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Song: Amazing Grace
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18 - 2:5
Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth is a tribute to and an expression of the wisdom of God. It illustrates God’s wisdom in several areas:
The local church. 1 Corinthians shows that God’s plan for local churches works. Churches are model communities—not perfect models—but working models. Tinker with God’s plan using man’s wisdom, and the community breaks down.
Order. That God is not the author of confusion is seen not only in remarks concerning worship (chs. 11-14), but in Paul’s teaching about unity (ch. 1), discipline (ch. 5), conjugal privileges (chs. 6-7), and giving (ch. 16). Here again is practical wisdom to order lives and churches and relationships.
Christ crucified. The cross accomplished not only the legal redemption of man from sin, it set the pattern for the believer’s life. In every local church problem addressed in the book, Paul shows how the wisdom of Christ crucified provides the motive, the attitude, and the answer to the issue at hand. It will keep workers humble (chs. 2-4), prevent saints from stumbling (chs. 8-10), cause self-denial for the sake of peace (ch. 6), supply indefatigable hope of victory even in death (ch. 15).
The bickering, divisive Corinthians wrote Paul a letter perhaps expecting him to take a side (7:1). Paul turned the spotlight on God’s wisdom and provided a manual for local churches for all time.
Jason Moore
