1 Coríntios 1
A.T. Robertson · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 1
Robertson adds that "Salvation is described by Paul as a thing done in the past, “we were saved” (Ro 8:24), as a present state, “ye have been saved” (Eph. 2:5), as a process, “ye are being saved” (1 Cor. 15:2), as a future result, “thou shalt be saved” (Ro 10:9)." (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Brian Bell - Here Paul speaks to the 2nd phase - progressive sanctification, where we are delivered from sin’s power through the life of cross-bearing. Salvation (free from sin [i.e. Orig.sin]); Sanctification (free from sins power); Glorification (free from ever sinning again). Death to self does not mean a morbid, introspective inferiority complex that leads to insecurity. It just means being truly dead to self by depending solely on God. (Swindoll) They no longer have to rely on their own plans/intellect to see them through. They become the most secure people on earth. In the Roman Empire, people sentenced to die by crucifixion had to carry at least a section of their cross through the city to their place of execution. This practiced demonstrated to all observers that the condemned rebels had finally submitted to the state. In submission to the Father, Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha & was crucified on our behalf. Following Him requires a similar crucifixion - the death of our stubborn wills & selfish desires. Are you shouldering your personal cross? Are you nailing your selfish desires to that cross & letting them die?. Or do you find yourself feeding your selfish desires like a little puppy you just found & brought home? (I Corinthians 1:18-31 Sophia Meets Jesus) Related Resource: Three Tenses of Salvation Progressive Sanctification Being saved (4982)(sozo) has the basic meaning of rescuing one from great peril. Additional nuances include to protect, keep alive, preserve life, deliver, heal, be made whole. Jesus' very Name speaks of His primary purpose to save men from their sin - "She (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save (sozo) His people from their sins." (Mt 1:21+) In Mt 1:21 sozo is equated with deliverance from sins (guilt and power of) with Jesus' Name being a transliteration of Joshua meaning "Jehovah is salvation". Uses of sozo in the letters to the Corinthians - 1 Co. 1:18; 1 Co. 1:21; 1 Co. 3:15; 1 Co. 5:5; 1 Co. 7:16; 1 Co. 9:22; 1 Co. 10:33; 1 Co. 15:2; 2 Co. 2:15 It is the power (dunamis) of God - The truth of the Cross is the supernatural power of God to live a life which is pleasing to God. The Gospel has intrinsic power to save which is why it does not need us to add clever words! It is through the word of the Cross that "the power of God is manifested and exercised and therefore it is divinely efficacious." (Hodge) Romans 1:16+ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power (dunamis) of God (NOT EVEN POWER OF PAUL) for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 1 Corinthians 1:24+ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power (dunamis) of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 4:19-20+ But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power (dunamis). For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.(dunamis) THOUGHT - Are you living (being saved daily) in dependence on God's supernatural power or your natural power? The power of the cross enables daily victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. The power of "us" yields daily defeat by our strong supernatural foes!
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Robertson - God’s power is shown in the preaching of the Cross of Christ through all the ages, now as always. No other preaching wins men and women from sin to holiness or can save them. The judgment of Paul here is the verdict of every soul winner through all time. (Word Pictures) Power (1411)(dunamis from dunamai = to be able, to have power) power especially achieving power. It refers to intrinsic power or inherent ability, the power or ability to carry out some function. Dunamis is the word generally used by Paul of divine energy to accomplish something supernaturally which cannot be accomplished naturally. Note that while dunamis gives us our English dynamite, that is not the best illustration of this power because dynamite explodes and destroys, while Gospel dunamis creates and enables one's new life in Christ. Dunamis in letters to Corinth - 1 Co. 1:18; 1 Co. 1:24; 1 Co. 2:4; 1 Co. 2:5; 1 Co. 4:19; 1 Co. 4:20; 1 Co. 5:4; 1 Co. 6:14; 1 Co. 12:10; 1 Co. 12:28; 1 Co. 12:29; 1 Co. 14:11; 1 Co. 15:24; 1 Co. 15:43; 1 Co. 15:56; 2 Co. 1:8; 2 Co. 4:7; 2 Co. 6:7; 2 Co. 8:3; 2 Co. 12:9; 2 Co. 12:12; 2 Co. 13:4 In the cross, sin is cursed and cancelled. In the cross, grace is victorious and available. G. Campbell Morgan HOW TO HAVE VICTORY IN EVERY SPIRITUAL BATTLE The Cross is the "secret" to victory over our three inveterate mortal enemies, the world (1Jn 5:19+), the flesh (1Pe 2:11+) and the devil (1Pe 5:8+). Why? Because in the Cross there is power, the word of the Cross is the power (dunamis) of God for those of us who are being saved (progressively being sanctified, being transformed from glory to glory into the image of Jesus - 2Co 3:18+). Our enemies are like the strong Canaanites which Joshua was charged to eradicate so that Israel might possess their possessions (See notes on Joshua 1). In light of the strong enemies we face, let me encourage you to listen to a sermon by C H Spurgeon (I have listened to it 6+ times as it is a message I continually need to hear that I might live it out in the power of the Spirit and for the glory of God) -- Driving Out the Canaanites and Their Iron Chariots. You will not regret listening to this great message. May God our Father grant you victory enabled by His Spirit over every Canaanite in your life, for the glory of the Lamb of God. Amen VICTORY OVER THE WORLD John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world .” 1Jn 5:4-5+ For whatever is (perfect tense - our state now) born of God (nikao in present tense - continually overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome (nikao) the world–our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Galatians 6:14+ But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 1 Jn 2:15-17+ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. James 4:4+ You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Play and ponder the Biblically sound lyrics of this modern song - To the Cross I Cling No day of my life has passed that has not Proved me guilty in your sight The best I have to offer are these filthy rags And yet you love me All things in me call for my rejection All things in You plead my acceptance I am guilty but pardoned by grace I've been set free I am ransomed through the blood you shed for me I was dead in my transgressions, but life you brought to me I am reconciled through m e r c y, To the cross I cling No more am I a slave to sin but Bought with a price Redemption that was purchased through the blessed cross That You bore for me The cross is where I find death, is where I find life, where mercy found me I am guilty but pardoned by grace I've been set free I am ransomed through the blood you shed for me I was dead in my transgressions, but life you brought to me I am reconciled through mercy To the cross I cling, to the cross I cling VICTORY OVER THE FLESH - Romans 6:3-6 (cf similar truth in Gal 2:20+) Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self (FLESH) was crucified (THE CROSS) with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; COMMENT - Because we said "Yes" to Jesus, we can say "No" to the flesh. But we still need to rely on the supernatural power of the Spirit to say "No." Before we were believers, we chased after sin, but now sin chases after us! Galatians 5:16-17+ But I say, walk (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh (continually) sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in (continually) opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. COMMENT - Note that you are ALWAYS in a war for your soul (not to be saved now but to be sanctified progressively). Galatians 5:24-25+ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. COMMENT - The implied exhortation in Galatian 5:24 is to reckon this crucifixion to have taken place in our lives, realize that we are dead to the flesh, consider that to be true, and live in this truth in the power of the Spirit (Ro 8:13, Php 2:13). Don't be mastered by the flesh (Ro 6:12-14). It is a defeated enemy (Ro 6:6). That's the implication of Paul's statement in verse 24. There are two ways that this verse has been interpreted and there are excellent expositors and commentators on both sides: (1) believers have been crucified (past tense) with Christ and are in union with and identified with Christ; (2) believers are to (effectively) "crucify" or mortify the flesh which, although crucified in the past when we died with Christ, is still active in every believer. The victory over sin which the Lord Jesus procured for us at the Cross, is made actual and operative in our lives as we yield to the Holy Spirit and trust Him for that victory. It is the Holy Spirit’s ministry that applies the salvation from (and victory over) the power of the sinful nature which God the Son procured at the Cross for us (1) speaks of a believer's position in Christ, while (2) speaks of the the believer's experience made possible because of our position in Christ. To a degree both interpretations are reasonable, and are like two inseparable sides of a coin. However, if one examines the context closely, interpretation (1) which speaks of our position in Christ is followed immediately by a verse that speaks of our experience in Christ and exhorts us to live out that experience by keeping in step with the Spirit (our experience), something that would not be possible if we had not been crucified with Christ (our position). Romans 8:13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit (see Php 2:13 below) you are (present tense - continually) putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Philippians 2:13NLT+ for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Matthew 26:41+ (ARMOR TO AID BATTLE AGAINST FLESH ) - Keep watching (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) and praying (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” VICTORY OVER THE DEVIL Hebrews 2:14-15+ Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death (THE CROSS) He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Colossians 2:13-15+ When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. ILLUSTRATION - A Bible-believing Christian was assailed by an infidel who said, "I don't understand how the blood of Jesus Christ can wash away my sin, nor do I believe it." "You and Saint Paul agree on that," answered the Bible student. "How so?" "Turn to the first chapter of 1 Corinthians and read verse 18: 'For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,'" The infidel looked startled and began to study the Bible, which he soon found to be the power of God unto salvation. (Zodhiates) A W Tozer - Cross: foolishness of At the heart of the Christian system lies the cross of Christ with its divine paradox. The power of Christianity appears in its antipathy toward, never in its agreement with, the ways of fallen men. The truth of the cross is revealed in its contradictions. The witness of the church is most effective when she declares rather than explains, for the gospel is addressed not to reason but to faith. What can be proved requires no faith to accept. Faith rests upon the character of God, not upon the demonstrations of laboratory or logic. The cross stands in bold opposition to the natural man. Its philosophy runs contrary to the processes of the unregenerate mind, so that Paul could say bluntly that the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness. To try to find a common ground between the message of the cross and man’s fallen reason is to try the impossible, and if persisted in must result in an impaired reason, a meaningless cross and a powerless Christianity. Alan Redpath - I heard an eminent professor of theology say to students in his seminary class, “Gentlemen, I ask you to remember that you are called upon to know something of the foolishness of preaching, not the preaching of foolishness.” In my heart I retorted, “He is wrong! The word of the cross is absolute foolishness.” It says so in my text: to those who are perishing, the word of the cross is foolishness. It stands in contradiction to all the philosophy, education, and knowledge of this world, for the preaching of the cross puts the sentence of death upon them all. It is the word of absolute power, but it is also the word of absolute weakness. With the shoes off our feet, and with heads bowed reverently, let us go up a green hill outside a city wall and hear the word of the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34+). Here is a cry of unutterable anguish from the heart of our Redeemer, coming through pain and suffering, but the prayer was heard! “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43+). A dying Man, crucified and helpless, turns to a fellow sufferer and speaks the word of victory, and the word was heard! “Woman, behold thy son. [Son,] Behold thy mother” (John 19:26–27). Heartbreak and loneliness, a sword going into the soul of Mary, but the concern of her Son in the hour of His death introduces her to a new and wonderful relationship. “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Alone in the darkness, utterly cut off from God, He is introducing a countless multitude to glory; this is victory through isolation. “I thirst!” (John 19:28+). Out of the agony of lips that are parched there flow rivers of living water to men and women like you and me. “It is finished!” (John 19:30+). Obedient unto the very death of the cross, Jesus Christ fully accepted all the will of God. He has been forsaken by friend and foe, but now it is all finished, the price is paid, the last drop of the cup is drunk. The outcome — resurrection! What is the word of the cross in your life and mine? It is power through weakness, life through death, resurrection through crucifixion. What does that involve in terms of personal experience? How can you make contact with that word of the cross? It is only when you get to the end of every attempt to do anything without Jesus Christ, when you lay aside your ambitions, crucify your prejudices, die to your so-called intellectual approach, and humble your pride that you can look up into His lovely face and say, “Lord Jesus, I live; yet not I . . .” (Galatians 2:20+). It may sound easy to say, but it is mighty hard to face! We have to get to the place where we can say to Him, “O Lord, I yield to Thee. I am willing to be nothing. I recognize that this self in me with all its pride, its haughtiness, its self-righteousness and self-importance is only worthy of crucifixion.” At the moment we agree with His knowledge of ourselves, then we come into contact with His throne and begin to touch omnipotence and receive power. If you need to get rid of impure thoughts, burn the books and pictures that incite such thoughts. If you would break the habit of drink, throw it all out of your house. If you want to touch the power of the cross, cut off every friendship that is leading you into sin; stop every habit that is pulling you down. Look into the Lord’s face and say, “Lord, I know this thing is sin. I am going to get rid of it today, and I will never allow it again.” (ED: BY THE ENABLING POWER OF YOUR SPIRIT! AMEN) Which direction are you going? Deep down in your heart is the direction downward? You may be a Sunday school teacher or a Christian worker of long standing, and you want desperately to touch the place of omnipotence and stop the drift. (ED: SEE BACKSLIDING) Outwardly you are one person, but inwardly you are quite another. Outwardly you are perhaps theologically correct and sound, but inwardly far away from God. Now you want to look up into the face of the Lord Jesus and tell Him that you agree with His verdict upon self, your utter weakness and bankruptcy. It is time to take action. Are you prepared to break that unworthy friendship? Are you prepared to finish with that habit, leaving no possible line of retreat? Are you prepared to go to your room and clear out those books and trashy magazines that only incite you to sin? “Therefore . . . let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1+, cf 1 Pe 1:17+). (Ibid) Cleanse me from my sin, Lord; Put Thy power within, Lord; Take me as I am, Lord, and make me all Thine own. Keep me day by day, Lord; Underneath Thy sway, Lord; Make my heart Thy palace and Thy royal throne. — R. Hudson Pope THE OLIVE TREE AND THE FIG TREE - Aesop’s fables give keen insight into the human condition; they expose the folly of human vanity and pride, laziness and trickery. A lesser–known fable, that of the olive tree and fig tree, warns against boasting due to the possibility of reversals of fortune: the olive tree taunts the fig tree for having lost all her leaves in the winter. She brags of her own year–round beauty. As she boasts, a thunderbolt strikes her and burns her to ashes, while the fig tree stands safe and sound (See the original version of the fable). The Bible is full of reversals of fortune like the one suffered by the olive tree. The story of Jesus Christ is the most powerful of all. God the King is born as a baby in a dirty stable into a carpenter’s family. He enjoys no superior privilege, position, or education. He chooses ordinary fishermen and despised tax collectors to follow Him and preach His message. And eventually, He dies a criminal’s death. The resurrection and exaltation of Jesus is the ultimate reversal in all of history. The good news of this God–Man’s story subverts everything that the world esteems. Lead Them To The Cross God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Galatians 6:14 Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Many heart-touching stories were circulated after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. None seems more spiritually significant than that of ironworker Frank Silecchia. As he was helping to recover bodies, Frank noticed two steel beams in the shape of a cross standing upright in the middle of all the debris. Appointing himself as the curator of that striking symbol of God’s love, he often took heartbroken visitors to see it. Many of them were comforted by the silent testimony to the divine Presence in the worst of tragedies. One day when journalist Barbara Walters came with tearful friends who had lost a son in the catastrophe, Frank simply led them to the cross. The answer to the world’s terrible pain and evil is not a philosophical argument or a theological treatise. The all-sufficient answer is Calvary’s cross, where in fathomless grace Jesus, the incarnate God, took upon Himself the burden of our sins and bore them “in His own body on the tree, that we . . . might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). They are nailed to the cross, they are nailed to the cross! O how much He was willing to bear. With what anguish and loss, Jesus went to the cross, But He carried my sins with Him there. —Breck The pathway to heaven begins at the foot of the cross. A FASHION STATEMENT OR A FAITH STATEMENT? Os Guinness tells of a Jewish man, imprisoned 15 years by Soviet authorities for political dissidence, who became a Christian while in the terrible Gulag. He was sustained throughout that long ordeal by his faith in the Savior, and by the memory of his 4-year-old son he hoped to see again one day. When he was finally released, the man anticipated the reunion with heart-pounding excitement. How thrilled he was to notice as they hugged each other that his son was wearing a cross! After they had talked about many things, he asked his son, now 19 years old, just what the cross meant to him. His heart was crushed by the answer: “Father, for my generation the cross is just a fashion statement.” The apostle Paul saw the cross as a symbol of the very core of his faith. It bore witness to his radically transformed life. He testified, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14+). In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime. —Bowring Many who wear the cross never think of the Christ of the cross. Bob
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Robertson quips he does not say he is a "so-called apostle but one whose apostleship is due not to himself or to men (Gal 1:1+) but to God." Note the double emphasis on his apostleship, for called refers to the divine call and by the will of God substantiates his call. Paul did not seek to be an apostle of Jesus Christ and in fact was seeking to destroy the church of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-5+). Paul was commissioned directly, by the Lord Jesus Himself, after His Ascension (Acts 1:9-11+), to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:14-15+, Acts 26:16-18+, cf Gal 1:1-5, 11-15, 16+). This was a miraculous calling, a heavenly calling (Heb 3:1+), a holy calling (1 Pe 1:15+). Paul is not like those apostles Jesus mentioned in Ephesus, describing those "who call themselves apostles and they are not," but are false. (Rev 2:2+). Regarding the will of God Augustine said "Nothing, therefore, happens unless the Omnipotent wills it to happen: He either permits it to happen, or He brings it about Himself." THOUGHT - Inherent in this word called is that it is an INVITATION – an invitation to join God in His magnificent work of redemption through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Have you accepted His glorious invitation? “We don't choose what we will do for God; He invites us to join Him where He wants to involve us.” ― Henry T. Blackaby John Stevenson - Paul’s apostleship was not his own idea. He did not say to himself one day, "I think that I will become an apostle." He didn’t take a course in apostleship or graduate from seminary with a degree in apostling. He became (BY DIVINE CALLING) an apostle "by the will of God." God chose Paul to be an apostle. God took him and set him apart from the rest of the human race for a special purpose. God singled him out and gave him a special spiritual gift and commissioned him to do a special job. Maybe you are thinking that it would be nice if God had singled you out and had given you a special commission and a special purpose to fulfill. I have news for you. He has done exactly that. If you are a believer, it is because the God of the universe said to you, "I have chosen you out from the rest of the human race to do a job that only you can do. You are my special person for this special job. I created you for just this purpose." (cf Eph 2:10+) Does that sound exciting? It certainly ought to. God has placed each believer into his own special place in the body of Christ, each with his own special gift (cf 1 Pe 4:10-11+, 1 Cor 12:7+). THOUGHT - Are you using the supernatural gift God has given you so that the "machinery" of the Body you are attending is functioning at full efficiency? You are one of the "cogs" in the "gears" of your local church. See this illustration of what it looks like when one of the members of the body fails to function as they should.
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Robertson adds that Paul's uses of "sun/syn rather than kai (and), (makes the) close connection with “saints” just (mentioned)...giving the Corinthian Christians a picture of their close unity with the brotherhood everywhere through the common bond of faith." (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) THOUGHT - Do saints in America understand and sense our special bond with our brethren in other countries? One way is to pray for them, especially for the many are experiencing intense persecution for their faith in Jesus. (see Voice of the Martyrs) Vincent on call on the Name - Compare Ro 10:12; Acts 2:21. The formula is from the Septuagint. See Zech. 13:9; Gen. 12:8; 13:4; Ps. 115:17. It is used of worship, and here implies prayer to Christ. The first Christian prayer recorded as heard by Saul of Tarsus, was Stephen’s prayer to Christ, Acts 7:59+. Hodge on call on the Name - To call upon the name of any one is to invoke his aid. It is properly used for religious invocation. Compare Acts 9:14, 21, Acts 22:16; Ro 10:12, 13; 2 Ti 2:22. To call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, is to invoke his aid as Christ, the Messiah predicted by the prophets, and as our almighty and sovereign possessor and ruler. It is in that sense Jesus is LORD (kurios). All power in heaven and earth has been committed unto Him; and He died and rose again that He might be the Lord of the dead and of the living (cf 2 Ti 4:1+); that is, that He might acquire that peculiar right of possession in His people which arises from Hs having purchased them with his blood (Rev 5:9+, Acts 20:28+). To call upon the name of Jesus as Lord is therefore to worship Him. It is to look to Him for that help which God only can give. All Christians, therefore, are the worshippers of Christ. And every sincere worshipper of Christ is a true Christian. The phrase expresses not so much an individual act of invocation, as an habitual state of mind and its appropriate expression. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) (Bold added)
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Robertson says their Lord and ours is "an afterthought and expansion (epanorthōsis) of the previous “our,” (our Lord Jesus Christ) showing the universality of Christ." (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Utley on their Lord and ours - This is another phrase that implies the unity of all believers and churches. Jesus is Lord of all the Christian congregations, which includes Corinth. Paul identifies himself and Sosthenes with the believers at Corinth in this phrase. They need to be reminded that (1) they are one of many congregations and (2) that Paul is one of them and for them! (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary)
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Robertson on peace - Peace (eirēnē]) is more than the Hebrew so common in salutations. One recalls the “peace” that Christ leaves to us (John 14:27) and the peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Peace (1515)(eirene from verb eiro = to join or bind together that which has been separated) literally pictures the binding or joining together again of that which had been separated or divided and thus setting at one again, a meaning convey by the common expression of one “having it all together”. It follows that peace is the opposite of division or dissension. Peace as a state of concord and harmony is the opposite of war. Peace is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as between church members or inwardly within the soul. Eirene can convey the sense of an inner rest, well being and harmony. The ultimate peace is the state of reconciliation with God, brought about by placing one's faith in the Gospel (Ro 5:1+, Ro 5:10+).
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Robertson - The grounds of Paul’s thanksgivings in his Epistles are worthy of study. Even in the church in Corinth he finds something to thank God for, though in 2 Corinthians there is no expression of thanksgiving because of the acute crisis in Corinth nor is there any in Galatians. But Paul is gracious here and allows his general attitude (always, [pantote]) concerning ([peri], around) the Corinthians to override the specific causes of irritation. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Always (3842)(pantote from pás = all, every + tóte = when, then) an adverb which literally is "every when" means always, at all times, ever (more), on all occasions. In English always is defined - invariably, forever, perpetually, on every occasion, throughout all time, without variation. The Greek word means continually, regularly, repeatedly or constantly during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals; Without exception. Every time. Only a Spirit empowered person can be thankful ALWAYS! This is another marker that Paul was continually a Spirit filled man! Related Resources: The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked! Filled with His Spirit/Richly Indwelt with His Word - Chart Comparing For the grace (see charis) of God which was given (divine passive) you in Christ Jesus - Everything good in the Corinthians (and in us beloved) flowed from God's fountain of amazing, infinite, matchless grace! Was given is past tense, this aspect of grace being dispensed the moment they believed in Jesus Christ. Paul identifies the Source of their grace as from God and in Christ Jesus. Here we see the "classic definition" of grace as a gift from God with no evidence that such a gift is earned. This grace is in Christ Jesus which means "in the sphere of" Christ Jesus (see locative of sphere below). John wrote "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace." (John 1:16+, cf "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" - 2 Ti 2:1+). As Paul said in Acts 17:28+ "in Him we live and move and exist." Since we are in Christ, this grace is always accessible, but we have to lay hold of it just as you do with any gift. THOUGHT - The gift of the grace of God in Christ Jesus is laid hold of (so to speak) by faith -- by believing and by obeying God's instructions, enabled by that same grace (ultimately dispensed by the Spirit of Grace - Heb 10:29+ Who gives us the desire and power to obey [Php 2:13NLT+]). And since it is in Christ Jesus, this divine grace is available to us in infinite supply as He Himself testified declaring "My grace is sufficient, for power (dunamis) is perfected in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9+). The corollary is if you think you are strong, you will blunt the flow of grace (grace flows in a "downward direction" for God is "opposed (antitasso in present tense) to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" where humble [tapeinos] means "low down," near the ground, like the Nile River at low ebb - James 4:6+, cf 1 Cor 15:10+) Bob
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Robertson says "Paul points out in detail the unusual spiritual gifts which were their glory and became their peril (1 Cor 12–14)." So here Paul thanks God for their spiritual giftedness, but later he will take them to task for their abuses of their gifts! The poorest saint is richer than the richest pagan! Paul elaborates on in everything in 2 Corinthians 8:7 and calls for them to practice their privileged position... But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
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Robertson points out that it is important to have something worth saying and not mere fluency). ‘He selects the gifts of which the Corinthians were especially proud’ (Parry). He later combines the two in ‘the word of knowledge’ (1 Cor 12:8). (Ibid) (bold added) MacArthur on the practical implication of all...all - We have all the speech and knowledge necessary to accomplish all God wants us to do. We will always be able to say everything God wants us to say and to know everything He wants us to know His will is concurrent with His enablement. The particular speech in mind here is that of telling God’s truth. God gives every believer the capacity to speak for Him. We do not all have eloquence, an impressive vocabulary, or a captivating personality. But we all have the necessary God-given ability, the same capability and the same capacity, to speak for Him in the unique way that He wants us to speak. Besides lack of holiness, I believe the most common failure of Christians is in not speaking for their Lord. The most frequent excuses are “I don’t know what to say” or “I don’t know how to say it” or “I just don’t think I can do it (ED: See Related Note below). (1 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) THOUGHT - All believers have received "all speech" and thus we are fully equipped to speak forth the mystery of the Gospel to those who are lost and perishing all around us! Not only do we have the speech or words, we have the power for Jesus promised in Acts 1:8+ "you will receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses." And what does the power of the Spirit give us? Acts 4:31+ explains "when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the Word of God (THE GOSPEL) with boldness." (And pray Acts 4:29+) If we are filled with the Word (all speech - cp Col 3:16+) and filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18+), we are supernaturally prepared to speak boldly of Christ and the salvation found only in Him (Acts 4:12+). When was the last time you spoke boldly of Christ to a soul that is daily in danger of dying and being eternally separated from God? (See also Filled with His Spirit/Richly Indwelt with His Word) Robertson - "The outward expression (speech [logōi]) here is put before the inward knowledge ([gnōsei]) which should precede all speech. But we get at one’s knowledge by means of his speech. 1 Cor 12–14 throw much light on this element in the spiritual gifts of the Corinthians (the gift of tongues, interpreting tongues, discernment) as summed up in 1 Cor. 13:1, 2, the greater gifts of 1 Cor 12:31. It was a marvellously endowed church in spite of their perversions." (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary)
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Robertson says "These special gifts of the Holy Spirit which they had so lavishly received (1 Cor 12) were for that very purpose." The Living Bible has "what I told you Christ could do for you has happened!" In short... Their gifts confirmed their reception and power of the Gospel. Barnett has a good word on the testimony concerning Christ - That ‘testimony’ was the Gospel which he had preached in the city of Corinth. ‘Testimony’ was a witness’ sworn evidence in a court, based on what he or she had seen and heard. In Paul’s case it referred to the gospel which had come to him so personally on the road to Damascus. But the same principle applies to us. The gospel we give to others, whether as preachers or as individuals, must always be our testimony, words about things that are deeply true in our own experience. The light of the word of God must have shone in our hearts before we are able to shine it into the hearts of others (2 Cor. 4:5–6+). (1 Corinthians: Holiness and Hope of a Rescued People ) What was confirmed? Paul's testimony concerning Christ is what was confirmed and this most likely refers to the Gospel of Christ, the One Paul preached (1 Cor 2:2+). How was it confirmed in them? The previous passage described speech and knowledge and the following passage describes gift, so that one way the testimony concerning Christ, the Gospel, was confirmed was by the supernatural gifts which were manifest in the saints in Corinth. And of course the Gospel would also have been confirmed by the fact that they were now new creatures in Christ, having come out of the darkness of paganism and idolatry and into a brand new way of life in the kingdom of light in Christ (cf 2 Cor 5:17+). Sadly, they were not living up to their potential as new creatures in Christ (BUT THEN THIS COULD BE SAID OF MOST OF US, AT LEAST FROM TIME TO TIME!) John uses a similar description in the opening words of the Revelation writing that he "testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw." (Rev 1:2+)
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Robertson on blameless - “Unimpeachable, for none will have the right to impeach” (Robertson and Plummer) as Paul shows in Rom. 8:33; Col. 1:22, 28. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Hodge rightly comments that "When we remember on the one hand how great is our guilt, and on the other, how great is our danger from without and from within, we feel that nothing but the righteousness of Christ and the power of God can secure our being preserved and presented blameless in the day of the Lord Jesus." (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) How will believers be enabled to stand blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ? "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts." (Zech 4:6) Compare the assurance God gives us in Jude that we will be blameless in the end... Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless (amomos) with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24, 25+) Paul uses this same word amomos for blameless in Col 1:22+ writing Yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless (amomos) and beyond reproach (anegkletos) In Ephesians 1:4+ Paul writes that our election in eternity past guarantees we will be blameless in eternity future... Just as He chose (eklego) us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless (amomos) before Him. In love
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Robertson on divisions - These divisions were over the preachers (1:12–4:21), immorality (5:1–13), going to law before the heathen (6:1–11), marriage (7:1–40), meats offered to idols (8 to 10), conduct of women in church (11:1–16), the Lord’s Supper (11:17–34), spiritual gifts (12–14), the resurrection (ch. 15).
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Robertson notes that in this passage we see "Paul’s idea of his mission from Christ, as Christ’s apostle, to be a gospelizer. This led, of course, to baptism, as a result, but Paul usually had it done by others as Peter at Caesarea ordered the baptism to be done, apparently by the six brethren with him (Acts 10:48+)." (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) For (gar) is a term of explanation. What's Paul explaining? He explains why he had personally baptized so few, why he did not emphasize baptism. In context he has just discussed baptism and now explains why baptism is not to be their primary concern and should not take precedence overt the proclamation of the Gospel. He will proceed to give a warning regarding proclamation of the Gospel in a culture which esteemed oratorical presentations. Schreiner adds that "Speakers were prized and praised in the Graeco-Roman world, and they were assessed by their rhetorical brilliance. Handbooks were written on correct rhetorical style by ancient writers" (Ibid) Paul alludes to his call to preach in Galatians 1:15-16+ But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that (PURPOSE) I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, Christ did not send (see note below) me to baptize (baptizo) but to preach the gospel (euaggelizo/euangelizo) - Paul did not chose to preach but was sent to preach - the point is that preaching is not something he decided he wanted to do, but the mission to which God called him. The point is that one must not take upon himself the role of preacher (or any other specific role in the church) unless he/she has received a Divine call. Notice also that clearly this statement indicates that Paul did not consider baptism as essential for salvation as some groups do today. If baptism were essential to salvation, then Paul would be saying here that he was thankful that he saved none of them except Crispus and Gaius (1 Cor 1:14)! Water baptism ideally should follow belief in the Gospel, but is not part of the Gospel per se. "Others can baptize the repentant, but Paul must preach the crucified Christ....Others can baptize the repentant, but Paul must preach the crucified Christ." (Johnson) What was necessary for salvation was the proclamation of the Gospel. The present tense signifies Paul's commission is to continually preach the gospel, the good news, the God news, the news about the God-Man Christ Jesus! As Carl Henry said "The New Testament meaning of the term Gospel is clear and precise (ED: WHICH IS WHY ONE DOES NOT NEED "CLEVER" SPEECH!): the Gospel is the good news of God's merciful rescue, of an otherwise doomed humanity through the mediatorial life and work of Jesus Christ." Alan
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Robertson - The wisdom of the wise is often folly, the understanding of the understanding is often rejected. There is such a thing as the ignorance of the learned, the wisdom of the simple-minded. God’s wisdom rises in the Cross above human philosophizing which is still scoffing at the Cross of Christ, the consummation of God’s power. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. -- Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. -- Proverbs 16:25 Arnold - Men have always thought their way was right, but God reduces their reasoning to nothing. He destroys it. George Brooks - Paul was conveying to his readers that people are inclined to try to resolve their problems and fight their battles by their own wisdom and in their own power. But human wisdom and power only get in the way of God as he works. Man’s own efforts stand in the way of God in his work rather than help him. Wisdom - see sophia - This is a KEY WORD in 1 Cor 1:18-31 - 1 Co. 1:17; 1 Co. 1:19; 1 Co. 1:20; 1 Co. 1:21; 1 Co. 1:22; 1 Co. 1:24; 1 Co. 1:30 and also in chapter 2 = 1 Co. 2:1; 1 Co. 2:4; 1 Co. 2:5; 1 Co. 2:6; 1 Co. 2:7; 1 Co. 2:13; Paul's main point is do not "mix" God's perfect Gospel with fallen men's fallible wisdom! Wise (4680)(sophos) is the practical application of acquired knowledge. Friberg says sophos generally describes "acquired intelligence characterized by the ability to use knowledge for correct behavior. Jesus uses sophos to describe worldly wisdom (Mt 11:25, cp Lk 10:21, 1Cor 1:19-20), emphasizing that what the world refers to as "wise" does not allow one to see spiritual truth. In Ro 1:14, Paul refers to the Greeks as the "wise" (although not in spiritual matters). Paul then refers to self-deceived persons who profess they are wise, (Ro 1:22), but in fact have jettisoned the clear evidence (Ro 1:19-20) of the natural revelation of God (and mock the truth of a Creator and substitute the lie of Evolution). Used 19x in NT - Mt. 11:25; Mt. 23:34; Lk. 10:21; Ro 1:14; Ro 1:22; Ro 16:19; Ro 16:27; 1 Co. 1:19; 1 Co. 1:20; 1 Co. 1:25; 1 Co. 1:26; 1 Co. 1:27; 1 Co. 3:10; 1 Co. 3:18; 1 Co. 3:19; 1 Co. 3:20; 1 Co. 6:5; Eph. 5:15; Jas. 3:13 Cleverness (4907)(sunesis from suniemi = to comprehend, reason out in turn derived from sun = with or together + hiemi = send) literally is a sending together or a bringing together. Sunesis describes the putting together, grasping or exhibiting quick comprehension. Sunesis is the ability to understand concepts and see relationships between them and thus describes the faculty of comprehension, intelligence, acuteness, shrewdness. It identifies people who demonstrate the ability to understand something quickly, almost intuitively. It is a person with “street smarts” (Thiselton) without the formal education of one who is wise. This is what the people call the 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple in Luke 2:47+. Used 7x in NT - Mk. 12:33; Lk. 2:47; 1 Co. 1:19; Eph. 3:4; Col. 1:9; Col. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:7 Clever (4908)(sunetos from suniemi = understand) is an adjective describing a person with good sense, one who is wise, one who is able to understand. Used 4x in NT - Matt. 11:25; Lk. 10:21; Acts 13:7; 1 Co. 1:19 Set aside (nullify)(114)(atheteo from áthetos = not placed from a = without + thetós = placed) means to do away with what has been laid down, to set aside and thus to regard as nothing, to declare invalid, to not recognize, to annul (make ineffective, inoperative or nonexistent), to spurn or to despise. In the papyri atheteo was used of loans which were repaid and cancelled and for the rejection of certain officials who were described as inefficient and incapable of doing their duty. Atheteo was also used of grain rejected by the inspector as unfit for food. Used 12x in NT - Mk. 6:26; Mk. 7:9; Lk. 7:30; Lk. 10:16; Jn. 12:48; 1 Co. 1:19; Gal. 2:21; Gal. 3:15; 1 Thess. 4:8; 1 Tim. 5:12; Heb. 10:28; Jude 1:8
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Robertson - Paul makes use of Isa. 33:18 without exact quotation. The sudden retreat of Sennacherib with the annihilation of his officers. “On the tablet of Shalmaneser in the Assyrian Gallery of the British Museum there is a surprisingly exact picture of the scene described by Isaiah” (Robertson and Plummer). Note the absence of the Greek article in each of these rhetorical questions though the idea is clearly definite. MacArthur sums up this passage - Where are all the smart people that have the answers?” How much closer to peace is man than he was a century ago—or a millennium ago? How much closer are we to eliminating poverty, hunger, ignorance, crime, and immorality than men were in Paul’s day? Our advances in knowledge and technology and communication have not really advanced us. It is from among those who are intelligent and clever that the worst exploiters, deceivers, and oppressors come. We are more educated than our forefathers but we are not more moral. We have more means of helping each other but we are not less selfish. We have more means of communication but we do not understand each other any better. We have more psychology and education, and more crime and more war. We have not changed, except in finding more ways to express and excuse our human nature. Throughout history human wisdom has never basically changed and has never solved the basic problems of man. (1 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Where is the debater of this age (aion)? (the logician, the debater) - (Wuest) "Where is a learned sophist of this age, fallacious reasoner that he is?" NLT - "So where does this leave...the world's brilliant debaters?" (sunzētētēs) suits both the Greek and the Jewish disputant and doubter (Acts 6:9+ = argued; Acts 9:29+ = arguing; Acts 17:18+; Acts 28:29+). Debater (suzetetes only here in NT. Derived from suzeteo = to examine together, to disputer) means one skilled in arguing, one who questions, disputes or debates, one adept at winning public and private arguments, the closest contemporary equivalent being a lawyer. They are not skilled enough however to argue or debate with God's wisdom in the Cross of Christ! (cf Ro 3:19+ "every mouth may be closed!") The Greek word for age is aion describing this present evil age (aion) (Gal 1:4+), which is passing away (AS IS ALL OF MAN'S "WISDOM") and which will pale in comparison to the "powers (dunamis) of the age (aion) to come." (Heb 6:5+, Eph 1:21+, Eph 2:7+). Indeed, the next age is the glorious reign of the Messiah Who will rule the earth for 1000 years. Arnold - This refers to the Greek philosophers who loved to debate the philosophies of their day and it would correspond to all the learned men of our day. But what can they add to God’s way of salvation in Christ? Nothing. (1 Corinthians 1:17-24 The Foolishness Of The Cross)
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Robertson - “The Jews claimed to possess the truth: the Greeks were seekers, speculators” (Vincent) as in Acts 17:23+. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Hodge on Greeks - They required rational evidence. They would receive nothing as true if they could not understand it and see its rational grounds. These (JEWS AND GREEKS) are permanent classes of people. (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Schreiner - Wisdom in and of itself is not to be despised, as even a cursory reading of the wisdom literature in the Old Testament reveals, but the wisdom in view here is bound up, as the context indicates, with Greek rhetoric, with praise being lavished on human beings for their stunning abilities. (1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary) Pritchard - The Jews said, “Show us a sign.” Paul said, “I give you the sign of the cross.” The Greeks said, “Show us wisdom.” Paul said, “I will show you Jesus, the very wisdom of God.” Arnold - The unsaved, intelligent Greek took great pride in his wisdom and reveled in his speculative philosophy. Herodotus said, “All Greeks were zealous for every kind of learning.” He too was spiritually blind. The modern intellectual is much like the ancient Greek who wanted to talk and talk and yet not say much. The more complex and confusing a subject is made, the more learned it obviously appears. Therefore, the intellectual man rationalizes and talks himself away from God. If the gospel did not make rational, logical sense to the Greek, he wanted nothing to do with it. Any touch of the supernatural was mocked as madness. (1 Corinthians 1:17-24 The Foolishness Of The Cross) Related Resources: What is Epicureanism? What did Epicurus teach? | GotQuestions.org What is Stoicism? What did the Greek Stoics teach? | GotQuestions.org What happened at Mars Hill in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who is the unknown god in Acts 17:23? | GotQuestions.org James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - THE OFFENCE OF THE CROSS (1 Cor. 1:22–24). “As for me,” says the Apostle in writing to the Galatians, “If I am still a preacher of circumcision”—as a condition of salvation, to please those Judaizing teachers—“how is it that I am still suffering persecution?” How is it that those who teach that we must obey the whole law of Moses to be saved still persecute me? “In that case the Cross has ceased to be a stumbling-block “(Gal. 5:11). The inference is clearly this: that if we are faithful to the truth of God as revealed in the Cross of Christ, it will be an offence and a stumbling-block to those who are trying to be saved by their works. The Cross proclaims liberty, without the deeds of the law; the law is a task-master, whose service is the yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1). But the Cross of Christ can never be anything else than a stumbling-stone in the way of those who refuse to be saved by grace alone. It will be a fearful fall to stumble over His Cross into hell. In looking at this aspect of the Cross we shall try and answer two questions. The first is— I. Why is the Cross of Christ a Stumbling-Block? Was it not meant to take the stumbling-block of sin out of our way? Then, why should the Cross itself become a stumbling-block? Death can seldom ever be said to be attractive, but the death of the Cross was the most ignominious of all. That the holiest of men should suffer the most shameful of deaths is in itself a staggering thought to those who believe in the over-ruling providence of a Personal God. The Cross was the death-blow to human pride and worldly honour and glory, and to be identified with one who suffered on a cross was also to suffer loss. When the divine mystery of the Cross of Christ is not understood, it is looked upon as a shame, a misfortune, or a martyrdom—one who suffered because of his principles. The fact is, some can be very religious and see nothing attractive in the Cross of our Lord and Saviour. They rather shun it, its every shadow is offensive to them, because there is no place for it in their heart and life. The high priests, with the Scribes and elders of old, cried out, “Let Him come down from the Cross and we will believe on Him.” Like many to-day, they would have a Christ without the Cross, but the Cross and the Christ, in the gracious purpose of God, have been eternally nailed together. There is now no Christ but the Christ who was crucified; even in Heaven He is known as “the Lamb that was slain. “When the Lord Jesus came within sight of His Cross, some of His own disciples “forsook Him and fled.” The Cross of Christ is a stumbling-block to those who are satisfied with a religious self-life, because if we would follow Him fully, we must be willing to be crucified with Him. Ah! this is the rock of offence. We do not wish these little self-governed barques of ours to make shipwreck by dashing themselves to pieces against the riven Rock of Ages. But he that loseth his life here shall save it. The next question is— II. To whom is the Cross of Christ a Stumbling-Block? Paul preached Christ crucified—“to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness.” The Jews and Greeks may be looked upon as typical and representative classes. The first stands for religious works, the second for worldly wisdom. To the one the Cross of Christ is a stumbling-block, to the other a laughing-stock. Neither the proud religionist nor the worldly wise can possibly pass the Cross without being affected in some way by it. It knocks the feet from the legalist, and pricks the gaudy bubble of fleshly wisdom. 1. WHO IS THE JEW? Whom does he represent? He is the man who has been brought up religiously he is quite in the habit of saying prayers; he regularly attends public worship; he gives of his means for the upkeep of the church; he is quite orthodox in his beliefs; he has no fellowship with drunkards or gamblers; he is a son of the church, and bears a blameless name among his fellows; he is a very righteous and religious man, but the Cross of Christ to him is of none effect: he may hear about it, and wonder at it, but he cannot see any need for it—to him it is a stumbling-block. He has no sense of sin, no felt need of atoning Blood. It is nothing to him. The Cross is a manifestation of the mercy of God, but he does not need mercy. It is a declaration of the righteousness of God, but he is righteous, and has no need of God’s righteousness. It is an offer of the riches of God, but he has need of nothing. When the meaning of the Cross is pressed upon Him, he is stumbled, for it makes his own righteousness as filthy rags, and sets no value at all upon his prayers and performances. For him to accept the Cross, would mean the crucifixion of his own goodness. There is no self that dies so hard as religious self. To the self-religious man the Cross of Christ is a stumbling-block. 2. WHO IS THE GREEK, to whom the Cross of Christ is foolishness? The Greek represents those who give themselves to art, philosophy, and physical culture. All good in themselves, but when these things become the objects of life and the hope of all future good, then the Cross of Christ is foolishness. In the days of Paul, Athens was the “City of Schools,” even Roman youths, who sought to distinguish themselves, came here to study. “All the Athenians and their foreign visitors used to devote their whole leisure to telling or hearing about something new” (Acts 17:21). But all human culture and philosophy are of themselves utterly incompetent to appreciate the Cross of Christ, because no flesh can glory in its presence. Every product and achievement of the unspiritual man withers and fails as soon as they come within reach of the power of the Cross. To all materialists and rationalists the Cross is foolishness, because to them it is incomprehensible. But this thing, which is foolishness in the eyes of the worldly wise, who walk in the light of the sparks of their own kindling, is, in deed and truth, “the wisdom of God.” For the preaching of Christ crucified is to them who obey the call, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). Think now of— III. What the Cross Really Is. Not the Cross apart from Christ, but as representing Him who was crucified. 1. IT IS THE POWER OF GOD. It is not the preaching that is the power of God, but the “Christ crucified” who is preached. The Cross of Christ is God’s dynamic (power) in operation for the salvation of the world. All the force that God can bring to bear upon the redemption of men from sin and death is here in the Cross of Christ. 2. IT IS “THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS of His power to us-ward who believe” (Eph. 1:19). It takes the power of God to save, and this almighty power can only work through the death of His Son. To believe in that death is to put yourself in touch with the power of God, that delivers from all iniquity and saves with an everlasting salvation. 3. IT IS ALSO THE WISDOM OF GOD. It is only after we have experienced the saving power of God through the Cross that we can really see it to be “the wisdom of God”—the manifestation of infinite skill. The planning of man’s redemption by the gift of His Son and Blood of His Cross, was a revelation of the wisdom of God as well as the love of God. When we get a true vision of the Crucified One we are constrained to say, “O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God.” To flee to that Cross is to put your helplessness and weakness into His power—your foolishness and ignorance into His wisdom. “Then shall you be strong, and wise, and safe in Christ Jesus your Lord.” “The Cross, it takes our guilt away, It holds the fainting spirit up; It cheers with hope the gloomy day, And sweetens every bitter cup. It makes the coward spirit brave, And nerves the feeble arm for fight It takes the terror from the grave. And gilds the bed of death with light. The balm of life, the cure of woe, The measure and the pledge of love; The sinner’s refuge here below, The angels’ theme in Heaven above.” “God forbid that I should glory in anything except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14). For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:22-23). When the Lord Jesus came to live on the earth, He came at the Word of the Father (John 1). Everything He said and did was in obedience to God's will and therefore was a true expression of His Father's loving heart. Yet it was not by Christ's great teaching nor through His astounding miracles that He best represented the eternal purposes of God. Rather, He proclaimed the Father's love most eloquently by His sacrificial death on the cross. A furniture maker trying to explain the theory of his designs to a blind yeoman said that he believed he could express himself best through his craft. "Artists," he said, "express themselves in colors, in words, in stone; well, I don't see why a man can't express himself in wood." The yeoman, with unusual spiritual insight, responded, "In wood? It has been done, sir; yes, the mightiest expression of a man ever the world knew has been in wood!" "What, yeoman?" asked the craftsman. "Sir," the yeoman replied, "the cross of Christ!" (Arthur Hutchinson, One Increasing Purpose). The sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus was the supreme expression of a loving God. That death, that sacrifice, that proclamation of unending love, was for you and for me. —D C Egner Christ took the guilt of our sin that we might have the gift of His salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, Amplified - But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. [This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.
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Robertson on preach - We proclaim, “we do not discuss or dispute” (Lightfoot). Papyri examples (OF STUMBLING BLOCK) mean trap or snare which here tripped the Jews who wanted a conquering Messiah with a world empire, not a condemned and crucified one (Matt. 27:42; Luke 24:21). (1 Corinthians 1 Commentary) Arnold - To the Jew, the death of the Messiah would be the ultimate contradiction. Why? For them, Messiah meant power, splendor, and triumph but crucifixion meant weakness, humiliation, and defeat. A crucified Messiah was the ultimate stumbling block (scandal). For a person to hang from a tree was for a Jew to be placed under a curse. “...because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse” (Deut. 21:23). Messiah would be for them a despised criminal -- a total contradiction to the Jewish mind. (1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Our Position In Christ)