📅 February 20: 1 Corinthians 1,2 - Factionalism and Divine Wisdom

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February 20: 1 Corinthians 1,2 - Factionalism and Divine Wisdom

Introduction

In these chapters, Paul addresses the tribalism in the Corinthian church and highlights the supremacy of God’s wisdom over human wisdom. He centers his discussions on unity, humility, and the paramountcy of God’s wisdom.

The Corinth Church’s Division: Factionalism Distorts the Gospel

Paul appeals to the Corinthian church, mired in subdivision and factionalism, to unify under the name of Jesus Christ. The Corinthian believers were aligning themselves with individual leaders, leading to disunity and misconstruing the Gospel.

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."

Gospel Preaching: The Message of the Cross

Paul emphasizes that the central message of the Gospel—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—may appear foolish to those not saved, yet it is the pathway to salvation for those who believe.

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Key Themes and Reflections

The chapters highlight the dangers of division and factionalism within the church and the power of the Gospel’s core message. It also underscores the supremacy of God’s wisdom over human understanding.

1. Unity in Christ: The factionalism within the Corinthian church serves as a reminder of the importance of unity in the body of Christ.
2. True Wisdom: The chapters contrast worldly wisdom with God’s wisdom. True wisdom is recognizing the power of the cross as the divine pathway to salvation.

Today’s Application

We must actively foster unity within our churches and communities while acknowledging Christ as our ultimate leader. Recognizing and leaning on God’s wisdom, as opposed to worldly wisdom, ensures we never lose sight of the Gospel’s core message.

Hidden Gem

The “Wisdom of God,” as Paul frames it, reveals itself through the Spirit, as our natural minds cannot understand it. It’s not about intellectual capacity but spiritual receptivity.

Reflective Q&A

Why did Paul focus on the cross’s message?
A: Paul understood the power of the crucifixion - while seemingly foolish to some, it’s the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and salvation.

What can the modern church learn from the Corinthian church?
A: The value of unity and aligning under one leader – Jesus Christ can guide churches today in mitigating division and factionalism.

How can we gain God’s wisdom?
A: God’s wisdom isn’t about intellectual prowess. It’s about spiritual receptivity and openness to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.

Join the Discussion

Have you experienced division within your Christian community? How did you address it? Share your thoughts and reflections!

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1Corinthians 1,2
We open a very remarkable epistle in our daily readings; for the epistles to the Corinthians breathe the emotions of the apostle Paul in a way not found in any of his other writings. They are like the Psalms of the New Testament, in which he shares his innermost feelings. Particularly is this so when we read the second epistle. The apostle spent much time in Corinth – a city of great moral deviation, and in which it must have been difficult for the Truth to survive. There were troubles within as well as without. Schisms and party-politics were prevalent; ecclesial politics were evident. Paul was criticized and condemned, and yet, throughout, he remained faithful to his calling and honest in his responses. He felt the bitter hammer blows of brethren who wished that his words were silenced, and his influence weakened. Yet, Paul reminded the Corinthians that they had been converted by the simple words of Truth in the powerful effect upon their consciences. He declares that it was not with the “excellency of speech or of wisdom” (ch. 2:1), as those who felt they were “pillars” in the ecclesia might profess. The only foundation of Truth was that based upon the atoning work of the Lord Yahshua, for he “determined not to know any thing among you, save Yahshua Christ, and him crucified” (v. 2). This principle envelopes the whole subject of the salvation effected by the Master, as the One who manifested Yahweh in sinful flesh; and who was prepared to offer himself to declare the divine righteousness in its judgment against sin’s flesh. Throughout the epistle, Paul reveals his noble example. He not merely taught the message; he demonstrated it. He did not say “Do as I say,” merely, but also “Do as I do.” He sets his own personal example for others to follow. There are ten outstanding elements of example included in these epistles. In these chapters it is seen in ch. 2:1-5: His outstanding loyalty in message, method and motive. The whole epistle is introduced in ch. 1:1-9. One principal reason for writing is because of their divisions and the origin of them: vv. 10-13. Then Paul gives an account of his work among them, which was principally to preach the gospel: vv. 14-17; the way he worked, and the reason why, which was the glorification of Yahweh and the abasement of man: vv. 18-31. Thus Chapter 1 reveals: • [1] The call of Christ’s followers: vv. 1-3. [2] The privilege of Christ’s followers: vv. 4-9. [3] Reproof concerning schisms: vv. 10-16. [4] The purpose and quality of true preaching: It shows man’s wisdom to be foolish: vv. 17-25. [5] God calls the humble to glorify Him: vv. 26-31. Then in chapter 2: [1] They had been converted by simple words of power: vv. 1-8. [2] Only the spiritually-minded can grasp that wisdom: vv. 9-16. • In 1Cor. 1:1-2 the words ‘to be’ are in italics, and not in the original and should be read therefore, “Paul called an apostle” and “them sanctified in Christ Yahshua, called saints.” Paul’s first words of instruction to the Corinthians are found in ch. 1: 9 where he says “God is faithful,” and the first time this phrase is used is in Deu. 7:9 where the word there used for God is ‘El’ and by looking at the context reveals the importance of separation from the surrounding nations, declaring of Yahweh: “For thou art an holy people unto Yahweh thy Elohim: Yahweh thy Elohim hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deu. 7:6). Notice in v. 16 “the household of Stephanas,” for even Abraham, and others under the Old Covenant, were to bring their households into covenant relationship with Yahweh by circumcision, so households under the New Covenant must strive to bring their whole families into Yahweh’s Covenant by baptism, following a circumcision of the heart. The gaoler and his house, Lydia and her house, Stephanas and his household, were all baptized. In v. 17 for the word ‘Gospel’ see ch. 15:1-4 and Rom. 14:9. The words of v. 31 are quoted from Jer. 9:24 in an important context. • In ch. 2 Paul shows that the Gospel is from Yahweh, revealed through His beloved Son, so the wisdom of man has no part in its fulfilment, Paul himself being an example of that: vv. 1-5. In the rest of the ch. he shows that the Wisdom in this Word is of Yahweh, which the people rejected at their peril, but those who received it openly, would develop the mind of Christ, of which he exhorts the Philippians (Phil. 2:5): vv. 6-16. Throughout this second chapter Paul underlines the principles mentioned in ch. 1. These have their basis in v. 2 where it is stated that the wisdom for which the Greeks were seeking after and the miracles for which the Jews were requiring was not part of his teaching but rather “Yahshua Christ and him crucified.” So it is vital that the mind of the Spirit be developed by the reading and study of the Word of Life, for from nowhere else will this be possible. It is only inasmuch as that Word is recognised and loved, that we will have the ability to overcome the power of the flesh and elevate the wisdom of God. — Logos.