband had the marriage annulled.

When a man and woman pledge their love to each other, they are set apart for each other; and any other relationship outside of marriage is sinful. Just so, the Christian belongs completely to Jesus Christ he is set apart for Him and Him alone. But he is also a part of his local fellowship, the church (1 Cor 1:2). A defiled and unfaithful believer not only sins against the Lord, but he also sins against his fellow Christians.

 

3.  What did Paul thank God for in the lives and experiences of the Corinthian believers? (1Cor. 1:4-7)

    A.  In this letter, Paul would include strong words to the Corinthians, but he began on a positive note of thanksgiving. Paul affirmed their privilege of belonging to the Lord. Paul gave thanks to . . . God for the Corinthian believers because only by the grace of God can anyone come to believe and be accepted into God's family. That grace has been made available only in Christ Jesus -- which is the essence of the gospel message. Paul usually would begin his letters with a word of thanks for the believers to whom he was writing (see, for example, Rom 1:8; Phil 1:3-7; Col 1:3-8).

THANKSGIVING

Paul thanked God for the Corinthian believers. During the Thanksgiving holiday, we focus on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for them. But thanks should be expressed every day. We can never say thank you enough to parents, friends, leaders, and especially to God. When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that your attitude toward life will change. You will become more positive, gracious, loving, and humble. Whom do you need to thank today?

  B.  In what ways had they been “enriched?” (1Cor. 1:5–7)

Enriched by God's grace (vv. 4-6). Salvation is a gracious gift from God, but when you are saved, you are also given spiritual gifts. (Paul explained this in detail in 1 Cor. 12-14.) The word  "enriched" refers, "a very wealthy person." The Corinthians were especially rich in spiritual gifts (2 Cor. 8:7), but were not using these gifts in a spiritual manner. The fact that God has called us, set us apart, and enriched us ought to encourage us to live holy lives.

   C.  Expecting Jesus to return (v. 7). Paul will have a great deal to say about this truth in 1 Cor. 15. Christians who are looking for their Saviour will want to keep their lives above reproach (1 John 2:28-3:3).

 

4.  Paul's confidence that they would be declared “blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” was based on what? (1Cor. 1:1:8, 9)

   A.  It Depends on God's Faithfulness (1Cor. 1:8-9).

          1.  The work of God was confirmed in them (1 Cor 1:6), but it was also confirmed to them in the Word.             

          2.  This is a legal term that refers to the guarantee that settles a transaction.

          3.  We have the witness of the Spirit within us and the witness of the Word before us, guaranteeing that God will keep His "contract" with us and save us to the very end.

          4.  This guarantee is certainly not an excuse for sin! Rather, it is the basis for a growing relationship of love, trust, and obedience.

Now, in the light of these great truths, how could the people in the Corinthian assembly get involved in the sins of the world and the flesh? They were an elect people, an enriched people, and an established people. They were saints, set apart for the glory of God! Alas, their practice was not in accord with their position.

   B.  It Depends on the Finished Work of Christ.

Before tackling the problems, Paul described his hope for the Corinthians.

          1.  He guaranteed those believers that God would consider them "blameless" when Christ returns (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Heb 9:28).

          2.  This guarantee was not because of their great gifts or their shining performance, but because of what Jesus Christ accomplished for them through his death and resurrection.

          3.  All who believe in the Lord Jesus will be considered "blameless" when Jesus Christ returns (see also 1 Thess 3:13; 2 Thess. 1:6-10).

          4.  Today's struggles, difficulties, and failures don't tell the whole story. Keep the big picture in mind. If you have faith in Christ, even if it is weak, you are and will be saved.

   C.  We should thank God that He is faithful. 

He will “confirm [guarantee] you to the end” (1:8)! And thank His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, for His fellowship, grace, and peace. 

 

5.  What areas of fellowship did Paul emphasize to create unity in the church? (1Cor. 1:9-17)

When Paul mentioned the word “fellowship” in 1 Cor. 1:9, he introduced a second aspect of the Christian's calling.

   A.  Believers are Called into Fellowship (1 Cor. 1:10-25). Having mentioned the problem of defilement in the church, now Paul turned to the matter of division in the church.

         1.  Division has always been a problem among God's people, and almost every New Testament epistle deals with this topic or mentions it in one way or another.

         2.  Even the 12 Apostles did not always get along with each other.

   B.  In 1 Cor. 1:13, Paul asked his readers three important questions, and these three questions are the key to this long paragraph.

         1.  “Is Christ divided?” (vv. 10-13 a) The verb means, "Has Christ been divided and different parts handed out to different people?" The very idea is grotesque and must be rejected. Paul did not preach one Christ, Apollos another, and Peter another. There is but one Saviour and one Gospel (Gal 1:6-9).

                 A.  How, then, did the Corinthians create this four-way division? Why were there quarrels (“contentions”) among them?

                 B.  One answer is that they were looking at the Gospel from a philosophical point of view. Corinth was a city filled with teachers and philosophers, all of whom wanted to share their “wisdom.”

                 C.  Another answer is that human nature enjoys following human leaders.

                       — We tend to identify more with spiritual leaders who help us and whose ministry we understand and enjoy.

                       — Instead of emphasizing the message of the Word, the Corinthians emphasized the messenger. 

                       — They got their eyes off the Lord and on the Lord's servants, and this led to competition.

                 D.  Paul will point out in 1 Cor 3 that there can be no competition among true servants of God.

                       — It is sinful for church members to compare pastors, or for believers to follow human leaders as disciples of men and not disciples of Jesus Christ.

                       — The “personality cults” in the churches today are in direct disobedience to the Word of God.

                 E.  Only Jesus Christ should have the place of preeminence (Col 1:18).

                 F.  When such divisions grip a church it is time for a TIME-OUT!

                      1.  Like a frustrated coach watching his team bicker on the court, Paul called for a time-out. He saw the danger of divisions and arguments. The Corinthian believers' lack of unity was obvious.

                      2.  They may have been playing in the same "uniform," but they were doing as much as the opposition to bring about their own defeat.

                      3.  The problems weren't so much differences of opinion as divided allegiances. They were arguing over which position on the team was most important in a way that made them ineffective as a unit. They were on the field, but out of the game.

                      4.  Divisions between Christians work like brick walls and barbed-wire fences to undermine the effectiveness of the message that believers are to proclaim.

                      5.  Focus on your coach, Jesus Christ, and the purpose he has for you. Strive for harmony. Keep arguments about allegiances off the team.

 

         2.  Paul used several key words in this section to emphasize the unity of the saints in Christ.

                  A.  He called his readers “brethren,” reminding them that they belonged to one family.

                  B.  The phrase “perfectly joined together” is a medical term that describes the unity of the human body knit together. So, they had a loving union as members of the body.

                  C.  They were also identified by “the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. This was probably a reference to the Person of Christ and all that He has done for believers.  The Corinthians were exalting the names of men instead of Christ which could only lead to division.

                  D.  We must avoid developing Christian FAN CLUBS.

Paul wondered whether the Corinthians' quarrels had "divided" Christ. This is a graphic picture of what happens when the local church (the body of Christ) is divided.

                        — With so many churches and styles of worship available today, believers can get caught up in the same game of "my preacher is better than yours!" They follow personalities and even change churches based on who is popular. To act this way is to divide Christ.

                        — But Christ is not divided, and his true followers should not allow anything to divide their church.

                  E.  Don't let your appreciation for any teacher, preacher, speaker, or writer lead you into intellectual pride. Believers' allegiance must be to Christ and to the unity that he desires.

 

           3.  We do not know who the people were who belonged to "the house of Chloe," but we commend them for their courage and devotion.

                 A.  They did not try to hide the problems. They were burdened about them; they went to the right person with them, and they were not afraid to be mentioned by Paul. This was not the kind of "cloak and dagger" affair that we often see in churches - activities that usually make the problem worse and not better.

                 B.  Paul was the minister who founded the church, so most of the members would have been converted through his ministry. Apollos followed Paul (Acts 18:24-28) and had an effective ministry. We have no record that Peter (Cephas) ever visited Corinth, unless 1 Cor 9:5 records it Each of these men had a different personality and a different approach to the ministry of the Word; yet they were one (1 Cor 3:3-8; 4:6).

 

           4.  Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1Cor. 1:13b-17)

                  A.  Keep in mind that baptism was an important matter in the New Testament church. When a sinner trusted Christ and was baptized, he cut himself off from his old life and often was rejected by his family and friends. It cost something to be baptized in that day.

                  B.  Just as Jesus did not baptize people (John 4:1-2), so both Peter (Acts 10:48) and Paul allowed their associates to baptize the new converts. Until the church grew in Corinth, Paul did some of the baptizing, but that was not his main ministry. In this section, Paul was not minimizing baptism, but rather was putting it into its proper perspective, because the Corinthians were making too much of it "I was baptized by Apollos!" one would boast, while another would say, "Oh, but I was baptized by Paul!"

                  C.  It is wrong to identify any man's name with your baptism other than the name of Jesus Christ. To do so is to create division. I have read accounts about people who had to be baptized by a certain preacher, using special water (usually from the Jordan River), on a special day, as though these are the matters that are important! Instead of honoring the Lord Jesus Christ and promoting the unity of the church, these people exalt men and create disunity.

                  D.  Crispus had been the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth (Acts 18:8); and Gaius was probably the man Paul lived with when he wrote Romans (Rom 16:23). "The household of Stephanas" (1 Cor 1:16) is probably described in part in 1 Cor 16:15-18. Apparently Paul did not carry with him a record of the names of all the people he baptized. It was sufficient that they were written in God's book.

                  E.  The Christian servant should not have to choose between STYLE AND SUBSTANCE.

Some speakers use impressive words, but they are weak on content. Some preachers make the Bible marginal in their sermons in order to hold people's attention. Even Bible studies give less focus to the Bible than they do to fellowship. Paul stressed solid content and practical help for his listeners. He wanted them to be impressed with his message, not just his style (see 2:1-5). You don't need to be a great speaker with a large vocabulary to share the gospel effectively. The persuasive power is in the story, not the storyteller. Paul was not against those who carefully prepare what they say (see 2:6), but against those who try to impress others only with their own knowledge or speaking ability. Make Christ the center of your preaching, teaching and witnessing rather than trying to be impressive.

In the latter part of verse 17, Paul is making an easy transition to the verses that follow. He did not preach the gospel by using wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. He knew that if men were impressed by his oratory or rhetoric, then to that extent he had defeated himself in his efforts to set forth the true meaning of the cross of Christ.

It will help us to understand the section that follows if we remember that the Corinthians, being Greeks, were great lovers of human wisdom. They regarded their philosophers as national heroes. Some of this spirit had apparently crept into the assembly at Corinth. There were those who desired to make the gospel more acceptable to the intelligentsia. They did not feel that it had status among scholars, and so they wanted to intellectualize the message. This worship of intellectualism was apparently one of the issues that was causing the people to form parties around human leaders. Efforts to make the gospel more acceptable are completely misguided. There is a vast difference between God’s wisdom and man’s, and there is no use trying to reconcile them.^[b]

CONCLUSION:

An Indian was walking up a mountain when he heard a voice.

“Carry me with you,” it requested.

The Indian turned and saw a snake. He refused. “If I carry you up the mountain you will bite me.”

“I wouldn't do that,” the snake assured. “All I need is some help. I am slow and you are fast; please be kind and carry me to the top of the mountain.”

It was against his better judgment, but the Indian agreed. He picked up the snake, put him in his shirt, and resumed the journey. When they reached the top, he reached in his shirt to remove the snake and got bit.

He fell to the ground, and the snake slithered away.

“You lied!” the Indian cried. “You said you wouldn't bite me.”

The snake stopped and looked back, “I didn't lie. You knew who I was when you picked me up.”

We hear the legend and shake our heads. He should have known better, we bemoan. And we are right. He should have. And so should we. But don't we do the same? Don't we believe the lies of the snake? Don't we pick up what we should leave alone?

The Corinthian Christians did. One snake after another had hissed lies in their ears, and they had believed it. How many lies did they believe?

How much time do you have?

The list is long and ugly: sectarianism, disunity, sexual immorality. And that is only the first six chapters.

But First Corinthians is more than a list of sins, it is an epistle of patience. Paul initiates the letter by calling these Christians “brothers.” He could have called them heretics or hypocrites or skirt-chasers (and in so many words he does), but not before he calls them brothers.

He patiently teaches them about worship, unity, the role of women, and the Lord's Supper. He writes as if he can see them face to face. He is disturbed but not despondent. Angry but not desperate. His driving passion is love. And his treatise on love in chapter 13 remains the greatest essay ever penned.

The letter, however personal, is not just for Corinth. It is for all who have heard the whisper and felt the fangs. We, like the Indian, should have known better. We, like the Corinthians, sometimes need a second chance. (Max Lucado)

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^[a] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (pp. 1746–1747). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[b] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1749). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.