1 Corinthians 2:1-5

¹ And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. ² For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. ³ I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. ⁴ And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Commentary 

Vs. 1 "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God."

The Apostle Paul now says of his own ministry that he did not come with excellence of speech (i.e. high sounding or lofty words), or of wisdom when he declared the testimony of God to them. Indeed if the Corinthians were looking for a gifted speaker, or a "philosopher", to either enlighten or entertain them, the Apostle was not obliging them. Indeed when one does those things all they do is put the Gospel out of reach of those whom it is intended to reach. For it's the the simplicity of the message preached and believed that brings salvation to one and to all who believe. 

Vs. 2 "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

"For I determined", that is the Apostle Paul firmly made up his mind that he was only going to declare to them Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Having already tried to reason with the Philosophers in Athens at Mars Hill, the Apostle Paul must have come to realize that the Gospel must stand on it's own merits. Philosophy or any other kind of intellectual reasoning is not the means through which God reveals Himself, to those whom He calls to Himself. Thus the Apostle says here that he determined not to know anything among the Corinthians except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. For that must be believed in order for salvation to be enacted in one's person and life (John 3:16). 

Vs. 3  "I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling." 

In contrast to the strength of person, or speech, or reasoning that would exemplify the prototypical Greek or Roman; or at least what they admired in a man. The Apostle Paul by his own testimony was none of those things. Both Paul's demeanor and his person did not exemplify those attributes and qualities that would make him appealing to the carnally minded. In fact Paul was the antithesis of the self-confident/"self made" whose confidence is not in God, but in themselves and their abilities and understanding. For Paul says that when he was with the Corinthians, he was there with them in weakness, in fear, and much trembling. That is, he was there amongst them in that state or condition. Thus Paul was not the type of person people would gravitate too if they were looking for a self-confident, self-assured individual to follow. Paul's manner of person amongst the Corinthians was in weakness, in fear, and much trembling. Timidity of person would rightly describe Paul and his demeanor. Now in stating this it must be remembered what the Apostle is stating here of himself is what he was naturally, not what he was when he was empowered by the Holy Spirit who gave him courage, and strength, and power to declare the Gospel of God (consider Acts 4:31). 

Vs. 4-5  ⁴ And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Again the Apostle Paul did not intellectualize or philosophize the Gospel. He did not come with a Phd and or with the wisdom of men to validate either himself, or the message of the Gospel. Instead Paul presented the Gospel by the empowering and enabling of the Holy Spirit, which alone reaches the souls of mankind with the Gospel. Now this he did so that the Corinthians faith would not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Just as our faith must also be in the power of God, and not in the one who preaches or leads, not in the one who teaches or instructs, but in Christ alone, and thus the Power of God by which Christ rose from the dead, who will also raise us up with Himself (1 Cor 6:14; 2 Cor 4:14). For it is the power of God that not only gives us everlasting life with Christ by the Presence and Power of the Spirit in our lives, but it is the power of God (not the wisdom of men) that is transforming us "from one glory to another" as the Apostle states in 2 Cor 3:18.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Word Studies

Vs. 1 excellence, Str 5247, GK 5667, TDNT 8.523; TDNTA 1230; LN 87.26 
Vs. 3 weakness, Str 769; GK 819; TDNT 1.490; TDNTA 83;  LN 25.269 

Additional Resources Consulted 
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887.

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 317). New York: United Bible Societies.

1 Corinthians 1:26–31

²⁶ For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence. ³⁰ But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—³¹ that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Commentary

Vs. 26 The Apostle Paul having renounced the wisdom of this world. Now asks us to consider our own calling, that is how we came to know God, and Jesus Christ personally, as our Lord and Savior? Was it because we were "wise", or "mighty", or "noble" that God called us to Himself to be His own? Indeed as the Apostle states here, just as the whole Scripture also shows as a pattern, God does not chose many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble are called by Him. Not that these are not sometimes called by Him, rather the vast majority of God's children and servants are in fact called by Him when they are just ordinary people, through whom He then equips and empowers by His Spirit to live extraordinary lives. In fact as the Apostle Paul states, God often intentionally chooses people who are the antithesis of what this world considers "wise", "mighty", or "noble". The reason for God doing this is stated in verse twenty nine, so that no flesh should glory in His presence. That is no person should glory in themselves (or have others glory in them) because of their abilities, their attributes, their person, position, might, or standing. For its not what we bring to the "table" that qualifies us in the sight of God, it's what God can bring to us, and do through us, is what God is most often looking for from us. 

And so the Apostle Paul having stated in verse twenty six that God does not chose many wise, or mighty, or noble, according to the flesh. That is, God does not chose many who are of great learning, or are intellectually astute to make His Person, Power, and Salvation known. Similarly God does not choose many who are mighty in this world. That is people of great skills, abilities, power, or influence. People who describe themselves, or think of themselves as "self-made." Thus people whose dependence is ultimately on themselves and their own "resources". Nor does God choose many who are noble. That is people who are "well-born", people of high standing, rank, or status in society, which makes them in the their own eyes, and the eyes of others, "preeminent." And so instead of choosing them. The Apostle Paul will present to us in verses 27-29 the antithesis of that fleshly or carnal wisdom that puts mankind and their attributes, abilities, and power etc. front and center for exaltation and glorification by all who are like minded (consider 1 John 2:15-17).

Vs. 27-29 "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence." 

And so it is that God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise. That is those things that are foolish in the eyes of this world and people of it. Foolish then only by what this world believes and values. Literally what is non-sense in their eyes. God has chosen these to put to shame the "wise". Similarly God has chosen the weak things of this world to put the shame the things which are mighty. Now weak here means more than just physical weakness, it means "powerless." Finally God has chosen the base things of this world and the things which are despised to put to shame the the things that are. Now base here means lowly, obscure, insignificant, "inferior", not of noble birth or high standing. Not "noteworthy". While despised indicates one who is considered as worthless based upon that which is ultimately "worthless" (LN). Whether this is one's own righteousness, goodness, social standing, physical or mental skills, attributes, or anything else through which one considers themselves "superior" to another, and thus despises another. And so it is God who does not see as man sees (see 1 Samuel 16:7) has chosen for Himself all of us who are foolish, weak, base, and or despised by this world's "wisdom" and thus Godless standards and values. The reason that God has chosen us is so that no-flesh should glory in His Presence (vs. 29). That is glory in what they know, or what they are, or what they can do, or what they have been and done etc. All which is nothing before the Infinite and Almighty. Therefore let us all glory only in the Lord!

Vs. 30-31 "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

And so in contrast to the "wisdom" of this world that again ultimately looks to itself and thus glories in itself. The Apostle Paul now says of every one of us who have been called by Christ and thus believe in Him. That all that we are and have comes through Christ Jesus. For it is Christ Jesus alone who became for us all wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Four things which no person can have or attain too by themselves. Thus God through His Son Jesus has met every persons greatest need and that is reconciliation with Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son. If you have never made a personal decision to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and thus trust Him and Him alone to bring you into a right and restored relationship with God the Father. Then please do so now. By a simple prayer of faith invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life (Rev. 3:20) and He will come into you and not only save you from your sins and transgressions but He will transform your person and life. Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe You died on the cross for my salvation (John 3:16), and that You rose from the dead the third day so that You could impart new and everlasting life in me the moment I believe in You. Therefore I now invite You Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, amen.


Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

1 Corinthians 1:18–25

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” ²⁰ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 

Commentary
Vs. 18  "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

In many ways the message of the Lord Jesus Christ crucified is foolishness to those who are perishing, that is perishing in their sins and transgressions, and thus their unbelief. Yet for us who are being saved, the Gospel is the Power of God to salvation for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now saved here is an encompassing thought, including not only ones salvation from their sins and transgressions (John 3:16), and thus the wrath to come (Rom 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10), but also it encompasses our ongoing sanctification. For we are being saved not only from God's judgment against sin, but also the power of sin, and ultimately the presence of sin (which will find completion when we are at home with Christ in heaven). And thus we have not only been saved from God's judgment that will come upon every unbelieving and unregenerate soul (Rev 20:11-15). But we are being saved, as an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit from the presence and power of sin in our lives.

Vs. 19  For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

Because of unbelieving mankind's reliance on their own "wisdom", and thus their wilful disobedience to God through it, God chose to destroy the wisdom of the "wise" and bring to nothing the understanding of the "prudent". For in every culture, in every generation, men and women purport to be wise and understanding. Yet as history shows us, time and again all of mankind's wisdom has yet to resolve the fundamental human condition, and that is sin, and the corruption from it that is within us all, and is around us all, and thus the devastating effects and fallout from it all, that we constantly apply our band aid solutions too. Now the Apostle Paul's quoting from Isaiah 29:14, is quoting from a time when Israel having turned their back on God, turned to their own "wise" and "prudent" counselors who gave counsel to them that they must align themselves with the "wise" and "mighty" of Egypt whom God clearly told them that they should do no such thing. And so here Isaiah not only tells us of God flately rejecting the "wisdom" and the "counsel" of Israel's "wise" men. But also of God prophetically turning the ages of mankind's universal "wisdom" and "counsel" that apart from Him, has likewise solved and resolved nothing, to nothing. And so at the heart of God's destroying the wisdom of the wise and bringing to nothing the understanding of the prudent is God's renunciation of all of mankind's "wisdom" whether through secular or religious means by which mankind seeks salvation for itself. For the cross of Christ stands forever juxtaposed to all of the "wisdom" that is born out of finite mankind's own desires and understanding. For the cross of Christ is not something that must be comprehended by intellectual astuteness, nor is it something that must be attained too by strenuous religious zeal and effort. The cross of Christ simply says: "Look to Me and be saved all you ends of the earth" (see Isaiah 45:22; John 3:16). Something which again flies in the face of the pride of mankind, who always try to solve and resolve their own problems through their own means. Whether through philosophy and "higher learning", as the ancient Greeks thought this brought them into the Divine Nature, or as the Jews thought that through their own zealous religious observances they would attain to what God ultimately required of them. Or as secular society now thinks that through science and engineering, or by politics and diplomacy etc., they can solve the innumerable evils and social ills that haunt us all. Yet before it all finally implodes in on us all, there must be the acknowledgment by us all of Jesus as Lord, and our sin against Him, which then opens the door for our understanding of the Gospel. Now it is the Gospel's Message of Jesus Christ crucified for our salvation from sin and death which then saves and transforms us all who believe in Him. And so the Gospel is foolishness only to those who look to themselves, and thus trust in themselves, to solve and resolve all that is wrong with them, and around them. That is the "wisdom" that God is destroying, and the "understanding" that He is bringing to nothing.

Vs. 20 "Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" 

And so in that vein the Apostle Paul now asks:
"Where is the wise?" Are they in the Kingdom of God, are they children of the Everlasting Father? Are they going to be regenerated by the Spirit of God through their own "wisdom" and "understanding?"
Where is the scribe? I.e. the scholar with all of their technical skill and knowledge. Are they in the Kingdom of heaven? Are they the children of God? Do they have the Spirit of God? Will the Word of God save them if they don't repent and believe it? (consider John 5:39-47)
Where is the disputer? The skillful debater who only uses their God given intellectual and reasoning abilities in trying to refute the Gospel, and or undermine people's faith in God's Word. And so in the end where will they appear? (consider Matt 12:30)

And so where are they? In the Kingdom of heaven they will not be found, if they don't see their own need for Christ, and in faith turn unconditionally to Him for healing and life (consider John 12:35-40). And so it is that the Apostle Paul asks us all to consider them, and not adopt any of their ways, for again: "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" For it is this world's "wisdom" that ultimately denies and disobeys Almighty God. 

Vs. 21 "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." 

And so it is that God in His Wisdom has shut out the world from knowing Him through their own "wisdom", so that He might save us who believe through the "foolishness" of the message preached.  

For it is through the Gospel preached and our hearing, and thus believing it, that God saves us who believe. Which again flies in the face of the pride of mankind, whose wisdom makes salvation something that one must earn for themselves. For consider if you will that every religion in the world requires that one essentially try to earn what they can only attain to by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Again the Message preached and believed is the only means through which God saves souls from wrath and transforms lives here and now. If a church (or ministry) ever forgets that, then they will cease to be a means by which God works and brings salvation to broken and needy humanity.

Vs. 22-25 ²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Again only the Gospel preached and one believing it (not "seeing" it) brings salvation (consider 2 Cor 5:7). Something which the Jews who always requested "a sign" found untenable. Yet Jesus never gave them a sign (John 6:30-40), for as He said of them in His parable of the rich man and Lazarus, though one rise from the dead they would not believe (see Luke 16:19-31, vs. 27-31). Therefore it's not for a lack of "evidence" that they (or anyone else) does not believe, it's the simple fact of their having already hardened their hearts to God, that they cannot hear, and thus believe the Word of God. Similarly the Greeks who for generations sought to attain to the wisdom of "the gods." Yet when the Wisdom of God came to them they did not believe it. Instead they scoffed at the notion of a God who would suffer crucifixion death at the hands of mortal mankind. And so it is that the message of Christ crucified was to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness. A stumbling block to the Jews because their hope was set on the Messiah who by might and force would rescue them from all their enemies; specifically the Romans who then ruled them. Therefore for Christ to have suffered crucifixion death at the hands of their enemies was absolutely untenable to them. For they only envisioned Christ as Victor, they did not see Him as the Scriptures reveal Him, as having to first suffer humiliation and death (just as God's people had for centuries), so that having entered into their plight (indeed the entire human races plight because of sin), Jesus having suffered God's judgment against sin for us all. He then rose again the third day, so that He can now bring salvation to us all who long for it. And so there are phases to God's redemption plans for Israel, just as there are for all of believing humanity, and creation with it. Therefore those Jews who did not believe are a lesson to us not to short anything in Scriptures, but rather to wait on God for their complete fulfillment. Therefore to us who are called, both Jews and Greeks (i.e. Gentiles) Christ crucified is both the power of God and the wisdom of God (vs. 24). The Power of God which brings about our redemption and eternal salvation through His own Son's "weakness" and death. While it is the wisdom of God, because it by Christ's resurrection from the dead that God vindicates His Son having done so, and thus He can now justify every repentant and believing sinner who trusts in Him. Therefore the Apostle Paul rightly says that "....the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."  For mankind by their own "wisdom" and "strength" can neither save themselves, nor preserve themselves, "for by strength no man shall prevail" (1 Sam 2:8).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.


Note: Draft Version

1 Corinthians 1:10–17

¹⁰ Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. ¹² Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. ¹⁶ Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Commentary

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

Having reaffirmed to the Corinthian believers their calling and place with God through Christ. The Apostle Paul now starts to address some of the areas of concern within the Corinthian congregations and believers there. Now the most pressing issue there was their divisiveness. Which left unchecked can tear apart whole congregations, not only ruining them and their own testimonies, but also divisiveness amongst brethren undermines the testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And so the Apostle Paul begins with addressing this root problem first, pleading with them all to "speak the same thing", so that there would be no divisions amongst them, but rather that they all would "be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment" (vs. 10).  

Now at the root of their divisiveness was their growing sectarianism. That is though they, and all believers everywhere have salvation only through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). Yet it became apparent to the household of Chloe (that is the believers who assembled there) that both individual believers, as well as collective assemblies in Corinth were now aligning themselves not under the Name of our only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but rather under the names of men who had either preached the Gospel to them, and or had baptized them. An utterly untenable situation given there is One Name alone that saves us, and is to be exalted amongst brethren everywhere. 

Vs. 12-13 ¹² Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

In responding to their divisiveness; that is the Corinthians aligning themselves under Paul or Apollos, or Cephas (i.e. the Apostle Peter), and thus the men through the Gospel was preached to them and they believed, or were discipled by, some even started to claim they exclusively belonged to Christ. And so in response to all of that the Apostle Paul asks them all some poignant questions, starting with "Is Christ divided?" That is does Jesus Christ freely bring salvation to us all who believe in Him, and then divide us up into different groups and factions under the names and banners of the men through whom we believed? Does He not rather set us all apart for Himself under the Name of Himself? Thus uniting us all to Himself through Himself. For we are not commanded to follow men, or make disciples in the names of the men. We are commanded to follow Christ and makes disciples in His, and only His name. That is the issue, not that believers assemble in different locations, or have different pastors and such who lead them, and hopefully guide them into following Christ faithfully. But in receiving Christ by faith, you and me and everyone who does so becomes apart of Christ. And thus no-one can justly think themselves (and those in their assembly) as exclusively belonging to Christ. Whether they do this by aligning themselves under His Name or anybody else's. 

Again Christ is not divided, neither then can His people be divided into sectarian divisions (1 Cor 12:12-31). Therefore unity for us all comes through our only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who suffered crucifixion death in our place, who rose from the dead on the third day, and who ascended back to God the Father, who now freely gives us His Spirit, so that whoever believes in Him will have remission of all their sins and everlasting life. Now as the Apostle Paul goes onto say of the brethren in Corinth, aligning themselves under the names of the men who either preached the gospel to them, and or baptized them. "Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" And so what the Apostle Paul is essentially asking is, did salvation come through me? or were you baptized in my name to become a disciple of me? To which the obvious answer is no! 

Therefore our first loyalty must always be to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Body of believers everywhere, who in every generation call upon His Name in truth. Thus to all who hold fast to His and His Biblical Apostles commandments, exhortations, and decrees.  For no one should think that one Biblical Apostle, or preacher, or teacher, is "superior" to another, and thus one should align themselves under them, as if our salvation comes through them. For that's only being carnal, not spiritual. Therefore the issue not who preached the Gospel to you, or disciples you, the issue is what place does Jesus Christ and His Word have in you, is He your Lord and Savior and does His Word mandate to you how you will live, and how you will follow Him in grace and truth (John 1:17). 

Vs. 14-17 ¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. ¹⁶ Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

And so the Apostle Paul now must say in response to their aligning themselves under the names of men who either preached the Gospel to them, and or baptized them, and thus that had become the all important thing to them. That he thanks God that he baptized none of them, except Crispus and Gaius (vs. 14). The reason he thanks God for this, is not that Paul had anything against baptizing any of them, rather he thanks God that he did not baptize any, except Crispus and Gaius, because of the importance the Corinthians themselves began to place on the one who had baptized them (and thus discipled them). And so the Apostle is thankful that he had only baptized those two men unless anyone should say that he had baptized in his own name, and thus was making disciples after himself, and not after Christ (vs. 15). And so in verse sixteen, also recalling that he baptized the household of Stephanas, and unable to recall if he baptized any other, the Apostle Paul in doing so is simply trying to set the record straight, that baptism is not what he was commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to do, as if that is salvation comes through it, or making disciples is born out of it. Rather as he says in verse seventeen, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect." 

For discipleship does not start with baptism (see Matt 28:18-20). Discipleship begins when one believes the Gospel and thus receives the Lord jesus Christ into one's heart and life. Water baptism then is merely the external confirmation of one having already believed, and thus having already received the Lord Jesus Christ by faith through the Gospel, and thus of having become a disciple of Christ. Simply stated water baptism saves no one. It adds nothing to the God's finished work done on the cross. Thus Christ did not send the Apostle Paul to go and baptize people, as if that is the critical link that will restore separated and fallen humanity back to God. Rather Christ sent Paul (just as sends me and you) to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel! For it is by hearing the Gospel preached that faith comes, and it is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that salvation is received. And so we are commanded to go out and preach the Gospel everywhere and to everyone, but not with wisdom of words, that is not with the philosophies and lofty reasonings of man, since these only make the cross of Christ of no effect. For the Cross of Christ, the absolute simplicity of it, is the demarcation line between the Words and Works and Wisdom of God, and that of mortal man, who by his own wisdom and reasoning and or self-efforts can effectively change nothing that is fundamentally wrong with himself, or even His standing before God Himself. And so the Gospel says believe in God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ crucified for your redemption from sin and death and be saved from the wrath and the judgment to come (John 3:16-21). For that is how salvation is received and discipleship begins, by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as testified to in the Bible, which then precipitates one being brought to life by the Holy Spirit of God. And thus having been born-again by the Spirit of God, one can now by the transforming power of God through His Holy Spirit, begin the process of learning how to live out what the Lord Jesus Christ commands that we all do.

Now if you have not yet received Christ into your heart and life, so that He might begin His transformative work and discipleship within you, then please by all means do so. By a simple prayer of faith, of believing in Jesus Christ, and receiving Him unconditionally into your heart and life you can have remission of all your sins and everlasting life. Therefore invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior by praying something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that You died for Me on the cross so that I could have remission of all my sins and have everlasting life with You the moment I believe in You. Therefore I now invite You to come into my heart and life, to not only save me from the wrath and judgment to come, but also to transform me, by Your Holy Spirit make me into the kind of person God always intended me to be. In your Precious Name Lord Jesus, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

1 Corinthians 1:4–9

⁴ I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, ⁵ that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, ⁶ even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, ⁷ so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸ who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Commentary
Bringing hope and life to those who thought they were without hope and beyond redemption is what the Gospel is all about. And so the Apostle Paul in that spirit of hope and redemption conveys to the Corinthians his own heartfelt thanksgiving to God for them all, who in His love for them all, has given His grace to them all, through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior (vs. 4). And so they being saved by the grace of God they were also enriched in everything by God, in all utterance and knowledge (vs. 5). That is the Corinthians were not only saved from their sins and transgressions, by the grace of God, but they had been enriched by God through that same grace which gave them Spirit utterances and knowledge of God which confirmed to them, and to all (1 Cor 14), the testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is in them (vs. 6). And so they having come short in no gift, would set their hope solidly upon Christ, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (vs. 7). Who, as the Apostle Paul says in verse eight "...will confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ is referring to His return, when Jesus' Person will be fully manifested to one and to all (see Matt 16:27-28; Luke 17:22-30; 2 Thess 1:7-10; 1 Peter 1:7, 4:13; 1 John 2:28 etc.). While Christ's confirmation of our person until the end is the absolute assurance of our salvation, of us all who believe in Him. For our being declared blameless by God on that Day is not based upon ourselves, rather it is based solely upon our Sinless Savior who has made us justified in the sight of God through His own death on the cross. And so the Apostle Paul knowing that it is God who began His good work within us (Phil. 1:6), calling us into the fellowship of His Son, will also be the One who will complete His good work within us, making us fit for the Day of His Son's Manifestation and Glorification and Exaltation before all nations and peoples. Thus the Apostle Paul could boldly assure the Corinthian believers that though they were less than "stellar saints" in their lives and faith at that time, he was completely confident in God's faithfulness, who was still working in them and through them, and thus he could readily affirm them and assure them of this fact by saying, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." vs. 9

Now if you have not yet answered God's call to personally enter into the fellowship of His Son, that is by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life, resting all your hope for redemption and change upon Him, then by all means please do so now. For salvation from sin and eternal death is only the beginning of what God is offering you. For to know God through His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is to have and live an abundant and satisfied life. For once that issue is settled in your life, you will have satisfied the greatest need in your life. And everything else will find it's own place, and nothing will ever again bring you to a place too despair beyond hope. Therefore by a simple prayer of faith, inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life, you too can have Fellowship with God's Son and experience His life changing Power and Presence within You, For it is God through the Spirit of His Son will restore life, joy, and love to you. Therefore if you believe and want to receive the Lord Jesus Christ use this prayer, or something like it, to receive Jesus into your heart and life by praying something like this:
Dear Lord Jesus I believe that You died on the cross for all my sins and transgressions, and that You rose again from the dead on the third day so I could have new and everlasting with You the moment I believe in You calling upon Your Name. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be My Lord and Savior, confessing You as Lord alone, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

1 Corinthians 1:1–3

¹ Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, ² To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Commentary

Vs. 1 Through his introduction the Apostle reveals some foundational truths about himself, and us who believe as well. First Paul was called (by Christ) to be an apostle for Him. This occurred on the Damascus road while Saul (Paul's name before his salvation) was still hostile towards the gospel of God (see Acts 9:1-31). Second Paul's being called did not come of himself; of neither his own will, or through his own works (Eph 2:8-9). Nor was it going to be prevented by anyone else's will who did not want Paul to be called by Christ. For mans will does not and cannot override God's Will. Thus Paul's being called to be an apostle of Christ came and was fulfilled by the will of God, something that also describes each and every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (consider John 1:12-13, 15:16; Acts 13:48; Rom 8:28-30; 9:11; Eph. 1:3-5, 11; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2 etc.). Now Paul's having declared his being called by Christ according to the will of God was not for his sake, but for ours, so that we could have confidence in the authenticity of his person's calling, as well his epistles authority in our lives. And so having introduced himself as an apostle of Christ, through the will of God, Paul now includes in his greeting to us a man named Sosthenes, who must have been with Paul at the time of his writing this epistle. Now there is a Sosthenes also mentioned in Acts 18:17, who being the ruler of the synagogue was beaten by an angry mob stirred up by unbelieving Jews during Paul's preaching there in Corinth (see Acts 18:1-17). Unfortunately whether or not these two are the same man is not known for certain at this time. What is clear though is that the Sosthenes mentioned here is called by the Apostle Paul "our brother". Thus Paul wants all the Corinthians to regard Sosthenes as they would regard himself, a brother and friend in the Lord, just as we should regard each other. 

Vs. 2-3 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

"To the church of God which is at Corinth" could've seemed an oxymoron to the casual observer at the time of the Apostles writing, given the cities flagrant immorality and idolatrous practises. Yet it was there amongst sins carnage that God established a church, by first revealing to the Apostle Paul that though such things were taking place, it was there within that carnage that God had many people who did not yet know Him (see Acts 18:9-11). And so it is that what people currently are, is not always revealing of what they will be. For even the Apostle Paul was once hostile to the gospel of God (consider Titus 3:3-7). Indeed if geographic location revealed anything about anyone, than Jesus Himself would not have been called by God from Nazareth; a "frontier" town with a less than stellar reputation, which was unknown for having any substantial religious significance or impact unlike the more prominent Jerusalem or Judea, from which the religious "elite" claimed rights and residences from. And so location is only relevant and important in retail sales, not in Christian faith and discipleship. Equally then where one went to Bible school or seminary, or if they even went at all is also irrelevant, since that reveals only that one had the education, and or the means to do so, it says nothing of their faith, or person, or even their being called by God to do so. 

Now it's also interesting to note that the expression "church of God" though used by the Apostle Paul eight times in the N.T. is five times used by him in the Corinthian epistles (1 Cor 1:2, 10:32, 11:22, 15:9, 2 Cor 1:1). It seems then the Corinthian believers were in need of some encouragement in regards to understanding their own calling and standing with God. For though they were in the midst of a sinful society, of which some of them had come out of (1 Cor 6:9-11). The Apostle Paul wanted them (just as he wants us all to know) that they had not only been called by God to be saints, (that is to be God's people) they (like ourselves) are sanctified (set apart) by God Himself.
Now sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit (2 Thess 2:13) which He begins within us with our being renewed by the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-6). Which itself is describing our being born-again by the Spirit of God (John 3:3-5). Thus having been brought to Spirit life and united with the Lord Jesus Christ for eternity (Eph. 1:13-14) we are to now live sanctified lives. And that is why the Apostle Paul is writing to the Corinthians, to instruct them and us, on how to do just that. Thus in being sanctified by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18) the Apostle Paul extends grace and peace to us from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (also see Rom. 1:7; 2 Peter 2:1). 

Now if you have not yet made that decision to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life then then by all means do so. For by a simple prayer of faith, Jesus will come into you, and not only save you from your sins and transgressions, and thus the wrath to come, but Jesus by His Holy Spirit will also wash and regenerate you, something neither you, nor anyone else can do for you.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Romans 16:21–27

²¹ Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. ²² I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. ²³ Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. ²⁴ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. ²⁵ Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began ²⁶ but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—²⁷ to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Commentary

Vs. 21 The Apostle Paul's co-workers in the Gospel now send along their own greetings. And so the Apostle Paul begins by introducing a beloved brother in the Lord, a man named Timothy, whom Paul took under his wing and discipled early on, who faithfully followed Paul throughout his missionary journeys, and or took on the role of church oversight in assemblies that the Apostle Paul founded or helped to establish in the Gospel (see Acts 18:5; 19:22; 1 Cor 4:17, 16:10; 2 Cor. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; 2:19; Col 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1, 3:1-2, 6; 2 Thess 1:1; Philemon 1:1; Heb 13:23). And so like a proud father with his son; Paul also calls Timothy his "son" (see 1 Tim 1:2, 18; 2 Tim 1:2); the Apostle now proudly introduces the Roman believers to Timothy, whom he refers to here as "my fellow worker". Now along with Timothy, Paul mentions Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, fellow believers and co-workers who were of Jewish descent like Paul. Now the Lucius mentioned here may or not be the same Lucius who was an early church leader in Antioch, who along with others there laid hands on Paul and Barnabas when they went out on their first missionary journey (see Acts 13:1-3). Jason is the next brethren mentioned, and if the Jason from Thessalonica who lodged Paul and Silas during Paul's missionary work there (see Acts 17:5-9), Jason too would have been a long time supporter of the Apostle Paul in his endeavours for the Lord as well. Next up is Sosipater, a man of jewish descent, Sosipater maybe the same man named Sopater who along with others accompanied the Apostle Paul while on his final missionary journey, when Paul was heading to Jerusalem (see Acts 20:1-5). It was around this time that the Apostle Paul dictated his epistle to the Romans (see Romans 15:25-29).

Vs. 22 "I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord."

Tertius now sends along his own personal greetings, Tertius was a brother in the Lord, and likely a scribe or "secretary" by trade, whom the Apostle Paul dictated this epistle too. Tertius, of latin origin, means "the third." Thus Tertius was a third born child or son. It's hard to imagine what would've happened if Tertius had not faithfully recorded for us the Apostle Paul's epistle. And so like countless other "ordinary" saints who have put their skills and talents to the Lord's service, his work and laborer in the Lord was not only a blessing to believers then, but continues to live on doing so now.

Vs. 23 "Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother."

Gaius was an early believer in Corinth whom the Apostle Paul baptized (1 Cor 1:14). Gaius himself was a very hospitable man, serving not only as a host for the Apostle Paul, but also Gaius hosted "the whole church." Which likely means his home served as a meeting place for believers as needed. Thus the believers there with Gais also send along their greetings.

Following Gaius, Erastus is now mentioned, and is introduced as the "treasurer of the city" in Corinth. Erastus then was a prominent man in Corinthian society, indicating along with several others in the N.T. the social and economic diversity of the early church. There is an inscription in the pavement of the amphitheater at ancient Corinth which bears the name “Erastus” (Nelsons). While Quartus ( "the fourth") is simply referred to as a brother. Thus one need not be "socially prominent" to be held in loving regard by the Apostle Paul.

Vs. 24 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

The Apostle Paul having introduced to us his closest compatriots, and as many brethren as he could, sending along their greetings as well, now prays that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us all (vs. 24). For grace is not only needed personally by us all, it is needed corporately, as we all learn to live like disciples of Christ. For grace is not just a saving moment in our lives, it is to define our lives.

Vs. 25-27 ²⁵ Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began ²⁶ but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—²⁷ to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

The Apostle Paul's concluding statement to us is a benediction, that starts with God and ends with God. For truly salvation comes from God alone. And so it is God alone who is fully able to establish us in the Gospel of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ through His appointed apostle, Paul the man he choose before the foundation of world to do so, and whom He commissioned to do so when He revealed His Son to him on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-30; 21:39-22:1-21; 26:1-32). And having given the Apostle Paul the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to preach, Paul did just that. Spending his new life in Christ fully uncovering and making known "the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began" to one and all. A mystery which is hidden no more, God having unveiled the hearts and minds of us all who believe. It is His Word through His prophetic Scriptures (given through His Son, His apostles and prophets) that clearly explains not only the way to life everlasting, through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus, but God's purpose for us all, to bring us all in One Body in Christ where the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of us all. Where His Word and His truth governs us all. Thus ending all alienation through God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ. And so the commandment of the everlasting God is believe on His Son, that is look to Christ crucified for salvation from sin and death and receive God's truth through Him for obedience to the faith. For it is God alone who is wise and understanding, who has glory through Jesus Christ forever, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.


Additional Resources Consulted 
Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Smith, Stelman, and Judson Cornwall. The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos, 1998.

Romans 16:17-20

¹⁷ Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. ¹⁹ For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. ²⁰ And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Commentary
Vs. 17-18 The Apostle Paul having spent a great amount of time in recalling to mind and greeting as many brethren as he could; and in doing so encouraged us all to do the same by greeting one another (vs. 3-16). Now must address a possible pitfall in our doing so, and that is false brethren and false teachers who love to prey on the hospitable and genuine nature of true believers everywhere. And so the Apostle Paul begins warning us about them saying, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them." vs. 17

Two things to note about them. First is they are divisive. That is they are people who cause divisions and make factions amongst brethren. That's one tell tail marker of them, they are divisive, not submissive to the word of God (1 Tim 6:3-5). Second is they cause offenses (gr. skandalon), that is their person and life is being lived contrary to the sound doctrine of Christ. Thus they do not serve our Lord and Savior, rather as the Apostle Paul says of them in verse eighteen they only serve their own bellies, literally yes, but one could include in this their "appetites", that is whatever their sinful and self centered natures crave and desire that they serve (also see Phil 3:17-19). As well the Apostle Paul says of them that they use smooth words and flattering speech to deceive the hearts of the simple (also see 2 Peter 2:18-22). Thus they prey on their victims naivete, using smooth speech and flattering words to gain their trust so that they might exploit and or take  advantage of them. 

Vs. 19-20 Therefore we are commanded to avoid them. For as the Apostle Paul says in verse nineteen: "For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil." For in doing so, in being both discerning, as well as keeping oneself from evil, the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet. That is God will bring you peace and safety from Satan and all those of him when you obey Him. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." vs. 20 


Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.