God's Wisdom (Part 1)
Notes
Transcript
Compare and Contrast
Compare and Contrast
Wrong wisdom and right wisdom.
Okay wisdom and better wisdom.
The wisdom of mankind/world is sometimes wrong, sometimes okay, but always far from God’s wisdom.
Man’s wisdom is often in conflict with God’s wisdom, but sometimes it is is just inferior to God’s wisdom.
I.e. religions, auto mechanic, financial advisors, doctors, lawyers, experience, etc.
Two Types of Wisdom
Two Types of Wisdom
Paul has referred to both in his letter to the Corinthians so far (1:17 - 2:7, Paul uses the word “wisdom” or a form of it 19 times in 22 consecutive verses).
The difference could be between right and wrong - contrast.
The difference could be between okay and better - compare.
Paul’s Wisdom (2:6-16)
Paul’s Wisdom (2:6-16)
PART 1 - Where does Paul’s wisdom come from? (2:6-10)
PART 2 - How is Paul’s wisdom received? (2:10-16)
Where does Paul’s wisdom come from?
Where does Paul’s wisdom come from?
NOT “of this age” (v. 6)
Current segment of time, the here and now.
Further “rulers” (not Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”?)
Human, recognized leaders/positions of authority (Roman and Jewish, v. 8).
“Passing away” - coming to an end, temporary, as is the wisdom associated with it.
BUT “secret and hidden…of God” (v. 7-10)
A mystery concealed for a time, though decided before.
For Christian “glory” (v. 7)
Romans 8:16–17 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
Romans 8:30 “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
This mystery, though now revealed in Christ crucified, still remains unknown, proven by the rejection of Christ - by the very kind that would be considered wise in this world (v. 8).
According to Paul, this is in tune with his interpretation of, most likely, Isaiah 64:4 (v. 9), and it supports the fact that mankind does not know/understand God’s way/wisdom.
So then how do some know? God reveals it (v. 10). He is the source, and He is the revealer. He must give the information, and He must give the understanding (by the Spirit; more to come on this, remember v. 4).
Who are the mature?
Who are the mature?
“Mature” (v. 1)
Complete, full grown, reached the end or aim, cannot be perfect in the sense of no room for improvement.
So mature does not mean in all ways. They are mature in a way that others are immature. The other contrasting characteristics are between believers and unbelievers.
Paul further qualifies with “our glory” (v. 7), “those who love him” (v. 9), “us” (v. 10), “we” (v. 12), “us” (v. 12), and “we” (v. 13).
Those who have received the Spirit (v. 12).
The “spiritual person” opposite the “natural person” (v. 15).
Those who have the mind of Christ (v. 16).
Those the Corinthians are not acting like (3:1).
The wisdom here is not some special/deeper/higher truth beyond/above the preaching of Christ crucified (1:6, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 30; 2:2).
So the mature have accepted the truth about Christ. This is the way in which they are mature, or different from the immature, who reject the truth about Christ.
There may be spiritual maturity in other ways than this (3:1 and 1 Corinthians 14:20 “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.”).
But here, the mature are identified as all believers.
Colossians 1:28 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
Believers do need to go on meditating on and applying the truths of the gospel.
Compare and Contrast
Compare and Contrast
The wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God.
What to reject and what to pursue.
What wisdom do you ACTIVELY value?
God’s wisdom is directly opposed to or far better than man’s wisdom.
So, if there’s any wisdom we should pursue, it’s God’s wisdom.
Benediction: 2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Scripture Reading: Psalm 1