A More Excellent Way E-Book

Rev. Daniel G. Caram

• Herausgeber: Zion Christian Publishers
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

The Corinthian epistles give us a picture of a “mega” revival of a church in Corinth that had grown to about sixty or seventy thoUSDnd converts in four years and the problems associated with it. Rev. Caram shows how the Corinthian revival is a figure of the revival that is coming in the last days, as a net that is cast into the sea, wherein will be gathered all kinds, and the great need for spiritual mothers and fathers who are prepared to lead the church on to maturity. 

Leseprobe

1 & 2 Corinthians

A More Excellent Way

Rev. Daniel Caram

“1 & 2 Corinthians: A More Excellent Way”

© 2002 Daniel G. Caram

Version 1.0

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations in this book are taken from the King James Version Bible unless otherwise stated.

Published by Zion Christian Publishers as an e-book in 2023

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Zion Christian Publishers

A Zion Fellowship ® Ministry

P.O. Box 70

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the following:

To Mary H. –

for her proficiency in the editing of this book.

To Jeremy K. –

for his proficiency in the formatting of this book.

To Rev. Joseph C. –

Introduction

In 1 Corinthians 15:8, Paul declared himself to be “an apostle born (before the due) time.” This statement is especially true concerning many of Paul’s writings. For example: Paul’s teaching on the man of sin, the Second Coming of Christ and the first resurrection were not relevant for the first century. However, because of the Apostle’s present tense manner of delivery, many of the saints applied those teachings to their day. Some even went to the extreme… retiring from their employment, withdrawing from everyday life to wait for the Lord’s return. Such was the case in the Thessalonian church.

In many ways, this New Testament theologian writes more to the church of our time than to any other generation. The Corinthian epistles are a good example of this. By the end of the first century AD, the supernatural phenomenon of Pentecost was waning. The church was becoming more and more legislative and ritualistic. Eventually, the problems associated with Pentecost no longer existed. Frankly, the church was dead!

The church had dried up and was lapsing into an era that was later called by the historians “The Dark Ages.” In spite of this, there were always a few groups over the centuries that experienced the renewing from heaven.  They spoke in tongues and had visions, etc. However, it was still quite rare until the twentieth century.  In the year 1901, the first wave of renewal hit Charles Parham’s Bible School in Topeka, Kansas. This visitation undoubtedly helped to ignite the Pentecostal revival in Wales In the year 1904, which helped to spark others such as the “Azusa Street” revival, in Los Angeles (1906).  Azusa Street experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit similar to Acts chapter two. That event sent spiritual shock waves around the world. Suddenly seekers from all directions were coming, crying out for the baptism from heaven.

God has since moved in many places and in many denominations. The Charismatic movement which began about 1966, touched many churches, churches that did not even believe in the supernatural realm of the Spirit. Today, there are many Spirit-filled congregations throughout the land, and suddenly Paul’s Corinthian epistles, written 1950 years ago, have become very relevant.

Twenty-first century Corinthians

Why is it that the Church world usually associates carnality and spiritual problems with the “Pentecostal people”? The reason is because it is true; and I would like to use a rather crude illustration to explain why it is true. When I was a teenager, I worked on a farm that raised hogs. They used the latest Cornell University techniques for draining the waste into a lagoon. The manure is odorless, as it lies there undisturbed in its dormant state. But when the lagoon was full, the backhoe would come in and dig it up, and you could smell manure for miles. Many problems in man are like this; while they are dormant and undisturbed they are not a problem, nor are they offensive. But when they are uncovered and meddled with… that is another story.

John the Baptist, likened the baptism of the Holy Ghost to a thresher with a fan, (or fork) tossing and separating the wheat from the chaff, then burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Mt. 3:11-12).

People are basically the same everywhere; they all have the same problems that are common to mankind. If those problems are never addressed or brought to the light, the people may appear to be pretty stable. Some congregations seem to have it all together. There is an apparent peace, order, and harmony. But if that same congregation experienced the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, it would be an entirely different story. The Divine Spirit would enter that temple with a scourge, overturning the tables of pride, lust, greed, traditions, and humanistic concepts. Suddenly, un-churched people would be coming, drawn by the supernatural phenomenon. There would be revelations, visions, prophecy and spiritual gifts being manifested, as well as the excesses of these things. With this realization of what can happen, the Corinthian epistles begin to take on new significance.

Understanding the Corinthian complexities

Merely understanding the Corinthian epistles from a theoretical approach does not cut it! Studying Greek does not cut it! In fact, many of today’s expositors on the subject have never been baptized in the Holy Spirit or spoken in tongues. These letters of Paul can only be understood through the personal experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and by “being there” (in like conditions), and by the spirit of revelation!

Other churches in Paul's time had their unique problems: The Galatians had become very legalistic, a problem which was on the opposite extreme from Corinth. But of the two, Paul had far more hope for the carnal Corinthians than the legalistic Galatians. Let us study these epistles with a new appreciation of what the power of God can do in a newborn church. Paul had experienced the grace of God in his own life, and he was expecting the grace of God to work in the lives of many of these carnal Corinthians! (cf. 2 Cor. 11:2).

Corinth the 1st Century City

Corinth was the capital of Achaia (Southern Greece) and was one of the main seaports of its day. Geographically, the city was strategically located on a narrow strip of land that connected the north and south of Greece. All of the traffic between the two sectors had to come through Corinth. Furthermore, all of the sea traffic from Rome to Asia Minor going east and west would channel through the straits to Corinth. It was not only a straighter course, but also a safer one. The sea along the southern coast (Pelopenesus) was treacherous. Once the ships arrived at Corinth, they were unloaded and the cargo was hauled to other ships on the other side of the isthmus.

Map of Mediterranean

The prominent position that Corinth had commercially not only brought wealth and many opportunists, but also a licentious life-style that even appalled the pagan world. Many theaters in the Roman Empire featured a drunken Corinthian who would stagger on to the stage. To be called a Corinthian was practically an insult. One of the main centers of religion was a temple to the goddess Aphrodite, the goddess of fleshly love. This large temple in Corinth had 1,000 temple prostitutes. There was also much homosexuality and perversion in Corinth. That is why you see Paul hitting on certain themes such as: men and women roles, long hair on men, shaved heads on women etc.

* In First Corinthians 6:9-10, all the cardinal sins of Corinth are enumerated.

At one time, Corinth had nearly half a million slaves. Its inhabitants came from many varied backgrounds. The city had numerous taverns and nightclubs. It was a populous city with a notable history. Yet, with all of the data collected concerning Corinth, nothing could be more exciting than the divine account recorded in the Book of Acts and the Corinthian Epistles.

I have much people in this city

In Acts 18:10, the Lord said to Paul: “I have much people in this city.” Thus, he remained there for a year and a half. Paul always had his main stations where there was a flow of people coming through. It would have been a waste for the great theologian to be isolated in some little village for eighteen months while the traffic of the world was flowing through a major city like Corinth. Paul was one of the main instruments in founding the church at Corinth. In Acts 18:12, Gallio is mentioned as being the Roman deputy of Achaia. According to secular history, Gallio was resident in Corinth between AD 51-53.

Therefore, judging that Paul wrote this first epistle from Ephesus in the spring of AD 57 (1 Cor. 16:8), the oldest convert in this church would have been less than five years old in the Lord. The second epistle was written in the autumn of the same year from Philippi (2 Cor. 7:5-7). From this we can see that Paul was writing to a very young and immature group of Spirit-filled believers.

Athens versus Corinth

We read Acts 18:1-17 for the account of the founding of the Corinthian church. It would also enlarge our hearts and minds to consider Paul’s preceding visit to Athens in Acts 17:16-34. Athens was the intellectual center of the world, having the biggest libraries and famous philosophers, the “worldly wise men.” It was the cultural enrichment center of the world. Paul went to Athens with the same message that he brought to Corinth. He presented the gospel on Mars Hill to all of the philosophers and wise men, but with little response – only a few believed. Then Paul proceeded west to the debauched city of Corinth, and the Lord said: “I have much people in this city.”

Athens and Corinth were actually in sight of each other on a clear day. They were approximately 40 miles apart, but one could see Athens from Corinth’s bluffs. One city rejected Christ (there are no recorded epistles to the Athenians), but the other city greatly responded to the gospel and had the largest of all epistles written to them.

Revival brings in all kinds

Many churchmen view Corinth as the carnal church… the Corinthian corruption, etc. Some use the Corinthian misuse of gifts and their general misconduct as an excuse to disallow and disdain the Pentecostal experience. Certainly they had their exceptional problems, but we have to see Corinth as a city that God was visiting with revival! Realistically, what would one expect from 70,000 new converts who were virtually converted overnight? Could we expect a throng of saints? (Especially considering the Corinthian culture.) Corinth was truly the most fertile of all of Paul's stops.

Paul, a father to the Church

Spiritual children need a father and that is why there was a Paul. Paul is a true father image. A spiritual father is one who is enlarged enough in heart and mind to overlook many of the personal indignities of these spiritually immature children. Don’t think that Paul wasn’t groomed for this slot. Very few ministers could ever have fathered the Corinthian Church. The apostle said in one place: “The more that I love you, the less I be loved.” Sometimes the more you do for people, the less they appreciate you, and they will be the ones that hurt you most. (See 1 Cor. 4:14-15.)

Last day ingathering

We need to see Corinth as a sample of the last day ingathering. The seventh parable of Matthew 13 likens the kingdom of the last days to a net cast into the sea into which every kind of fish was caught, the good and the bad. It takes the father spirit to sort out such a situation. God desires in these last days to raise up spiritual fathers and mothers who can nurture these carnal new believers. Through the instrument of the Word, through the empowerment of the Spirit, and through much longsuffering and patience, they will present to the Lord a people perfected by His grace.

The Greek Mentality

Before we proceed into chapter one, let us consider the Greek mentality. Every nationality has certain inbred characteristics. The Greeks by nature had a certain pride and a certain intellect that resisted God. Paul said: “the Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:22). Unfortunately, the wisdom they portrayed was not from above, but of the earth. As Jesus had said, “Wisdom is identified in her offspring” (by what she produces). James tells us that the wisdom of this world produces envy, strife, confusion, and every evil work. Furthermore, Solomon tells us: “Only by pride cometh contention….” Certainly this was the condition of the Corinthian church: divisions, factions, debates, schisms, strife, envy, emulation, striving to be up front, swellings, ego, boasting, contentions, confusion, and every evil work! (See Jam. 3:14-16, Pro. 13:10.)

People bring into the church the hang-ups and the masteries from their former life – not only their failures but also their successes. Perhaps they have had a certain command in the business world. Then after conversion they assume that they have the same authority in the area of spiritual matters also. They want to be in charge.

The Greeks were great boasters of the flesh and of man’s ability. This mentality carried over into the spiritual life. Many had the attitude that the spiritual gifts operated through their own uniqueness or because they were something extraordinary. The Greeks boasted in their wise men, philosophers, mighty men, nobles, and highly disciplined athletes. Surely the momentum of the old life and the old way of thinking continued to dominate the minds of these young Corinthian converts. If we can appreciate something of the Greek mind set, then we can appreciate what Paul was dealing with here at Corinth. Here were a people, only two or three years old in the faith, that thought they knew more than the Apostle Paul did.

The Corinthians had a high degree of spiritual knowledge. All of the gifts of the Spirit were flowing in this church (cf. 1 Cor. 1:5-7), and yet in many ways they were as carnal as the unredeemed. They were violating all of the nine beatitudes of Christ (Mt. 5:1-12). They were not poor in spirit; they were haughty and puffed up; they were not meek; they did not turn the cheek. They took one another to court; and this was done before the unbelievers. They categorically broke all of the 33 precepts of the sermon on the mount. Yes, they had plenty of giftings and knowledge, but Paul tells them that they were yet carnal!

But love edifies

This is the reason why we can appreciate the “Love Chapter” (Chapter 13)… the more excellentway. Paul declared to them: “Knowledge puffs up!” These young believers had heads that swelled with knowledge and facts. Their notebooks were filled with spiritual truths, but the reality of those truths had not yet penetrated their hearts. Many were weak and sickly because they thought they could love God and not love their brethren. They did not discern the importance of the other members of the body, which is also a part of Christ. Paul told them that we could possess all of the gifts and have all knowledge, but if we do not have love, we are nothing! Having gifts without some evidence of fruit only produces pride and vanity! (See Matthew 7:20-23)

Here is the whole point of the Corinthian Epistles. Maturity and spiritual perfection does not come overnight. It requires time and many responses of obedience. There are seasons of pruning and chastening as well as pleasant experiences in the Lord. The Corinthian believers had the revelation of spiritual things and had all of the gifts of the Spirit in operation. But we see a problem here – the same problem confronting all newborn believers – the need to appropriate the message of the cross. True love can only be expressed by the denial of self, and that can only take place as we embrace the cross!

* See the Appendix for “Why the believer needs a conversion,” and also for “The 33 precepts of the Sermon on the Mount.”

First Corinthians

Chapter One

That no flesh should glory

Chapter one sets the stage for the following chapters. In verse 2, Paul says that the Corinthian believers are “called to besaints.” In their present state they were not very saintly, yet Paul had high hopes for their finish as he states in verse 8: “That ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The overall purpose of these letters was to bring the Corinthian church into order and maturity.

Almost immediately the apostle addresses the problems of divisions, contentions, and factions. Disunity is a sign of unresolved conflicts in the heart. Paul explains to them that worldly wisdom is not the answer to their problems, but is in fact the very cause of them. The cross of Christ is heaven's paradoxical wisdom to the world. The cross was Paul’s panacea (cure-all) to the carnal Corinthians. It is the power of God and the wisdom of God. The message of the cross defies all human logic. The way up is down… you gain by losing. When you are weak (in yourself) then you are strong… that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Catch the twist that Paul throws in 1:26-28: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.”

Of course, the Corinthians did not consider themselves to be any of these (foolish, weak, base, despised, and something that “is not”). They thought they were very wise, mighty, and noble. Paul tells them in a subsequent verse, “Yes, you are wise, but we are fools. Yes, you are strong, but we are weak. Yes, you are honored, but we are despised. Yes, you are reigning, and I wish you were that we might reign with you.” (They were not really reigning; they just thought they were!) Paul was telling them in a subtle way who was really chosen and how they might be chosen: “Becomefools that ye might be wise.” The message of the cross is foolishness to the world.

Paul establishes his authority

1:1Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes ourbrother.

The apostolic ministry is not something that you study for or seek for. It is a heavenly appointment! The Sosthenes mentioned here is probably the same man mentioned in Acts 18:17. He must have converted to Paul’s gospel in Corinth, but was apparently with Paul at the time of this writing.

Called to be saints

1:2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.

The “sanctification” mentioned here means “to be set apart for God.” Anything that is given to God or is dedicated to God is declared to be holy even if (in effect) it is not. (See Lev. 27:28) The Corinthians were set apart for God's purposes, but many of them were not holy. “Called to besaints…” They were not yet saints, and that tells us that there is an out-working of the redemptive process.

Two Kinds of Righteousness

There are two forms of righteousness mentioned in scripture: imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. One involves our standing with God only (dikaisune, or imputed righteousness), but the other is “worked out” righteousness. Imputed righteousness is the righteousness we receive at new birth. It involves only our standing with God. We are counted righteous because we believe in Christ (cf. Rom. 4:1-8). We are reckoned to be righteous because God looks at us through His Son, who paid our debt.

The other Greek word for righteousness, (dikaioma) is a higher form of righteousness and it is mentioned in Revelation 19:7-8. It literally means “the righteous acts of the saints.” The men and women of Revelation 19:7-8 have been made righteous. There has to be an outworking of the righteousness of God in order to be in Revelation 19:7-8. Thus, we are saints elect. We are called to be saints.

“Both theirs and ours” is in reference to their “mutual” Lord (c.f. 2 Cor. 10:7).

Grace and peace

1:3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Grace and peace” are Paul’s usual opening format. These two substances in themselves could merit an entire study. They actually will determine where we will go in this Christian walk. Grace is not only God’s favor, but it is also divine enablement to do what we cannot do in our own strength. It supplies the power we need to live the life of faith.

Grace has often been misconstrued to mean God’s tolerance with our inability to live the life. That is false grace! Paul attributed all of his attainments to God’s grace: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Cor 15:10 NRSV). A person who deems himself to be weak, often has a greater opportunity to receive God’s grace than one who is strong in himself. The name Paul means “small,” but in his esteemed smallness, he was made great by God’s grace (2 Cor. 12:9)!

Peace is a costly commodity. It is symbolized by olive oil, which is derived by tremendous pressure. Gethsemane means “oil press” (Mark 14:32). Peace is one of the most destructive forces we have against Satan. When a person has thepeace of God, he cannot be routed or moved, but rather he can walk upon the enemy (cf. Rom. 16: 20).

Paul always uses this particular word (eirene – peace) in his salutations. It corresponds to the Hebrew word Shalom.Shalom not only has the sense of tranquility, but also speaks of oneness, health and prosperity.

Endowed with many gifts

1:4-6I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;v.5That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;v.6Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you.

It is evident that the young Corinthian believers had a high degree of knowledge and were flowing in all the gifts of the Spirit. We must be careful to note that these blessings were bestowed upon them by God’s favor (grace).

The spirit of prophecy

The testimony of Christ was confirmed in them. According to Revelation 19:10, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The spirit of prophecy was so fluent and so revelatory in this church that outsiders would come in and have the secrets of their heart revealed. They would literally fall down and say: “God is in you of a truth,” meaning “you could not have known these things without divine assistance.” There was a tremendous gift of prophecy in this church, as described in chapter 14:24-25.

Many years ago my wife was skeptical about Pentecostalism and the gifts of the Spirit. (I was introduced to Pentecost long before she was.) Then God began to speak to her that she was to attend the church that I was attending. So she came with me because she wanted to be obedient to the Lord. On one particular night, there was an out-of-town minister from Arizona who arrived late for the service, as he thought that the service started at 7:30 rather than 7:00. He did not have a chance to meet anyone or talk to anyone before the service.

On the way to church my wife and I were having a unique conversation and we were both commenting on particular things. That night, the evangelist came to us and literally exposed our whole conversation. It was so real that my wife said after the service, “I never believed in Pentecost until tonight.” The prophetic word spoken by the evangelist was so accurate and right to the letter that she had to confess that God was in this place. These were the types of giftings that Corinth had.

* Note: A few of these illustrations may be used again to enforce a particular truth.

1:7So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

What marvelous grace God had bestowed upon this church. They were given every opportunity, every evidence, and every witness of the Spirit to prepare themselves for His coming. Every generation has the prospect of being a part of the Second Coming. Of course the reason is that the dead in Christ shall rise first!

He is able to keep you

1:8Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of God is giving some wonderful hope to some very carnal Christians. We must try to see things the way God sees them. Who shall also confirm you unto the end…. Confirm means to strengthen or establish. We are kept by the power of God, and we are strengthened by the power of God. The only way that we can fail is to refuse His grace! (Heb 12:15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

If we continue to walk in the light and appropriate God’s grace, we have the hopes of appearing before Him blameless! (See Jude 1:24.)

1:9God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

“God is faithful” follows the thought of the previous verse. He is faithful to keep you from falling and present you faultless before the throne! God created us for fellowship, and the only way that we can have true fellowship is by identifying with the life of Christ. As we walk in the Spirit, we are led into life experiences whereby we can know Him!

Paul immediately addresses the issues

1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by 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 perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Immediately Paul begins to address one of the major problems in Corinth, the problem of disunity. If there is one thing that stifles the Spirit of God it is strife. One of the four unities in Scripture is unity of heart (Psa. 86:11). In order to have unity with others, we must first have unity within ourselves. This is why David often uses the phrase: “with my whole heart.” We can have a divided heart like the Reubenites in Judges 5:15-16, or like the Ephraimites in Psalm 78:8-9. If half of our affections are in the world and half are in the Church, we will never stand up in the tests. There has to be wholeheartedness.

If ten people were all in agreement with the purposes of God (in their own heart), I think it would be safe to say that they would be in agreement with each other as well. When we are wholehearted, we will focus upon the things that are important to God. When we are unclear in our own mind as to where we’re standing or where we are going; we certainly can’t flow with others! Even in the negative sense, when people are in unity nothing can stop them! (See Gen. 11:6.)

*We will later see that the apostle Paul wants this church to come together on a particular matter of judgment.

The cause of contention

1:11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Proverbs 13:10 declares: “Only by pride cometh contentions.” The root cause of contention is pride. In fact, that was the cardinal sin of Satan. Pride is deceptive and full of self. The pride of Satan deceived him into thinking he was greater than his Creator! His pride not only brought dissension in heaven, but it brought a division of one third of heaven! Self needs to be recognized; self needs the undivided attention of others; self is easily offended; and self does not care for others! That is why there has to be a crucifixion to self (Gal. 2:20).

God does not give the Holy Spirit to us because we are holy or humble. He gives us the Holy Spirit to make us holy and humble. The Pentecostal experience can bring a lot of ugly things to the surface. When the Holy Ghost comes into His temple, He begins to overturn some of the tables in our heart; He begins to get to the root of many of our problems. If we submit to the dealings of the Holy Spirit, we will find ourselves being brought more and more to the cross. When we are on the cross (spiritually), our lives will emanate peace!

Sectarianism

1:12-16Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.v.13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?v.14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;v.15Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.v.16And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

Have you ever heard somebody make a statement something like this? “I am a Lutheran, my parents were Lutherans, I will die a Lutheran.” Can you see how a person can become so exclusive that they shut themselves off from much greater benefits? This is why China remained hundreds of years behind the times… they wanted to stay behind the wall, in their own little cast.

A true leader does not speak of himself, nor does he try to draw people to himself. In fact, he will encourage his followers to develop a relationship with the Lord that they might know the truth, choosing the good and refusing the evil. There are people who become so exclusive that they can only receive from certain personages. That was one of the problems here. The church members were forming into little cliques. (It was a pride thing.) We follow Apollos, he’s charismatic, he’s educated, and he’s eloquent…

They all had their reasons for following some particular minister, but as Paul later tells them in 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” In other words; get your eyes off personalities and focus on the one by whom everything happens!

We follow Christ

May I add a little balance to this? There is nothing wrong with being loyal to your appointed leader. In fact, we should be loyal to our pastor, we should obey those who are put over us. I say this because there was also a little schismatic group mentioned in 1:12, that said: “We are ofChrist!” That sounds so noble and yet this is the worst group of all! “We need no man to teach us, we just move in the Spirit.” “We don’t follow men… we don’t need any pastor to correct us or tell us what to do!” These are the independent spirits who only attend church or tithe or do anything when they feel led. Did the Lord make a mistake when He placed pastors and teachers in the body?

The Church today has many freelancers who are accountable to no one. Generally, they get into error because they do not want anyone to speak into their life or to check their actions. They claim they are only following Christ, not man. But think of what they are missing when they cannot hear Christ speaking through Apollos, Paul, or Peter. It is also a violation of Hebrews 10:25. I have learned over the years that if we can only receive spiritual nourishment from one ministry, we are depriving ourselves of much.

Worldly wisdom nullifies the true message

1:17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Some people have used this verse as a reason not to be baptized! Paul simply let others do the baptizing to avoid proselytizing or having the appearance of drawing disciples unto himself. “Not with wisdom of words…” The intellectual gospel explains away the personal need for the cross, as did Mr. Worldly Wiseman in Pilgrim’s Progress. He explains how going to the City of Morality and leading a life of good works will undo his burden of sin.

The preaching of the cross

1:18-20For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.v.19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.v.20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

The preaching of the cross does not make sense to the natural man. The true message of the cross defies all human logic and intellect. It is absolutely converse to man’s rationale! How does one win by losing? How does one become first by becoming last? How does one live by dying, gain by giving? Only those who appropriate the true message of the cross can really know the power that Paul speaks of. (See 2 Cor. 12:9-10.)

Later on in this chapter, the apostle Paul will tell us how that God works through our weakness and deficiency. God shows Himself strong through what man disdains as insignificant or nonexistent! God uses a lad to slay a giant! God uses the jawbone of an ass to slay a thousand men! That He might make foolish the wisdom of this world.

The intellectual gospel

Unfortunately, the preaching of the cross is not only foolishness to unregenerate man, but it is considered to be non-applicable to those within Christendom – not the fact that Jesus died on the cross, but the fact that we must take up our cross, that we must be crucified with Christ.

Today, there is an intellectual gospel that has replaced the emphasis on the power of God. It is like leaven that has insidiously infiltrated the Church. When we turn on Christian radio, much of what we are listening to is a presentation of psychology, principles and politics. These all detract from the supernatural moving of God. These all bind God’s people to the lower levels of faith. They deny the healing power, deliverance and the transformation that can only be realized through the work of the cross.

Apologetics (Arguments) so-called — defending the faith. Contending with the atheist, evolutionist, humanist and sociologist. This is fighting spirit with human intellect and reason and it does not work! The Greek society had a group of debaters called “the Sophists.” Their main objective was to win the argument and thus prove their superior intellect! (They could argue both sides, the issue wasn’t important.)

Psychology — There is no such thing as “Christian” psychology. Psychology appeals to man’s intellect and emotion. Psychology can give you a rational, even a Bible based answer; but it will never address the real issue. At best, it can only patch up the old sinful nature and maybe give temporary relief, but it can never rid man of the bondage! The old nature requires a deathblow… a spiritual circumcision, a cutting away of what we are born with. Only the Holy Spirit can accomplish this. Unless we are changed in our spirit by the power of God, nothing ever changes. With all of the emphasis on inner healing, therapy, support groups, and endless counseling sessions, nothing ever changes until an individual has had a supernatural meeting with God. The Pilgrim carried his burden for a considerable time, even after he was in the kingdom. It wasn’t until his revelation of the cross that the burden rolled away! (Pilgrim’s Progress)

Principles — Seminar principles are also a growing attraction to the church world. Seminar principles tend to categorize people, situations and problems. Every conceivable situation is worked out theoretically beforehand. Each problem is carefully analyzed and resolved with answers that are fully supported by scripture. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. The principles in themselves may be absolutely correct, but unless we hear from God upon the particular situation wherein we find ourselves, we will make a pat application that will resolve nothing! There is no magic formula or master key in the kingdom that opens every door. It requires a relationship with the One who has a specific answer for our specific need. Man must live by every word that proceedeth [present tense] from the mouth of God (Deut. 8:3; Lk. 4:4).

Politics — Political activism is also another gospel that detracts people from the real purposes of the kingdom. If you have ever witnessed a political demonstration, e.g. an anti-porn, anti-abortion, or anti-gay protest, immediately, you will recognize that you are in the combat zone. There is strife, name-calling and even physical confrontations – hardly what you would call “the gospel of peace!” We must realize that we are not fighting with flesh and blood. A spiritual battle can only be won in the Spirit! A pastor was once tempted to resort to protest when a porn shop opened across the street from the church. The Lord said: “this is not my way, call your people to prayer!” The shop closed a week later!

We could write a book on the intellectual gospel, but in short, the intellectual gospel will keep the believer from walking in the Spirit. It will keep them from knowing the supernatural working of faith. It will keep them from developing a personal relationship with Christ. They will be living out of the rulebook instead of hearing from God. Their time will be absorbed in matters that will yield no eternal fruit. Their counsel will be like that of Job’s comforters. What they said was true but it did not apply to Job. They were trying to apply principles, such as “You are reaping what you’ve sown…” Not true! At all costs we should avoid the trap of intellectualism.

The Jews were given over to principles because they did not want to listen to the voice of the Lord and they were a people devoid of faith! Therefore, God gave them over to principles and rules to live by. They knew the law by heart but could not recognize the One who gave it (Jn. 5:39-40). After crucifying their Messiah, they were concerned that His body not be left on the tree over the Sabbath because they did not want to violate their law. The “I Am” who gave this precept to Moses was the one hanging on the cross! (See Isa. 28:13)

The world by wisdom knew not God

1:21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

• The world by wisdom would not have looked for the Co-creator, the Prince of Glory, to be birthed in a stable!

• The world by wisdom would not have looked for the Co-creator, the Prince of Glory, working in a carpenter shop with sweat running down His face!

• The world by wisdom would not have looked for the Co-creator, the Prince of Glory, suffering the maladies and weaknesses of mortal man!

• The world by wisdom would not have looked for the Co-creator, the Prince of Glory, washing the dust from the feet of men!

• The world by wisdom would not have looked for the Co-creator, the Prince of Glory, being whipped mercilessly when all power was at His disposal!

• The world by wisdom would not have looked for the Co-creator, the Prince of Glory, to be crucified as a criminal on a cross!

God purposely conceals His wisdom in such a way that only the meek and lowly will recognize it.

Wisdom concealed from the wise

Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Isaiah 45:15Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

1 Corinthians 2:7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

Proverbs 25:2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

It was the kings (the wise men) who discovered the hidden Christ. It was the common folk, the poor in spirit, and the humble that recognized Him!

1:21b The foolishness of preaching

Many a preacher has been mocked in his commission. There is no greater example of this than that of Noah. Yet, it pleases God through this means to save the lost! What we must understand about this implement called preaching, is that it involves one of the Seven Spirits of God: “The anointing to preach.” Preaching brings conviction; it stimulates faith. It causes lost man to recognize his lost condition! (See Rom. 10:14-15.)

The Jews seek a sign

1:22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.

The Jews have always been “sign conscious.” In fact, Jesus said this in Matthew 12:39-40. If signs were to really convince the Jews, they should have been convinced! They walked through the Red Sea and still denied the marvelous working of God! It says in John 12:37, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him.” Even the promise of speaking in tongues (as a sign to the Jews) would be disbelieved. (cf. Isa. 28:11-12, 1 Cor. 14:21-22)

1:22b The wisdom that the Greeks sought after, was the kind of wisdom that the philosophers used to refute Paul in Athens. (See Acts 17:18-32)

1 Cor 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.

The Jews could never accept a crucified Messiah. Even though all of the prophets foretold the sufferings of Christ, the Jews still looked for the Messiah that would deliver them from Rome and sit upon the throne of David. To the Jews, to be hung on a tree was the most heinous and reproachful death. Indeed, it was the mark of a cursed one! “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.” (Deut. 21:23).

1:23b The crucified Christ was nonsense to the Greek mentality. The Greeks boasted of the flesh. They boasted of their wise men. They glorified their mighty men, their warriors, and their athletes and Olympians. In fact, the Greeks deified man; they worshipped their bodies (their physiques). This helps us to understand how the message of the cross was so contrary to them: The idea of death to the flesh was diametrically opposed to their thinking!

Christ the power of God

1:24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

God will have a people out of every tribe and tongue who recognize and assimilate Christ. All power was given to Christ, and in Him dwells all knowledge and wisdom. That is why Christ is the answer. He not only has the answer but He is the answer! Moreover, He has all power to bring to pass His Word. (See Col. 2:9, 2:3; Matt. 28:18.)

1:25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

With all of the great learning of 21st century man, he still cannot create the smallest atom, nor can he explain how a blade of grass grows. The Creator is revealed through His creation (Rom. 1:20). Man has guessed the universe to be 12,360,000,000 light years across. How do you compare “a guess” with the knowledge of the One who made it all?

Supposing God decided to be foolish (just for variety sake) and create some strange looking little creature that lives two miles down in the sea. All the wisdom of man on earth couldn’t even hope to duplicate that weird little creature!

1:25b On what point can we illustrate the weakness of God? God becomes one of us – that should make Him weak. The scripture says: “He was crucified in weakness.” Certainly, that must have been a picture of weakness. Here is the Co-Creator of the universe, weakly hanging upon a cross. He is weakened from the beating. He is weakened from the loss of blood. He is weakened from thirst. He is weakened from the emotional trauma and the jeering crowd. Yet, consider His strength: He could have called legions of angels, walked off that cross, and annihilated the whole crowd! That act of submission, and that act of weakness forces every angel and every knee in heaven and earth to bow to Him. He spoiled principalities and powers on the cross!

Paul’s subtle message to the Corinthians

1:26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

We are going to see in the subsequent verses that “the way up, is down!” We don’t find any biblical accounts of God choosing people who were at the top to do His mighty acts! There are a few whom God chose who had position and rank, such as Moses. Moses was a prince, and yet it wasn’t until he experienced 40 years of stripping on the backside of the desert that God used him!

1:27-29But God hath chosen thefoolishthings of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen theweakthings of the world to confound the things which are mighty;1:28Andbasethings of the world, and things which aredespised, hath God chosen, yea, and things whichare not, to bring to nought things that are:1:29That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Remember that the Greeks celebrated their wise men such as Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. They celebrated their mighty men, their athletes, their “Hercules and Alexanders.” This concept of God’s choosing the weak and despised and the “nothings” must have jolted them a bit! Please continue to bear in mind that new converts bring in the mentality of their former life. Throughout these epistles you will see what the Spirit of God is dealing with. Their worldly pride had seeped into their spiritual lives; thus they were glorying in personalities, and glorying in their giftings, as though they had not received them from God!

What was Paul saying to them? Paul was all of the things that God chooses! Paul was chosen; they were not. Paul later says: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise” (1 Cor. 3:18).