1 Corinthians Chapter 3

1 Corinthians Chapter 2.

Pauline Evangelism.   2:1-5. 

           

a/  His meekness.  He came not with elaborate words, nor appeal to the curiosity of the intellect, but he came with trembling anxiety of a man who feels the greatness of his task.

           

b/  His method.  He did not use plausible words - nor shallow intellectualism - but he addressed the entire man.  Unlike the pedlars of worldly wisdom - the sophists - who sought to impress the people with their cleverness, but gave no worthwhile instruction and their talk had no moral power to move the lives of people.  Paul spoke with directness and from strong convictions.  He had an aim, and his preaching was shaped by a definite purpose.  A good sermon has a target, a moral purpose.  The value of a sermon must be measured by its moral power over the heart.

           

c/  His message.  Origen suggested that Paul's failure at Athens caused him on coming to Corinth to know only Jesus Christ and Him nailed to the Cross.  Whether this is so or not, it is likely that his disappointing experience at Athens, along with the difficult environment at Corinth and his own feelings of weakness, confronted him as never before, with the essence and character of his message.

           

Paul preached Christ in His deepest humiliation, suffering and death.  This would have seemed a most unlikely approach to such a population, for they would hardly regard a man's death on the Cross as heroic or purposeful.  This death was reserved for enemies, slaves and the worst of criminals.  No Roman citizen could be so dealt with.  However, the story of Christ Crucified gave moral proof among these very people that it was God's means to save men.

           

The Evangelical Wisdom.   Chapter 2:6-3:4.

           

1/  Its Concealment.  2:6-9.   The Christian Revelation did contain wisdom and that of unique order.  Paul stresses its unworldliness for it was quite different to this world's philosophy.  The highest intelligences, whether human or spiritual powers, had not understood it.  They had not grasped God's plan.  Their greatest blunder was the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory for they knew nothing of God's secret purpose.

           

2/  Its Communication.   2:10-15.  The Revealer - The Holy Spirit alone is competent to make known the will and purpose of God.  The Recipients - The Apostles were especially the receivers of this Revelation that they had received, that they share it with all who have the spiritual capacity to receive.  The Holy Spirit enlightened the minds of the Apostolic missionaries that they teach spiritual truths with spiritual words to men who have the Spirit. he spiritual character of this wisdom and its otherworldliness is clearly defined.  Its communication has a spiritual character.

           

3/  Its Character.   2:16-3:4.  The heavenly wisdom was of a different character to human wisdom.  It did not foster pride and party rivalry.  The Corinthians boasted of their spiritual gifts and thought their possession the sign of spiritual men and their party rivalries a proof of rigour.  They emphasized the cult of personality rather than character and valued ability to talk above walking in love.  The true spiritual man has a proper appreciation of moral, social and religious values; he has the mind of Christ.  The appropriation of the mind of Christ demands a commitment, a moral assimilation and involvement in the relation of God in Christ.

           

The true portrait of the spiritual man, then, is found in chapter 13.  The practice of mutual love among themselves was necessary for a right appreciation of God's wisdom.  His wisdom concerned His saving purpose and its apprehension will produce :-

           

a/  A deepening sense of the Christian brotherhood, must lift them from bickering and rivalries.  Every human barrier and distinction is overcome by the truth we are brothers in Christ.  "Brother" is the word that sums up the teaching of this epistle.

           

b/  A deepening sense of God's purpose for His people.  The wisdom that Paul spoke of spoke to the perfect or matured (to those ripe for it) was the exposition of God's eternal plan, which had its central focus in the Cross, and will be fully accomplished in the final salvation and manifestation of the sons of God.  (Rom.8:21-23).  That wisdom here means God's plan is suggested by the mention of God's foreordination, and by the phrase "unto our glory."  God's foreordination is one of the most distinctive attributes of His wisdom.

           

The Mind of Christ.  (Phil.2:5).  It chooses humility rather than greatness.  Obedience rather than power.  Service rather than to be served.  Reality rather than show.  To give rather than get.  To forgive rather than revenge.  Man's good rather than religious custom.