1 Coríntios 1

Marvin Vincent · Citado em PreceptAustin

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent on Paul - A transcript for the Latin paulus or paullus, meaning little. It was a favorite name among the Cilicians, and the nearest approach in sound to the Hebrew Saul. Paul in the letters to Corinth - 1 Co. 1:1, 12, 13; 1 Co. 3:4, 5, 22; 1 Co. 16:21; 2 Co. 1:1; 2 Co. 10:1. Related Resources: Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Excellent in depth article on Paul the Apostle.- Ralph Yarborough Called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God - (cf similar introductions in 2 Cor 1:1, Eph 1:1, Col 1:1, 2 Ti 1:1) - Literally the Greek reads "Paul, called apostle" this unique opening (only found elsewhere in Ro 1:1) likely reflecting the fact that some were questioning his apostleship (see 1 Cor 9:1-2+, cf 1 Cor 4:1-5, 2 Cor 10:10). "The most faithful and useful ministers are not secure from this contempt." (M. Henry)

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent - Grace is the Greek salutation, peace the Jewish. Both in the spiritual sense. Compare Nu. 6:25, 26+. This form of salutation is common to all Paul’s epistles to the churches. In Timothy and Titus, mercy is added. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Ray

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent on speech - aptitude in speech. Paul gives thanks for speech as a means of testifying for Christ. “The saints have never been silent” (Pascal). S Lewis

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent adds that "the compounded preposition apo denotes the withdrawal of attention from inferior objects. (ED: SEE LINE IN HYMN BELOW = "Have done with lesser things.") The word is habitually used in the New Testament with reference to a future manifestation of the glory of Christ or of His people."Used 8x in NT - Ro 8:19; Ro 8:23; Ro 8:25; 1 Co. 1:7; Gal. 5:5; Phil. 3:20; Heb. 9:28; 1 Pe 3:20 Rise up O men of God, Have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and mind and strength, To serve the King of Kings, To serve the King of Kings. Rise up O men of God, His Kingdom tarries long, Bring in the day of brotherhood, And end the night of wrong, And end the night of wrong. Rise up O men of God, The Church for you doth wait. Send forth to serve the needs of men In Christ our strength is great, In Christ our strength is great. Lift high the Cross of Christ, Tread where His feet have trod, As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up O men of God, Rise up O men of God. Rise up O men of God, Have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and mind and strength, To serve the King of Kings, To serve the King of Kings Revelation (602)(apokalupsis from apó = from + kalúpto = cover, conceal, English = apocalypse) literally means cover from and so the idea is to remove that which conceals something, "taking the lid off" and exposing to open view that which was heretofore not visible, known or disclosed, making manifest something (HERE = SOMEONE!) previously unknown and/or unseen and now made fully known. Apokalupsis in the Corinthian letters - 1 Co. 1:7; 1Co. 14:6; 1Co. 14:26; 2Co. 12:1; 2Co. 12:7 THOUGHT - They were not to wait for the coming of the antichrist. They were not to wait for the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom to every creature. They were not to wait for wars and rumors of wars. They were not to wait for the apostasy of the Church. They were to wait for the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Second Coming of Christ is the Blessed Hope of saints (Titus 2:13+). We are to live looking for Him to come. We are to be watching and waiting for Him as one who waits for the morning. We are to pray, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Rev 22:20+) We are to be robed and ready for His Return (Lk 12:40+, 2 Peter 3:11-12+, Rev 19:7+). We are to expectantly abide the day of His Coming. We wonder, as we pen these words, just how much the blessed, the comforting, the pacifying, the inspiring hope of the Coming of Christ means to the people who peruse these pages? God forbid that that hour should take us unaware! God forbid that at His Coming any of us should seem to draw back from Him! AMEN! (1 Jn 2:28+) (Robert Neighbour) WE LIVE IN THIS WORLD, BUT OUR ALLEGIANCE IS TO HEAVEN... For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ --Philippians 3:20+ The great preacher F. B. Meyer once asked D. L. Moody, "What is the secret of your success?" Moody replied, "For many years I have never given an address without the consciousness that the Lord may come before I have finished." This may well explain the intensity of his service and the zeal of his ministry for Christ. Fuller - The Scripture gives four names to Christians, taken from the four cardinal graces so essential to man’s salvation: Saints for their holiness, believers for their faith, brethren for their love, disciples for their knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:8 Who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amplified - And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Wuest (paraphrase) - who also will make you steadfast and constant even to the end, in character such that you cannot be called to account in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET 1 Corinthians 1:8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. NLT 1 Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ESV 1 Corinthians 1:8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV 1 Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. GNT 1 Corinthians 1:8 ὃς καὶ βεβαιώσει ὑμᾶς ἕως τέλους ἀνεγκλήτους ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ [Χριστοῦ]. KJV 1 Corinthians 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. YLT 1 Corinthians 1:8 who also shall confirm you unto the end -- unblamable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ; ASV 1 Corinthians 1:8 who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye be unreproveable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. CSB 1 Corinthians 1:8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. NKJ 1 Corinthians 1:8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. NRS 1 Corinthians 1:8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. NAB 1 Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus (Christ). NJB 1 Corinthians 1:8 he will continue to give you strength till the very end, so that you will be irreproachable on the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. GWN 1 Corinthians 1:8 He will continue to give you strength until the end so that no one can accuse you of anything on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. confirm: Ps 37:17,28 Ro 14:4 16:25 2Co 1:21 1Th 3:13 5:24 2Th 3:3 1Pe 5:10 blameless: Eph 5:27 Php 2:15 Col 1:22 1Th 3:13 5:23,24 2Pe 3:14 Jude 1:24,25 the day: Php 1:6,10 2:16 2Pe 3:10 1 Corinthians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Hebrews 6:11+ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end (telos), SAINTS BLAMELESS BEFORE GOD Who will also confirm you to the end - NET = "He will also strengthen you to the end." Wuest = "Who also will make you steadfast and constant even to the end" Will also confirm is a divine promise. So in spite of their sinful conduct, the Corinthians would be saved (GLORIFIED) either when they died or when Christ returned. Notice the preceding context -- some feel it is Jesus Who will confirm us but others feel that it is God Who will confirm us because in the next verse God is mentioned as the One Who is faithful! The eager waiting described in 1 Cor 1:7 will come to an end for all believers when our faith becomes sight, and our Blessed Hope is revealed in the Person of Jesus (1 Ti 1:1), at "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:13+). To the end (telos) refers to either the end of our life or the end of this present age (whichever comes first). The point Paul is making is that their salvation will be preserved to the end. The word for end (telos) was used by Jesus in Mt 24:13+ when He declared "But the one who endures to the end (telos), he will be saved." The writer of Hebrews reiterated this truth writing "Christ was faithful as a Son over His house–whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end (telos). (Heb 3:6+, cf Heb 3:14+). What Paul is saying to these saints is that you are going to make it! You are going to endure to the end! You will be saved (future tense - glorified). You will be part of "His house" because you will hold fast to the end. Why (or How)? Not because of their power but because of the promise of God Who will also confirm you to the end. In essence Paul's words are another passage which underscores the truth often referred to as the perseverance of the saints. Here is a summary of that important doctrine... The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints does accurately represent what the Bible teaches on this important subject. If someone is truly saved, he has been made alive by the Holy Spirit and has a new heart with new desires. There is no way that one that has been “born again” can later be “unborn.” Because of His unique love for His children, God will keep all of His children safe from harm, and Jesus has promised that He would lose none of His sheep (Jn 10:27-30, Jn 6:39, Jn 17:12). The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints recognizes that true Christians will always persevere and are eternally secure because God keeps them that way (ED: READ THAT AGAIN! THIS IS WHAT PAUL IS SAYING TO THE SAINTS AT CORINTH). It is based on the fact that Jesus, the “Author and Perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2+), is able to completely save those whom the Father has given Him (Hebrews 7:25+) and to keep them saved through all eternity (ED: AND ALL GOD'S PEOPLE SHOUT "HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU LORD!"). (See complete note) Wiersbe on will...confirm - The work of God was confirmed IN them (1 Cor. 1:6), but it was also confirmed TO them in the Word. This (bebaioo) is a legal term that refers to the guarantee that settles a transaction. 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. This guarantee is certainly not an excuse for sin! Rather, it is the basis for a growing relationship of love, trust, and obedience. (The Wiersbe Bible Commentary) Robertson on to the end - End of the age till Jesus comes, final preservation of the saints. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Confirmed (establish) (950) see note above on bebaioo. End (outcome) (5056)(telos means an end, a completion, a consummation. The word termination is close but misses the essence of the meaning, because a process can be terminated without reaching completion or consummation, which is the essence of the meaning of telos. Accordingly "Christ is the end (consummation or telos) of the Law" (Ro 10:4), for Christ brought all the components of the OT to their complete fulfillment by His perfect life and death, and yet the law was not terminated (e.g., it is written on the hearts of believers (Heb 8:10+, Heb 10:16+). And so Telos refers to a goal achieved, a result attained, a realization, an end-goal, a purpose fulfilled. The root tel- means reaching the end (aim) and is illustrated by an old pirate's telescope (pictures) which unfolds or extends one stage at a time to reach full-capacity (effectiveness). All uses of telos in the letters to Corinth - 1 Co. 1:8; 1 Co. 10:11; 1 Co. 15:24; 2 Co. 1:13; 2 Co. 3:13; 2 Co. 11:15 Blameless (anegkletos) in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ - Amplified = "He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable." Blameless is one of the most encouraging descriptions of saints in the Bible (in my opinion). It is a legal term meaning that no accusation or charge could be successfully brought against those in Christ. (As an aside do you ever feel accused? Satan is "the accuser of the brethren" - Rev 12:10+) Blameless speaks primarily of our eternal position in Christ, so that when He appears, our position will become our eternal reality. Lenski describes it "as not to be accused." No accusation can even be brought against them is the idea. Few of us would consider ourselves "blameless" in these mortal bodies of sin, which continually fall into sin. But praise be to God that He sees us in Christ the "Blameless One!" and that will be out "raiment" (so to speak) for all eternity. When we believed on Christ, we exchanged our "grave clothes" for His "grace clothes," which we will put on permanently when we see our blessed Lord (1 Jn 3:2+)! Hallelujah! Amen! What is the day of our Lord Jesus Christ? - In context Paul has just described the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, so this clearly is the Second Coming of Christ. It should be noted that some writers see this not just as a single day (the day of Christ's Return), but the beginning of a new "day," for His return will be accompanied by the establishment of His earthly Messianic Kingdom which will last 1000 years. Constable (a dispensationalist) has an interesting comment - This coming day is referred to as ‘the day of the Lord Jesus’ (1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14), ‘the day of Jesus Christ’ (Phil 1:6), and ‘the day of Christ’ (Phil. 1:10; 2:16). (‘The day of Christ’ in 2 Th. 2:2 should be rendered the Day of the Lord.’) ‘The day of Christ’ in all six references in the N.T. is described as relating to the reward and blessing of the Church at the rapture and in contrast with the expression ‘the day of the Lord’ (cp. Isa. 2:12, marg.; Joel 1:15, note; Rev. 19:19, note), which is related to judgment upon unbelieving Jews and Gentiles, and blessing on millennial saints (Zeph. 3:8–20+).” (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Related Resource: See the chart Comparison of 3 Divine Days

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent adds schisma is used "In the sense of discord, see John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19. Here, faction." Arnold writes that "The word “divisions” refers to an old discarded garment that was torn into pieces. Therefore, a division is when a group of Christians or a local church is torn into pieces by ungodly actions. The only way to overcome divisions is to have unity in the local church and that comes as each person places himself or herself under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and bows to His authority." Schisma - 8v - Matt. 9:16; Mk. 2:21; Jn. 7:43 = division based on who they thought Christ was (Just like today!); Jn. 9:16; Jn. 10:19; 1 Co. 1:10; 1 Co. 11:18; 1 Co. 12:25 NOTE: A rip or tear takes so little time to occur, but the healing process takes so long. Take a sheet of paper, a roll of tape and a watch with a second hand and try an experiment. First, see how long it takes you to divide the sheet of paper into 20 pieces. Record your time. Then, using the tape, see how long it takes to unite those 20 pieces into a single sheet again. 1 Cor 11:18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. 1 Cor 12:24-25 Whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. Writing to the church at Rome Paul warned... Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions (dichostasia - literally standing apart - disunity, dissension, division, factious opposition) and hindrances contrary to the teaching (didache - the doctrine) which you learned, and turn away from them. (Ro 16:17+). But (de) - Term of contrast. What's the change of direction? John MacArthur makes a fascinating statement regarding unity - One of the main reasons that cults in our day have had such an impact on the world is their unity. Disharmony is not tolerated. Though misguided, misused, and often totalitarian, such unity is attractive to many people who are tired of religious uncertainty, ambiguity, and confusion. (1 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Paul has just described their fellowship with Jesus Christ their Lord and now turns to their fellowship with one another. The implication is that their unity and/or oneness with Christ would or should motivate them to pursue unity with one another. Ray

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent adds that katartízō "signifies to readjust, restore, whether in a physical or a moral sense." And so in 1 Cor 1:10 Katartízō was used metaphorically to describe the restoration of harmony among the quarreling factions that had torn the body apart! All NT uses of katartizo - Matt. 4:21; Matt. 21:16; Mk. 1:19; Lk. 6:40; Rom. 9:22; 1 Co. 1:10; 2 Co. 13:11; Gal. 6:1; 1 Thess. 3:10; Heb. 10:5; Heb. 11:3; Heb. 13:21; 1 Pet. 5:10. Paul's use in Galatians 6 gives us a good sense of the meaning... Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Wayne

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent says informed means "word means to make clear, or manifest (delos). Compare 1 Cor 3:13. It may imply that Paul was reluctant to believe the reports, but was convinced by unimpeachable testimony. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Informed (1213)(deloo from delos = manifest, evident) means to make plain by words and thus to declare and make manifest to one's mind. Deloo is used of indications which lead the mind to conclusions about the origin or character of things. It means to make some matter known that was unknown or not communicated previously. It means to show clearly, to signify, to make manifest, visible, clear, or plain and to make known. Used 7x in NT - 1 Co. 1:11; 1 Co. 3:13; Col. 1:8; Heb. 9:8; Heb. 12:27; 1 Pet. 1:11; 2 Pet. 1:14 By Chloe's people - This is the only mention of Chole in the Bible, so we cannot be certain of her identity nor the identify of her people which could be kinsmen, children, even slaves. And since Paul was writing from Ephesus, Chloe could have been from either Ephesus or Corinth, but we simply cannot say with certainty.

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent adds that this was "A familiar classical formula: What I mean is this" where "This usually refers to what follows. Compare Gal. 3:17; Eph. 4:17. MacArthur gives some background - Paul had ministered in Corinth for a year and a half. He then sent Apollos to be the second pastor. Apparently a group of Jews in the church had been saved under Peter’s (Cephas’) ministry. Parties soon developed in the names of each of those men....The inevitable result of such party spirit is contention, quarrels, wrangling, and disputes—a divided church....Spirituality produces humility and unity; carnality produces pride and division. The only cure for quarreling and division is renewed spirituality. In my experience the most effective means of correcting a contentious, factious person is to share with him selected Scripture passages on carnality and its evidences, to confront him directly with the cause of his sin. (1 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) That each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ - Notice each group had it's own slogan by which it identified its members. Paul identifies the four groups that have been clearly pointed out by Chloe's people. The "Paul party" - Paul was the founding father and so naturally many of the saints would follow him for he had led them to a saving knowledge in Christ. The "Apollos party" - Apollos was the rhetorician with oratorical skills in a city that loved oratory. (cf Acts 18:24,25+) The "Cephas party" - Cephas was the original apostle who spent 3 years with Jesus. There is no evidence he ever visited Corinth. But some may have been saying let's get back to the beginning of the church in Jerusalem where Peter preached the sermon that God used to birth the church. While we cannot be definitive, those saints who followed Cephas may have been Jewish Christians, for they would be more likely to be familiar with the role Peter played in the birth of the church. Related Resource: See devotional below The "Christ party" - Last but not least, there was Christ. This one sounds so "spiritual," but undoubtedly their felt superior to the other 3 groups, which was in itself sinful and divisive! So instead of following a mere man, they said we will follow the Perfect Man. And so these saints sought to follow His words and not the words of men like Paul, Peter or Apollos. Wayne

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent points out that "The repeated "de" and, expresses the opposition between the respective parties. The followers of Apollos preferred his more philosophical and rhetorical preaching to the simpler and more direct utterances of Paul. Others ranged themselves under the name of Peter. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Cephas is Peter's Aramaic name found 9x in NT (Jn. 1:42; 1 Co. 1:12; 1 Co. 3:22; 1 Co. 9:5; 1 Co. 15:5; Gal. 1:18; Gal. 2:9; Gal. 2:11; Gal. 2:14) Robertson is probably correct in his explanation of the "Cephas cult" - there is no evidence that Peter himself visited Corinth. Judaizers came and pitted Peter against Paul to the Corinthian Church on the basis of Paul’s rebuke of Peter in Antioch. These Judaizers made bitter personal attacks on Paul in return for their defeat at the Jerusalem Conference. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Goins: The fourth party named was the Christ party. These were the purists, those who sounded the most spiritual. It was probably the worst of the four parties. There was a self-righteous smugness about these folks. They basically said, "We don't need human leaders at all. Jesus is the head of the body, and we'll just listen to him. We're not going to listen to Paul or Apollos or Peter." This group would have been religiously intimidating in the life of that fellowship, claiming superiority in Bible study and prayer and worship. These were folks you would have heard saying, "The Lord spoke to me on this matter...." They were spiritual elitists who were unwilling to submit themselves even to the apostolic authority that Jesus Christ had defined and put in place for the church. They were just as divisive as the other three groups. (A CRISIS OF DIVISION)

1 Coríntios 1

Vincent says that cleverness (sophia) "is mental excellence in its highest and fullest sense," which is fascinating because Paul's statement relegates "man's best guess" to a distant "second place," so that it is not even worth using in the declaration of God's plan of redemption of sinners. It was not that Paul did not have a gift of speaking for in Acts 14:12 after speaking, the pagans called him "Hermes because he was the chief speaker." Think about his statement -- if Paul had been clever ("wisdom in word"), to whom would the hearers be attracted, to eloquent Paul or to the shameful Cross of Christ? Carson - Paul used none of the orator’s tricks of the trade, for he did not preach with words of human wisdom, lit. ‘by means of the wisdom of rhetoric’. To have adopted the secular convention would have promoted the speaker on whose performance the audience sat in judgment. This would have diverted their attention away from the cross to Paul himself, thus robbing the hearers of the opportunity to hear about the amazing event by which God rescues people. (New Bible Commentary) Arnold - The Greeks placed tremendous emphasis on eloquence, excellent rhetoric, good diction, high sounding words; colorful language, and oratorical ability. The Greek professional men of wisdom had a methodology that embellished all of their messages with flowery eloquence. In many cases, the Greeks would rather hear something said beautifully than something said clearly.... Flowery wordings and philosophical reasoning in preaching no longer make the Cross a cross. Why? The Cross, by its very nature, is an offense to men. It says man is nothing; he is depraved, a sinner by imputation, nature and acts, and he is in need of a Savior because he cannot save himself. The Cross says man is absolutely, totally, helplessly, and hopelessly lost. The moment preachers put the Cross in high sounding phrases, in man’s wisdom, in philosophical terms, this appeals to man’s mind and feeds his pride. The gospel then evaporates into a system, a principle, a theory. The gospel is not a system, but a person, not a principle but a salvation. Remember Wisdom of word, which can be equated with philosophy, deals with abstract ideas, whereas the cross of Christ is a historical event and as such it can neither be doubted nor neglected. It is neither theory nor thought; it is a fact and should be presented as such. -- Spiros Zodhiates THOUGHT - Have you ever presented the Gospel to someone and found that you were beginning to slip into use of persuasive eloquence or clever arguments? I suppose we all have done this at times, especially when the person seemed to have no response to the simple truth of the Gospel. Of course the worst trap to fall into (and I did this with my very intelligent fellow medical practitioners) is to use clever argumentation without ever getting around to giving them the simple Gospel. Let's face it the Cross is offensive to unbelievers and often we fear their reaction to us. I have had folks simply listen with total apathy, others would scoff at me and some would even threaten to hit me if I said any more about Jesus and the Cross. Zodhiates - Natural gifts, even when used in the work of the Lord, without the definite call of God (ED: AND I WOULD ADD ENERGIZED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD), are not good enough. Paul wanted to make it clear that he preached because God had called him to that work, not because he had a natural inclination for oratory. Interestingly God did not call Paul to do something he was not naturally gifted to do. It is painfully obvious that some preachers should not have entered that ministry at all. They are trying to do something for which God has given them no ability, and their desire to enter the ministry has mistakenly led them to assume that they had a divine call. After all, are not our innate abilities God-given? If someone is a gifted speaker and only a poor singer, why should God call him to be a vocalist instead of exercising the natural gift He has bestowed on him? God recognizes that when He made us, He gave us certain talents and abilities. The Lord may call us to do something which does not require the eloquence and ability of a preacher, as was seemingly the case with those who baptized the converts of the Apostle Paul. This does not give preachers the license to look down on those who do other forms of Christian service. God knows what each one is able to do, and He calls him or her to do it. We must make sure, however, that what we hear is His call and not merely our own desire. THOUGHT - Have you ever felt like you were not "smart enough" to share the Gospel with another person? Perhaps that person was your superior or had some initials after their name like Phd, Md, etc. Paul would say "PERISH THAT DOUBTING THOUGHT!" Just preach the Gospel and leave the rest to God's Spirit. The Gospel has INTRINSIC POWER, SUPERNATURAL POWER to penetrate brilliant intellects and hardened hearts (it penetrated my hard, deceived, prideful heart!) Romans 1:16+ is clear that the Gospel "is the power (dunamis) of God for salvation (soteria) to everyone who believes (pisteuo), to the Jew first and also to the Greek (THOSE TWO WORDS TAKE CARE OF ALL HUMANITY, EVERY RACE, EVERY PEOPLE)." What God has done to win us back to Himself is humanly unreasonable. No matter how wise our words may be, we may not necessarily cause people to receive the offer of salvation in Christ. Acceptance of the gospel is dependent upon a power other than human wisdom. Only the power of the cross of Christ can cause sinful man to accept the good news. (Zodhiates) Cleverness (4678)(sophia compare saphes = clear) is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding. Sophia is used in an ironic sense (ironic because it is not true wisdom in God's estimation) by adding "of this world" (1Cor 1:20), "of this age" (1Cor 2:6), or "fleshly wisdom" (2Cor 1:12). Sophia in Corinthians - 1 Co. 1:17; "wisdom of the wise" = 1 Co. 1:19; God has made "foolish the wisdom of the world" = 1 Co. 1:20; 1 Co. 1:21; 1 Co. 1:22; 1 Co. 1:24; 1 Co. 1:30; 1 Co. 2:1; 1 Co. 2:4; 1 Co. 2:5; 1 Co. 2:6; 1 Co. 2:7; 1 Co. 2:13; 1 Co. 3:19; 1 Co. 12:8; 2 Co. 1:12 Note that SOPHIA is a KEY WORD in 1 Corinthians 1 (8 times) and in 1 Corinthians 2 (7 times)! THOUGHT Recall that the Greeks were lovers of philosophy, the Greek word philosophia derived from philos, lover and sophia, wisdom and so is literally a love of wisdom which came to mean tenets of heathen Gentile philosophers. "Human understanding or wisdom and, by implication, in contrast with divinely revealed knowledge." (Louw-Nida). In short, the Greeks were lovers of human wisdom, but not God's wisdom and the saints at Corinth were vulnerable for this love of human wisdom rubbing off on them and clouding or distorting their thinking on the pure milk of the Gospel. Indeed many central beliefs of Christianity are in direct opposition to those of men like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Paul had issued a stern warning to the saints at Colossae to "See to it (blepo in present imperative) that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.." (Col 2:8+) Related Resources: How has Greek philosophy influenced Christianity? | GotQuestions.org Should a Christian study philosophy? | GotQuestions.org What is godly wisdom? | GotQuestions.org What is wisdom? What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? | GotQuestions.org Why is wisdom referred to as a she in Proverbs? | GotQuestions.org How can I tap into the wisdom of God? | GotQuestions.org How can I get wisdom from God? | GotQuestions.org How is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? | GotQuestions.org ILLUSTRATION OF NOT PREACHING WITH CLEVER SPEECH - The difference is illustrated in the account of two men who went to hear a certain famous preacher. Coming away from the service they said, "My, what eloquence! He knows how to choose the right words and how to say them! His oratory is simply irresistible!" The next week they went to hear another preacher, equally as famous. They left the service silently and reverently. Finally one said, "My, what a Christ!" (Zodhiates) ILLUSTRATION - This brings to mind a preacher who was deeply concerned for the salvation of a Christ-rejecting lawyer. To reach him, he prepared a special sermon for him and urged that he attend a designated service. The lawyer accepted the invitation with thanks. He was unmoved by the sermon. However, as he left church, an illiterate woman, whose heart was filled with the love and compassion of Christ, stopped him and, with tears streaming down her face, said, "I sure love my Jesus, and won't you love my Jesus, too?" The earnest plea went directly to the lawyer's heart, who presently began to rejoice in the Savior's love and forgiveness. We can never over-emphasize the futility of trying to win people to Christ by "wise words," nor the effectiveness of the personal pleas to win people to Christ. (Zodhiates) Play and ponder the powerful words of the hymn "Not I But Christ" (this is one of those convicting hymns which absolutely demolishes our pride!) Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted, Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard; Not I, but Christ in every look and action, Not I, but Christ in every thought and word. Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee, Oh, that it may be no more I, But Christ that lives in me. Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow, Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear; Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden, Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear. Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling, Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound; Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing, Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found. Not I, but Christ my every need supplying, Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be; Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body, Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me. Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision, Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see; Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling, Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be. So that - Term of purpose. Explains the purpose of unapologetically preaching the pure, unadulterated Gospel without "wise words." The cross (see stauros) of Christ would not be made void - "emptied of its power." (ESV, NIV) Man's "wise word" would invalidate God's summum bonum, His highest good, His wisdom from above, manifest in the preaching of the cross of Christ. In short man's wise words can empty the Cross of its power! The idea of made void is literally "be emptied out," to remove the content of something, in this case the simplicity and profundity of the Cross of Christ and in so doing taking away the effectiveness of the Cross, in effect depriving it of its power to save. The cross stands high above the opinions of men and to that cross all opinions must come at last for judgement. -- A. W. Tozer Arnold - The central aspect of Paul's preaching was the Cross of Christ. The cross has become a modern day symbol for Christianity. People wear the cross around their necks. The cross is displayed in most church buildings and it stands high on many a steeple. We become so use to seeing the cross that it has lost meaning for us, and we certainly do not understand the cross as the first century Christians did. To them it was a horrible symbol of the death of a criminal. "It (the cross) was for these early Christians, and for those among whom they lived, a horrible symbol. If you had used it then as a symbol it would have made people shudder. We would get much closer to it today if we substituted a symbol of an electric chair for the cross. Suppose we had an electric chair mounted on our wall here, with its straps and its atmosphere of death and shame? Wouldn’t it be strange driving across this country to see church steeples with electric chairs on top? We would get much closer to the meaning that the cross had in the minds of first century people if that were true” (Stedman, First Corinthians). It is interesting to note that the cross had such negative connotations that it was not used as a symbol for over a hundred years in the early church.