| 1 Corinthians – Chapter One |
Chapter summary – The church at Corinth was riddled with problems. Where should Paul start in his attempt to bring order out of chaos? The letter of inquiry sent from the church to the apostle could have provided a logical starting point, but issues raised in the letter, although important in themselves, were only symptomatic of a deeper problem. Paul knew that he had to deal with the real cause of the Corinthian dilemma, not just with its effects. This is why he devoted the first four chapters to a diagnosis and a treatment of the main spiritual disease of the church: carnality manifested in contentions.[1]
I. introduction, (1:1-9)
1. the salutation, (1)
1) From Paul,
(1) An apostle by calling
(2) An apostle of Jesus Christ
(3) An apostle through the will of God
Interpretation:
1 Paul, called (selected, appointed), to be an apostle (a messenger),[2] of Jesus Christ through the will (purpose and pleasure), of God (the Father),[3]
Application:
Believers are all called out of the world to be saints of Jesus Christ, by the purpose and pleasure of God. By God’s design, we become an intricate and important part of what brings God our Father, great pleasure and satisfaction.
2) From Sosthenes,
and Sosthenes our brother, (a fellow gospel believer),[4]
2. the Destination—The saints at Corinth, (2)
1) The Local Church of the Saints
2 To the church of God (the assembly of believers), which is at Corinth,
This assembly was separate from all the others there in Corinth in that—the head of their organization was God.
2) The Spiritual Experience of the Saints,
to those who are sanctified (purified, set apart, dedicated), in Christ Jesus,
This assembly was separate from all the others there in Corinth in that—they had been made spiritually alive and were under new management; no longer the devil’s servants.
3) The Official Status of the Saints,
called (selected, appointed), to be saints, (holy ones),
This assembly was separate from all the others there in Corinth in that—they had been appointed to the highest levels of moral and spiritual living.
4) The Sovereign Savior and Common Practice of the Saints,
with all (believers without exception—no matter your sex, age, status or what you have been saved from), who in every place (across the world who), call on (who seek, appeal to, entreat, trust in), the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours, (or who is other believers Lord as well as ours):
This assembly was separate from all the others there in Corinth in that—they profess Jesus Christ alone as their only Savior and they continue to call upon His name for all their needs.[5]
3. the Greeting, (3)
1) The Content
3 Grace (divine unmerited blessings), to you and peace (complete serenity, harmony),
2) The Source
from (the will of), God our Father and the (work of the), Lord Jesus Christ.[6]
4. the Thanksgiving, (4-7)
Even though there was trouble in the church, Paul found a lot to be thankful about.
1) The Recipient of the Thanksgiving, (4)
4 I thank my God, (the Creator God)
2) The Frequency of the Thanksgiving, (4)
always, (regardless of circumstances)
3) The Cause of the Thanksgiving, (4)
concerning you, (because of you Corinthian gospel believers—Now Paul lists specific reasons why the Corinthian believers cause him to be thankful.)
(1) Because of God’s grace towards you, (4)
for the grace of God which was (freely), given to you by Christ Jesus, (referring to their salvation—which is free and not of works)
(2) Because of God’s enrichment of you, (5)
5 that you were enriched (lit., “you were made rich”), in everything (in every area of your person and life), by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, (in all your past and present communication and understanding of God’s truth)[7]
(3) Because of God’s confirmation in you, (6, 7)
6 even as the testimony (the proof or the evidence), of Christ was confirmed (evidenced, verified), in you,
7 so that you come short (or lack), in no gift (which may refer to the gift of salvation, the gift of blessings in general, and/or spiritual gifts), eagerly waiting for the revelation (the appearing), of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Application:
Paul thanked God that the Corinthian believers had everything they needed in order to serve the Master faithfully until His return or their home going, even though some of them weren’t presently doing it. All believers today have everything we need to faithfully serve our Master. Are we presently doing it?
(4) Because of God’s preservation of you, (8)
8 who will also confirm you (your being clothed in the righteousness of Christ), to the end (all the way to glory, in spite of your practical flaws), that you may be blameless (free of any judicial wrongs or crimes against God), in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, (in the day of our Lord’s return).[8]
(5) Because of God’s faithfulness to you, (9)
9 God is faithful (every time, all the time to His character, word and promises—man is the one who is not),[9] by whom you were called (summoned, appointed, placed), into the fellowship (communion and partnership), of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[10]
Application:
A saint is not a dead person who has been honored by men because of his or her holy life. No, Paul wrote to living saints, people who, through faith in Jesus Christ, had been set apart for God’s special enjoyment and use.
In other words, every true believer is a saint because every true believer has been set apart by God and for God.
A Christian photographer friend told me about a lovely wedding that he “covered.” The bride and groom came out of the church, heading for the limousine, when the bride suddenly left her husband and ran to a car parked across the street! The motor was running and a man was at the wheel, and off they drove, leaving the bridegroom speechless. The driver of the “get-away car” turned out to be an old boyfriend of the bride, a man who had boasted that “he could get her anytime he wanted her.” Needless to say, the husband had the marriage annulled.
When a man and woman pledge their love to each other, they are set apart for each other; and any other relationship outside of marriage is sinful. Just so, the Christian belongs completely to Jesus Christ; he is set apart for Him and Him alone. But he is also a part of a worldwide fellowship, the church, “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:2). A defiled and unfaithful believer not only sins against the Lord, but he also sins against his fellow Christians.[11]
II. Conflict in the Church of God, (1:10-4:21)
A young woman who had a part in leading several people to the Lord said to a friend, “The new converts asked me what church I attended and I told them. But frankly, I felt like saying , ‘Please don’t go there!’ You see, our congregation is sound in doctrine, but the members harbor so many petty jealousies and bad attitudes in their hearts that I’m afraid a new Christian would be hurt, not helped.” That at least in part, was what was happening in the church at Corinth.
1. the fan clubs of Conflict, (1:10-13)
1) The Exhortation to the Fan Clubs (1:10),
(1) The recipients of the exhortation
10 Now (in light of Whose you are, and who God has made you to be, and the blessings He has bestowed upon you [vv. 2-9]), I plead with (I exhort) you, brethren (believers at the Corinthian Church),
(2) The power of the exhortation
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (by His authority and for His glory),
(3) The application of the exhortation
1a That you profess the same doctrine
that you all (collectively as a church body, in harmony), speak the same thing (that you be unified on doctrinal issues and practices),
Application:
Does the end always justify the means? No. Not even having the same goals is enough to justify the means. So what is it that a church body needs? They need to have the same biblical principles, standards in devising proper the means to accomplish godly goals.
2a That you follow the same Leader
and that there be no divisions (“divisions” is the Greek word that we get our word “schisms” from—there ought to be no discord), among you (because of your agreement in Christ as the Head of the church),
3a That you aim for the same ideals
but that you be perfectly joined together (internally), in the same mind (with the same beliefs, standards, attitudes and principles) and (externally) in the same judgment (practical exercise of your beliefs, standards, attitudes and principles).
Application:
Does this mean that we are to be carbon copies of one another? No.
What does it mean then?
It is not that believers are to be carbon copies of each other. God has made us individual and unique. But we are to be of the same opinion in regard to Christian doctrine, standards, and basic life–style. The apostles themselves were different from one another in personality, temperament, ability, and gifts; but they were of one mind in doctrine and church policy. When differences of understanding and interpretation arose, the first order of business was to reconcile those differences. Ego had no place, only the will of God.[12]
Think about it. What are the chances of our winning a basketball game if we don’t follow the coaches directions? Or, what are the chances of an orchestra playing beautiful music if they don’t follow the conductor? If we don’t follow our Coach, our Conductor who is Christ, we are not going to accomplish anything worth while either.
So, what is the purpose of unity? To glorify God.
And Who is the source of unity? God, Himself.
2) The Information about the Fan Clubs (1:11),
(1) The source of the information
11 For it has been declared to me (brought to my attention), concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household (although Chloe must have been a prominent person, we’re not sure exactly who she is),
(2) The seriousness of the information
that there are contentions (divisive power struggles), among you.
3) The Names of the Fan Clubs (1:12),
(1) The Paulites
12 Now I say this, (case in point), that each of you says, “I am of (the fan club of), Paul (who spent 1 ½ years with them planting the church),”
(2) The Apollosites
or “I am of (the fan club of), Apollos (whom Paul appointed to be their Pastor when he left),”
(3) The Cephasites
or “I am of (the fan club of), Cephas (Peter, whom some of them must have been saved under),”
(4) The Christites
or “I am of (the fan club of), Christ, (this group must have felt they had no need of any other church leaders).”
Dr. Harry Ironside told of a church that had the motto JESUS ONLY over its door. At first he was impressed, thinking these believers wanted everyone to know that Christ was at the center of their lives. He soon learned, however, that they were narrow in their beliefs and uncharitable to anyone who was not of their theological persuasion—even if it involved a relatively unimportant point of doctrine. Later a violent windstorm tore away the first three letters of that sign, leaving this significant message: US ONLY. Ironside commented, “That more accurately described their haughty spirit.”
4) The Interrogation of the Fan Clubs (1:13),
(1) Is divided allegiance acceptable?
13 Is Christ divided (Is your divided allegiance to these different fan clubs ok with Christ)?[13]
(2) Can I or any person other than Christ save you from your sins?
Was Paul crucified for you? (No.)[14]
(3) Is it permissible to be baptized in any name other than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (No.)[15]
2. the causes of Conflict, (1:14-2:16)
1) An Infatuation with Human Wisdom (1:14-31),
(1) Human wisdom substitutes symbolical rites for spiritual reality, (14-17a)
14 (Because of their sinful divisions, Paul says) I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus (the leader of the synagogue in Corinth [Acts 18:8]) and Gaius (probably a host to Paul when he was in Corinth writing to the Romans [Rom. 16:23),
15 lest anyone should say (falsely accuse me) that I had baptized in my own name, (to organize and build my own fan club).
16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, (converts of Paul’s in Corinth). Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other, (“No one else comes to mind,” Paul says).
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize (as important as that is, it was not Paul’s primary mission),
(2) Human wisdom counts on clever and fancy speeches to bring heavenly results, (17b)
but to preach the gospel (to evangelize), not with wisdom of words (not with clever or fancy speeches or philosophical rhetoric which the Greeks loved—but in simple plain language), lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect, (lest the value of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross should be robbed or emptied of its simplicity and power).
Application:
The following notice was sent home with some high school students: “Our school’s cross-graded, multi-ethnic, individualized learning program is designed to enhance the concept of an open-ended learning program on the continuum of multi-ethnic, academically enriched learning, using the identified intellectually-gifted child as the agent of his own learning.” One parent sent back a note which read, “I have a college degree, speak two foreign languages, and four Indian dialects,…but I haven’t the faintest idea what you are talking about.” Thank God for the simplicity of the gospel! Let’s present it to the world [in its beautiful and simplistic form].
Paul was not self-sent to organize a fan club.
Baptism is not essential to salvation.
Paul was not against those who carefully prepare what they say (see 2:6),[16] but against those who try to impress others only with their own knowledge or speaking ability. [17]
Dale Carnegie who needs no introduction to most. A man who has made his living teaching people how to speak, once said, “If you are speaking, forget everything but the subject. Never mind what others are thinking of you or your delivery. Just forget yourself and go ahead.” Christ is our subject, (1 Cor. 2:2)
(3) Human wisdom concludes that salvation from sin through a crucified Savior is absurd, (18)
18 For the message of the cross (being saved from sin and eternal judgment through the value of Christ’s work on the cross alone, by grace alone [Eph. 2:9-11]), is foolishness to those who are perishing (to those who are still lost in their sin—The Greek word for “foolishness” is where we get our word “moron.” In other words, worldly wisdom says, “You would be a moron to believe in the simple gospel of Christ. It’s absurd!”), but (in stark contrast), to us who are being saved it is the power of God, (it brings to life a spiritual corpse; it provides a new and fresh life; it reconciles relationships—divine and human; it changes lives; it provides a heavenly home; it frees one from the penalty, guilt and power of sin; it provides the indwelling of God Himself; it endows one with spiritual gifts; and on and on the list goes).
Application:
Human wisdom says to receive such a great gift as forgiveness of sin and eternal life for free is a pipe dream.
Human wisdom says you have to earn, merit or deserve anything of great value.
Human wisdom says believing that there is only one way of salvation is idiotic.
Human wisdom says to believe there is a God at all is prehistoric.
The Scriptures tell us in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “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 might.”
(4) Human wisdom is destined to lead to failure, (19, 20)
19 For it is written (in Isaiah 29:14): “I (God), will destroy (bring to ruin), the (human), wisdom of the (worldly), wise, and bring to nothing (set aside, thwart, nullify, frustrate, make void, make useless), the understanding of the prudent,” (the intelligent).
Application:
The devil, the most beautiful, intelligent and strong angel God ever created, is limited to worldly wisdom as well. He uses his every resource against God in his endeavor to win his power struggle with God. Yet God consistently brings all of the Devil’s scheming to nothing. Truly, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world, (1 Jn. 4:4).
20 Where is the wise, (those who the world calls wise, the so called “specialists” in their field—The question could be restated as, “Where then does this leave the worldly wise person?”) Where is (or does this leave), the scribe? (the lawyers, the teachers/professors, the spiritualists), Where is (or does this leave), the disputer of this age? (the intellectuals, the debaters, the philosophers), Has not God (throughout time and history), made foolish the wisdom of this world? (Have not these distinguished individuals been constantly frustrated in spite of their wisdom by things they could not foresee, control or understand?)
Application:
Where does that leave Christians when we don’t process our circumstances and situations through biblical principles—When we try to wrench control of the situation from God’s hands and solve our problems or satisfy our needs ourselves? All our efforts come to nothing.
“Men are all inclined to try to solve their problems and fight their battles by their own ingenuity and in their own power. But human ingenuity and power only get in God’s way. Men’s own efforts hinder God in His work rather than help Him. “There is a way which seems right to a man,” Solomon tells us, “but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12).”[18]
(5) Human wisdom cannot lead someone to the knowledge of God, (21)
21 For (relating to the fact that human wisdom is bound to fail), since, in the (divine), wisdom (or plan), of God, the world (the fallen human race), through (human), wisdom did not know God (did not come to know God through philosophy, intellectualism, specialists, mysticism, etc. because it is not God’s chosen vehicle to discover Him), it pleased God through the (seemingly), foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe, ([Paul] “is talking about the preaching of that which is foolish in the world’s eyes—the simple, unadorned, uncomplicated truth of the cross of Jesus Christ that allows no place for man’s wisdom or man’s work or man’s glory.”[19] It’s a take-it-or-leave-it as it is offer.)
(6) Human wisdom demands miraculous activity or rational arguments as a basis for its conclusions, (22-25)
22 For Jews request a (supernatural), sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom (rational proof);
23 but (in contrast, following God’s prescription), we preach Christ crucified, (which is), to the Jews a stumbling block (lit., a scandal), and to the Greeks foolishness (absurdity),
24 but to those who are called (to those who were being saved [cp., 1:2]), both Jews and Greeks, (the message of), Christ (crucified is), the power of God and the wisdom of God, (their salvation and transformation is all of God and nothing of their own—it all makes perfect sense to them).
25 Because the foolishness of God (God’s plan to save the human race through His Son, Christ), is wiser than men (is wiser than anything men could have come up with), and the weakness of God (God the Son humbling Himself to become a man and allowing Himself to be nailed to the cross), is stronger than men, (is more than men are willing to do).
Application:
This does not mean that we should not use our minds. This does not mean that intellectuals are bad.
(7) Human wisdom values what God discounts, (26-28)
26 For you see your calling, brethren (among those in the church at Corinth), that not many wise (intellectuals), according to the flesh, not many mighty (influential individuals), not many noble (prominent family members), are called, (are being saved).
27 But (again), God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise (men and women with little education or mental abilities to confound the educated and intellectuals), and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty (men and women of no or little wealth and influence to confound and succeed in spite of, or even beyond the wealthy and influential);
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised (those which some term as “the lowlife, the barbarians, the scum of the earth”) God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are (men and women who are counted as nothing to triumph over and beyond the work and influence of those who believe they are something special),
Application:
In a.d. 178 the philosopher Celsus mockingly wrote of Christians:
Let no cultured person draw near, none wise and none sensible, for all that kind of thing we count evil; but if any man is ignorant, if any man is wanting in sense and culture, if anybody is a fool, let him come boldly [to become a Christian]. … We see them in their own houses, wool dresses, cobblers, the worst, the vulgarest, the most uneducated persons. …They are like a swarm of bats or ants creeping out of their nest, or frogs holding a symposium around a swamp, or worms convening in mud. [20]
The world measures greatness by many standards. At the top are intelligence, wealth, prestige, and position—things which God has determined to put at the bottom. God reveals the greatness of His power by demonstrating that it is the world’s nobodies that are His somebodies.[21]
It is not that God opposes people of intelligence, wealth, prestige, and position. God is no respecter of persons. There is no intrinsic value in one individual more than another that causes God to prefer one over the other. Both are just as lost and sinful as the other. But all must become like the child to inherit the kingdom of God. All must approach the cross of Christ in humility, in total helplessness. It is the very opposite of what the world thinks make one great. It is that kind of pride that God hates and has determined to bring to naught, to nothing. It is very difficult for those of intelligence, wealth, prestige, etc. to give up the pedestal they have worked so hard to gain. In the body of Christ, no member is elevated above another and Christ gets all the credit for anything good that comes out of it. Without Him, we can do nothing, (Jn. 15:5).
Ordinary people can do great things.
Moses—the son of slaves
Amos—a sheep breeder and fig picker
The disciples—fishermen and rednecks
Mary—a simple commoner
The widow—with two mites
Balaam’s transportation—a mule
(8) Human wisdom takes credit for what God alone does, (29-31)
29 that no flesh (no man or woman), should (have reason to), glory (boast of his or her own accomplishments—toot their own horn), in His presence.[22]
30 But (in contrast to those who glory in the flesh), of Him you (believers at the Corinth church), are in Christ Jesus (you have been saved through Christ’s grace and mercy alone), who became for us wisdom from God (who became the believer’s source of wisdom)[23]—and righteousness (as the believer is clothed in the righteousness of Christ)[24] and sanctification (as the believer is set apart for holy purposes)[25] and redemption (as the believer is released from the penalty and bondage of sin [his former masters] and yoked to his new Master, Christ)[26]—
31 that (in order that), as it is written (in Jeremiah 9:24)[27], “He who glories (boasts), let him glory (boast), in the Lord” (and not in themselves or that I am of Paul, Apollos, Cephas or anyone else).
Application:
The design of God in making wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption dependent on union with Christ, and union with Christ dependent, not on our merit, but on His own good pleasure, is that we should glory only in Him; that is, that our confidence should be in Him and not in ourselves, and that all the glory of our salvation should be ascribed to Him and not to us. Charles Hodge[28]
Is there anything wrong with being intelligent, wealthy, influential or the such? No. They are like money. Money is not evil, the love of money is. It’s the love of intelligence, wealth, influence and the such that make it evil as well. How should you apply this to your daily life? Remember, you don’t have to even possess these things to love them.
Interpretation:
Application:
Commentary:
| 1 Corinthians – Chapter One |
I. introduction, (1:1-9)
1. the salutation, (1)
1) From Paul,
(1) An apostle by calling
(2) An apostle of Jesus Christ
(3) An apostle through the will of God
2) From Sosthenes,
2. the Destination—The saints at Corinth, (2)
1) The Local Church of the Saints
2) The Spiritual Experience of the Saints,
3) The Official Status of the Saints,
4) The Sovereign Savior and Common Practice of the Saints,
3. the Greeting, (3)
1) The Content
2) The Source
4. the Thanksgiving, (4-7)
1) The Recipient of the Thanksgiving, (4)
2) The Frequency of the Thanksgiving, (4)
3) The Cause of the Thanksgiving, (4)
(1) Because of God’s grace towards you, (4)
(2) Because of God’s enrichment of you, (5)
(3) Because of God’s confirmation in you, (6, 7)
(4) Because of God’s preservation of you, (8)
(5) Because of God’s faithfulness to you, (9)
II. Conflict in the Church of God, (1:10-4:21)
1. the fan clubs of Conflict, (1:10-13)
1) The Exhortation to the Fan Clubs (1:10),
(1) The recipients of the exhortation
(2) The power of the exhortation
(3) The application of the exhortation
1a That you profess the same doctrine
2a That you follow the same Leader
3a That you aim for the same ideals
2) The Information about the Fan Clubs (1:11),
(1) The source of the information
(2) The seriousness of the information
3) The Names of the Fan Clubs (1:12),
(1) The Paulites
(2) The Apollosites
(3) The Cephasites
(4) The Christites
4) The Interrogation of the Fan Clubs (1:13),
(1) Is divided allegiance acceptable?
(2) Can I or any person other than Christ save you from your sins?
(3) Is it permissible to be baptized in any name other than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
2. the causes of Conflict, (1:14-2:16)
1) An Infatuation with Human Wisdom (1:14-2:5),
(1) Human wisdom substitutes symbolical rites for spiritual reality, (14-17a)
(2) Human wisdom counts on clever and fancy speeches to bring heavenly results, (17b)
(3) Human wisdom concludes that salvation from sin through a crucified Savior is absurd, (18)
(4) Human wisdom is destined to lead to failure, (19, 20)
(5) Human wisdom cannot lead someone to the knowledge of God, (21)
(6) Human wisdom demands miraculous activity or rational arguments as a basis for its conclusions, (22-25)
(7) Human wisdom values what God discounts, (26-28)
(8) Human wisdom takes credit for what God alone does, (29-31)
[1] Gormacki, Robert. Called to Be Saints, “An exposition of 1 Corinthians. MI: Baker, 1977, p. 1.
[2] Some of the qualifications for being an apostle were seeing Christ while He lived on earth, seeing Him after His resurrection, and performing miracles.
[3] Eph 1:5—having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Eph 1:9—having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
Eph 1:11—In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
[4] Sosthenes our brother may have been Paul’s amanuensis, or secretary, at the time this letter was written. The fact that his name is included in the greeting, however, indicates that he not only penned the letter but fully agreed with Paul about its message.
This is no doubt the same Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 18, one who knew the Corinthian situation well. He had been a leader of the synagogue at Corinth, probably replacing Crispus, the former leader who had become a believer (Acts 18:8). On one occasion Sosthenes was beaten for his involvement in bringing Paul before the civil court at Corinth (Acts 18:12–17). MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians. Includes indexes. Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1984.
[5] 1 Jn 5:13—These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
[6] Jn 3:16—For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Ro 5:1—Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
[7] Col 2:10—you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
[8] Ro 8:33-34—Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Eph 5:26-27—that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
[9] Php 1:6—being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
1 Th 5:24—He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
[10] Jn 6:44—No one can come to Me [Jesus for salvation] unless the Father who sent Me draws [induces or motivates] him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
[11] Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. “An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ‘BE’ series”–Jkt., 1 Co 1:1. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989.
[12] MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians. Includes indexes. Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1984.
[13] Mk 3:22-26—the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” 23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.
1 Co 6:17—But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
1 Co 12:12-13—For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
Eph 4:4-6—There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
[14] 1 Co 1:23—but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
1 Co 2:2—For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
[15] Mt 28:19—Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Ac 2:38—Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
[16] 1 Co 2:6—However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
[17] Barton, Bruce B., and Grant R. Osborne. 1 & 2 Corinthians. Life application Bible commentary, Page 29. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1999.
[18] MacArthur, 1 Corinthians.
[19] MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians.
[20] MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians.
[21] MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians.
[22] 2 Co 4:7—But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
Eph 2:8-10—For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
[23] Col 2:3—in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
[24] 2 Co 5:21—For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
[25] 1 Co 1:2—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:
[26] Heb 9:11-12—But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
[27] Je 9:24—But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
[28] Barton, Bruce B., and Grant R. Osborne. 1 & 2 Corinthians. Life application Bible commentary, Page 36. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1999.
Faith Aids 