Wisdom and Humility
1st Corinthians was written by Paul in Ephesus during his third missionary journey (around 55 AD).
The church in Corinth was founded in Paul’s second journey. He stayed there a little less than two years discipling this group. He expected maturity, but in this letter, he was addressing them in disappointment. They had developed many problems. Paul opens with a greeting and starts in on why he’s writing. He tells them he’s received news of their divisions, associating with sinful men and, not separating themselves from unholy actions. He calls for unity in the gospel.
Take a minute to read 1st Corinthians 1:17-30. Here are some of my thoughts about the passage:
- Verse 17: We must not focus on saying all the right words, or sounding intelligent, but on letting the message of the cross use all of its power.
- Verses18-19: The lost see the cross as foolishness, but to whom God saves, it is wisdom. May God destroy our own wisdom and give us His.
- Verses 20-21:These verses humble us and remind us of our own lack of understanding. This drives the believer into the scriptures and prayer to gain true understanding.
- Verse 24:Those whom God saves receive the power of God and the wisdom of God.
- Verses 26-29:We consider how wise or powerful we were or would be without Christ; he uses the weak to shame the strong.
- Verse 30: Because of Him, we are in Christ who has become our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. So if we boast, it is only in the the Lord.
“The older I get in the Lord, the less I realize I know and the more I realize I’ve got to learn.” Keith Green
In love,
Andrew