book of 1 Corinthians Archives

How Do We Give Space to the Holy Spirit in Church?

Book of 1 Corinthians – part 4

We have been examining the apostle Paul’s epistle, 1 Corinthians, where he addresses unity in the church, sexual immorality and how to be more effective in evangelizing. (See Apostle Paul Brings God to the Corinthian Church; What’s the Big Deal About Sexual Immorality; and The Apostle Paul Met People Where They Were At.)

Paul now shifts his teaching to focus on how to carry on a church service that honors God. The first thing he tackles is ‘Communion’ – the taking of the Lord’s Supper.

He had received reports that the wealthy Corinthians had been getting drunk off the wine and ate all the bread – leaving nothing behind for the poorer parishioners. Paul is not happy:

Don’t you have your own homes for eating and drinking? Or do you really want to disgrace God’s church and shame the poor?

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people – an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”

For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 1 Co. 11:22 – 26. NLT

So, it is a good thing that we celebrate Communion often. It freshens our remembrance of all that Christ has done for us.

Now, the apostle upbraids those Corinthians that have vilified the offering:

So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 1 Co. 11:27 – 29. NLT

Thus, it is necessary to examine ourselves first, for any sin that we have not confessed and repented for, before we take Communion – praying to Jehovah first, seeking a pardon for that transgression(s). Then, we are freed to partake.

If God also decides that you need a chastening for your disobedience, take comfort in knowing that it’s strictly Father’s way to keep you on your heavenly path:

If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world. 1 Co. 11:31, 32. CSB

Next, the apostle turns his teaching towards the ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’ that are given to empower us – bringing us closer to God. The Holy Spirit’s prime mission is to produce a closer kinship with our Father – in the arena of His word, His love, and His redemption, which deepens our understanding of His Son as well.

You can feel the Holy Spirit at work within you, in those moments when you are filled with an unction to seek Jehovah God on a deeper level.

Paul begins:

Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers] but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served].

And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 1 Co. 12:4 – 6. AMP

One God, one Son, and one Spirit – working together harmoniously, to bring these gifts to you. Why?

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. 1 Co. 12:7 AMP.

The expression of the Holy Spirit is a gift available to any believer. It is not a supernatural enhancement of an ability that you already have; it is God Himself working through you.

The apostle now lists the gifts of the Spirit, tells us what they are for, and illuminates the proper practice of them with regards to nurturing the church service (1 Co. 12:8 – 10):

THE WORD OF WISDOM

This has been presented in two ways. The first, as an imbuing power of the Holy Spirit that gives one a heightened understanding of the wisdom of God, to bring others to a greater comprehension of that same wisdom, and how it applies to the specific situation for which the power has manifested.

Secondly, it may show up as a prophetic word of God regarding a future event.

THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

This is a gift of revelation about a present fact that could not have been revealed in the natural sense – a message from Jehovah that applies to a situation or person, usually related to an immediate need.

THE GIFT OF FAITH

It is a Holy Spirit injection of faith that bolsters the recipient’s own belief – beyond their present level. This is a faith that assures one of God’s abilities to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Indeed, it opens the door for Him to do so, for a specific situation.

GIFTS OF HEALING

People can be gifted with a healing moment of God, through the Holy Spirit, to bring a supernatural healing to others. It may also manifest as an immediate healing or as a healing ‘boost,’ e.g., as an anointing of healing over a physician’s intervention.

GIFTS OF MIRACLES

An occasion where the Holy Spirit works through the recipient, allowing them to perform a supernatural act that defies natural physical laws.

PROPHECY

It is defined in three ways. First as a revelation in a particular moment for edifying or comforting a congregation, or a particular congregant. Secondly as a revelation given to one to be able to see into the heart of another, often used to help evangelize. Thirdly, as a revelation of things to come.

DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS

A supernatural ability to distinguish between the Holy Spirit, and the demonic spirits of Satan – especially to be able to differentiate which spirt is motivating another’s thoughts, speech, or actions.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

This Spirit-filled gift enables one to speak in a language that one does not normally speak, as what happened to the first church on the day of Pentecost [1]

A variation of this, is referred to as ‘speaking in a heavenly tongue’ or ‘praying in the spirit.’ It is commonly unassociated with any known language. It is used mostly to augment the efficacy of our private prayers.

INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

Within a church service, sometimes one is allowed to speak in the aforementioned heavenly language if the speaker feels that they have a message that God meant for him or her to give to the congregation.

But, and it’s a BIG butt, there must also be present one whom can interpret what is said, (it could be the speaker him or herself), so that the congregants can benefit from the truth brought forth by the Holy Spirit.

Paul then addresses all the gifts in general:

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Co. 12:11 NLT

So, your gift is whatever the Holy Spirit imbues you with, and it may be different from what others have. Do not worry about the gifts that you do not have. It doesn’t make you any less of a follower of Christ:

Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 1 Co. 12:30 NLT

Whether one possesses a particular gift or not, no one in the Kingdom of God is unimportant:

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body – so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 1 Co. 12:12, 13. CSB

Now, the apostle qualifies the use of the spiritual gifts, saying that if the usage of them is not grounded in love, they are meaningless:

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of the angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Co. 13:1 – 3. NLT

What kind of love does God want to see in our Christ-like walk?

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 1 Co. 13:4 – 8. NLT

Indeed, Paul tells us when the spiritual gifts will no longer be necessary:

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 1 Co. 13:9 – 12. NLT

That would be when Christ returns…

Goodnight and God bless.

[1] Ac. 2:1-18

The Apostle Paul Met People Where They Were At

Book of 1 Corinthians – part 3

Previously, we examined part 2 of Paul’s epistle, book 1 Corinthians, where Paul was admonishing the church in Corinth for sexual immorality within the church (See https://godcherishesyou.com/whats-the-big-deal-about-sexual-immorality?)

Next, he shifts his focus (in the same epistle), to how to deliver the Gospel more efficiently by meeting people where they are at:

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who followed the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 1 Co. 9:19 – 23. NLT

We ‘share’ in the blessings of the Gospel when we accept Christ as our Savior – coming to Him in sincere confession and repentance. We do the same when we share that saving Love with others.

Paul then shares how he shuns temporal glory, as he maintains a Christian discipline to receive his eternal reward:

Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Co. 9:25 – 27. CSB

Anyone who wants to advance him or herself into God’s Kingdom, must discipline themselves by living out the word of God. The apostle expounds upon this by tackling one of the Corinthian church’s most flagrant violations – idolatry.

Paul learned of this because the church had previously written to him, asking if it was acceptable to eat meat that was sold in pagan temples (knowing that the meat was often offered as a sacrifice to false gods before being sold).

He begins by warning them not to make idols of themselves:

Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 1 Co. 8:1-3 NLT

What Paul is saying, is that all divine questions are correctly answered through the application of love, not knowledge. Otherwise, one fills their ego whilst simultaneously draining themselves of spiritual discernment.

Next, he addresses their specific question by contrasting the fullness of God against the emptiness of idols:

So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.

But for us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. 1 Co. 8:4 – 6. NLT

The apostle is reminding the church that God is the Creator of all things, and that He created them through His Son.[1]

Then, because he knows that the butcher shops are located within the Pagan temples, he tells them not to be concerned, that the meats themselves are spiritually neutral – unless they specifically know that it was previously offered up to idols.

If the status of the food is questionable, he instructs them not to eat it in the presence of ‘new believers,’ to not encourage them to unwittingly transgress Jehovah’s command:

For if others see you – with your “superior knowledge” – eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.

And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live – for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble. 1 Co. 8:10 – 13. NLT

(“… I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. if I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. Ezek. 3:16 – 18. NLT)

Lastly, Paul warns them not to be cavalier with their obedience to God, or make the mistake of believing that their ‘superior knowledge’ sets them above sin:

Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous] take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. 1 Co. 10:12 AMP

So yes, everyone is tempted. Yet if they lean on God in the moment it strikes, they will not succumb:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Co. 10:13 NLT

You know who is behind all temptation. One of Satan’s temptations is to lure you into pagan behavior. Paul warns against the outcome, using the example of food offered to idols once more:

What do I mean then? That a thing offered to idols is anything [special or changed simply because it is offered], or that an idol is anything? On the contrary, the things which the Gentiles (pagans) sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons [in effect], and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons [by eating at feasts in pagan temples].

You cannot drink [both] the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot share in both the Lords table and the table of demons [thereby becoming partners with them]. 1 Co. 10:19 – 21. AMP

In his final remarks about this subject, the apostle reveals how to take the ‘high road’ instead (i.e., walking the walk):

So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God. Do not offend Jews or Greeks or even the Church of God [but live to honor Him]; just as I please everyone in all things [as much as possible adapting myself to the interests of others], not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved. 1 Co. 10:31 – 33. AMP

Goodnight and God bless.

[1] Jn. 1:1 – 3.

What’s the Big Deal About Sexual Immorality?

Book of 1 Corinthians – part 2

Previously, we looked at the apostle Paul dealing with the disunity within the church of Corinth (See Apostle Paul Brings God to the Corinthian Church.) Next, he shifts his focus to sexual immorality.

Again, In last week’s study, you will recall that the church had brought prostitutes into the worship services, and, he learns, some of the congregants were practicing incest (1 Co. 5:1). The apostle tells them to have no association with sexually immoral people if they will not confess and repent. In fact, he tells them to throw the unrepentant offenders out of the church!

What he is saying is that matters such as these need to be handled within the church. He strictly forbids taking these problems to outside sources, as he infers that some have done:

When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?

Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. 1 Co. 6:1 – 3. NLT

It is important at this point to understand that Paul is referring to judging people for what they do, not who they are. He continues by elucidating what behaviors require judgment – for the express purpose of helping the sinning brothers and sisters in Christ get back on track

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people – none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Co. 6:9 – 11. NLT

The apostle then directs his focus solely onto sexual immorality:

The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body [to save, sanctify, and raise it again because of the sacrifice of the cross]. 1 Co. 6:13 AMP

Paul elaborates further:

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Am I therefore to take the members of Christ and make them part of a prostitute? Certainly not! Do you not know that one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall be one flesh!” [1]

But the one who is united and joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Run away from sexual immorality [in any form, whether thought or behavior, whether visual or written]. Every other sin that a man commits is outside of the body, but the one who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]? You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body. 1 Co. 6:15 – 20. AMP

What Paul is revealing through the Holy Spirit, is that our body is to be sacredly dedicated to serving God. However, if we add immorality to our union with Christ, we desecrate Jehovah, Jesus, and our union with them through the Holy Spirit.

Let us not forget that the apostle is just as human as the rest of us. He knows that we are powerfully drawn to the flesh. Because of that, Paul suggests that the best way that we can fully serve God, is by remaining celibate.[2]

Yet that urge to do otherwise (which was initially implanted initially in humans to encourage them to populate the earth[3]) is irresistible to many. So, God stepped in and said that the only way to instill morality into that behavior was to express it within the confines of marriage:

But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives the authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.

Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 Co. 7:2 – 5. NLT

So wise is our God. He knows all about the strong pull for sexual union between a man and a woman (He put it there!). But He only gifts us with that union in a monogamous marital relationship.

We also see that we must yield ourselves to our spouses for a cooperative exploration of a path to intimacy that is mutually rewarding.

Finally, we see that we are not to deny our spouse their present-time desires (e.g., withholding intimacy out of anger), because the devil will leverage that withholding, to try to turn the eyes and heart of the afflicted spouse elsewhere.

Paul then addresses Satan’s greatest tool for the destruction of a godly household – divorce:

A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife. 1 Co. 7:10, 11. NLT

Divorce should never be an option unless one spouse is an unrelenting, unrepentant adulterer, abuser or abandons their spouse.

Lastly, Paul speaks to the marriage where one of the spouses is not a believer, (e.g., a couple who are non-believers but only one decides to come to Christ). The apostle prefaces this by saying Jesus never explicitly spoke of this situation. Yet, if it is coming out of Paul’s mouth, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit:

If a fellow believer has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. And if a believing woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him.

For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. 1 Co. 7:12 – 14. NLT

However, if the unbeliever departs from the marriage, the believer is set free from judgment:

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace. 1 Co. 7:15 CSB

But with the case of mutually believing spouses, marriage is a bond until death. Then the surviving widow is released:

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 1 Co. 7:39 NLT

Obviously, it applies for a widowed husband as well if he marries in the faith. Then, you are still in a place where you can be sacredly drawn to the flesh.

To be continued… Goodnight and God Bless.

[1] See also Gn. 2:24

[2] 1 Co. 7:1

[3] Gn. 1:28

Apostle Paul Brings God to the Corinthian Church

Book of 1 Corinthians

Last time we examined Paul’s epistles of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, which he penned while teaching at the church of Corinth.

https://godcherishesyou.com/do-you-know-the-signs-of-jesus-return/

This begins the apostle Paul’s ‘Third Missionary Journey’ in 52-57 A.D., when he penned his epistle, 1 Corinthians. It had become a Roman colony in 27 B.C.

Paul then journeys back to the Gentile church in Antioch, accompanied by two disciples, Aquila, and his wife Priscilla. During that trip, they spent a few days in Ephesus (a Hellenist city located in modern-day Turkey, which was the second-largest Roman outpost).

The apostle left his disciples at Ephesus, and he finished his journey to Antioch – where he was re-commissioned again by the church, to revisit all the churches he had previously founded. This would constitute his third missionary journey.

When Paul completed this mission, he returned to Ephesus, whereupon God moved mightily through him:

God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. Ac. 19:11, 12. NLT

Witnessing these miracles Paul performed, seven faithless Jewish brothers tried to drive evil spirits out of a man, so that they could get the glory. You can just bet that they soiled themselves when one of the demons addressed them directly:

“I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul – but who are you?” Ac. 19:15 CS

Immediately, the demon-possessed man overpowered the seven brothers. The news of this event spread like wildfire – brining greater glory and validity to the authenticity of Jesus’ ministry through Paul.

Paul spent three fruitless months in Ephesus, trying to bring the Gospel to the Jews, but they would not accept / believe it. So, he turned his efforts solely to the Gentiles in Ephesus. He remained in that city for three additional years:

So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. Ac. 19:20 NLT

During this time, the apostle Mark writes the first Gospel of Jesus Christ, while Paul simultaneously writes a letter to the church in Corinth. (It’s amazing to see the revelatory breadth and depth Christ gave the apostle Paul before the written Gospels were even made available).

The town of Corinth was laid to rubble in 146 B.C, when the Corinthians tried to revolt against Roman rule. In Paul’s time it was a wealthy trading center with a population of 60K+.

However, the Corinthians were famous for their immoral behavior and arrogance.

God never teaches confusion, but His human creations are very adept at it. Self-aggrandizers within the church had thrown it into complete disarray. They consisted of subgroups within the laity – each of them claiming that the leader of their group was superior to the other group leaders.

Worse, the church was incorporating pagan practices within the worship services – including idol worship and temple prostitution.

When Paul received reports regarding all this degradation, he sent the church a letter to shepherd them back into godly ways. Unfortunately, this letter was lost to history. Paul then sent Timothy to give him a clearer picture of this debacle.

Timothy sent Paul a letter saying that the church in Corinth had misconstrued his instructions. So, Paul sent a second letter, which we now know as the Bible book of 1 Corinthians. It was a strong letter of ‘loving corrections.’

Paul begins his letter by reminding the church that he had already fully equipped them with God’s instructions for living a godly life:

I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way – with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true.

Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Cor. 1:4 – 9. NLT

Well equipped, yes; but now he addressed the disunity within the church:

I appeal to you…by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Cor. 1:10 NLT

Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.’ Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I only follow Christ.”

Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 1 Cor. 1:12, 13. NLT

Apollos was a highly skilled Christian orator. What Paul is hammering home here, is that it is the message, the word of God that is important, not the messenger. Our focus should center itself on Jehovah and His redemptive work through Christ Jesus, and on doing our best witnessing of the Gospel with the same exactitude:

For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News – and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Cor. 1:17, 18. NLT

When you have God in your heart through Christ Jesus, (not through something man has done or thought), the Holy Spirit will open your eyes and the Bible will come alive for you:

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 1 Cor. 1:20 NLT

As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” 1 Cor. 1:29 – 31. NLT (see also Jr. 9:24)

The message is to remain humble; and Paul leads by example:

I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would not trust in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:3 – 5. NLT

Paul then describes what a God-powered delivery of His word looks like and how to get it:

Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of the world, who are soon forgotten.

No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God – his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.

But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 1 Cor. 2:6 – 8. NLT

This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Cor. 2:9 – 12. NLT (see also Is. 64:4)

So, it is by embracing our spirit, which is connected to God’s Spirit, that the revelation of God’s word is given to us. Yet, why does most of the people in this world not see this?

Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?”

But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:15, 16. NLT

Unbelievers don’t get it because they deny their spiritual side. Thus, they cannot connect to Christ or to the Holy Spirit.

Paul then emphasizes the ultimate importance of recognizing that only Jehovah can give us spiritual understanding – regardless of the messenger He sends it through:

After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seeds in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 1 Cor. 3:5 – 7. NLT

Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. No others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have – Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3:10, 11. NLT

So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you – whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, of the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. 1 Cor. 3:21 – 23. NLT

book of 1 Corinthians