1 Corinthians 2 (3)

Pray Psalm 111.9, 10.
He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.

Sing Psalm 111.9, 10.
(Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
You have sent redemption, to us, LORD, in Christ of cov’nant fame,
and we in wonder, grace, and awe adore Your holy Name.

All they who would true wisdom know must learn to fear You, LORD,
and in that wisdom daily live and praise You evermore.

Read 1 Corinthians 2.1-8; meditate on verses 6-8.

Preparation
1. To whom did Paul speak God’s wisdom?

2. In what form did he speak the wisdom of God?

Meditation
The Corinthians, we recall, were playing the “world’s game” of wisdom, looking to this or that teacher as the brightest and the best, then vaunting him—and themselves as his followers—above all others. They were resting their faith “in the wisdom of men” rather than “in the power of God” (v. 5).

In verse 6 Paul implies that the Corinthians thus demonstrated that they were not ready for the wisdom of God, which only comes by way of divine revelation (“mystery”). From long ago, before time began, God ordained to reveal His wisdom (v. 7). Those who satisfy themselves with man’s wisdom, playing the worldly game, cannot receive the true wisdom of God. Indeed, they “are coming to nothing” (Paul’s looking at you, Corinthians).

There is real wisdom which is hidden in “the Lord of glory”, Who is the treasure of all wisdom and knowledge. The rulers and wise guys of this age know nothing about that wisdom, which they demonstrated by crucifying Jesus and continue to demonstrate by ignoring or scorning Him. But—and here Paul is telling it slant—weren’t the Corinthians doing the same thing? Had they not set aside the pure knowledge and wisdom of Jesus, and Him crucified, to rally around the rhetorical or intellectual or whatever gifts of men, even good men? Had they not lowered Jesus to the status of a man like the men others vaunted? But don’t blame the men—Apollos, Cephas, and Paul. As Paul reminded the Corinthians, he gave them nothing to boast about in himself, weak and fearful and trembling and unpersuasive when he was among them (vv 3, 4).

Paul was eager to speak the true wisdom of God in response to the matters the Corinthians had raised. But they would not be able to receive it unless they renewed their focus on Jesus and realized Paul was speaking as His voice, and not like one who has merely “human wisdom” (v. 4) to offer. The Corinthians had questions for Paul and issues they hoped he would resolve. But if he was to do so, they would have to grow up, starting by refocusing all their faith on Jesus, not men. Otherwise, the wisdom God has for them would go right over their heads.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Who are the people of this age that we listen to—the rulers or stars or preachers or politicians—who will come to nothing? Those who catch our fancy by their seeming “wisdom”? Why are they fascinating? How will they help us in the end? What are they saying that does not line up with Scripture?

The Word of God is the only entity that never changes, its wisdom is enduring. It does not blow with the winds of time, its truths are the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13.8) You can base your life now, and your future eternally, on the truth of Jesus Christ. Nothing else is secure. All else will fail us in the end.

As Paul wrote of this truth, none of the rulers of this age know it, for “had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2.8); nor would they ignore Him now.

The Wisdom of God, this very Son of God, has ever been, and ever will be (Jn. 1.1-4):
“The LORD possessed Me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills,
I was brought forth; while as yet
He had not made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.
When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,
Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And My delight was with the sons of men” (Prov. 8.22-31).

Do we truly know Him? In His Word? In His creation?
Do we understand the mystery and hidden wisdom of God?
This Wisdom of God ordained before the ages?

Jesus. He is everywhere to be known in His Word.

And God has prepared the gift of Him,

To be known by those who love Him (1 Cor. 2.7; Rom. 5.8, 9).

It is an unveiled mystery solved, graciously for us, by God.
We need only read to the end to find and understand it (Jn. 5.39; 17.3).

For reflection
1. Why is Jesus referred to as the “Wisdom of God”?

2. How does focusing on Jesus, rather than men and their teachings, keep us from falling into division and disunity?

3. Whom will you talk to today about this magnificent Wisdom of God?

The wisdom of God is hidden because it is not in words but in power. It is impossible in human terms, but it can be believed by the power of the Spirit. Ambrosiaster (fl. 66-384), Commentary on Paul’s Epistles

Pray Psalm 111.1-4.
Praise God for His many works and for the many ways He works to make you more like Jesus. Remember in prayer that He made and saved you, and that He keeps and sanctifies you. Give Him glad praise and thanks.

Sing Psalm 111.1-4.
(Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
Praise the LORD! O let my heart give thanks here amid His chosen race!
Your works are great, O LORD, and sought by all who know Your grace.

For Your work is full of splendor, LORD, and of majesty most pure;
Your righteousness, O glorious God, forever will endure!

You have caused Your many wondrous works to remain before our face.
For You are full of mercy, LORD, and abounding all in grace.

T. M. and Susie Moore

The Church in Corinth was in need of revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today is in need of revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us to discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.

Support for Scriptorium comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.

And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 103 Reynolds Lane, West Grove, PA 19390.

Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.