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 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. 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.
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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. 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. 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. 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 by illustrating distinctives of true teachers and false teachers. In I Timothy 6:3-5, Paul outlines three characteristics of false teachers: they are conceited, controversial, and covetous.
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About the SeriesPaul’s First Epistle to the church in Corinth is a letter full of love and sorrow. Love for God’s Word and His Church is present on every page and sorrow for a church that has given over to the divisive wantonness of a real-world “Vanity Fair.” Categories
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