Paul was concerned about the condition of the local church in Corinth. All was not well, and Paul knew the solution: a proper appreciation for the message of the cross. Having addressed the message of the cross (1:18–31) and the messenger of the cross (2:1–5), Paul then wrote about the maturity of the cross (2:6–13). This maturity is inseparable from the mindset of the cross (2:14–16), that is the mind of Christ. Paul points to several characteristics of those with this mindset: (1) They Love God (vv. 6–10); (2) They Listen to God (vv. 11–13); (3) They Learn from God (vv. 14–15); and (4) They Live for God (v. 16).

One could be mistaken for assuming that Paul was anti-wisdom in view of what he has written from 1:18ff. Of course, one would be wrong. Though Paul was anti the “wisdom of the world,” he was pro the wisdom of God, for it is the power of God for salvation (1:23–24). Here, in 2:6–13, Paul exalts God’s wisdom and exults in the Spirit’s grace in giving such wisdom to those who embrace the message of the cross. He designates these as the mature. In this passage we will discover:

1. The Identification of the Mature (vv. 6–8)

2. The Illumination of the Mature (vv. 9–12)

3. The Instruction of the Mature (v. 13)

As we continue to examine how God uses ordinary “hidden figures” to accomplish great things for his kingdom, we turn to consider Shiphrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives who risked their lives to keep Israel’s boys alive. Eternity will reveal just how significant the ordinary acts of backstage obedience are in the grand scheme of redemptive history. We consider the story of these midwives under the following headings.

1. The Temptation (vv. 15–16)

2. Faithful Response (vv. 17–19)

3. The Outcome for the Kingdom (vv. 20–21)

We are all familiar with popular, even famous, character in the Bible. Much is known about Peter and Paul, but the biblical record similarly highlights the equally significant, though lesser known, ministries of more hidden figures—like Tertius (Romans 16:22). Little is known about this amanuensis, but we are humanly indebted to him for having received the book of Romans. He literally published the good news of the gospel. Historically hidden, his skills were nonetheless used by God to pen a book which God has used throughout history to reach the lost and to reform his church. In this study, we consider some lessons we can learn from the brief record of this man’s ministry.

Paul, having spoken of the message of the cross (1:10–31) now writes about the messenger of the cross. Both appear foolish to the world. But so be it. In reminding them of his ministry among them, Paul instructs Christians what should characterise us as messengers of the cross.

1. The Messenger of the Cross is Determined about the Message (vv. 1–2)

2. The Messenger of the Cross is Deliberate about the Method (vv. 3–4)

3. The Messenger of the Cross is Discerning about the Motive (v. 5)

Despite it being a repetitive and somewhat silly Sunday school song, we take another look at the truths and far-reaching implications of the promise that God gave to Abraham, that he would indeed be the father of many sons.

Schisms were surfacing in the church of God in Corinth. The serious fractures required more than a superficial and temporary solution. They required the radical power of the cross. As each member gazed at the Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified on their behalf—riveted on him because of his cross work—harmony would prevail. This was Paul’s burden, as he explains in 1:18–31, which we will consider under three broad headings:

1. The Message of the Cross: Its Power (vv. 18–25)

2. The Message of the Cross: Its Proof (vv. 26–29)

3. The Message of the Cross: Its Purpose (vv. 30–31)

Until now, Paul has exhorted the whole church in Colossae to conform their lives to the pattern of Christ. But now, in 3:18–4:1, he singles out certain groups of people in the church and tells them to live out their roles in society in a way that is Christian. We aren’t only Christians on Sunday, but we need to be Monday Christians too. In part one of “Monday Christians,” we’ll look at Paul's exhortations to Christian couples and Christian families.

Symptoms are indications that something is wrong but are not themselves the cause. Discerning and diagnosing the cause of a symptom is the (very necessary) challenge because treating a wrongly diagnosed illness can do more harm than good. This is true medically; it is also true as we study 1 Corinthians. Only as we understand the source of the problem will we appreciate the treatment Paul prescribes. In this study, we consider 1:4–17 with a view to diagnosing the root problem of the various conflicts experienced by the Corinthian church, which will point to the solution. We will conduct our diagnosis, and discover and prescribe the remedy, under two major headings.

I. A Church Graced by God (vv. 4–9)

II. A Church Grieving God (vv. 10–17)

In Paul’s previous exhortation, he applied the metaphor of casting off old garments to the practice of killing sin. However, this is only half the picture. In Colossians 3:12–17, he applies the other half of the metaphor: putting on Christ. He applies this to virtues of the heart and virtues of the church. If we have cast off the works of the old man and put on Christ, we will be a well-dressed church.