Summary: There is no need for someone to become a genius to share the gospel!

INTRODUCTION

“Brothers, I do not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaim to you this message from God!” (Borrowing the thought of Paul’s message to Corinthians in Chapter 2 verse 1)

The problem of Corinthians is best described in verse 12. They were pulling each other on each other’s side. As if they were dividing their selves into the good, the better and the best something like of a “human pusoy(POKER)”. At a glance, we can say that the Corinthians were using their human wisdom in addressing the conflicts in the church. First, let us be reminded that the culture affecting the people of Corinth is the typical Greek culture. Its people were interested in Greek philosophy and placed a high premium on wisdom.

• Apollos carried on a fruitful ministry in Corinth (Acts 18:24-28; 19:1). He is described as a learned man. His origin is Alexandria.

• Cephas—it has been suggested that those who followed him in Corinth were Jewish Christians. A fisherman.

• Paul—preached to them and seemed to have a number of people who respect him more than the others (1:11). According to him he came to them not with eloquence and superior wisdom but only through the Spirit’s power (2:1-5).

There were other problems in Corinth at that time, like sexual immorality but the division is the first concern that was reflected and must be dealt with urgency. Settling this issue ahead of the others will establish a credible leadership that will deal to the rest of the problems. I suspect that this division is caused by their high respect to Greek philosophy and high regard on worldly wisdom (3:1-4), especially when Apollos was included in the controversy. He fits what the Corinthians looks for, young and educated (Acts 18:24).

I. HUMAN WISDOM WAS SHAMED BY THE GOSPEL, 18-25

As dictated by their culture, the Corinthians hold on to human wisdom. Human wisdom based their choice on the questions of who are you? Where did you come from? What are your accomplishments? For this kind of Christians, the likes of Plato and Pythagoras will pass as a pastor for a mere intelligence. If newspaper advertisement was already in use then, this might be their ad, WANTED: Senior Pastor with a Doctoral Degree from the most prestigious Seminary preferably with Bachelors in Mass Communications, Engineering, Physics, Sociology, Astronomy and etc. Having won a debate contest in College is an advantage. But Paul said to them. It is not supposed to be for the Christians. Christians should not be in any way influenced by the worldly wisdom in making decisions in life. In saying so, the kinds of debates they were having on who is to be followed in the church do not show their knowledge of the true wisdom. To be more emphatic to his message Paul said the following about the wisdom of the world.

A. It can not bring salvation, 18-19.

The message of the cross is foolishness to them (18). It can not see that it is the power of God to save man. It doesn’t know God. “For in their wisdom, they did not know God” (21). Human wisdom may know and understand all that is under the sun. It may have brought them to the moon and other planets but it will not bring them to heaven.

Illustration: Randy David of Public Forum and UP Professor said once in his live program during the heat of the “Fundamentalists Debates” in the early ’90s to his Bible reading and believing guests in the show. “I have read the Bible many times but I don’t understand it and I didn’t see anything you are saying from my reading.”

B. It is foolishness to God, 20-21.

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (20). Can we find any of these philosophers in the lists of God’s Apostles and servants at that time? None of them were chosen. Because of their intelligence, they would surely reject God’s message. But don’t you wonder why in spite of the many philosophers in those days especially in Athens, no one was able to explain what is the meaning of that inscriptions in the hall of idols that says “To the Unknown God” (Acts 17:16-23). They (Athenians and foreigners) spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas. (21) But the true God is not even in their thought. Their wisdom is really foolish.

C. It is faithless (To the world; “to see, is to believe”: To the Jews-signs/Greeks—wisdom), 22-25

It doesn’t know faith. It does not believe in anything that can not be seen or intellectually grasp. A mere absence of physical proof is too difficult for them to believe.

So, Paul’s real question was how come that they as people of heaven revert back to worldly wisdom is settling disputes. In verse 24, believers in Christ have one kind of wisdom, the wisdom of Christ. By this, there should no divisions in the church.

Because to all that repented from their sins and accepted the cross of Christ, they accepted that…

II. HEAVENLY WISDOM WAS PROCLAIMED BY THE GOSPEL, 26-31

A. It is applied when each of them was chosen, 26,27

Paul rebuked them by saying, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by the human standard; not many of you were influential; not many were of noble birth” (26). In short, you are not even what you think you are (men of wisdom). You are fools. But God chose you, negating the norms of the world.

B. It is the opposite of human wisdom, 27

Did God tell the Corinthians, “Come, tell me who you are and your accomplishment and your place in the society… or why not submit a resume that I can evaluate and see if you are qualified for eternal life”. NO! He just demonstrated the wisdom of heaven, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (27-30). It was a total rejection of human wisdom. God really opposes the proud.

Illustration:

Not so many years ago, I have seen and read this kind of advertisement in one of the leading newspapers in the job opportunity section that says something like this, “We are on an expansion venture we need professionals to join our company. But only graduates from _____, _____, ______, and _______ (4 top universities in the Philippines) are to be considered; graduates from other Colleges and Universities will not be entertained.

I was saddened by this, not only that I am not a graduate from any of these schools listed, finishing a course in college was a big mountain to move for my family. The millions of less fortunate young people, including myself are being eliminated even before the fight is fought through this unfair human standard. This kind of wisdom is too divisive.

C. It is to unite (not divide) the brethren, in Christ, 30

Haven’t you noticed that we have so many men with brilliant minds about peace but still the world is not yet in peace; War and rumors of war are all over. We have this IRAQ versus US and Allied nations’ crises that might turn the world into a big battlefield. Men, women, and children are being killed in the name of peace being pushed by many great thinkers. They are saying it is best for their people. It’s the same wisdom that is dividing the church. This is not acceptable, for we are Christians. We have one spirit and mind. Christians, Jews, and Greeks have become redeemed, holy and righteous through Christ alone who has become for wisdom from God.

III. HUMILITY FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL, 2:1-5.

A. It calls for us to resolve the issue in our heart, 1-3

Paul resolved in his heart. Maybe, he was a good student of the word in the Pharisees tradition. With the way he persecuted the church before and bearing a letter of authority to do such a thing, he is used to be “being prominent” among his peers. With his new life in Christ, His message is Christ alone. He depended on Christ alone even in his preaching. He said, “I did not come with superior eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony of God. For I decided to be concerned about nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling.” He humbled himself for Christ ad His gospel.

B. It demands us to rely only on the Spirit’s power, 4-5

He was totally the opposite of who he was before, an arrogant and boastful Pharisee. He used to rely on his own intelligence and understanding but now he’s totally dependent on the leading and wisdom of the Holy Spirit and in the power of God! He declared, “My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power so that your faith would not be based on human wisdom but on the power of God.”

CONCLUSION

Christianity is not about human intelligence it is about God’s truth revealed by Him through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. It is a mystery that only people that God has opened their mind can receive. Even those that God will use to spread the gospel are only those God has chosen to reveal His truth. No one among us can boast on our human wisdom. Therefore, we must keep it aside and let the Holy Spirit illumines God’s truth to us. And let us preach the gospel to all the way He will give us what to say. He will also strengthen our hearts for the gospel.