Commentary on First Corinthians 1-3
by Dave Brown
Go to the Introduction to 1st Corinthians
Corinth was a city of Greece (Achaia) in which there was considerable idolatry and immorality, the uniting of the two exemplified by the practice of prostitution by the idolatrous temple priestesses. Paul established the church there as recorded in Acts 18. Now he is on a subsequent missionary journey -- the third, which was initiated as recorded in Acts 18:23). He has heard some bad news from Corinth and he wishes to do what he can to rectify the situation. There was at least one synagogue there, but the vast majority were Gentiles who had a history of immorality and worldliness. Christianity was a dramatic change from such a lifestyle, and it is important for us to understand this context to see why Paul wrote some of the things that he did.
1 Corinthians 1
1:1 Paul, called (to be) an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
[Sosthenes was the ruler of the synagogue and evidently early on, he was part of a conspiracy against Paul when he was at Corinth (Acts 18:14-17). His conversion would be quite exciting to the Corinthians. Paul affirms his apostleship since apparently there were some at Corinth who were questioning it.]
2 unto the church of God which is at Corinth, (even) them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called (to be) saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their (Lord) and ours:
[The use of the word "saints" here makes it obvious that he is talking about all Christians and not any special subset of them. The term “church of God" is a descriptor, not a name -- there are many such descriptors for the "called out," which is the meaning of the Greek word "ekklesia," now translated "church" in most English translations. The word ekklesia must have a qualifier (in this case “or God”) since its use in the first century applied to any called out group, and not necessarily those of a religious nature. See Acts 19:39 and 41.]
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
5 that in everything ye were enriched in him, in all utterance and all knowledge;
6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;
8 who shall also confirm you unto the end, (that ye be) un-reproveable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Paul starts out on a positive note. In the environment in which they existed any remnants of faithfulness to the Lord's teaching would be commendable. It seems that many of them were trying to do what was right. For sure, when it talks about "gifts" here he is speaking of gifts given by the Holy Spirit -- miraculous knowledge, tongues, prophecy -- a list of them is given in Chapter 12. The statement that they "come behind in no gift" indicates that they had more miracles and spiritual gifts than any other church that we read about it. We will see, however, that this did not make them more spiritual ... if anything, it had just the opposite effect ... but let us not get ahead or ourselves. There were a lot of good people here -- as Jesus told Paul in Acts 18:8-9.]
9 God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
[In verse 7 it states that they were “waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,” which is to say that Paul had confidence in their faithfulness. He now speaks to the fact that this faithfulness will not be in vain since God is faithful, and it was through God that they (and we) are called in to the fellowship of Jesus, which is in His body, His church.]
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and (that) there be no divisions among you; but (that) ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
[There is no good reason for division since it is not of God. We are to be united not only in the doctrine but also in our judgments with regard to the best ways to implement God's commands ... something that tends to get Christians in trouble as we shall see. The solution to these issues of judgment (things not specifically given in scripture) is given in Philippians 2:1-4, where it says that we are to subject ourselves to one another and to count the other better than ourselves. If all would do this then those who are best able to make a decision will be given the respect to do just that. It seems obvious that there were divisions in Corinth ...]
11 For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them (that are of the household) of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
[They were concerned about these contentions and appealed to Paul to help. Not that he could just come in and judge like in our courts today. No, the problem was in their hearts, and the solution had to come from their hearts as well, as we shall see. Paul did not want to have lordship over their faith (2 Cor 1:24]
12 Now this I mean, that each one of you says, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos: and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[Clearly it was not wrong per se to say "I am of Christ." (To assert the others were wrong per se.) What made it wrong to say "I am of Christ?" Since it was being done to factionalize and divide, not to unite, it became wrong. Note that what is going on here is NAMING. They were deNOMinating -- giving names to their various sects. That is wrong, and it is exactly what the denominations attempt to do today as they divide up what they perceive to be the body of Christ.]
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?
[Rhetorical questions -- of course not.]
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius;
15 lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
[It does not matter who does the baptizing. When significance is place on WHO did the baptizing of a given person, this is sinful. The important thing is obedience, not who helps you with that obedience. Some try to negate the importance of baptism with verse 17 – in fact, it gets mis-quoted for that reason more than any others. This is a NOT ... BUT construct that we find often in the New Testament, especially in Paul's writings. We will point them out as we encounter them. Critics of baptism fail to see that this is a NOT ... BUT statement (we will make no judgment whether this is out of ignorance or to prove their false doctrines). The fact is that Paul did baptize and he was sent to preach and practice the whole council of God, including baptism. The NOT ... BUT language construct used extensively in the first century places the emphasis dramatically more on the second than on the first. The first part of the sentence -- the NOT part cannot be taken literally in many cases (some notable exceptions). If Paul was NOT to baptize then it would have been sinful when he did. Obviously Mt. 28:18, the great commission, commands us to baptize those who believe, and Paul was subject to this command. He was not forbidden to baptize, and he obeyed the great commission. But the emphasis was not to be on the "Paul baptized me" claim -- it was to be on the preaching of the gospel. Anyone could baptize; only an apostle could do what Paul did.
[This should be clear, but we will run into NOT ... BUT constructs in subsequent discussions. There have been much misunderstanding and false teaching because people did not recognize them as a figure of speech. In John 6:27 Jesus said "Work not for the food that perishes, but for the food that abides unto eternal life." Taken literally the NOT part of this NOT ... BUT statement would mean that we are not supposed to work for our food, which is absurd. Those who force a literal interpretation are either ignorant of a major construct that occurs dozens of times throughout the New Testament or else they are intentionally trying to make a point to prove a pet doctrine.]
18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
[Recall Romans 1:16 -- "for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation." The "word of the cross" is a synecdoche for the gospel, a vital part that some seemed to be ashamed of and reject. After all, what glory is there in getting crucified?]
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to naught. [Isa. 29:14]
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
[Consider this seriously -- how many people that the world sees as being wise and scholarly are faithful Christians? I have known a few, but they will readily tell you that it is not their scholarship that has made them accept the gospel; in many cases just the opposite is the case, and formal education tends to make us proud, preventing us from accessing the grace of Jesus Christ. The thrust of “Biblical scholarship” seems to be to come up with some new way to discredit the Bible.]
21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
[What scientist or historian has figured out the spiritual truths revealed in the bible? They just cannot do it and when they try they make themselves into fools. This information is not discoverable in the physical realm, and thus is out of the reach of scientists or the scientific method.]
[Notice Paul's use of sarcasm. Sarcasm is a dangerous tool when used in writing. In speaking it is the tone of voice that tells the listener that the speaker means exactly the opposite of the words he is saying. But not so in writing. Our proper interpretation of many of the things that Paul is going to write in this and in Second Corinthians has to recognize when he is using sarcasm in his writing. What is the "foolishness of preaching?" Can we see clearly that it is anything but foolish. It is so absurd to believe it to be foolish that this is what might be considered as reverse hyperbole. So absurd as not to be taken literally, and if not literal, then figurative, and in this case that figure is sarcasm.]
22 Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;
24 but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
[Prove it! That is what they ask for -- prove it with a miracle; or prove it with scientific reasoning. But proof to their satisfaction will never be there! It is only in the gospel; and this is recognized only by those who are "called." It is the word of God that calls us (John 6:44). But we cannot be called (i.e., we cannot hear) if we refuse to listen. Opening our hearts to the gospel enables us to be called – in a sense “hear” the calling. Paul places the onus on each one of us. We refuse to hear when we ask for a worldly messiah, when we ask for signs, or when we think we can obtain the power of God through the wisdom of the world.]
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
[This is rhetorical -- obviously there is no foolishness with God; but if there were, it would still be wiser than the wisest of men. Again, Paul is using sarcasm to make a point and there should be absolutely no inference that he thought God could be foolish.]
26 For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, (are called):
27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
28 and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, (yea) and the things that are not, that he might bring to naught the things that are:
29 that no flesh should glory before God.
[For those of us who are "no count" according to this world, such a passage brings great hope and joy. This is not saying that it is impossible to be of repute and still a Christian -- it happens, and it is possible (there are some examples in the book of Acts). But it is relatively rare. The strength of God can be seen in human weakness when we allow his Spirit to control us through His indwelling influence. Those who are looking will see right past our weaknesses to His strength -- the power of the gospel. Perhaps those attributes that would motivate a person to make the sacrifices necessary to become famous are the opposite of those that are required for us to be able to understand and appreciate the gospel. Obviously a person who is full of himself cannot be full of the Holy Spirit.]
30 But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
31 that, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
[AMEN -- what a great start! Of Him is of God. If we are in Jesus Christ then God made us fit to be there. We cannot take credit for our part of it is minuscule and simple. The fact that it is essential should not make us proud -- all glory should go to the Lord and all glorying should be in the Lord, totally consistent with his will for us.]
[Think how excited Paul was when so many Gentile churches were created during his first missionary journey. Then think of how disappointed he must have become when he learns that they are fighting among themselves and doing all kinds of other terrible things. We should not expect perfection from our fellow Christians, but there is a level of spirituality that they should be progressing toward. This is what 1 Corinthians is really all about. This second chapter gets really deep. It explains why the exact same words to some people lead to salvation and to others hatred for the preachers.
1 Corinthians 2
2:1 And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
[This is the first half of a NOT ...BUT, statement; the rest of it is in verse 2. Paul's speech was not that bad, and he did the best that he could. But he was not trying to convert them with his oratory. Had he done that they would be converted to Paul and not to Christ. He was trying (and in fact did) convert them with the truth. Remember, this letter is only to Christians.]
2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
[They could easily verify this ... many of them had been there. Note the emphasis is on the truth of Jesus Christ as opposed to Paul’s excellency of speech.]
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
[There is another NOT ... BUT. The demonstration of the Spirit was probably in his laying hands on them and imparting to them miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. How could they possibly turn against someone who had done that for them? ... all we can say is, that is just the way people are.]
5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
[That is the contrast being discussed so far, and it is the theme of this chapter and perhaps the entire letter. Meditate over it -- this is all that false and true religion is all about. All false religion comes from the mind of man; truth ONLY comes from the mind of God (Romans 3:4).]
6 We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to naught:
7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, (even) the (wisdom) that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory:
8 which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:
9 but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And (which) entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
[Isa. 64:4 -- this would appeal to the Jewish Christians ... some of them probably knew it by heart. He states that none of the rulers "hath known" -- it is not that they have not heard of it or perhaps even studied it. But they did not know it in the Biblical sense of their accepting it into their hearts to dominate their lives. Their knowledge of it was external to serve their own purposes. They had not internalized it and made it their own. More on this as the chapter continues.]
[“Rulers of this world, who are coming to naught.” The book of Revelation shows how the corrupt rulers of this world are destined to destruction unless they repent, and not much hope is given for their repentance. The thrust here is that we are not to put out trust in the rulers of this world, but in Christ. The word mystery is used not to infer something that is complicated, but something that had not yet been revealed. “God foreordained” – it was in His mind from before the beginning. The fact that God foreordained SOME things does not infer that He foreordained everything. Mankind was given free will, which necessarily implies that individuals could make decisions that were against God’s will. (If they could not do that, then they would not have free will. First examples: Adam and Eve.)]
10 But unto us God revealed (them) through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
[He is striking at the difference between the spiritual and the physical. The Holy Spirit revealed things that could not be discovered in any other way. Mankind, both then and now, seeks after science and all other academic disciplines in their search for the knowledge, NONE of which contain spiritual truths. Even theological seminaries tend to put barriers in the way of the simple truths of the bible. One does not need an advanced degree -- or for that matter ANY degree to understand the truth. We have seen people who could not even read who would put to shame many preachers as far as their knowledge of the truth is concerned. They cannot read it, but they can listen and memorize what they hear. (I am referring to an old man that I taught once whose knowledge of the scriptures amazed me. When I found out he could not even read, I realized that it has to do with the heart, not the brain.)]
11 For who among men knows the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knows, save the Spirit of God.
12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God.
[Nothing of a spiritual nature can be learned from science. If God did not reveal it, then we just are not going to be able to know it. Paul uses the knowledge that we have of ourselves for an analogy. Can anyone know what is in our hearts except for our own spirits? In allowing the influence Holy Spirit to transform our spirits, whether it be through miraculous gift or an understanding of the written word, we are enabled to know the things that God freely gives us today (albeit, they may have been hidden in the past).]
13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Spirit teaches; combining spiritual things with spiritual (words).
[There are a lot of translation variations of this verse, but this is as good as any. We encourage students of the Bible to explore them all as well as the Greek with an interlinear. Paul's words, for us as written in the New Testament, were not of his own thought processes. Even the very words that he wrote came from the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that the Holy Spirit dictated it word for word. We might view it as a letter that subordinates would write for their bosses. They do their best, and then take it in to them for approval. They read it and unless they totally agrees with it, they do not sign it. I see the Holy Spirit looking over the hand of Paul and making sure that every word was just as God wanted it. Paul style, his emotions, and even his weaknesses come through. These words are given the stamp of approval by the Holy Spirit because they are the best possible way for God to communicate with us. When we look into these writings we are seeing what it is that God wants us to see.]
14 Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
[We often ask -- why don't people get it. The fact is, they can't. It is impossible for a person who is just thinking in a carnal way to understand the spiritual things of the Bible. To them it is all crazy and the people who believe it are totally deceived. These are the thoughts of the natural man. One must become "spiritual" in order to begin to understand the words of God. This means recognizing that there is a God, that God has revealed truth, and that this truth is in the Bible. Most importantly for religious people: the word of God must be viewed authoritatively. It is not a suggestion or something we add to by our own thinking. It is God speaking to us through the writers and must be given the same credibility that Moses gave to God’s instructions to him. When we view it this way our whole perspective of it changes, and this enables us to understand it totally.]
15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, and he himself is judged of no man.
[It is not that men will not try to judge Christians, but their judgment is not valid. Our spiritual nature cannot be judged by the wisdom of man. It always leads to false conclusions when it is applied outside of its domain. The word judged in the second usage is more that of condemnation. Yes, we will be judged, but that judgment is not valid, and the condemnation that is given is null and void before God.]
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
["The mind of Christ" for Paul was in the direct revelation of the Holy Spirit, and there were times when Jesus actually appeared to him. For us today the mind of the Lord and the mind of Christ are documented in the scriptures, and as it says in 2 Tim. 3:16, "they thoroughly furnish us unto every good work" if we will but let them.]
[There were those at Corinth who were trying to take things over and were seeking to increase their personal power through the organization of the church. These men opposed and criticized Paul at every turn because he was and he taught just the opposite spirit from this. They could not understand the motivations of anyone who was not power hungry as they were, and so they would impute the worst motives to him (assuming they were not outright lying in order to destroy Paul at all costs). It is important to see this because it explains much of what he is saying and why he is saying it. Recall how Paul described how the spiritual words that he spoke and wrote could not be understood if they are viewed from a physical perspective -- seeking to criticize. Or like the Pharisees did in the first century -- to get the advantage over their fellow countrymen or the Gentiles. Or going to the Bible to trying to validate a false doctrine that has already been decided. It is literally impossible to get the truth out of the Bible when worldly people bring so much baggage into their study. So, from here Paul continues with the same basic subject ...]
1 Corinthians 3
3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.
[Until they matured and became more spiritual, it would be impossible for Paul to even communicate with them with regard to the spiritual things he had to offer. It has not been but a couple of years since this church at Corinth was established. The spiritual depth of this letter can be contrasted with that of Paul’s letter to the Romans, some members of which could have been converted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), which would have been at least 20 years before Paul wrote to them. Here, Paul is talking to a primarily Gentile audience who have viewed religion in the past as a way to manipulate the gods and to satisfy their own sensual pleasures. For them to bring this into the church would be consistent with their past norm. In fact, for them to suddenly reverse their thought process is quite unlikely. This is generally called a mind-set or a paradigm shift today. It is very difficult for anyone to make a major change in the ways we have always viewed things. As we will see in future chapters, the major problem was worldliness.]
2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able (to bear it): nay, not even now are ye able;
3 for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?
[Fighting within the church is an example of carnality. Someone is (perhaps many are) not thinking spiritually. This concept of milk and meat is a very important one (see also Hebrews 5:12f). Babies have to have milk before they can digest meat. Similarly, babes in Christ -- those who have just been baptized -- should not be expected to be able to handle difficult concepts. Even Paul needed time – those who study such things have estimated about 14 years between the time when Paul first became a Christian (Acts 9) and the point at which he assumed his full apostolic leadership (Acts 14). Also, this principle can be applied to biblical interpretation. We should NEVER interpret simple milk passages with questionable interpretation of the meat. It must be the other way around. Look at all of the very simple passages, and then interpret the difficult passages in light of what you know that the simple passages teach (2 Cor. 11;3). The milk must be understood before the meat can be understood. The milk is very easy to understand, while the meat takes maturity and a good knowledge of the milk.]
4 For when one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not men?
5 What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him.
6 I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
[Here they were dividing themselves by who had taught them or who were their current leaders. This is denominating -- the word means assigning a name to a subdivision. Like money denominations -- nickel, dime, quarter, etc. Its all money, but different names to subsets of it. The denominational concept is that we are all Christians, but some of us are Baptist Christians, some Methodist Christians, some Presbyterian Christians, etc. There is no authority at all in the Bible for these divisions within the body of Christ, and here Paul clearly speaks against it.]
7 So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.
8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry, God's building.
[All the glory should go to God. First, God created us, so all good things that we do are attributable to His creative power. Second, we would not even have any idea of what is right or wrong had He not revealed this to us in order that we should be happy on this earth. Finally, He gave us His plan of salvation thus enabling us to have eternal life with Him despite our sins and shortcomings. When we call ourselves after men we glorify men, not God. Three metaphors are give for the church -- fellow-workers with God (what a tremendous honor), husbandry -- essentially the fruit of God's efforts, and God's building -- the result of His handwork. Each has its own meaning as to the way in which the local church is to work together to glorify God, and thus be one as he who plants and he who waters – all attending to the same purpose.]
10 According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another builds thereon. But let each man take heed how he builds on it.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[Paul elaborates on the building metaphor. It is God who is in control. Apollos arrived at Corinth after Paul (Acts 18:24-28), and this could have reference to him; however, this is not a negative reference. It is not wrong to pick up where someone else has left off; but it must be done being careful not to go beyond the teachings of Jesus. The warning is given to those who might be straying from the foundation of the building, which is the teachings of Jesus.]
12 But if any man builds on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.
[This gets a bit complex here, but basically it seems that he is saying that the church is built up of Christians and some of these when tried by fire will be found wanting. The fire is obviously persecutions and other trials to which the faithful will be subjected. The fact that some will fall short is not the fault of the person who converted them.]
16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and (that) the Spirit of God dwells in you?
[Paul uses this figure twice in two different ways. Both the church and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. In this figure, looking back at the previous metaphors, he is still talking about the church. This rhetorical question would seem to infer that Paul had taught them this and now it seems to be slipping from them.]
17 If any man destroys the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
[They were destroying the church by their conflicts and divisions. None of them would think to destroy the temple – that would be considered to be a terrible sin. But the church is of far more value to God than the temple ever was. Yet, some think nothing of sowing seeds of discord seemingly for their own entertainment. God will not hold them guiltless, nor anyone who destroys His church as He built it.]
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:
20 and again, The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise that they are vain.
[Why would anyone think that they were smarter than God? Why not just take what he says and live by it? But churches that go no further than what the Bible teaches are the exception rather than the rule. Most religions are dominated by the thinking and reasoning of men, exalting themselves about God. The references are to Job 5:13 and Psalms 94:11, showing that this was not a new problem in the first century.]
21 Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;
22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23 and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
[We have no reason to glory. Even our greatest assets and strengths are given to us by God, and his word can overcome our greatest weaknesses. When we are prideful we defeat the reason for our very existence, which is to glorify God. When tempted to be proud we should only need to go back and recall the many times that we fell short and did things that caused terrible consequences. Even though we have been forgiven for them, we need to keep them before us to encourage our humility.]
Go to 1 Corinthians 4-5
Corinth was a city of Greece (Achaia) in which there was considerable idolatry and immorality, the uniting of the two exemplified by the practice of prostitution by the idolatrous temple priestesses. Paul established the church there as recorded in Acts 18. Now he is on a subsequent missionary journey -- the third, which was initiated as recorded in Acts 18:23). He has heard some bad news from Corinth and he wishes to do what he can to rectify the situation. There was at least one synagogue there, but the vast majority were Gentiles who had a history of immorality and worldliness. Christianity was a dramatic change from such a lifestyle, and it is important for us to understand this context to see why Paul wrote some of the things that he did.
1 Corinthians 1
1:1 Paul, called (to be) an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
[Sosthenes was the ruler of the synagogue and evidently early on, he was part of a conspiracy against Paul when he was at Corinth (Acts 18:14-17). His conversion would be quite exciting to the Corinthians. Paul affirms his apostleship since apparently there were some at Corinth who were questioning it.]
2 unto the church of God which is at Corinth, (even) them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called (to be) saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their (Lord) and ours:
[The use of the word "saints" here makes it obvious that he is talking about all Christians and not any special subset of them. The term “church of God" is a descriptor, not a name -- there are many such descriptors for the "called out," which is the meaning of the Greek word "ekklesia," now translated "church" in most English translations. The word ekklesia must have a qualifier (in this case “or God”) since its use in the first century applied to any called out group, and not necessarily those of a religious nature. See Acts 19:39 and 41.]
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
5 that in everything ye were enriched in him, in all utterance and all knowledge;
6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;
8 who shall also confirm you unto the end, (that ye be) un-reproveable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Paul starts out on a positive note. In the environment in which they existed any remnants of faithfulness to the Lord's teaching would be commendable. It seems that many of them were trying to do what was right. For sure, when it talks about "gifts" here he is speaking of gifts given by the Holy Spirit -- miraculous knowledge, tongues, prophecy -- a list of them is given in Chapter 12. The statement that they "come behind in no gift" indicates that they had more miracles and spiritual gifts than any other church that we read about it. We will see, however, that this did not make them more spiritual ... if anything, it had just the opposite effect ... but let us not get ahead or ourselves. There were a lot of good people here -- as Jesus told Paul in Acts 18:8-9.]
9 God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
[In verse 7 it states that they were “waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,” which is to say that Paul had confidence in their faithfulness. He now speaks to the fact that this faithfulness will not be in vain since God is faithful, and it was through God that they (and we) are called in to the fellowship of Jesus, which is in His body, His church.]
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and (that) there be no divisions among you; but (that) ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
[There is no good reason for division since it is not of God. We are to be united not only in the doctrine but also in our judgments with regard to the best ways to implement God's commands ... something that tends to get Christians in trouble as we shall see. The solution to these issues of judgment (things not specifically given in scripture) is given in Philippians 2:1-4, where it says that we are to subject ourselves to one another and to count the other better than ourselves. If all would do this then those who are best able to make a decision will be given the respect to do just that. It seems obvious that there were divisions in Corinth ...]
11 For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them (that are of the household) of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
[They were concerned about these contentions and appealed to Paul to help. Not that he could just come in and judge like in our courts today. No, the problem was in their hearts, and the solution had to come from their hearts as well, as we shall see. Paul did not want to have lordship over their faith (2 Cor 1:24]
12 Now this I mean, that each one of you says, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos: and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[Clearly it was not wrong per se to say "I am of Christ." (To assert the others were wrong per se.) What made it wrong to say "I am of Christ?" Since it was being done to factionalize and divide, not to unite, it became wrong. Note that what is going on here is NAMING. They were deNOMinating -- giving names to their various sects. That is wrong, and it is exactly what the denominations attempt to do today as they divide up what they perceive to be the body of Christ.]
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?
[Rhetorical questions -- of course not.]
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius;
15 lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
[It does not matter who does the baptizing. When significance is place on WHO did the baptizing of a given person, this is sinful. The important thing is obedience, not who helps you with that obedience. Some try to negate the importance of baptism with verse 17 – in fact, it gets mis-quoted for that reason more than any others. This is a NOT ... BUT construct that we find often in the New Testament, especially in Paul's writings. We will point them out as we encounter them. Critics of baptism fail to see that this is a NOT ... BUT statement (we will make no judgment whether this is out of ignorance or to prove their false doctrines). The fact is that Paul did baptize and he was sent to preach and practice the whole council of God, including baptism. The NOT ... BUT language construct used extensively in the first century places the emphasis dramatically more on the second than on the first. The first part of the sentence -- the NOT part cannot be taken literally in many cases (some notable exceptions). If Paul was NOT to baptize then it would have been sinful when he did. Obviously Mt. 28:18, the great commission, commands us to baptize those who believe, and Paul was subject to this command. He was not forbidden to baptize, and he obeyed the great commission. But the emphasis was not to be on the "Paul baptized me" claim -- it was to be on the preaching of the gospel. Anyone could baptize; only an apostle could do what Paul did.
[This should be clear, but we will run into NOT ... BUT constructs in subsequent discussions. There have been much misunderstanding and false teaching because people did not recognize them as a figure of speech. In John 6:27 Jesus said "Work not for the food that perishes, but for the food that abides unto eternal life." Taken literally the NOT part of this NOT ... BUT statement would mean that we are not supposed to work for our food, which is absurd. Those who force a literal interpretation are either ignorant of a major construct that occurs dozens of times throughout the New Testament or else they are intentionally trying to make a point to prove a pet doctrine.]
18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
[Recall Romans 1:16 -- "for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation." The "word of the cross" is a synecdoche for the gospel, a vital part that some seemed to be ashamed of and reject. After all, what glory is there in getting crucified?]
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to naught. [Isa. 29:14]
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
[Consider this seriously -- how many people that the world sees as being wise and scholarly are faithful Christians? I have known a few, but they will readily tell you that it is not their scholarship that has made them accept the gospel; in many cases just the opposite is the case, and formal education tends to make us proud, preventing us from accessing the grace of Jesus Christ. The thrust of “Biblical scholarship” seems to be to come up with some new way to discredit the Bible.]
21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
[What scientist or historian has figured out the spiritual truths revealed in the bible? They just cannot do it and when they try they make themselves into fools. This information is not discoverable in the physical realm, and thus is out of the reach of scientists or the scientific method.]
[Notice Paul's use of sarcasm. Sarcasm is a dangerous tool when used in writing. In speaking it is the tone of voice that tells the listener that the speaker means exactly the opposite of the words he is saying. But not so in writing. Our proper interpretation of many of the things that Paul is going to write in this and in Second Corinthians has to recognize when he is using sarcasm in his writing. What is the "foolishness of preaching?" Can we see clearly that it is anything but foolish. It is so absurd to believe it to be foolish that this is what might be considered as reverse hyperbole. So absurd as not to be taken literally, and if not literal, then figurative, and in this case that figure is sarcasm.]
22 Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;
24 but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
[Prove it! That is what they ask for -- prove it with a miracle; or prove it with scientific reasoning. But proof to their satisfaction will never be there! It is only in the gospel; and this is recognized only by those who are "called." It is the word of God that calls us (John 6:44). But we cannot be called (i.e., we cannot hear) if we refuse to listen. Opening our hearts to the gospel enables us to be called – in a sense “hear” the calling. Paul places the onus on each one of us. We refuse to hear when we ask for a worldly messiah, when we ask for signs, or when we think we can obtain the power of God through the wisdom of the world.]
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
[This is rhetorical -- obviously there is no foolishness with God; but if there were, it would still be wiser than the wisest of men. Again, Paul is using sarcasm to make a point and there should be absolutely no inference that he thought God could be foolish.]
26 For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, (are called):
27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
28 and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, (yea) and the things that are not, that he might bring to naught the things that are:
29 that no flesh should glory before God.
[For those of us who are "no count" according to this world, such a passage brings great hope and joy. This is not saying that it is impossible to be of repute and still a Christian -- it happens, and it is possible (there are some examples in the book of Acts). But it is relatively rare. The strength of God can be seen in human weakness when we allow his Spirit to control us through His indwelling influence. Those who are looking will see right past our weaknesses to His strength -- the power of the gospel. Perhaps those attributes that would motivate a person to make the sacrifices necessary to become famous are the opposite of those that are required for us to be able to understand and appreciate the gospel. Obviously a person who is full of himself cannot be full of the Holy Spirit.]
30 But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
31 that, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
[AMEN -- what a great start! Of Him is of God. If we are in Jesus Christ then God made us fit to be there. We cannot take credit for our part of it is minuscule and simple. The fact that it is essential should not make us proud -- all glory should go to the Lord and all glorying should be in the Lord, totally consistent with his will for us.]
[Think how excited Paul was when so many Gentile churches were created during his first missionary journey. Then think of how disappointed he must have become when he learns that they are fighting among themselves and doing all kinds of other terrible things. We should not expect perfection from our fellow Christians, but there is a level of spirituality that they should be progressing toward. This is what 1 Corinthians is really all about. This second chapter gets really deep. It explains why the exact same words to some people lead to salvation and to others hatred for the preachers.
1 Corinthians 2
2:1 And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
[This is the first half of a NOT ...BUT, statement; the rest of it is in verse 2. Paul's speech was not that bad, and he did the best that he could. But he was not trying to convert them with his oratory. Had he done that they would be converted to Paul and not to Christ. He was trying (and in fact did) convert them with the truth. Remember, this letter is only to Christians.]
2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
[They could easily verify this ... many of them had been there. Note the emphasis is on the truth of Jesus Christ as opposed to Paul’s excellency of speech.]
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
[There is another NOT ... BUT. The demonstration of the Spirit was probably in his laying hands on them and imparting to them miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. How could they possibly turn against someone who had done that for them? ... all we can say is, that is just the way people are.]
5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
[That is the contrast being discussed so far, and it is the theme of this chapter and perhaps the entire letter. Meditate over it -- this is all that false and true religion is all about. All false religion comes from the mind of man; truth ONLY comes from the mind of God (Romans 3:4).]
6 We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to naught:
7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, (even) the (wisdom) that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory:
8 which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:
9 but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And (which) entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
[Isa. 64:4 -- this would appeal to the Jewish Christians ... some of them probably knew it by heart. He states that none of the rulers "hath known" -- it is not that they have not heard of it or perhaps even studied it. But they did not know it in the Biblical sense of their accepting it into their hearts to dominate their lives. Their knowledge of it was external to serve their own purposes. They had not internalized it and made it their own. More on this as the chapter continues.]
[“Rulers of this world, who are coming to naught.” The book of Revelation shows how the corrupt rulers of this world are destined to destruction unless they repent, and not much hope is given for their repentance. The thrust here is that we are not to put out trust in the rulers of this world, but in Christ. The word mystery is used not to infer something that is complicated, but something that had not yet been revealed. “God foreordained” – it was in His mind from before the beginning. The fact that God foreordained SOME things does not infer that He foreordained everything. Mankind was given free will, which necessarily implies that individuals could make decisions that were against God’s will. (If they could not do that, then they would not have free will. First examples: Adam and Eve.)]
10 But unto us God revealed (them) through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
[He is striking at the difference between the spiritual and the physical. The Holy Spirit revealed things that could not be discovered in any other way. Mankind, both then and now, seeks after science and all other academic disciplines in their search for the knowledge, NONE of which contain spiritual truths. Even theological seminaries tend to put barriers in the way of the simple truths of the bible. One does not need an advanced degree -- or for that matter ANY degree to understand the truth. We have seen people who could not even read who would put to shame many preachers as far as their knowledge of the truth is concerned. They cannot read it, but they can listen and memorize what they hear. (I am referring to an old man that I taught once whose knowledge of the scriptures amazed me. When I found out he could not even read, I realized that it has to do with the heart, not the brain.)]
11 For who among men knows the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knows, save the Spirit of God.
12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God.
[Nothing of a spiritual nature can be learned from science. If God did not reveal it, then we just are not going to be able to know it. Paul uses the knowledge that we have of ourselves for an analogy. Can anyone know what is in our hearts except for our own spirits? In allowing the influence Holy Spirit to transform our spirits, whether it be through miraculous gift or an understanding of the written word, we are enabled to know the things that God freely gives us today (albeit, they may have been hidden in the past).]
13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Spirit teaches; combining spiritual things with spiritual (words).
[There are a lot of translation variations of this verse, but this is as good as any. We encourage students of the Bible to explore them all as well as the Greek with an interlinear. Paul's words, for us as written in the New Testament, were not of his own thought processes. Even the very words that he wrote came from the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that the Holy Spirit dictated it word for word. We might view it as a letter that subordinates would write for their bosses. They do their best, and then take it in to them for approval. They read it and unless they totally agrees with it, they do not sign it. I see the Holy Spirit looking over the hand of Paul and making sure that every word was just as God wanted it. Paul style, his emotions, and even his weaknesses come through. These words are given the stamp of approval by the Holy Spirit because they are the best possible way for God to communicate with us. When we look into these writings we are seeing what it is that God wants us to see.]
14 Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
[We often ask -- why don't people get it. The fact is, they can't. It is impossible for a person who is just thinking in a carnal way to understand the spiritual things of the Bible. To them it is all crazy and the people who believe it are totally deceived. These are the thoughts of the natural man. One must become "spiritual" in order to begin to understand the words of God. This means recognizing that there is a God, that God has revealed truth, and that this truth is in the Bible. Most importantly for religious people: the word of God must be viewed authoritatively. It is not a suggestion or something we add to by our own thinking. It is God speaking to us through the writers and must be given the same credibility that Moses gave to God’s instructions to him. When we view it this way our whole perspective of it changes, and this enables us to understand it totally.]
15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, and he himself is judged of no man.
[It is not that men will not try to judge Christians, but their judgment is not valid. Our spiritual nature cannot be judged by the wisdom of man. It always leads to false conclusions when it is applied outside of its domain. The word judged in the second usage is more that of condemnation. Yes, we will be judged, but that judgment is not valid, and the condemnation that is given is null and void before God.]
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
["The mind of Christ" for Paul was in the direct revelation of the Holy Spirit, and there were times when Jesus actually appeared to him. For us today the mind of the Lord and the mind of Christ are documented in the scriptures, and as it says in 2 Tim. 3:16, "they thoroughly furnish us unto every good work" if we will but let them.]
[There were those at Corinth who were trying to take things over and were seeking to increase their personal power through the organization of the church. These men opposed and criticized Paul at every turn because he was and he taught just the opposite spirit from this. They could not understand the motivations of anyone who was not power hungry as they were, and so they would impute the worst motives to him (assuming they were not outright lying in order to destroy Paul at all costs). It is important to see this because it explains much of what he is saying and why he is saying it. Recall how Paul described how the spiritual words that he spoke and wrote could not be understood if they are viewed from a physical perspective -- seeking to criticize. Or like the Pharisees did in the first century -- to get the advantage over their fellow countrymen or the Gentiles. Or going to the Bible to trying to validate a false doctrine that has already been decided. It is literally impossible to get the truth out of the Bible when worldly people bring so much baggage into their study. So, from here Paul continues with the same basic subject ...]
1 Corinthians 3
3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.
[Until they matured and became more spiritual, it would be impossible for Paul to even communicate with them with regard to the spiritual things he had to offer. It has not been but a couple of years since this church at Corinth was established. The spiritual depth of this letter can be contrasted with that of Paul’s letter to the Romans, some members of which could have been converted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), which would have been at least 20 years before Paul wrote to them. Here, Paul is talking to a primarily Gentile audience who have viewed religion in the past as a way to manipulate the gods and to satisfy their own sensual pleasures. For them to bring this into the church would be consistent with their past norm. In fact, for them to suddenly reverse their thought process is quite unlikely. This is generally called a mind-set or a paradigm shift today. It is very difficult for anyone to make a major change in the ways we have always viewed things. As we will see in future chapters, the major problem was worldliness.]
2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able (to bear it): nay, not even now are ye able;
3 for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?
[Fighting within the church is an example of carnality. Someone is (perhaps many are) not thinking spiritually. This concept of milk and meat is a very important one (see also Hebrews 5:12f). Babies have to have milk before they can digest meat. Similarly, babes in Christ -- those who have just been baptized -- should not be expected to be able to handle difficult concepts. Even Paul needed time – those who study such things have estimated about 14 years between the time when Paul first became a Christian (Acts 9) and the point at which he assumed his full apostolic leadership (Acts 14). Also, this principle can be applied to biblical interpretation. We should NEVER interpret simple milk passages with questionable interpretation of the meat. It must be the other way around. Look at all of the very simple passages, and then interpret the difficult passages in light of what you know that the simple passages teach (2 Cor. 11;3). The milk must be understood before the meat can be understood. The milk is very easy to understand, while the meat takes maturity and a good knowledge of the milk.]
4 For when one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not men?
5 What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him.
6 I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
[Here they were dividing themselves by who had taught them or who were their current leaders. This is denominating -- the word means assigning a name to a subdivision. Like money denominations -- nickel, dime, quarter, etc. Its all money, but different names to subsets of it. The denominational concept is that we are all Christians, but some of us are Baptist Christians, some Methodist Christians, some Presbyterian Christians, etc. There is no authority at all in the Bible for these divisions within the body of Christ, and here Paul clearly speaks against it.]
7 So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.
8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry, God's building.
[All the glory should go to God. First, God created us, so all good things that we do are attributable to His creative power. Second, we would not even have any idea of what is right or wrong had He not revealed this to us in order that we should be happy on this earth. Finally, He gave us His plan of salvation thus enabling us to have eternal life with Him despite our sins and shortcomings. When we call ourselves after men we glorify men, not God. Three metaphors are give for the church -- fellow-workers with God (what a tremendous honor), husbandry -- essentially the fruit of God's efforts, and God's building -- the result of His handwork. Each has its own meaning as to the way in which the local church is to work together to glorify God, and thus be one as he who plants and he who waters – all attending to the same purpose.]
10 According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another builds thereon. But let each man take heed how he builds on it.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[Paul elaborates on the building metaphor. It is God who is in control. Apollos arrived at Corinth after Paul (Acts 18:24-28), and this could have reference to him; however, this is not a negative reference. It is not wrong to pick up where someone else has left off; but it must be done being careful not to go beyond the teachings of Jesus. The warning is given to those who might be straying from the foundation of the building, which is the teachings of Jesus.]
12 But if any man builds on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.
[This gets a bit complex here, but basically it seems that he is saying that the church is built up of Christians and some of these when tried by fire will be found wanting. The fire is obviously persecutions and other trials to which the faithful will be subjected. The fact that some will fall short is not the fault of the person who converted them.]
16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and (that) the Spirit of God dwells in you?
[Paul uses this figure twice in two different ways. Both the church and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. In this figure, looking back at the previous metaphors, he is still talking about the church. This rhetorical question would seem to infer that Paul had taught them this and now it seems to be slipping from them.]
17 If any man destroys the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
[They were destroying the church by their conflicts and divisions. None of them would think to destroy the temple – that would be considered to be a terrible sin. But the church is of far more value to God than the temple ever was. Yet, some think nothing of sowing seeds of discord seemingly for their own entertainment. God will not hold them guiltless, nor anyone who destroys His church as He built it.]
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:
20 and again, The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise that they are vain.
[Why would anyone think that they were smarter than God? Why not just take what he says and live by it? But churches that go no further than what the Bible teaches are the exception rather than the rule. Most religions are dominated by the thinking and reasoning of men, exalting themselves about God. The references are to Job 5:13 and Psalms 94:11, showing that this was not a new problem in the first century.]
21 Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;
22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23 and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
[We have no reason to glory. Even our greatest assets and strengths are given to us by God, and his word can overcome our greatest weaknesses. When we are prideful we defeat the reason for our very existence, which is to glorify God. When tempted to be proud we should only need to go back and recall the many times that we fell short and did things that caused terrible consequences. Even though we have been forgiven for them, we need to keep them before us to encourage our humility.]
Go to 1 Corinthians 4-5