[In chapter 1 Paul showed that it was God's plan to overthrow the vain wisdom of the world by those weak and lowly ones whom the world despised. He now proceeds to show that the church at Corinth was founded by him as a weak and lowly one, in accordance with God's plan.] _And I, brethren, when I cam... [ Continue Reading ]
For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. [Paul here asserts that the subject-matter of his preaching was selected from choice, or fixed design. He does not mean to say that every sermon was a description of the crucifixion of our Lord, but that all his t... [ Continue Reading ]
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. [Paul frequently asserts his tendency to physical weakness and depression (1 Corinthians 4:7-12; Galatians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 10:1; 2 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Corinthians 12:7). This sense of weakness was accentuated by his recent semi... [ Continue Reading ]
And my speech [discourse on doctrine] _and my preaching_ [announcement of facts] _were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power_ [1 Corinthians 1:5. He relied upon the divine aid, rather than upon the aid of human learning]:... [ Continue Reading ]
that your faith should not stand in [should not be based upon] _the wisdom of men, but in the power of God_.... [ Continue Reading ]
We [as an inspired apostle] _speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought_ [Paul here begins to correct the impression which his semi-ironical language about the foolishness of God might have made, and... [ Continue Reading ]
but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory [Paul often speaks of Christ and his gospel as a mystery (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:4-9; Colossians 1:26; 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Timothy 3:17). God's purpose to give his S... [ Continue Reading ]
which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory [their conduct proved their ignorance even as Jesus asserted-- Luke 23:34]:... [ Continue Reading ]
but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. [This passage is taken from Isa 64:4; but it is an exposition, and not a verbatim quotation. The words form an unfinished sentence, a... [ Continue Reading ]
But unto us [inspired apostles] _God revealed them through the Spirit_ [Here the defective knowledge gained by the world-rulers through their wisdom or philosophy stands in sharp contrast to the heavenly and perfect knowledge which the apostles had by revelation of the Spirit. Paul proceeds to discu... [ Continue Reading ]
For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. [As a man alone knows himself, so God alone knows himself. As the thoughts and intentions of a man are best known by his own spirit, so also are the divi... [ Continue Reading ]
Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words. [Here again we have a clear claim to inspiration, and not only so, but verbal inspiration. Paul did not reason after the manner of worldly philosopher... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. [As sound is perceived by the ear, and not by the eye, so the spirit of man perceives spiritual things which can not be comprehended by... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.... [ Continue Reading ]
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ [A spiritual man, helped by the indwelling Spirit of God, is enabled to judge of things divine, and much more of things human. But he himself can not be judged of carnal men, because they have no kno... [ Continue Reading ]