Epaggelia

1st Corinthians 1:18-31

Tacitus, the Roman historian, senator, orator and Consul lived from 56-120AD. Tacitus mocked Christians and wrote, “Christus…from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus…” . From 300BC to 300AD, crucifixion was used to legally torture criminals to death, it was disgusting and dishonorable to die by crucifixion. No one in the civilized world would have even wanted to wear jewelry in the shape of a cross, it was a horribly heinous way to die. The worldly minds of everyone during the 1st century of the church’s existence, could not conceive of a savior or god as being crucified, the idea denounced worldly reason. The 1st century preachers had a huge task trying to convince the world that God was in The Christ crucified as Jesus, it was either foolishness to any Roman Gentile or Greek who was educated, and an ironic stumbling block for the religious Jew. Yet God uses this message to build the church victorious and maintain it to this day!

The word of the cross is foolishness to who?

What is the word of the cross to those who are being saved?

Where does Paul cite Isaiah 29:14 to show that God nullifies the power of the high brow wisdom of the world and formally educated stoics? 

How do you think Paul expected Christians to answer, when he asked “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe?

What two things were found by those called by Christ, in the message of His crucifixion?

_______________ &  ________________  

What did God choose to confound the wise and powerful of the world?

What kind of application can modern Christians today make of Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians about the wisdom & power of God? See 2nd Corinthians 10:5

The church has no physical weapons of power, but we do have formidable strength described in Ephesians 6:13-16 & 1st Thessalonians 5:8. 

Jesus used metaphors from the battlefield to teach spiritual lessons (Luke 14:31-33), he is not powerless and neither are His people. How can Christians fight against evil to overcome it with good? See Ephesians 6:17-19, 1st Thessalonians 5:15-24

THE CORINTHIANS CHRISTIANS ORIGIN & PURPOSE OF WISDOM

2v1-3, Paul didn’t bring Christ to Corinth with lofty speech or enticing words of pithy principles, that would make a great car salesman, but instead his humility was so obvious, that he presented Christ’s message of the cross with great reverence in fear of God, to handle the whole counsel of God responsibly, so much so, that he seemed weak & trembling. However, the message itself was powerful in the Spirit. In times past, God used “weak” speakers to great effect with His message & miracles. Moses & Jeremiah are good examples, Exodus 4:10, Jeremiah 1:6-7. There are many “fair speech” preachers that can deceive innocent children and/or new believers, Romans 16:18. 

2v4, How did Paul demonstrate the power of God? His speech & message were by 

The ___________

2v5, The point & purpose of Paul proclaiming Christ was so that the ___________ of God would be trusted.

How did the gospel come to the Thessalonian Christians via Paul? See 1st Thes. 1:5

2v6-8, Wisdom comes in stages. None of us are taught the whole counsel of God overnight. 

“We speak wisdom among the ______________ “

But in 1st Cor. 3:3, Paul had a different way of handling the truth, Who was he writing to?

2v9-12, Who is it that gives us God’s wisdom?

Should we ask, and then expect to never ask again? See James 1:5

Who is the Spirit from God, referred to in v12? (See Ephesians 1:17)

2v13-14, Paul teaches that explaining spiritual things to unbelievers is very hard, maybe impossible, if they are unable to discern spiritual truths. So how was he so successful in helping unbelievers become believers with the gospel?

2v15, Does the phrase “all things” mean literally everything?

2v16, If we have the mind of Christ, does that mean we can act like spiritual “know-it-alls”?

Did Christ himself know all things? (Matthew 24:36) Yet he was proved to be the Son of God by the resurrection, Romans 1:4-5

THE CORINTHIAN CHRISTIANS TRUE IDENTITY

Whether a christian lives in a 1st century pagan Greek society, or the 21st century digital western society, do we as christians have a clear understanding of how our Savior and God identifies us?

Infants, 3:1-4, Have a Father. How does Paul’s critique of the Corinthian church challenge your current level of spiritual maturity?

Servants, 3:5, 4:1-2,  Have a Master. If an Apostle can identify as a servant, how much more ought christians?

 (Galatians 6:1) Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of ____________________. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted

God’s Field, 3:6-8, Co-workers with Christ in planting & watering. How does gardening align with the metaphor of Christians being a field? 

God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have ______________ for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. (Hebrews 6:10)

God’s Building, 3:9-15, Co-workers with Christ in building. The Greek word “οἰκοδομή” (oikodomē) refers to a structure, emphasizing the church’s collective identity as a spiritual edifice built by God. The Greek word “δοκιμάσει” (dokimasei) means to test (v13) or prove, indicating that a Christian’s’ works will be evaluated for their eternal value.

The Temple, 3:16-17, Has an Owner. The Greek word “ναός” (naos) refers to the inner sanctuary, highlighting the sacredness of the church as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Do you think there is any scientific verification that exists to claim that christians are literally God’s Temple and house the Spirit of God?

God’s Wisdom, 3:18-23 & 2:16 Has a Teacher. Worldly wisdom is foolishness; true wisdom is being “fools” for Christ, recognizing all things belong to God. This causes christians to boast in God, not themselves. Paul warns against boasting in human leaders, stating, “So then, no more boasting about men!” v21, The Greek word “καυχᾶσθαι” (kauchasthai) means to boast or glory, emphasizing that glory should be given to God alone, not to human figures.

THE CORINTHIAN CHRISTIAN’S ATTITUDE

4:1-2 Why does Paul use two different words for his own description in this ministry of apostleship?

Servant

Steward

Later in 4:14-17, Paul uses the picture of fatherhood in his relationship with the 

Corinthian christians as _________________ , Why?

How does viewing Elders, Deacons and/or Evangelists, Preachers and/or any Ministry Leader as “stewards” rather than “owners”  change our view of leadership?

4:5  Why is it a danger to “judge nothing before the time” ?

On The Day of the Lord, when the Lord comes, What might be our greatest motivation to see?

If we really believe God will one day ________________ us, why would we live like we need it from anyone in the world?

4:6 & 4:18 Both of these verses have something in common. What is it?

4:8, In what way were the Corinthian Christians royally rich?  (See Ephesians 1:3-6)

4:15, Can you explain what kind of “Guides” Paul was talking about, which Corinthian Christians had known?

4:20, In describing the Kingdom of God as power, how did Jesus describe it in Luke 17:20-21 ?

Can we personally apply Paul’s contrast between “fools for Christ” and the worldly definition of success to our own lives?