1 Corinthians 1:10-31, "Glory in the Lord"

1 Corinthians 1:10–31 NKJV

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. 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. 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.”

Second Letter to the Corinthian Church

Ephesus, third missionary journey, ca. 54 A.D.

Believers are to be unified and live in Jesus Christ (1:2-3, 10-17)

Spiritually immature

Sectarianism (vv. 10-17)

Understand God’s wisdom and power (vv. 18-25)

Understand the nature of the believer’s call (vv. 26-31)

We Don’t Glory in Ourselves; We Glory in the Lord for All We Have.

Sectarianism (vv. 10-17)

Sectarianism: Placing loyalty to a person, thing, idea, or concept instead of Jesus Christ

Sinful and heretical

1 Corinthians 11:19 NKJV

19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.

Galatians 5:20 NKJV

20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

They were baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ

Christ was crucified for us, not the person who baptizes us (1 Cor. 1:10-13).

Personalities, misguided loyalties, false teachings

The Power and Wisdom of God (vv. 18-25)

The Cross Is Foolish to the Perishing,

The world’s wisdom is not wise

The Jews wanted a sign, and the Greeks sought wisdom

They rejected Christ crucified

Christ crucified is not foolishness to the believer. It is love, hope, and faith

The Cross Is the Power of God

Isaiah 29:13–14 NKJV

13 Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, 14 Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

We cannot glorify Christ unless He is in our hearts

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 6:19 NKJV

19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

1 Peter 1:15–16 NKJV

15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 NKJV

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Wisdom (Sophia) Means to Acquire and Discern Truth and Knowledge Apart from God

The world’s wisdom is temporary—The Greek Sophists and Platonists are long gone, but God’s wisdom remains.

God alone has the power to save you from the bondage of sin (e.g., John 3:16-21; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-17)

The Nature of the Christian’s Calling (vv. 26-31)

God Is the Creator We Must Rely on for Everything, Especially Salvation

A Spiritually Immature Church

Some solid, stable, mature Christians

Most did not yet understand the nature of God’s grace

Believed they could live as they wanted and earn their way to eternal life.

Three Metaphors Describe Salvation (Witherington)

Juridical: In good standing with God

Religious: Holiness, righteousness, sanctified, consecrated, and set apart for God

Slavery: Redemption, freed from sin's bondage

Jesus was the ransom payment for our sins

We glory in the LORD because He saves us!

Salvation Is God’s to Give Alone—Glory in the LORD!