1 Corinthians - Chapter 2 - Christ and Him Crucified

Kenneth Sublett, Piney.com, Hohenwald, Tennessee

Jesus and Him Crucified? I have chosen to use Jamieson, Fausset, Brown as the platform upon which to build our comments. Chapter two is also the place where Paul explains that the Holy Spirit is the Mind of Christ. Most scholars grasp that Paul sees an identity between God and His Spirit and the Mind of Christ.

Click to see that the SPIRIT of God is the MIND of Christ which, to us, is the WORD of Christ.

And the Mind - Spirit - Word connection in Romans

False teachers have "pared" everything God has to say down to the "core gospel" but that is an insult to their audiences and God's judgment upon their failure. Paul restricted his teaching to the idea that Christianity is not a respectable, popular "venue" to which people can come and promote their civic status or to "rock and rap and CCM."

Rather, Christ Crucified means that you are joining a rebel band arrayed in battle armor against Satan and all of his host which are the "princes" or chief people of the earth.

Until you have decided to "leave father and mother" to join a "sect" hated and despised by the overwhelming majority of the purely-carnal or just-animal people there is no point in teaching the deep mysteries which are available only to those who have been given co-perception.

The sure sign of Christ's enemies are those who use worldly means or weapons such as human psychology, "chicken soup" stories which are almost always lies or joking in the presence of a Holy God. Paul defines God pouring out His wrath as men who are "buffoons" in Ephesians 4 and 5.

CHAPTER 2

1 Corinthians 2:1-16. PAUL'S SUBJECT OF PREACHING, CHRIST CRUCIFIED, NOT IN WORLDLY, BUT IN HEAVENLY, WISDOM AMONG THE PERFECT.

The very first verse is an example of Christ and Him Crucified. "Dominant pastors" cannot model Christ Crucified. Therefore, they need to strip off all of Christ's teachings through the Words of Spirit.

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev 19:10

JFB:

And I--"So I" [CONYBEARE] as one of the "foolish, weak, and despised"
........... instruments employed by God (1 Corinthians 1:27,28); "glorying in the Lord,"
........... not in man's wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:31). Compare 1 Corinthians 1:23, "We."

when I came--(Acts 18:1, &c.;). Paul might, had he pleased, have used an ornate style, having studied secular learning at Tarsus of Cilicia,

which STRABO preferred as a school of learning to Athens or Alexandria; here, doubtless, he read the Cilician Aratus' poems (which he quotes, Acts 17:28), and Epimenides (Titus 1:12), and MENANDER (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Grecian intellectual development was an important element in preparing the way for the Gospel,
........... but it failed to regenerate the world, showing that for this a superhuman power is needed.

Hellenistic (Grecizing) Judaism at Tarsus and Alexandria was the connecting link between the schools of Athens and those of the Rabbis.

No more fitting birthplace could there have been for the apostle of the Gentiles than Tarsus, free as it was from the warping influences of Rome, Alexandria, and Athens.

He had at the same time Roman citizenship, which protected him from sudden violence.
Again, he was reared in the Hebrew divine law at Jerusalem. Thus, as the three elements, Greek cultivation, Roman polity (Luke 2:1), and the divine law given to the Jews, combined just at Christ's time, to prepare the world for the Gospel, so the same three, by God's marvellous providence, met together in the apostle to the Gentiles [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].

testimony of God--"the testimony of Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:6); therefore Christ is God.

In the modern sense to "know Jesus Christ and Him crucified" is restricted to seven facts about Jesus Christ. Click for a modern pattern.

With that, men stop proclaiming Christ and begin to use the Biblical text and human wisdom believing that they are able, through external means, to manipulate people into better behavior, better attendance or more giving.

But the point has been missed and time has marched on.

The Greek implies, "The only definite thing that I made it my business to know among you, was to know Jesus Christ (His person) and Him crucified (His office)" [ALFORD],
........... not exalted on the earthly throne of David,
........... but executed as the vilest malefactor.

The historical fact of Christ's crucifixion had probably been put less prominently forward by the seekers after human wisdom in the Corinthian church,

to avoid offending learned heathens and Jews. Christ's person and Christ's office constitute the sum of the Gospel.

Because Christ was crucified the Corinthians should not honor the self-exhalted but look to the suffering servants for their example. Paul is maligned by the "trained speakers" in Corinth whom he calls huper or super-apostles who used their exhalted skills to demand a salary. However, as an apostle of a vile, crucified malefactor Paul was uniquely qualified to be their teacher. Nothing in his person, his manners, secular knowledge or speaking skills could stand between Christ and the student.

I--the preacher: as 1 Corinthians 2:2 describes the subject, "Christ crucified," and 1 Corinthians 2:4 the mode of preaching: "my speech . . .
........... not with enticing words,"
........... "but in demonstration of the Spirit."

The idea of "enticing words" is in contrast to "spirit." The contrast is not between the "letter" and some supernatural experience.

weakness--personal and bodily (2 Corinthians 10:10, 12:7,9, Galatians 4:13).

For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 2 Cor 10:10
Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. Gal 4:13

trembling--(compare Philippians 2:12). Not personal fear, but a trembling anxiety to perform a duty; anxious conscientiousness, as proved by the contrast to "eye service" (Ephesians 6:5) [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12

Next, Paul has moved beyond "Christ and Him Crucified" for the "Perfected."

my speech--in private.

preaching--in public [BENGEL]. ALFORD explains it,
........... My discourse on doctrines,
........... and my preaching or announcement of facts.
enticing--rather, "persuasive."
man's wisdom--man's is omitted in the oldest authorities. Still "wisdom" does refer to "man's" wisdom.
in demonstration of . . . Spirit, &c.--;Persuasion is man's means of moving his fellow man.

Then: God's means is demonstration, leaving no doubt, and inspiring implicit faith, by the powerful working of the Spirit (then exhibited both outwardly by miracles, and inwardly by working on the heart, now in the latter and the more important way only, Matthew 7:29, Acts 6:10, Hebrews 4:12; compare also Romans 15:19).

Now:
........... The same simple power accompanies divine truth now,
........... producing certain persuasion and conversion, when the Spirit demonstrates by it.

stand in . . . wisdom of men--rest on it, owe its origin and continuance to it.

If God had sent the most exhalted and loved public performer of the day people would have flocked to the "big meetings" based on the celebrity factor. Public speakers were the highest paid professionals of the ancient Roman world. However, Bby preaching like one down and out rather than self-exhalted (super apostles) God could guarantee that a "Christ-Crucified" Christian System would develop.

This is why later in this chapter, preaching sermons trying to explain spiritual or scriptural concepts with "chicken soup" illustrations or first-person experiences or silly jokes was God's way of hiding spiritual things from swine who couldn't appreciate pearls of great price.

"You might hear many poor wretches of sophists, shouting and abusing each other, and their disciples, as they call them, squabbling; and many writers of books reading their stupid compositions, and many poets singing their poems, and many jugglers (buffons) exhibiting their marvels, and many soothsayers giving the meaning of prodigies, and then a thousand rhetoricians twisting lawsuits, and no small number of traders driving their several trades.

"The Greeks were intoxicated with fine words; and to them the Christian preacher with his blunt message seemed a crude and uncultured figure, to be laughed at and ridiculed rather than to be listened to and respected. (Barclay, William, First Corinthians, p. 19-20)

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:4

Morologia (g3473) mo-rol-og-ee'-ah; from a comp. of 3474 and 3004; silly talk, i.e. buffoonery: - foolish talking.

Moros (g3474) mo-ros'; prob. from the base of 3466; dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (mor.) blockhead, (appar.) absurd: - fool (-ish, * -ishness).

3004 is the Logos or preaching.

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:5

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6

Orge (g3709) or-gay'; from 3713; prop. desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by anal) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorence); by impl. punishment: - anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.

Yet the Gospel preaching, so far from being at variance with true "wisdom," is a wisdom infinitely higher than that of the wise of the world

The perfected

Teleios (g5046) tel'-i-os; from 5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neut. (as noun, with 3588) completeness: - of full age, man, perfect.

Not This if it is human wisdom "sophistry":

Sophia (g4678) sof-ee'-ah; from 4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual): - wisdom.

When the super-apostles spoke human wisdom they were very popular and could easily discredit Paul and move into a position in the new churches. However, they might well build a large audience but they could not assist people in becoming spiritual. Simply by mixing the wisdom of the world's phylosophers the mystery of the gospel was made ineffective.

we speak--resuming "we" (preachers, I, Apollos, &c.;). from "we preach" (1 Corinthians 1:28), only that here, "we speak" refers to something less public (compare 1 Corinthians 2:7,13, "mystery . . . hidden") than "we preach," which is public.
........... For "wisdom" here denotes not the whole of Christian doctrine,
........... but its sublimer and deeper principles.

perfect--Those matured in Christian experience and knowledge alone can understand the true superiority of the Christian wisdom which Paul preached.
........... Distinguished not only from worldly and natural men,
........... but also from babes, who though "in Christ" retain much that is "carnal" (1 Corinthians 3:1,2),
........... ........... and cannot therefore understand the deeper truths of Christianity
........... ........... (1 Corinthians 14:20, Philippians 3:15, Hebrews 5:14).

Paul does not mean by the "mystery" or "hidden wisdom" (1 Corinthians 2:7) some hidden tradition distinct from the Gospel (like the Church of Rome's disciplina arcani and doctrine of reserve), but the unfolding of the treasures of knowledge,
........... once hidden in God's counsels,
........... but now announced to all,

which would be intelligently comprehended in proportion as the hearer's inner life became perfectly transformed into the image of Christ.
........... Compare instances of such "mysteries," that is, deeper Christian truths,

> Not at first preached: at first in Corinth, he confined himself to the fundamental elements (1 Corinthians 2:2),

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Cor 2:2
........... It is important to first teach the elementary principles of the gospel
........... because un-converted people are not capable of understanding the deeper truth.
........... ........... Those who confine themselves to the "core gospel" deliberately starve the disciples to death.

> But now spoken to the few: to the "perfect" (1 Corinthians 15:51, Romans 11:25, Ephesians 3:5,6).

"Perfect" is used not of absolute perfection, but relatively to "babes," or those less ripe in Christian growth (compare Philippians 3:12,15, with 1 John 2:12-14).

"God" (1 Corinthians 2:7) is opposed to the world,

the apostles to "the princes [great and learned men] of this world" (1 Corinthians 2:8; compare 1 Corinthians 1:20) [BENGEL].

come to naught--nothingness (1 Corinthians 1:28). They are transient, not immortal. Therefore, their wisdom is not real [BENGEL]. Rather, translate with ALFORD,

"Which are being brought to naught," namely,
by God's choosing the "things which are not (the weak and despised things of the Gospel),

to bring to naught (the same verb as here)

things that are" (1 Corinthians 1:28).

This is why it is deadly fatal to use the "chicken soup" or wisdom of the world to try to explain the Word of God. One ancient writer showed that there is the "water of the Word" and the world is filled with "restrainers"of the Water:

Ode of Solomon 6:

1 As the hand moves over the harp, and the strings speak,
2 So speaks in my members the Spirit of the Lord, and I speak by His love.
3 For it destroys what is foreign and everything that is bitter:
4 For thus it was from the beginning and will be to the end,
........... that nothing should be His adversary, and nothing should stand up against Him.
5 The Lord has multiplied the knowledge of Himself, and is zealous that these things should be known, which by His grace have been given to us.
6 And the praise of His name He gave us: our spirits praise His holy Spirit
7 For there went forth a stream and became a river great and broad
8 For it flooded and broke up everything and it brought (water) to the Temple;
9 And the restrainers of the children of men were not able to restrain it,
........... nor the arts of those whose business it is to restrain waters;

Ode 12:4 And the Most High hath given it to His words,
........... which are the interpreters of His own beauty,
........... and the repeaters of His praise, and
........... the confessors of His counsel and
........... the heralds of His thought and
........... the chasteners of His servants.

1 Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

wisdom of God--emphatically contrasted with the wisdom of men and of this world (1 Corinthians 2:5,6).
in a mystery--connected in construction with "we speak":

We speak as dealing with a mystery; that is not something to be kept hidden,
........... but what heretofore was so, but is now revealed.
Whereas the pagan mysteries were revealed only to a chosen few,
........... the Gospel mysteries were made known to all who would obey the truth.

"If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost" (2 Corinthians 4:3), "whom the God of this world hath blinded." Ordinarily we use "mystery" in reference to those from whom the knowledge is withheld; the apostles, in reference to those to whom it is revealed [WHATELY]. It is hidden before it is brought forward, and when it is brought forward it still remains hidden to those that are imperfect [BENGEL].

ordained--literally, "foreordained" (compare 1 Corinthians 2:9), "prepared for them that love Him."

The use of worldly wisdom (allegories, jokes, drama, music) is worthless in a spiritual sense because God's wisdom existed before any of he world's devices were created.

before the world--rather, "before the ages" (of time), that is, from eternity. This infinitely antedates worldly wisdom in antiquity. It was before not only the wisdom of the world, but eternally before the world itself and its ages.

to our glory--ours both now and hereafter, from "the Lord of glory" (1 Corinthians 2:8), who brings to naught "the princes of this world."

Which--wisdom. The strongest proof of the natural man's destitution of heavenly wisdom.

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1Co.2:8

The princes were the people 'in first place' or rulers, usually self-selected or having purchased their office.

crucified . . . Lord of glory--implying the inseparable connection of Christ's humanity and His divinity. The Lord of glory (which He had in His own right before the world was, John 17:4,24) was crucified.

But--(it has happened) as it is written.

Eye hath not seen, &c.--ALFORD; translates, "The things which eye saw not . . . the things which God prepared . . . to us God revealed through His Spirit." Thus, however, the "but" of 1 Corinthians 2:10 is ignored. Rather construe, as ESTIUS, "('We speak,' supplied from 1 Corinthians 2:8), things which eye saw not (heretofore), . . . things which God prepared . . . But God revealed them to us," &c.; The quotation is not a verbatim one, but an inspired exposition of the "wisdom" (1 Corinthians 2:6, from Isaiah 64:4).

The exceptive words, "O God, beside (that is, except) Thee," are not quoted directly, but are virtually expressed in the exposition of them (1 Corinthians 2:10),
"None but thou, O God, seest these mysteries, and God hath revealed them to us by His Spirit."
That Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit.

entered--literally, "come up into the heart." A Hebraism (compare, Jeremiah 3:16, Margin). In Isaiah 64:4 it is "Prepared (literally, 'will do') for him that waiteth for Him"; here, "for them that love Him." For Isaiah spake to them who waited for Messiah's appearance as future; Paul, to them who love Him as having actually appeared (1 John 4:19); compare 1 Corinthians 2:12, "the things that are freely given to us of God"

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Isaiah 64:4

We will note later that a clear conscience frees us from guilt but more: by submitting to this mystery in baptism we become co-perceivers of the true mysteries beyond just the fact that Christ was a human murdered like a criminal as the basis upon which disciples must 'enlist."

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matthew 13:13

Suniemi (g4920) soon-ee'-ay-mee; from 4862 and hiemi , (to send); to put together, i.e. (mentally) to comprehend; by impl. to act piously: - consider, understand, be wise

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: Matthew 13:14

Perceive: From Strong's "see" which is derived from g3708 meaning to discern clearly, to attend to, to experience, to perceive.

The "clear conscience" offered only by request at the time and place of baptism means:

Suneidesis ((g4893) soon-i'-day-sis; from a prol. form of 4894; co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness; - conscience.

Suneido (g4894) soon-i'-do; from 4862 and 1492; to see completely; used (like its prim.) only in two past tenses, respectively mean. to understand or become aware, and to be conscious or (clandestinely) informed of: - consider, know, be privy, be ware of.

Mandaeands Sabians Iraq Christians

"Sabian" is a word derived from the Aramaic-Mandic verb "Saba" which means "baptised" or "dyed", "immersed in water". "dMandaeans" is derived from "menda" which means in the mandiac language "knowledge". Thus, "Mandaean Sabians" means those who are baptised and who know the religion of God.

Clement of Alexandria in Stromata notes that co-perception is not automatic:

Here he terms the Babylonians wise. And that Scripture calls every secular science or art by the one name wisdom (there are other arts and sciences invented over and above by human reason), and that artistic and skilful invention is from God, will be clear if we adduce the following statement:

"And the Lord spake to Moses, See, I have called Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Or, of the tribe of Judah; and I have filled him with the divine spirit of wisdom, and understanding, and knowledge, to devise and to execute in all manner of work, to work gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and in working stone work, and in the art of working wood," and even to "all works." [Ex. xxxi. 2-5.] And then He adds the general reason,

"And to every understanding heart I have given understanding; " [Ex. xxxi. 6.] that is, to every one capable of acquiring it by pains and exercise. And again, it is written expressly in the name of the Lord "And speak thou to all that are wise in mind, whom I have filled with the spirit of perception." [ Ex. xxviii. 3.]

Those who are wise in mind have a certain attribute of nature peculiar to themselves; and they who have shown themselves capable, receive from the Supreme Wisdom a spirit of perception in double measure.

For those who practise the common arts, are in what pertains to the senses highly gifted:

in hearing, he who is commonly called a musician;
in touch, he who moulds clay;
in voice the singer,
in smell the perfumer,
in sight the engraver of devices on seals. (marks)

For this peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Matthew 13:15

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Matthew 13:16

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew 13:17

All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: Matthew 13:34

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Matthew 13:35

If we compare ourselves with ourselves we will get into trouble. Therefore, a lack of a guilt feeling has no value. However, when our witness bears witness with God's Word then we co-perceive.

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Romans 2:14

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts,
........... their conscience also bearing witness,
........... and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Romans 2:15

Logismos (g3053) log-is-mos'; from 3049; computation, i.e. (fig.) reasoning (conscience, conceit): - imagination, thought.

This word also carries the idea of consciousness or awarness:

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity,
........... not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God,
........... we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to youward. 2 Cor 1:12

Vine notes that "some regard consciousness as the meaning here."

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 1 Cor 8:7

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idols temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 1 Cor 8:10

But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 1 Cor 8:12

Vine: "In 1 Pet. 2:19 signifies... perhaps here, a consciousness so controlled by the apprehension of God's presnence, that the person realized that griefs are to be born in accordance with His will."

See Clement of Alexandria on Co-Perception and parables

revealed . . . by . . . Spirit--The inspiration of thoughts (so far as truth essential to salvation is concerned) makes the Christian (1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:3, Matthew 16:17, John 16:13, 1 John 2:20,27); that of words, the PROPHET (2 Samuel 23:1,2, 1 Kings 13:1,5), "by the word of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 2:13, John 20:30,31, 2 Peter 1:21).

David wrote:

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 2 Sam 23:2

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 2 Sam 23:3

And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. 2 Sam 23:4

Seen in a table form it is easy to see that the Spirit of the Lord, His Word, God and Christ the Rock are always connected:

The Spirit of the Lord	spake by me
his word	was in my tongue
The God of Israel	said
The Rock of Israel	spake to me

Peter knew that understanding the Words of Christ is that which can cleanse the conscience to chase out the old "demons" so that God can live in the mind or spirit:

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
........... until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 2 Peter 1:19

The secrets of revelation are secret to some,

not because those who know them will not reveal them (for indeed, the very notion of revelation implies an unveiling of what had been veiled),

but because those to whom they are announced have not the will or power to comprehend them.

Hence the Spirit-taught alone know these secrets (Psalms 25:14, Proverbs 3:32, John 7:17, 15:15).

Again this does not mean that God reveals to us by a direct operation fo the Holy Spirit without the Word. Rather, those who turn to the Lord have the "veil" removed so that they can see the deep mysteries rather than just the first principles of the gospel.

See how the unveling takes place.

unto us--the "perfect" or fully matured in Christian experience (1 Corinthians 2:6).

> Intelligent men may understand the outline of doctrines;

> but without the Holy Spirit's revelation to the heart, these will be to them a mere outline--a skeleton, correct perhaps, but wanting life [WHATLEY, Cautions for the Times, 14], (Luke 10:21).

This is what is naturally left as the core gospel when you despise the Word of God. By not using the whole Bible one can easily develop a "one member" religion.

the Spirit searcheth--working in us and with our spirits (compare Romans 8:16,26,27).
........... The Old Testament shows us God (the Father) for us.
........... The Gospels, God (the Son) with us.
........... The Acts and Epistles, God (the Holy Ghost) in us [MONOD], (Galatians 3:14).

deep things of God--(Psalms 92:5). His divine nature, attributes, and counsels.

The Spirit delights to explore the infinite depths of His own divine mind,
and then reveal them to us,
according as we are capable of understanding them (Deuteronomy 29:29).

This proves the personality and Godhead of the Holy Ghost.
........... Godhead cannot be separated from the Spirit of God,
........... as manhood cannot be separated from the Spirit of man [BENGEL].

what man, &c.--literally;, "who of men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of that man?"

things of God knoweth no man--rather, "none knoweth," not angel or man.
........... This proves the impossibility of any knowing the things of God,
........... ........... save by the Spirit of God (who alone knows them,
........... since even in the case of man,
........... ........... so infinitely inferior in mind to God,
........... ........... none of his fellow men,
........... ........... but his own spirit alone knows the things hidden within him).

This does not demand a "direct operation of the Holy Spirit as person." Rather, it means we would know absolutely nothing about God unless He revealed them to us through His Spirit or Mind of Christ breathing on apostle-prophets to speak to us through the Word.

we . . . received, not . . . spirit of . . . world--the personal evil "spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).
........... This spirit is natural in the unregenerate, and needs not to be received.

Spirit which is of God--that is, which comes from God.
........... We have received it only by the gift of God, whose Spirit it is,
........... whereas our own spirit is the spirit that is in us men (1 Corinthians 2:11).

that we might know . . . things . . . freely given . . . of God--present experimental knowledge, to our unspeakable comfort, of His deep mysteries of wisdom, and of our future possession of the good "things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
........... and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: Ezek 11:19

That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezek 11:20

But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God. Ezek 11:21

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: Hebrews 8:10

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Hebrews 8:11

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, Hebrews 10:15

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Hebrews 10:16

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,
........... when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11

also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (1 Corinthians 2:12).

which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy."
........... comparing spiritual things with spiritual--
........... expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture,

by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS];
and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries
........... by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM].

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of
........... Thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus:
........... ........... worship God:
........... for the testimony of Jesus is
........... ........... the spirit of prophecy. Rev 19:10

So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (2 Corinthians 10:12). WAHL (Key of the New Testament) translates, "explaining (as the Greek is translated, Genesis 40:8, the Septuagint) to spiritual (that is, Spirit-taught) men, spiritual things (the things which we ourselves are taught by the Spirit)."

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you Genesis 40:8

JBF has just defined how the Spirit teaches: it compares the old with the new, the types with the antitypes. The Word of God is the Spirit of Christ in the sense that it is the Mind of Christ:

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

Therefore, only those who honor the Words of Christ and the Old Testament spoken by His Own Spirit have their eyes and ears opened. To do otherwise proves that one does not love the truth and is a victiam of Beliar:

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2 Thess 2:9

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thess 2:10

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2 Thess 2:11

Spirit-taught men alone can comprehend spiritual truths. This accords with 1 Corinthians 2:6,9,10,14,15, 1 Corinthians 3:1. ALFORD translates,

"Putting together (combining) spirituals with spirituals"; that is,
attaching spiritual words to spiritual things,

which we should not do, if we were to use words of worldly wisdom to expound spiritual things (so 1 Corinthians 2:1,4, 1 Peter 4:11).

Perhaps the generality of the neuters is designed to comprehend these several notions by implication. Comparing, or combining, spirituals with spirituals; implying both that spiritual things are only suited to spiritual persons (so "things" comprehended persons, 1 Corinthians 1:27),

and also that spiritual truths can only be combined with spiritual (not worldly-wise) words; and lastly,
spirituals of the Old and New Testaments can only be understood

by mutual comparison or combination,
not by combination with worldly "wisdom," or natural perceptions (1 Corinthians 1:21,22, 2:1,4-9; compare Psalms 119:18).

natural man--literally, "a man of animal soul." As contrasted with the spiritual man,

he is governed by the animal soul,
which overbears his spirit,
which latter is without the Spirit of God (Jude 1:19).

So the animal (English Version, "natural") body, or body led by the lower animal nature (including both the mere human fallen reason and heart), is contrasted with the Spirit-quickened body (1 Corinthians 15:44-46).

The carnal man (the man led by bodily appetites,

and also by a self-exalting spirit, estranged from the divine life) is closely akin; so too the "earthly." "Devilish," or "demon-like"; "led by an evil spirit," is the awful character of such a one, in its worst type (James 3:15).

receiveth not--though they are offered to him, and are "worthy of being received by all men" (1 Timothy 1:15).

they are foolishness unto him--whereas he seeks "wisdom" (1 Corinthians 1:22). [This is experimental knowledge]

neither can he--Not only does he not, but he cannot know them, and therefore has no wish to "receive" them (Romans 8:7).

"He that is spiritual--literally, "the spiritual (man)." In 1 Corinthians 2:14, it is "A [not 'the,' as English Version] natural man." T

he spiritual is the man distinguished above his fellow men,

as he in whom the Spirit rules.

In the unregenerate,

the spirit which ought to be the organ of the Holy Spirit (and which is so in the regenerate),
is overridden by the animal soul, and is in abeyance, so that such a one is never called "spiritual."

"judgeth all things--and persons, by their true standard (compare 1 Corinthians 6:2-4, 1 John 4:1), in so far as he is spiritual. "Discerneth . . . is discerned," would better accord with the translation of the same Greek (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Otherwise for "discerned," in 1 Corinthians 2:14, translate, "judged of," to accord with the translation, "judgeth . . . is judged" in this fifteenth verse.

He has a practical insight into the verities of the Gospel, though he is not infallible on all theoretical points.

If an individual may have the Spirit without being infallible, why may not the Church have the Spirit, and yet not be infallible (a refutation of the plea of Rome for the Church's infallibility, from Matthew 28:20, John 16:13)?

As the believer and the Church have the Spirit, and are yet not therefore impeccable, so he and the Church have the Spirit, and yet are not infallible or impeccable.

He and the Church are both infallible and impeccable, only in proportion to the degree in which they are led by the Spirit.

The Spirit leads into all truth and holiness; but His influence on believers and on the Church is as yet partial. Jesus alone, who had the Spirit without measure (John 3:34), is both infallible and impeccable.

For he whom God hath sent

speaketh the words of God:

for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. John 3:34

God gives the unlimited Spirit by having Christ speak His Words without limit.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:

the words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

Scripture, because it was written by men, who while writing were infallibly inspired, is unmixed truth (Proverbs 28:5, 1 John 2:27).

For--proof of 1 Corinthians 2:15, that the spiritual man "is judged of no man."

In order to judge the spiritual man,
the ordinary man must "know the mind of the Lord."

But "who of ordinary men knows" that?

that he may instruct him--that is, so as to be able to set Him right as His counsellor (quoted from Isaiah 40:13,14). So the Septuagint translates the Greek verb, which means to "prove," in Acts 9:22.

Natural men who judge spiritual men, living according to the mind of God ("We have the mind of Christ"),

are virtually wishing to instruct God, and bring Him to another mind, as counsellors setting to right their king.

we have the mind of Christ--in our degree of capability to apprehend it. Isaiah 40:13,14 refers to JEHOVAH: therefore,

as it is applied here to Christ,

He is Jehovah.

And if He is Jesus (Joshua) or Jehovah-Saves then He is the One and only Holy Spirit:

Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. Isaiah 40:10

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Isaiah 40:12

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? Isaiah 40:13

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Isaiah 40:14

And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor:

therefore his arm brought salvation unto him;

and his righteousness, it sustained him. Isa 59:16

CHAPTER 3

1 Corinthians 3:1-23. PAUL COULD NOT SPEAK TO THEM OF DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTHS, AS THEY WERE CARNAL, CONTENDING FOR THEIR SEVERAL TEACHERS;

THESE ARE NOTHING BUT WORKERS FOR GOD,
........... TO WHOM THEY MUST GIVE ACCOUNT IN THE DAY OF FIERY JUDGMENT.

THE HEARERS ARE GOD'S TEMPLE, WHICH THEY MUST NOT DEFILE BY CONTENTIONS FOR TEACHERS, WHO, AS WELL AS ALL THINGS, ARE THEIRS, BEING CHRIST'S.

Let's review chapter 2 verse 2:

1 Cor 2: 2. The Greek implies, "The only definite thing that I made it my business to know among you, was to know Jesus Christ (His person) and Him crucified (His office)" [ALFORD],

not exalted on the earthly throne of David,

but executed as the vilest malefactor.

The historical fact of Christ's crucifixion had probably been put less prominently forward by the seekers after human wisdom in the Corinthian church,

> to avoid offending learned heathens and Jews. Christ's person and Christ's office constitute the sum of the Gospel.

Nevertheless, Paul identifies this as first principles or milk reserved for those unable to eat strong meat.

> When Paul preached a Jesus as crucified criminal at first it was to prove that the super-apostles trained in the Greek theater were not lawful.

> By setting himself as an example of a Christ-Crucified teacher who refused to even accept help from the place where he was presently laboring he proved that the gospel was honest. Those who did not follow his example would be, using Paul's clear implications, robbers.

> Because they were carnal people and had not advanced to the spiritual stage it was not only ineffective to go beyond first principles but now in 3:1 they simply could not understand it. You have to be at some spiritual level based upon past decisions to be able to hear the gospel. If you have not been faithful over carnal things God will not make you master over any spiritual insisht.

> Therefore, modern long-term preachers who "Preach only Christ and Him crucified" are insulting the congregation by publically proclaiming that "I cannot speak to you as spiritual."

And I--that is, as the natural (animal) man cannot receive,

so I also could not speak unto you the deep things of God,

as I would to the spiritual;

but I was compelled to speak to you as I would to MEN OF FLESH.

The oldest manuscripts read this for "carnal." The former (literally, "fleshy") implies men wholly of flesh, or natural. Carnal, or fleshly, implies not they were wholly natural or unregenerate (1 Corinthians 2:14), but that they had much of a carnal tendency; for example their divisions.

Paul had to speak to them as he would to men wholly natural, inasmuch as they are still carnal (1 Corinthians 3:3) in many respects, notwithstanding their conversion (1 Corinthians 1:4-9).

Because the Corinthians were carnal they had not truly turned to the Lord. In the second letter which gives no evidence that Corinth had begun to understand Paul wrote:

But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail (covering so you cannot see) is upon their heart. 2 Corinthians 3:15

Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16 (So you can see the kingdom)
........... Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

babes--contrasted with the perfect (fully matured) in Christ (Colossians 1:28; compare Hebrews 5:13,14). This implies they were not men wholly of flesh, though carnal in tendencies.

They had life in Christ, but it was weak. He blames them for being still in a degree (not altogether, compare 1 Corinthians 1:5,7;

therefore he says as) babes in Christ, when by this time they ought to have "come unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). In Romans 7:14, also the oldest manuscripts read, "I am a man of flesh."

Plato: In order, then, that the soul of the child may not be habituated to feel joy and sorrow in a manner at variance with the law, and those who obey the law, but may rather follow the law and rejoice and sorrow at the same things as the aged-in order,

I say, to produce this effect, chants appear to have been invented, which really enchant, and are designed to implant that harmony of which we speak.
........... And, because the mind of the child is incapable of enduring serious training,
........... ........... they are called plays and songs, and are performed in play;
........... just as when men are sick and ailing in their bodies,
........... ........... their attendants give them wholesome diet in pleasant meats and drinks,
........... ........... but unwholesome diet in disagreeable things,

in order that they may learn, as they ought, to like the one, and to dislike the other.

And similarly the true legislator will persuade, and, if he cannot persuade,
........... will compel the poet to express, as he ought, by fair and noble words,
........... in his rhythms, the figures, and in his melodies,
........... the music of temperate and brave and in every way good men.

Cleinias But do you really imagine, Stranger, that this is the way in which poets generally compose in States at the present day?

As far as I can observe, except among us and among the Lacedaemonians, there are no regulations like those of which you speak;

in other places novelties are always being introduced in dancing and in music, generally not under the authority of any law,

but at the instigation of lawless pleasures; and these pleasures are so far from being the same, as you describe the Egyptian to be, or having the same principles, that they are never the same.

The Egyptian background is here.

In explaining the speaking and singing in tongues in Corinth, as well as repudiating instruments because they are lifeless and cannot speak the language of the people, Paul called their attention to Isaiah 28 where this loss of the "meat of the Word" was both a cause and symptom of their lostness:

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way (staggering under new wine); the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isaiah 28:7

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?
them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Isaiah 28:9

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28:10

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isaiah 28:11

Laeg (h3934) law-ayg'; from 3932; a buffoon; also a foreigner: - mocker, stammering.

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. Psa 35:16

Feasts are: Maowg (h4580) maw-ogue'; from 5746; a cake of bread (with 3934 a table-buffoon, i. e. parasite): - cake, feast.

To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. Isaiah 28:12

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. Isaiah 30:15

milk--the elementary "principles of the doctrine of Christ."

Thomas Campbell Wrote that hearing the Word of truth is like a seed planted in the heart. If the seed does not begin to germinate then there is no life:

"As to regeneration itself, or, as it is commonly termed, the new birth, we are divinely assured, that it is effected by the word of truth.

(James i. 18.) Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth; and

(1 Peter i. 23-25.) Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you.

"Again--both the beginning and progress of Messiah's kingdom are ascribed to the word. Compare Matthew xiii. with Mark iv. and Luke viii. "Behold a sower went forth to sow," namely, the word of the kingdom; for the sower sows the word.

"And he that received seed into the good ground, is he that hears the word and understands it; who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keeps it, and brings forth fruit with patience." Again, (Mat. xvi. 16, 18,)

And Peter, in his first Epistle, chap. ii. verse 2. exhorts all such, that "as new born babes, they would desire the sincere milk of the word, that they might grow thereby." Again, Christ's farewell prayer for his disciples, is,

"Holy Father, sanctify them through your truth; your word is truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe in me through their word." John xvii. 17-20, and Paul to the Ephesians, v. 25, asserts that

"Christ loved the church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."

The "gospel only" keeps on sowing the seed but once the "seed" has germinated by hearing the Word by faith, it needs to advance beyond childish "milk."

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Hebrews 5:12

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Hebrews 5:13

A babe is a minor infant. Figuratively it is a simple-minded person or an immature Christian. Those still fed on milk after the first principles are understood are hungering and thirsting for the Word of God and cannot find it. In several examples in the Old Testament performance music was used to "take away the key to knowledge."

From 1:2 milk is seen as only Christ and Him crucified. Until the Corinthians clear their minds of the Pagan idolatry notion that the oracles, priests and interpreters were super-stars was a Christian notion, it would be useless to go beyond and feed them the deep spiritual meat of the Word of God.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil Hebrews 5:14

"Exercised" is a gymnasium practice where one becomes "naked" of everything which hinders. The exercises are not "spiritual" in the warm-fuzzy or "chicken soup" sense but to become spiritual must have their perception or senses exercised.

Aistheterion (g145) ahee-sthay-tay'-ree-on; from a der. of 143; prop. an organ of perception, i.e. (fig.) judgment: - senses.

When you do not let it sink down into your ears, the result is predictable:

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. Luke 9:46

A clear conscience means more than freedom from a guilty feeling. Without a guilty feeling all of the obscacles to discernment are cleared away. As a result, we are able to see "over the horizon" which is deliberately hidden within the revealed Word and reserved for the exclusive use of believers.

The clear conscience which we ask from God at baptism clears off the obstacles of a carnal brain and gives one's senses a co-perception of spiritual things:

Suneidesis (g4893) soon-i'-day-sis; from a prol. form of 4894; co- perception, i.e. moral consciousness; - conscience.

The Corinthian church must not be taken as an example of Christian practices and worship. Paul insists that they are still not able to hear anything beyond Christ and Him crucified. As long as their public services involve drunkeness, selfishness and the "cult of personalities" they simply do not grasp Christ and Him crucified.

Unfortunately most institutional forms of church as opposed to the meaning of "assembly" are milk fed but it is fatal if it is based upon self-exhaltation rather than presenting a human example of Christ willing to spend and be spent for the glory of God and the well being of the people.

Unable to discern between "milk" and "meat" the false, super-apostles can sell "Christ and Him Crucified" as a way to insult the intelligence of the "paying audience."

There is no point in going beyond the gospel as long as people are still carnal. However, to accuse the entire modery church as still "carnal" needing the CORE GOSPEL is a confession that the preaching has had no effect.

envying--jealousy, rivalry. As this refers to their feelings, "strife" refers to their words, and "divisions" to their actions [BENGEL].

There is a gradation, or ascending climax: envying had produced strife, and strife divisions (factious parties) [GROTIUS].

His language becomes severer now as He proceeds; in 1 Corinthians 1:11 he had only said "contentions," he now multiplies the words (compare the stronger term, 1 Corinthians 4:6, than in 1 Corinthians 3:21).

carnal--For "strife" is a "work of the flesh" (Galatians 5:20). The "flesh" includes all feelings that aim not at the glory of God, and the good of our neighbor, but at gratifying self.

walk as men--as unregenerate men (compare Matthew 16:23). "After the flesh, not after the Spirit" of God, as becomes you as regenerate by the Spirit (Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:25,26).

All forms of "worship" ritual aimed at the human senses deliberately plans to attract people through the flesh. Consequently, to much sermonizing uses human wisdom or the affairs of the world to try to boost the effectiveness of the Word of God. This cannot produce spiritual people.

The surest sign of carnality is the quest to be super-apostles or super stars on the performing circuit of popular "evangelism." In order to book lectures and sell books and attract contributors it is absolutely necessary to try to keep five balls juggled in the air night and day.

The other sure sign is that in order to attract "seekers" from the church just down the street it is necessary to hire a super-star. It is then impossible to see Christ through the popular performer who becomes "at the center" rather than Christ. Envy from others following the anamilistic "territorial imperative" means a race to see who can be the most popular as proven by adding more contributors. If he does not "perform" then his job is in jeapordy and he is forced up an increasing cycle of theatrical performance.

(1 Corinthians 1:12).

are ye not carnal--The oldest manuscripts read, "Are ye not men?" that is, "walking as men" unregenerate (1 Corinthians 3:3).

Who then--Seeing then that ye severally strive so for your favorite teachers, "Who is (of what intrinsic power and dignity) Paul?" If so great an apostle reasons so of himself, how much more does humility, rather than self-seeking, become ordinary ministers!

Paul . . . Apollos--The oldest manuscripts read in the reverse order, "Apollos," &c.; Paul." He puts Apollos before himself in humility.

but ministers, &c.--The; oldest manuscripts have no "but." "Who is Apollos . . . Paul? (mere) ministers (a lowly word appropriate here, servants), by whom (not "in whom"; by whose ministrations) ye believed."

as . . . Lord gave to every man--that is, to the several hearers, for it was GOD that "gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6).

I . . . planted, Apollos watered--(Acts 18:1, 19:1). Apollos at his own desire (Acts 18:27) was sent by the brethren to Corinth, and there followed up the work which Paul had begun.
God gave the increase--that is, the growth (1 Corinthians 3:10, Acts 18:27). "Believed through grace."

Though ministers are nothing, and God all in all, yet God works by instruments, and promises the Holy Spirit in the faithful use of means. This is the dispensation of the Spirit, and ours is the ministry of the Spirit.

Go back and remember the point to understand the meaning of Paul's just "planting" or preaching Christ rather than watering with the Word or Doctrine.

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Cor 2:2

AND I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 1 Cor 3:1

As preacher of first principles or "Christ Crucified" Paul's job was not to "baptize" or teach the deep mysteries of the faith. In the Greek, pagan world the gospel had no chance unless the evangelists first establish the point that Christianity is a scandal. There is no point in becoming a disciple through baptism unless you grasp that this is not a ticket for "the grand tour." It is not a way to become the most popular performer at the Feast of Tabernacles as the brothers of Jesus wanted Him to be.

If you want to enjoy civic pride by having the tallest (longest) steeple in town, or the biggest attendance, or the most attractive and entertaining musical groups or to meet with the "in group" then you have not understood Christ and Him crucified.

The job of the evangelist was to enlist men and women for "survival training" so that they would be able to resist the strong, stormy Winds of Doctrine which the performers would be blowing to try to become the biggest gun in Corinth.

And, Oh by the way, our Captain is so opposed to the culture of the world populated by a mostly-just flesh population that you must know that He was a criminal executed by the foulest method reserved for the foulest criminals -- just to set an example.

If, then, you are ready to die to self in baptism, we can go beyond defining our Commander in Chief and teach you the survival skills need to live in a world just as hostile as a human trying to survive a world as alien to the spiritual species Mars or the Moon.

neither is he that . . . anything . . . but God--namely, is all in all. "God" is emphatically last in the Greek,

"He that giveth the increase (namely), GOD." Here follows a parenthesis, 1 Corinthians 3:8-21, where "Let no man glory in men" stands in antithetic contrast to "God" here.

It doesn't matter how much like the world you might become to "be all things to all people" it just won't work. The "army" you collect will be wimps who were enlisted under the banner of "Christ and Him crucified" but in reality the picture of Jesus will look just like the recruiting agent. When the winds blow the house will crumble and your foundation will be swept back out into the carnal sea from which it came.

If you worry about your numbers you obviously believe that you can give the increase. Therefore, songs, sermons and Bible classes will not be the "mysteries" which are revealed only to the honest seekers. Then the increase will come from God whose Spirit becomes our spirit.

one--essentially in their aim they are one, engaged in one and the same ministry; therefore they ought not to be made by you the occasion of forming separate parties.

Remember that Paul preached Christ and Him crucified because the Corinthians were still carnal. Nothing that he had heard indicated that they were advancing in their "boot camp" to spirituality.

Therefore, His mission was to "pull up the weeds" of carnal paganism and civic respectability by proving that he, too, was in the eyes of society, just another Christ-like criminal. This teaching and their seeing the example was to plant the idea of a crucifixion-centered life. It didn't matter that he was not there to "count the bodies" as they were baptized. Others could water the people who had died to self.

This did not mean that the evangelist who had taught them the "death principle" was less important than the baptizer. Therefore, for them to honor the "gospel preacher" who came to town to convince people to be baptized as "their man" or focus simply meant that the crucifixion-focus principle of "enlisting warriors" had not been understood.

As a result, the people must return to first principles or milk or the crucifixion principle and give it another try.

and every man--rather "but every man." Though in their service or ministry, they are essentially "one,"

yet every minister is separately responsible in "his own" work, and
"shall receive his own (emphatically repeated) reward, according to his own labor."
The reward is something over and above personal salvation (1 Corinthians 3:14,15, 2 John 1:8).

He shall be rewarded according to, not his success or the amount of work done, but "according to his own labor."

It shall be said to him, "Well done, thou good and (not successful, but) faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:23).

A central principle of the Old Testament was that out of perhaps millions of people on the earth, only eight were "weeded out" to get on the Ark and escape the "winds and waters" of pagan doctrine. And again, out of the perhaps millions who came out of Egypt and prospered, only 25 to 50 thousand returned to Babylon and most of these had sunk so low that Jesus would not even speak to the "princes of Israel" who were the self-elected leaders.

The masses before the flood were really the "beast" or carnal people because they never acquired an enlightened spirit. The same will be true when Jesus comes: the masses will be meeting but the servant in the field will be identified by the "mark in his forehead" which is his mental disposition.

Contrary to the teaching of the task-masters, one cannot make it based on how many members one is associated with or the expense of "our temple." One must become a spiritual person on their own. The "group-" or "mob-" mentality will certainly mark one as still carnal: just an animal.

The "church house" is not the building: each baptized believer is a "stone" in the spiritual house of which Lord Jesus Christ is the "Chief Pastor."

Translate, as the Greek collocation of words, and the emphasis on "God" thrice repeated, requires,

"For (in proof that "each shall receive reward according to his own labor," namely, from God) it is of God that we are the fellow workers (laboring with, but under, and belonging to Him as His servants, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 6:1; compare Acts 15:4; of God that ye are the field (or tillage), of God that ye are the building" [ALFORD].

"Building" is a new image introduced here, as suited better than that of husbandry, to set forth the different kinds of teaching and their results, which he is now about to discuss. "To edify" or "build up" the Church of Christ is similarly used (Ephesians 2:21,22, 4:29).

Again, preaching Christ and Him crucified is the foundation Stone upon which the Spiritual house is to be built. One does not lay foundations over and over and over.

Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech Isaiah 28:23

Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? Isaiah 28:24

When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place? Isaiah 28:25

For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and (God) doth teach him. Isaiah 28:26

For the fitches (dill) are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. Isaiah 28:27

Bread corn is bruised; because he will not (for) ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen. Isaiah 28:28

This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Isaiah 28:29

grace . . . given unto me--Paul puts this first, to guard against seeming to want humility, in pronouncing himself "a WISE master builder," in the clause following [CHRYSOSTOM]. The "grace" is that "given" to him in common with all Christians (1 Corinthians 3:5), only proportioned to the work which God had for him to do [ALFORD].

This is not an example of a good versus a bad foundation. It was common even when building on the sand to simply throw up a house. Therefore when the winds blew or rains fell the house would fall because it had no foundation.

Again, Christ and Him crucified is the foundation for the church or house of Christ. One must go beyond foundation-laying or forever threshing grain or more harm than good is done. By example:

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 1 Cor 9:9

The principle is that the Apostle-Evangelist laid the foundation and made sure that others were available to help build the house. He could plant but others could water. The could preach but others could baptize. And most important: he could nibble the grain while he threshed but he simply had no authority to keep running the oxen or cart whell over and over upon the already-matured grain. To do so would bruise the corn and destroy all of the work of planting and watering.

wise--that is, skilful. His skill is shown in his laying a foundation. The unskilful builder lays none (Luke 6:49).
........... Christ is the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). another--who ever comes after me. He does not name Apollos;
........... for he speaks generally of all successors, whoever they be. His warning,

"Let every man (every teacher) take heed how," &c.; refers to other successors rather than Apollos, who doubtless did not, as they, build wood, hay, &c.;, on the foundation (compare 1 Corinthians 4:15).
"I have done my part, let them who follow me see (so the Greek for 'take heed') to theirs" [BENGEL].

When harvest time came Paul would have been there and gone. Therefore, it was part of the Christ and Him Crucified pattern that he would not be there to count the bags of grain and take the credit.

how--with what material [ALFORD]. How far wisely, and in builder-like style (1 Peter 4:11).
buildeth thereupon--Here the building or superstructure raised on Christ

the "foundation," laid by Paul (1 Corinthians 2:2) is not, as in Ephesians 2:20,21,
the Christian Church made up of believers, the "lively stones" (1 Peter 2:5),

but the doctrinal and practical teaching which the teachers who succeeded Paul, superadded to his first teaching;

> not that they taught what was false,
> but their teaching was subtle and speculative reasoning, rather than solid and simple truth.

(Isaiah 28:16, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:20).

For--my warning ("take heed," &c.; 1 Corinthians 3:10) is as to the superstructure ("buildeth thereupon"),
........... not as to the foundation:
........... "For other foundation can no man lay, than that which has (already) been laid (by God) Jesus Christ,"
........... ........... the person, not the mere abstract doctrine about Him,
........... ........... though the latter also is included; Jesus, GOD-SAVIOUR; Christ, MESSIAH or ANOINTED.

can--A man can not lay any other, since the only one recognized by God has been already laid.

Now--rather, "But." The image is that of a building on a solid foundation,

and partly composed of durable and precious, partly of perishable, materials. The "gold, silver, precious stones," which all can withstand fire (Revelation 21:18,19), are teachings that will stand the fiery test of judgment; "wood, hay, stubble," are those which cannot stand it; not positive heresy, for that would destroy the foundation, but teaching mixed up with human philosophy and Judaism, curious rather than useful. Besides the teachings, the superstructure represents also the persons cemented to the Church by them, the reality of whose conversion, through the teachers' instrumentality, will be tested at the last day. Where there is the least grain of real gold of faith, it shall never be lost (1 Peter 1:7; compare 1 Corinthians 4:12). On the other hand, the lightest straw feeds the fire [BENGEL] (Matthew 5:19).

Every man's work--each teacher's superstructure on the foundation.

the day--of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:8, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Thessalonians 5:4). The article is emphatic, "The day," that is, the great day of days, the long expected day.

declare it--old English for "make it clear" (1 Corinthians 4:4).

it shall be revealed by fire--it, that is, "every man's work." Rather, "He," the Lord, whose day it is (2 Thessalonians 1:7,8). Translate literally, "is being revealed (the present in the Greek implies the certainty and nearness of the event, Revelation 22:10,20) in fire" (Malachi 3:3, 4:1). The fire (probably figurative here, as the gold, hay, &c.;). is not purgatory (as Rome teaches, that is, purificatory and punitive), but probatory, not restricted to those dying in "venial sin"; the supposed intermediate class between those entering heaven at once, and those dying in mortal sin who go to hell, but universal, testing the godly and ungodly alike (2 Corinthians 5:10; compare Mark 9:49). This fire is not till the last day, the supposed fire of purgatory begins at death. The fire of Paul is to try the works, the fire of purgatory the persons, of men. Paul's fire causes "loss" to the sufferers; Rome's purgatory, great gain, namely, heaven at last to those purged by it, if only it were true. Thus this passage, quoted by Rome for, is altogether against, purgatory. "It was not this doctrine that gave rise to prayers for the dead; but the practice of praying for the dead [which crept in from the affectionate but mistaken solicitude of survivors] gave rise to the doctrine" [WHATELY].

abide--abide the testing fire (Matthew 3:11,12).

which he hath built thereupon--which he built on the foundation.

reward--wages, as a builder, that is, teacher. His converts built on Christ the foundation, through his faithful teaching, shall be his "crown of rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 1:14, Philippians 2:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:19).

If . . . be burnt--if any teacher's work consist of such materials as the fire will destroy [ALFORD].

suffer loss--that is, forfeit the special "reward"; not that he shall lose salvation (which is altogether a free gift, not a "reward" or wages), for he remains still on the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:12, 2 John 1:6).

saved; yet so as by fire--rather, "so as through fire" (Zechariah 3:2, Amos 4:11, Jude 1:23). "Saved, yet not without fire" (Romans 2:27) [BENGEL]. As a builder whose building, not the foundation, is consumed by fire, escapes, but with the loss of his work [ALFORD]; as the shipwrecked merchant, though he has lost his merchandise, is saved, though having to pass through the waves [BENGEL];

Malachi 3:1,2, 4:1, give the key to explain the imagery. The "Lord suddenly coming to His temple" in flaming "fire," all the parts of the building which will not stand that fire will be consumed;

the builders will escape with personal salvation, but with the loss of their work, through the midst of the conflagration [ALFORD].

Again, a distinction is recognized between minor and fundamental doctrines
........... (if we regard the superstructure as representing the doctrines superadded to the elementary essentials);
........... a man may err as to the former, and yet be saved, but not so as to the latter (compare Philippians 3:15).

Know ye not--It is no new thing I tell you, in calling you "God's building"; ye know and ought to remember, ye are the noblest kind of building, "the temple of God."

ye--all Christians form together one vast temple. The expression is not, "ye are temples," but "ye are the temple" collectively, and "lively stones" (1 Peter 2:5) individually.

God . . . Spirit--God's indwelling, and that of the Holy Spirit, are one;

therefore the Holy Spirit is God.
No literal "temple" is recognized by the New Testament in the Christian Church.

The only one is the spiritual temple, the whole body of believing worshippers in which the Holy Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 6:19, John 4:23,24).

The synagogue, not the temple, was the model of the Christian house of worship.
........... The temple was the house of sacrifice, rather than of prayer.

Prayers in the temple were silent and individual (Luke 1:10, 18:10-13), not joint and public,
........... nor with reading of Scripture, as in the synagogue.

The temple, as the name means (from a Greek root "to dwell"), was the earthly dwelling-place of God, where alone He put His name.
........... The synagogue (as the name means an assembly) was the place for assembling men.

God now too has His earthly temple, not one of wood and stone, but the congregation of believers, the "living stones" on the "spiritual house."

Believers are all spiritual priests in it. Jesus Christ, our High Priest, has the only literal priesthood (Malachi 1:11, Matthew 18:20, 1 Peter 2:5) [VITRINGA].

If any . . . defile . . . destroy--rather as the Greek verb is the same in both cases, "destroy . . . destroy." God repays in kind by a righteous retaliation. The destroyer shall himself be destroyed.

As temporal death was the penalty of marring the material temple (Leviticus 16:2, Daniel 5:2,3,30),
so eternal death is the penalty of marring the spiritual temple--the Church.

The destroyers here (1 Corinthians 3:16,17), are distinct from the unwise or unskilful builders (1 Corinthians 3:12,15);
........... the latter held fast the "foundation" (1 Corinthians 3:11),

and, therefore, though they lose their work of superstructure and the special reward, yet they are themselves saved; the destroyers, on the contrary, assailed with false teaching the foundation, and so subvert the temple itself, and shall therefore be [ESTIUS and NEANDER].

I think Paul passes here from the teachers to all the members of the Church, who, by profession, are "priests unto God" (Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). As the Aaronic priests were doomed to die if they violated the old temple (Exodus 28:43), so any Christian who violates the sanctity of the spiritual temple, shall perish eternally (Hebrews 12:14, 10:26,31).

holy--inviolable (Habakkuk 2:20).

which temple ye are--rather, "the which (that is, holy) are ye" [ALFORD], and, therefore, want of holiness on the part of any of you (or, as ESTIUS, "to tamper with the foundation in teaching you") is a violation of the temple, which cannot be let to pass with impunity. GROTIUS supports English Version.

seemeth--that is, is, and is regarded by himself and others.

wise in this world--wise in mere worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:20).

let him become a fool--by receiving the Gospel in its unworldly simplicity, and so becoming a fool in the world's sight [ALFORD]. Let him no longer think himself wise, but seek the true wisdom from God, bringing his understanding into captivity to the obedience of faith [ESTIUS].

with God--in the judgment of God.
it is written--in Job 5:13. The formula of quoting SCRIPTURE used here, establishes the canonicity of Job.

He taketh . . . wise in . . . own craftiness--proving the "foolishness" of the world's wisdom, since it is made by God the very snare to catch those who think themselves so wise. Literally, "He who taketh . . . the whole of the sentence not being quoted, but only the part which suited Paul's purpose.

Quotation from Psalms 94:11. There it is of men; here it is "of the wise." Paul by inspiration states the class of men whose "thoughts" (or rather, "reasonings," as suits the Greek and the sense of the context) the Spirit designated in the Psalm, "vanity," namely, the "proud" (Psalms 94:2) and worldly-wise, whom God in Psalms 94:8 calls "fools," though they "boast themselves" of their wisdom in pushing their interests (Psalms 94:4).

let no man glory in men--resuming the subject from 1 Corinthians 3:4; compare 1 Corinthians 1:12,31, where the true object of glorying is stated: "He that glorieth, let him glory in THE LORD." Also 1 Corinthians 4:6, "That no one of you be puffed up for one against another."

For all things--not only all men. For you to glory thus in men, is lowering yourselves from your high position as heirs of all things. All men (including your teachers) belong to Christ, and therefore to you, by your union with Him; He makes them and all things work together for your good (Romans 8:28). Ye are not for the sake of them, but they for the sake of you (2 Corinthians 4:5,15). They belong to you, not you to them.

Enumeration of some of the "all things." The teachers, in whom they gloried, he puts first (1 Corinthians 1:12). He omits after "Cephas" or Christ (to whom exclusively some at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 1:12, professed to belong); but, instead, substitutes "ye are Christ's" (1 Corinthians 3:23).

world . . . life . . . death . . . things present . . . things to come--Not only shall they not "separate you from the love of God in Christ" (Romans 8:38,39), but they "all are yours," that is, are for you (Romans 8:28), and belong to you, as they belong to Christ your Head (Hebrews 1:2).

things present--"things actually present" [ALFORD].

ye are Christ's--not Paul's, or Apollos,' or Cephas' (1 Corinthians 11:3'Matthew 23:8-10'). "Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master, even Christ" (Romans 14:8). Not merely a particular section of you, but ye all are Christ's (1 Corinthians 1:12).

Christ is God's--(1 Corinthians 11:3). God is the ultimate end of all, even of Christ, His co-equal Son (1 Corinthians 15:28, Philippians 2:6-11).

When one grasps Christ and Him crucified the automatic step will ask for baptism where Peter says we have our bodies washed with pure water and we ask for a clear or co-perceptive spirit from Christ. This is the gift of A holy spirit

Chapter 15

Chapter 15 is another example of the CORE GOSPEL?

MOREOVER, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 1 Cor. 15:1

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 1 Cor. 15:2

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1 Cor. 15:3

The image and nature of Christ is the most important thing but Paul didn't say "this is the CORE GOSPEL." Rather, he preached the nature of Christ but they always remained carnal. For one thing many did not even believe in the resurrection and therefore ridiculed Paul for suffering:

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1 Cor. 15:12
........... But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 1 Cor. 15:13
........... ........... And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1 Cor. 15:14

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1 Cor. 15:31

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 1 Cor. 15:32
........... Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Cor. 15:33

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1 Cor. 15:34

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