Study Notes
Date April 19, 2004
Passage 1 Corinthians 2
Introduction
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The book of 1 Corinthians is a letter from Paul. The letter is written in response to two things:
Chloe’s report 1:11 – Paul’s response 1:12-6:20
The Corinthians letter 7:1 – Paul’s response 7-15
How do I know? Read 1 Corinthians 7:1
Paul hears from Chloe that there are divisions in the Corinthian church. He responds with rebuke and instruction. Paul then gets around to answering the Corinthian email… I mean letter. He then proceeds to answer their questions.
Last week we learned how the wisdom of man compared (or does not compare) with the wisdom of God. This week find out why Paul was led to write about wisdom. Why do you think he wrote about wisdom in chapter 1?
Let’s read together 2:1-4. So what is Paul’s reason for talking wisdom? Let’s read it again.
Let’s keep reading 5-16.
So what is Paul’s reason for writing about wisdom?
Quote from Alison’s Bible
“The Corinthian church had an unhealthy regard for rhetorical display. Paul will focus attention on what true wisdom is (1:18-2:16; 3:18-23). In this verse he reminds the Corinthians that the power of his own preaching did not depend on such skills (2:1-5).”
New Geneva Study Bible – footnote from 1:17
The Corinthians were disappointed in Paul, perhaps even ashamed. He was “intelligent” or wise enough to speak with great words and arguments. They were basically discrediting him even though he had brought them the gospel.
Could Paul have used great flowery words and wise arguments? Why didn’t Paul preach the gospel with great arguments and fancy speak?
What mystery is Paul talking about in verse 7?
Why would the rulers have not crucified the Lord of glory according to verse 8?
Who is the Lord of glory? What is glory?
Dictionary.com defines glory as – great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent; renown
Jason’s Greek from college – the root of the word glory is the word “heavy” – what does that mean?
According to verses 9-12 can we know the things God has planned?
Verses 9-12 tell us that no one can know the plans God has for those who love him, but that we do know because God has given us his Spirit.
So these things God has planned we (Paul) communicate not with the wisdom of man, but with spiritual words of wisdom.
According to verse 14 who is the natural man and can he understand the things of God?
Verse 16 we have the mind of Christ.
Application
Respect and honor your Christian leaders. The Corinthians were disrespecting Paul who had taught them the Gospel.
We have the mind of Christ by his spirit, the Holy Spirit. He teaches us things that the world can’t understand on their own. It is the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to convince unbelievers of the truth. Our task is to live out the truth in front of them so that they can be exposed to the truth that the Holy Spirit can use to convince, convict, and convert them.
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