TEACHING NOTES Introduction In the last session we learned that there was division between Jewish and Greek Christians in the Corinthian church. Each group thought they had wisdom and were acting in pride and arrogance. Jews seek signs to determine truth and Greeks seek wisdom or philosophy to determine truth. Paul says that both groups are wrong by seeking anything other than Christ, who is the wisdom of God. The next passage continues this discussion about the source of true wisdom. ‌ The Issues of this Passage: Worldly Wisdom vs God’s Wisdom The church is struggling to leave paganism behind. What is the foundation of our faith and practice? ‌ 1 Corinthians 2:1–2 ESV 1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ‌ When I came to you = Paul visited Corinth at least three times. Paul first came to Corinth in Acts 18 and stayed for at least a year and a half. During the first visit, Paul preached the Gospel in the Jewish synagogue and in the public square. As a result, churches were formed in Corinth. ‌ Lofty speech or wisdom = Grk. hyperoche logos e sophia - Paul did not preach by using entertaining or impressive methods, nor did he use high philosophical reasoning. Paul’s method or style of preaching was very different than what the Corinthians were accustomed to hearing. The Corinthians place a high value on the lofty speeches or debates of pagan philosophers. While Paul had the skills to teach in this way, he chose to speak differently because his motives are different. ‌ Jesus Christ and him crucified = Paul is clear that the content of the Gospel message—not fancy methods—should be the focus. Notice that Paul has two elements to his Gospel message: (1) Jesus Christ—His identity, (2) Him crucified—His work for humanity. The Gospel is summed up in who Jesus is and what He has done. ‌ 1 Corinthians 2:3–5 ESV 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ‌ I was with you in weakness = Pagan philosophers would never portray themselves as weak or humble. They want to be impressive and portray themselves as having authority and superiority. Paul did the opposite by being humble and transparent. This is an important example for modern preachers. They should not seek to be impressive and flashy, but humble and transparent. ‌ Not in plausible words of wisdom = Grk. peithoi sophias - persuasive words of wisdom/philosophy. Rhetoric and persuasion was a lofty art form in Greek culture. The philosophers would devise persuasive arguments and speeches in order to convince people to follow them. Paul chooses to let the Gospel speak for itself and let the Spirit do the persuading. ‌ Old Testament Connection: Using persuasive words or crafty methods to convince an audience is the same kind of method seen in Gen. 3. “Now the serpent was more crafty [Heb. arum] than any other…” (Gen. 3:1). The serpent used crafty questions to deceive humanity into sin. Therefore, if we use crafty methods to trick people into believing, we are following the devil’s methods. ‌ Demonstration of the Spirit and power = The Greek word for “demonstration” here is apodeixei, which refers to a divine intervention that provides evidence or proof. For Paul, the Gospel message is not demonstrated or proved by impressive sermons, but is demonstrated by the power of the Spirit working in the lives of those who believe. ‌ So that = It’s important to underline or circle “so that” in your Bible. This helps us not to miss the point that the author is making. ‌ Your faith not rest in the wisdom of men = Why doesn’t Paul use impressive methods? Because Paul doesn’t want people to hang their faith/faithfulness on human methods. People who love to be impressed by fancy methods will continue to need those methods to stay interested and faithful. This is “consumer Christianity” and leads to churches being filled with flaky followers who need to be constantly entertained. This is also why many churches are built around a “celebrity pastor” who is skilled at impressive methods. ‌ But in the power of God = True Christianity is focused on the power of God found in His Word and the work of the Spirit. The power (Grk. dynamis) is not in the skills of the preacher, but in the Word of God. ‌ 1 Corinthians 2:6–7 ESV 6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. ‌ Among the mature we do impart wisdom = Paul is not against teaching true wisdom from God. Paul is against using worldly “wisdom” or methods to convince people of the truth. The Greek word for “mature” here is teleios, which can also mean “to be genuine” or “to be like an adult.” Paul is saying that for those who are not consumeristic or are not childish we teach the wisdom of God. ‌ It is not a wisdom of this age = This refers to worldly wisdom that is shaped by cultural ideology. Christians must understand that worldly wisdom is grounded in and driven by sin. Worldly wisdom also changes over time and has no absolute foundation. ‌ The rulers of this age = This is one of the terms Paul uses to refer to evil spirits who are “behind the scenes” and driving pagan leaders. In the ancient world, pagan rulers are always connected to their gods. Pharaoh was believed to be a god or son of a god. The Roman emperor was referred to as a son of a god. The Bible presents these gods are evil spirits who in rebellion against God. ‌ Doomed to pass away = The spirits who rebelled against God are doomed to destruction. In the current age, Christ is seated at God’s right hand “waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet” (Heb. 10:12-13). When Christ returns, all of His enemies will be defeated, including the evil spirits who have rebelled. ‌ Secret, hidden wisdom of God = Grk. apokrypto en mysterion sophia - In Paul’s writings, the “mystery” of the Gospel has already been revealed and is no longer a secret. However, to those who reject the Gospel it remains a mystery. The Gospel reveals the mystery of what God has been up to since creation. ‌ God decreed before the ages = Grk. proorizo pro ton aionon - Literally, “foreordained before the ages.” Even though humanity fell and the world was plunged into sin, God already had a plan to redeem the world. ‌ For our glory = Paul wrote in Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” And in Romans 8:19 “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” The destiny of believers is the glory of God. We must remember that glory in the Bible is about radiance or brightness, which is also associated with something being revealed. ‌ Context: Paul is using language directly from the Greek mystery cults that existed in Corinth. Pagan worshipers and philosophers were seeking wisdom from their gods to understand the world. Paul is telling these Christians not to trust in pagan “wisdom” because those evil spirits are ignorant of, and opposed to, the things of God. ‌ 1 Corinthians 2:8–9 ESV 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— ‌ None of the rulers of this age understood this = God did not broadcast His plans to the spiritual beings (elohim, angels, etc), because He knew that many of these spirits would turn against Him. Job 15:15 tells us that “God puts no trust in his holy ones (angels), and the heavens are not pure in his sight.” This is why the plan of salvation is somewhat veiled in the Old Testament. God kept His plan a mystery until the Gospel was accomplished. ‌ They would not have crucified the Lord of glory = Because God kept the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus a secret, the devil and his helpers led the Jewish leaders and the Romans to kill Jesus. The powers of evil would never had done this if they had known that Jesus’ death was their own defeat. ‌ As it is written = Paul paraphrases from Isaiah 64:4 “From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” The point is that no one knew exactly how God was going to redeem the world. ‌ 1 Corinthians 2:10–11 ESV 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ‌ God has revealed these things to us = God kept the way of salvation a secret, but now has revealed His plan to the apostles and they gave it to us. ‌ The Spirit searches everything = The Greek word for “searches” here is erauna, which means “to examine.” Paul is likely getting this from passages like Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” And Psalm 139:1 “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” And Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” ‌ Even the depths of God = Not only does the Spirit search our hearts and minds, but the Spirit also searches the depths of God and reveals some of that to us. ‌ Only the Spirit comprehends the thoughts of God = The Spirit, who knows the depths and thoughts of God, is living in us who are faithful to Jesus. The only way to know God deeply is to “live by the Spirit” and “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25). ‌ 1 Corinthians 2:12–13 ESV 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. ‌ The spirit of the world = Grk. pneuma ho kosmos - The spirit of the world is likely a reference to sin/satan who is at work to lead the world into destruction. Sin is described as a being “crouching at the door” in Gen. 4:7 and God uses personal pronouns for sin “his desire is against you, but you must rule over him.” This tells us that sin is not simply the wrong actions of humans, but is actually a spiritual being that seeks to rule and destroy us. ‌ The Spirit who is from God = The Spirit of God first appears in Gen. 1:2 and again Gen. 2:7 when God breathes the “breath of life” into Adam. Then in Gen. 3-4 we see another spirit (serpent, sin) at work to destroy humanity. Paul is contrasting the “spirit of the world” (sin/satan) with the “Spirit of God.” ‌ That we might understand = The spirit of the world wants to deceive us in order to destroy us. The Spirit of God wants to help us understand the things of God that lead us to life. ‌ Taught by the Spirit = Before the written word was finished, God spoke by the Spirit through prophets and apostles. Now that we have the writings of the apostles, we too are being taught by the Spirit when we read and study the Word. ‌ Interpreting spiritual truths = Literally, “explaining Spirit things to Spirit people.” ‌ To those who are spiritual = Paul is not using “spiritual” in the way that modern people often do—like “I’m spiritual but not religious.” In the modern world, being spiritual can mean anything. Paul is referring to people who have the Spirit of God living in them because they are following Christ. ‌ 1 Corinthians 2:14–16 ESV 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. ‌ The natural person = Grk. de Psychikos anthropos - the worldly, unspiritual, or fleshly person. Jude 19 says, “It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” People who do not have the Spirit of God are not able to understand the things of God and view godly things as foolish. This is why worldly people declare evil good and good evil. ‌ Spiritually discerned = Grk. pneumatikos anakrinetai - Literally, “spiritually examined.” ‌ The spiritual person = Grk. de pneumatikos - the person led by the Spirit. Paul uses this term several times in this letter. In one place Paul says that the Corinthian church is not acting like spiritual people—1 Corinthians 3:1 “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.” ‌ Judges all things = Grk. anakrinei ta panta - Literally, “examines all.” Those who have the Spirit of God are able to study, examine, and decide what is right according to God’s Word. ‌ Judged by no one = Grk. anakrinetai hypo oudenos - “Judged” is not the best translation here. Krino in Greek is often translated to judge, meaning to make a final decision. Anakrinetai means “to examine or study.” So in this context the phrase could be translated, “he is understood by no one.” ‌ We have the mind of Christ = Those who truly follow Jesus will have the mind of Jesus living in them. In the process of sanctification, we renew our minds to receive the mind of Christ. This does not mean that we will know all things, but that we will learn to think like Christ. ‌ Application The teaching of the church must be grounded in the Word of God, not in worldly philosophy and cultural trends. ‌ The ministry of the church must be led by the Spirit of God, not by worldly methods, trends, and marketing schemes. ‌ Conclusion ‌If we use worldliness to build the church we will build a worldly gathering of unchanged and undiscipled people with false assurance. ‌ Next Week: 1 Cor. 3:1-23. ‌