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Focal Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
Background: On his second missionary journey, Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth, preaching the Gospel and planting a church Acts 18: 1-17). At this time, Corinth was an important Roman city, well positioned for trade and commerce. In addition to its wealth and luxury, Corinth was also known for drunkenness and sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). In his commentary on 1st Corinthians, William Barclay describes Paul’s ministry in Corinth this way, “In this hotbed of vice, in the most unlikely place in all the Greek world, some of Paul’s greatest work was one, and some of the mightiest triumphs of Christianity were won.”
After Paul leaves, the church begins to experience division, with factions forming behind various leaders. There seems to be a problem with sexual integrity and a division between the rich and poor within the congregation. There is a problem relating to the Lord’s Supper, and a conflict about whether or not it is acceptable to eat meat that has been offered to idols.
When Paul learns that things are not going well in Corinth, he writes a series of letters addressing his concerns. Scholars debate the order of the correspondence but agree that at least two letters are missing from our Bibles. One of those letters, called the “Previous Letter,” was written before 1 Corinthians. Scholars place the other letter, known as the “Severe Letter,” between 1st and 2nd Corinthians.
Paul begins 1st Corinthians by focusing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostle was writing to address difficult issues and he knew the only way to deal with the conflict was in light of the cross.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Paul says that he came to Corinth proclaiming the mystery of God in humility. He did not rely upon rhetoric or fancy speech but rather his message was simply Jesus, who gave his life on the cross for the sins of the world and who was resurrected by the power of God. In addition to humility of speech, Paul says he came in fear. The apostle does not mean that he lacked courage but rather that he realized the significance of the message that he proclaimed. Paul recognized his human limitations and knew that the success of his preaching was directly connected to the work of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is the One who was at work in their midst, calling them out of the darkness of their sin into the light of Christ.
What does Paul’s example teach us about our own evangelistic efforts?
1 Corinthians 2:6-9
William Barclay says that the early Church made a distinction between two kinds of teaching. There was the initial proclamation of the Gospel, which was called kerygma. This Greek word can be defined as a herald’s announcement from a king. The kerygma was the proclamation of the facts about the life, death, resurrection and return of Jesus Christ. In addition to the basic facts of the kerygma, there was more advanced teaching called didache. Didache is a Greek word which means teaching. The Didache was the explanation of the meaning of those facts which had already been announced. This teaching is what was lacking in the lives of the Corinthians. Paul recognized that they needed to learn what it meant to follow Christ and live according to his commands. This teaching would only be grasped by those who were mature in their faith.
In his commentary, Barclay says that the tragedy is that we are often content to live in the elementary stage of faith instead of moving into a deeper understanding of the Gospel.
What contributes to our acceptance of the status quo in our spiritual lives? Why might we become satisfied with our current spiritual condition instead of hungry to go deeper with God?
The mystery that Paul describes is God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ– the plan that God ordained before the creation of the world. This mystery has been hidden from the “rulers of the world.” Scholars interpret this to mean that the plan was hidden from those individuals who put Christ to death, or the phrase may be referring to the evil forces working behind the political power. In either case, the mystery of God is not revealed to those who will not open themselves to the grace of God. The Greek word translated mystery is the Greek word musterion, and it means something that is hidden from those who are not initiated. Paul says that only those who have trusted Christ can understand the deeper things revealed by the Spirit of God. This special understanding does not come through human effort but through the Spirit who reveals the things of God to those who have trusted in Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
In these verses, Paul tells us that only the Spirit of God can teach us about God. He uses a human analogy to explain. An individual has thoughts that are unique to them, that no one else can ever know. In the same way, God also has a way of thinking that is his alone. The only way humans can understand these thoughts of God is for God to reveal them through his Spirit. The Spirit of God is the one who brings the knowledge of God.
Paul goes on to explain that everyone will not understand the revelation of the Spirit. There are two groups of people. One group is described as unspiritual, which means that they think in physical terms. Their lives are influenced by the opinions of the world. They are absorbed in their own desires and are unable to hear the promptings of the Spirit. These people live as though there is nothing beyond the physical world.
The other group is spiritual and these individuals are sensitive to the Spirit. Their lives are guided by the Spirit of God. They are able to discern the wisdom of God revealed by the Spirit of God.
Paul encourages the Corinthians by reminding them that they have been given the “mind of Christ.” In the rest of the letter to the Corinthians, he urges them to live as mature Christians. Through obedience, the mature Christian will embrace the life that God has designed for them to enjoy.
As we reflect on the wisdom of God, we realize that this is not something that we manufacture on our own. We receive the gift of the Spirit when we open our hearts and minds to the grace of God.
John Wesley said that we are transformed by the Spirit when we practice the “means of grace.” Wesley identified the study of Scripture, participation in prayer and fasting, partaking in Holy Communion and conferencing with other Christians (gathering in community for accountability) as places where we are formed into the image of Christ. As we practice the spiritual disciplines, we find that the Spirit of God shapes our thinking, giving us the mind of Christ. The Spirit of God gives us the gift of wisdom. We make ourselves available when we deliberately move our attention off the things of the world and place ourselves where we can hear God speak and experience his grace.
Which spiritual practices make the greatest difference in your life today? What encouragement can you offer to others who might be considering incorporating a new spiritual discipline into their schedule?
