Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH - PT 2

1Co 1:26-2:16 (6/15/11)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

CORINTHIANS HAD NO CAUSE FOR BOASTING IN MAN (1Co 1:26-31)

A. [1Co 1:26] - The Corinthians had been boasting in the men who baptized them and causing divisions among the body (cp. 1Co 1:12; 3:4). Instead they were to remember their status before they were called (cp. 1Co 1:1, 2, 9, 24, 26; 7:15; 15:9) and realize they had nothing to boast about. They were not “wise” (sophós - here for intellectual or philosopher), nor “mighty” (dunatós - here for powerful and influential), nor “noble” (eugenếs - here for noble birth or royalty).

B. [1Co 1:27-29] - Rather, God chose for Himself (aorist middle indicative - eklegō - select out) those who He categorized as “foolish,” “weak,” “base” (agenes - without noble birth) and despised. God’s plan was to “shame” (kataischunō - humiliate or disillusion) the wise and strong of the world. God purpose was to “nullify” (katargéō - render inoperative or abolish) the status quo of the world. Otherwise, the Corinthians would have had grounds for boasting (kaucháomai - here self-glory or self-pride).

C. [1Co 1:30] - The reality was however, that everything the Corinthians were and had, they obtained through Christ. Christ became for the Corinthians (and all believers):

1. “Wisdom” in the sense of having understanding of truth, knowledge, and the principles of God (Psa 119:99; Pro 1:7; 9:10).

2. “Righteousness” in that believers were declared righteous with Christ’s righteousness (Justification) at the moment of faith (Rom 3:20, 24).

3. “Sanctification” because God is actively at work in believers’ lives in order to make them holy (Phil 1:6; 2:12-13 ).

4. “Redemption” in that believers were bought back and delivered from the realm of Satan and the world, into Christ’s Kingdom (Gal 4:5; Eph 1:7).

D. [1Co 1:31] - Therefore the only boasting that is true boasting and worthy boasting is boasting in the Lord. Here boasting, though the same Greek word (kaucháomai) is used in a good sense to mean confidence, gratitude, and praise to God’s great works on the believer’s behalf.

PAUL’S GOAL WAS TO PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED (1Co 2:1-5)

A. [1Co 2:1] - Paul brings to the remembrance of the Corinthians how he handled himself when he evangelized Corinth. He did not come with “superiority” (huperoche - elevated position and oration) of speech (logos) or philosophical prominence. Rather Paul gave the important message (kataggellō - emphatic, message) of God’s Word (“testimony”).

B. [1Co 2:2] - God’s testimony was Paul’s sole goal, which was “Christ crucified.” This was the first and most important truth that the Corinthians needed to know. It was the basis of Paul’s ministry.

1. It is of first importance (1Co 15:3).

2. It was the gospel message (1Co 15:1).

3. It was to be received (1Co 15:1).

4. It is the message that saves (1Co 15:2).

5. It is the message of Christ’s death and resurrection. Christ’s death accomplished the work of salvation and the resurrection was the proof (1Co 15:3-4).

C. [1Co 2:3] - Paul came in “weakness and fear” and much trembling, which reveals that Paul had a holy reverence for God’s word and the power of the message (cp. Isa 66:5, cp. Phil 2:12). It also reveals that Paul came in humility of one saved by the grace and power of God.

D. [1Co 2:4] - Paul’s message (logos) and dogma (kerugma - content of a sacred message) were not in “persuasive words.” The culture of Corinth put a premium on the veneer of false rhetoric. The arrogant and intellectual Gnostic philosophers were the prime example. But Paul’s preaching was in the demonstration (apodeixis - showing forth, proof, or evidence) of the Spirit and power. In other words, the gospel came in the power of the Holy Spirit and therefore brought conviction upon its hearers (cp. 1Th 1:5).

E. [1Co 2:5] - Paul did not desire that the Corinthians would be manipulated into making a false profession by the slyness of men, but that their faith would rest on the power of God. This would be the power of God through the work of the cross and work of the Spirit in the heart of the unbeliever.

THE SPIRIT REVEALED THE GLORIES IN CHRIST (1Co 2:6-16)

A. The Spirit Revealed the Mysteries in Christ (1Co 2:6-8)

1. [1Co 2:6] - Paul did not want the Corinthians to get the wrong idea that God put a premium on ignorance. Rather there was a wisdom that came from God, not man, and was what Paul taught through the Spirit to mature believers. This wisdom was revealed and written (and being written by the apostles at that time) in the Scriptures for all to receive. None of the human rulers or leaders understood God’s wisdom though they thought themselves wise.

2. [1Co 2:7] - Paul and the apostles spoke about divine mysteries. A “mystery” (musterion) in biblical terms was a truth that was previously hidden by God, but was later revealed by God (cp. Col 1:26). There are numerous mysteries revealed in the Word (1Co 2:7; Rom 11:25; Eph 1:10; 3:6; 5:32; Col 1:27).

3. [1Co 2:8] - These mysteries were unknown to the human rulers and leaders of this age (aion - age, era, dispensation). Because they did not know God or His revelation (cp. Luk 23:34). Had they known Paul says they would not have crucified Christ, because they would have known He was the “Lord of glory” (Son of God).

B. The Spirit Revealed the Manifold Blessing through Christ (1Co 2:9-13)

1. [1Co 2:9] - Paul quotes from Isa 64:4 and Isa 65:17 to show that no one knew the revelations and mysteries of God, until He determined to reveal them. Therefore no eye had seen and no ear had heard “all that God had prepared for those who love Him (i.e. believers).”

2. [1Co 2:10-11] - However, one of the Spirit’s ministries to the believer is to reveal those things which God has prepared for the believer. The Spirit is able to do this because He is deity and is the third member of the Godhead. Furthermore, He searches the depths of God, which means God the Spirit, fully comprehends all the thoughts of God (and man) and is able to communicate these truths to man.

3. [1Co 2:12] - Paul poses the proposition to the Corinthians, that if they are believers, then they have the Spirit of God and not the spirit of the world. Therefore, believers are able to know from the Word, through the Holy Spirit, the things which God has freely (charizomai - show favor or freely given) given to believers through Christ.

4. [1Co 2:13] - Paul also taught those things as he evangelized unbelievers and taught believers by the Word through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit “combines” (sugkrinō - brought together for explanation) spiritual thoughts with “spiritual words” (pneumatika - neuter “things” or masculine “people.” the context seems to support latter).

C. The Spirit Revealed the Mind of Christ (1Co 2:14-16)

1. [1Co 2:14-15] - But the “natural” (psuchikos - physical, natural, or unspiritual) man (man without the Spirit, i.e. unspiritual) does not accept (dechomai - receive) the things of the Spirit of God (i.e spiritual things). They are foolishness (moria - Eng. moron) to him. He cannot understand (ginoskō - perception or recognition) them because they can only be spiritually appraised (anakrinō - process of evaluation or examination). Only the believer with the Spirit can appraise spiritual things from the Spirit and he cannot be judged by those without the Spirit.

2. [1Co 2:16] - Paul quotes from Isa 40:13-14 to show that the unbeliever cannot know the things or mind of God. But the believer, because he has the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him, possesses the mind of Christ. Christ’s mind and thoughts are revealed in the Word and the Holy Spirit helps the believer understand those spiritual truths.

OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Believers can and should only boast in the Lord.

B. Focus on evangelism and ministry and the things that divide will dissipate.

C. Can’t mix unbelievers and believers (Rob Bell, Ministry, Ecumenical Movement, Marriage)

D. The believer is to be a spiritual sponge for divine revelation from God’s Word.

A. [1Co 1:7] - They were so enriched and so blessed with these spiritual gifts that Paul said they were not lacking in any gift. However, they were abusing the use of those gifts (1Co 12-14).

1. They were at the same time awaiting the “revelation” (apokálupsis - uncovering or unveiling) or the coming of the Lord and probably refers to the Christ glorious appearing at His Second Coming (Mat 24:30; Luk 21:27; 2Th 1:10; Rev 19:12, 16).

2. The coming of the Lord was a theme taught by Paul to all the churches and an imminent return was expected by all of them.

B. [1Co 1:8] - Just as their salvation was confirmed by the evidence in their lives and gifts, so they will be “confirmed” (bebaióō - establish or make sure) in eternal security.

1. The Corinthian saints were being kept and preserved till the end of their lives by God. Even the carnal Corinthians could rejoice in eternal security.

2. They would be “blameless” (anegkletos - not called before a judge) when Christ came back for them because it is God who has already justified the believer (Rom 3:20, 24, 28; 8:30 cp. 1Co 6:11).

3. The “day of the Lord Jesus Christ” or “day of Christ” (Phi 1:6, 10; 2:16) would refer to the time when Christ comes back for His church, i.e. the Rapture (1Th 4:16-17).

C. [1Co 1:9] - The Corinthian’s salvation was secure by another factor, namely that God is faithful.

1. If God promised to continue to work in the believer until the day of Jesus Christ, that is exactly what the believer can expect (Phi 1:6).

2. It was God who called us into fellowship with His Son. The Father planned salvation, including the calling of the believer, and the Son made it possible by His redemption on the cross.

OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Carnality (fleshly living by a believer) is never condoned in the Scriptures, but it is portrayed as possible. Case in point: the first letter to the Corinthians. Even though they were carnal, Paul accepted them as genuine believers.

B. Paul used encouraging words first before admonishing them for their sin and problems. We always need to encourage others, especially before correcting them. Reaffirming that they were gifted believers showed the Corinthians their responsibility and hope through the Holy Spirit.

C. Every believer ought to be overwhelmed by the fact that he has been given God’s grace in salvation, sanctification, spiritual gifts, and eternal security.