“The Wisdom of God”
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In the previous chapter, Paul gives to us God’s “tool chest,” enumerating the instruments through which the Church shames and nullifies the world. These instruments are weak and meager according to the world’s standards. But in God’s hands, the foolish things of the world are used to convey His truth and wisdom. The Apostle is laying down a foundation for an argument he will use to admonish the church in Corinth.
In the opening verses of this chapter, Paul furthers the divide between worldly and godly wisdom. This time he throws himself in to the mix. As an instrument of God, Paul himself was weak and fearful, speaking not with eloquence or cleverness. This, of course, is because the Gospel message itself is simple and clear. Theologians call this the perspicuity of Scripture. The problem in too many churches both in ancient times and today is false teachers and false preachers add to or subtract from this very simple and clear message.
The remainder of the sermon was a brief exposition of I Timothy 6:3-5, where Paul outlines three characteristics of false teachers: they are conceited, controversial, and covetous. False teachers are arrogant and stuck up, presumptuous and sanctimonious. False teachers are fond of dividing the people of God according to earthly measures. False teachers are in ministry for their own personal gain. (July 3, 2022)
In the opening verses of this chapter, Paul furthers the divide between worldly and godly wisdom. This time he throws himself in to the mix. As an instrument of God, Paul himself was weak and fearful, speaking not with eloquence or cleverness. This, of course, is because the Gospel message itself is simple and clear. Theologians call this the perspicuity of Scripture. The problem in too many churches both in ancient times and today is false teachers and false preachers add to or subtract from this very simple and clear message.
The remainder of the sermon was a brief exposition of I Timothy 6:3-5, where Paul outlines three characteristics of false teachers: they are conceited, controversial, and covetous. False teachers are arrogant and stuck up, presumptuous and sanctimonious. False teachers are fond of dividing the people of God according to earthly measures. False teachers are in ministry for their own personal gain. (July 3, 2022)
Part one of this sermon ended with a very brief overview of the characteristics of false teachers. This is because in verses 4-5, Paul sets up another distinguishing characteristic: “persuasive words of wisdom.” It’s important to rightly define “persuasive” because Paul is known to speak persuasively in the synagogues. That’s not what he’s talking about here. Rather, false teachers try to win the favor or please their audiences. This is clearly not the Apostle’s nor any true preacher’s intent.
Rather, the wisdom of God is demonstrated solely through the power of the Holy Spirit, which manifests this wisdom in three ways: conviction of sin, change by Scripture, and call to service. All three of these are evidenced in the lives of the faithful, which brings Paul to the hard truth of the matter. In verses 6-8 he drives home the final division between Godly wisdom and worldly wisdom: God’s wisdom manifests only to believers.
He drives this point home by highlighting three truths of God’s wisdom. First, Godly wisdom is not of this world nor can it be found in this world. Second, Godly wisdom does not change, progress, or evolve. Third, and the hardest pill to swallow, Godly wisdom is unknowable to unbelievers. The sovereign grace of God is present in His gift of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit. May God’s mercy manifest on all those whom we encounter with the Gospel. (July 10, 2022)
Rather, the wisdom of God is demonstrated solely through the power of the Holy Spirit, which manifests this wisdom in three ways: conviction of sin, change by Scripture, and call to service. All three of these are evidenced in the lives of the faithful, which brings Paul to the hard truth of the matter. In verses 6-8 he drives home the final division between Godly wisdom and worldly wisdom: God’s wisdom manifests only to believers.
He drives this point home by highlighting three truths of God’s wisdom. First, Godly wisdom is not of this world nor can it be found in this world. Second, Godly wisdom does not change, progress, or evolve. Third, and the hardest pill to swallow, Godly wisdom is unknowable to unbelievers. The sovereign grace of God is present in His gift of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit. May God’s mercy manifest on all those whom we encounter with the Gospel. (July 10, 2022)
“The Mind of Christ”
The middle of this chapter is Paul’s mention of the limits of God’s Wisdom, which are supernatural (v.6), immutable (v.7) and exclusive (v.8). The third one listed is the point Paul wants to drive home to the church in Corinth. The rest of this chapter will build up to the source of true and sound wisdom and all knowledge: Christ Jesus. Quoting from Isaiah, the Apostle draws our attention to God’s own words and the context of the 64th chapter of Isaiah points us to God’s grace in molding His people into the image of His Son.
The state of natural man is that he cannot discover or uncover the wisdom of God for that is the privy counsel of the Almighty. The only way to understand or learn the thoughts of God is for the Holy Spirit to reveal them. Paul continues to show the distinction between worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom by referencing the “spirit of the world” and the “Spirit of God.” The source of worldly wisdom is the spirit of the world or the spirit of this age, whose origin is in Satan. The source of Godly wisdom is the Spirit of God, whose origin is in the Triune God.
The unbelieving, unregenerate person lives under the wisdom of the world and the spirit of the world. What is worse is the unbeliever not only cannot know God, he rejects Him. Paul says something similar in Romans 1. The problem in the church in Corinth is this worldly thinking has made its way inside the congregation. The rest of this letter will be Paul’s reprimand and correction. (July 17, 2022)
The state of natural man is that he cannot discover or uncover the wisdom of God for that is the privy counsel of the Almighty. The only way to understand or learn the thoughts of God is for the Holy Spirit to reveal them. Paul continues to show the distinction between worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom by referencing the “spirit of the world” and the “Spirit of God.” The source of worldly wisdom is the spirit of the world or the spirit of this age, whose origin is in Satan. The source of Godly wisdom is the Spirit of God, whose origin is in the Triune God.
The unbelieving, unregenerate person lives under the wisdom of the world and the spirit of the world. What is worse is the unbeliever not only cannot know God, he rejects Him. Paul says something similar in Romans 1. The problem in the church in Corinth is this worldly thinking has made its way inside the congregation. The rest of this letter will be Paul’s reprimand and correction. (July 17, 2022)
