1 & 2 Corinthians: The Gospel of Boasting
Introduction: When I was a young preacher I asked an older preacher a question about a passage in 1 Corinthians. The first words out of his mouth were, “You know that’s the milk of the word.” Being a little bashful I said, “Yes sir, I know, but I still don’t understand this particular text.”
Now, many years later, I still recognize that Paul taught the Corinthians “milk” and not “solid food” because they were not ready for it (3:1-2). However, a careful study of 1 & 2 Corinthians also reveals that questions are not quickly answered by a cursory reading. In fact, it is evident that when we study these letters, our deep focus on the answers of various problems in the church causes us to miss the broader message. This is a letter! And when we divide this letter up over a 3-6 month study, we usually “see the trees” but not the “forest.”
In fact, we quickly come to the uncomfortable realization that in many ways we too are babes, “people of the flesh,” in need of Paul’s spiritual milk!
Therefore, we will look at three questions as we discover the broader message of the Corinthian letters:
What is the real problem at Corinth? Paul highlights two primary issues (boasting and a misappropriation of the gospel). How did the Corinthians’ culture affect the Corinthian Christian?How does Paul’s message solve the major problems found in all churches today?The Real ProblemIf you were asked to describe the main theme or message of the Corinthians letters, what would you say? Most of us would immediately answer that the Corinthians had a ton of problems: lack of unity, envy, jealousy, immorality, self-centeredness, and numerous flawed doctrinal beliefs that begged for correction. In other words, we might say, “There really isn’t a theme; it is Paul correcting a myriad of problems.” There is certainly truth in that, however, in diving into the “corrections” we miss the actual message and the actual Corinthian problem.There are two ways to discover such a message:First, examine the beginning and the ending of the letters. As with most writers, Paul introduces his message in the opening, and concludes his message at the end with a summary of the message he introduced.Second, pay attention to repeated words and phrases that give clues to Paul’s message that underlies the “surface problems” present in the Corinthian church.Let’s put it this way, though Paul gives a lot of “do’s and don’ts, the sins of the Corinthians, or of any church, are not solved by simply teaching, “that’s wrong, this is right; don’t to that, do this…” etc. The scriptures are not a list of do’s and don’t’s, but messages that transform our hearts so that pleasing God is embedded in our thinking.Therefore, let’s look at the Corinthian letters from the “30,000 foot level.” We will notice two foundational and thematic messages, that if followed, would correct all the Corinthian shortcomings. The Gospel of “Boasting”The first of two words/phrases that are thematic in these letters is boast. It is used at the beginning of 1 Corinthians (1:29-31), and extensively at the end of 2 Corinthians (11-12) as Paul ridicules the boasts of the false teachers by “boasting” in his weaknesses and afflictions. Amazingly, Paul uses the word 32 times in the two letters. You may be thinking, “I don’t see how the boasting of the Corinthians have anything to do with me!” Actually, boasting has a lot to do with all of us. It is virtually impossible for humans not to boast, to have a constant desire to be rewarded for our accomplishments. In fact, boasting in humans is so evident that the boasts do not just include “look at my accomplishments or what I can do,” we even boast about our illnesses and physical maladies or even accidents in which we hurt ourselves. [“I fell getting out of bed last night” — “Wow, that reminds me when I fell down the stairs and fractured my ankle” — “Goodness, I wish that’s all I’ve done; I fell off the roof and broke both my wrists!” — “Yeah, that’s nothing. You want to see my x-rays!” ]Paul explanation of boasting in 1 Cor. 1:17–2:5. There is much that can be said about this text, but we will look primarily on Paul’s emphasis on “preaching the gospel, not with eloquent words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Connect verse 17 with 2:1, 4. The principles Paul teaches here are incredibly important for today’s church. The question immediately arises, what is wrong with speaking impressively or eloquently? Isn’t that what preachers are trained to do, to speak so a listener can enjoy and appreciate the lesson? Obviously, Paul isn’t condemning people who speak or teach well. It is necessary to understand the Corinthian culture.In our culture today, we have athletic and musical superstars along with actors and actresses. But in the Greco-Roman world, the most famous were those who excelled in rhetorical and philosophical speeches. They were called “sophists.” In fact, the Greek word for “wisdom” in this text is “sophia.” Thus, “debating and giving flashy speeches were both a science and an art, a polished skill that required sharp wit, deep knowledge, impeccable logic, stylish use of words, and fiery passion.” [Andrew Naselli]. Just as in our culture, “the way a speaker expressed himself was at least as important as what he said.” The key to the sophists was to increase their social standing and gain followers who would pay them. It is interesting that this is exactly the kind of preaching the Corinthians expected, but the opposite of what Paul offered. Likely you can already see the parallels in today’s preaching.With that background, the obvious question comes to mind. Aren’t these great speakers the best way to attract listeners and followers of Jesus? And the answer is that there is no doubt that “eloquent words of wisdom” and “lofty speech” draws big crowds. It did in the past, and it does today. I hear Christians today regularly talk about ways to attract people to Christ. Along with an engaging speaker, there are numerous other attempts to draw more people. However, notice Paul’s answer:2:1 He not only did not use lofty speech or wisdom, he purposely did the opposite. Do we actually believe that Paul lacked the capability to speak that way? Could he not have been more theatrical?2:3-4 Instead of displaying bravado and arrogant boldness, he came in weakness, fear, and trembling. In other words, he presented the real self, not an actor pretending to be something other than he was. 2:2 What did Paul do? Instead of what he could have done, he just told them about Jesus and him crucified. That statement is Paul’s shorthand way of what he later describes in 2:10-13. Notice especially the words of verse 13:
“We impart (didn’t originate with them) this is words not taught by human wisdom (we didn’t devise or manipulate the message), but in [words] taught by the Spirit (these were not our thoughts, nor even our words. They were the Spirit’s words that came from the mind of God.
2 Corinthians 10:2-5, 10. This offers a clear contrast.Let’s break this down for our culture today.The challenge of the preacher: Are you counting on your personal persuasiveness to change your audience, or will you accept that only Jesus, and knowing Jesus can change people? It is one thing to persuade and urge people to do the right thing, it is another to use a lofty, eloquently presented personal “wisdom” to manipulate people’s emotions like a salesman sells his product. Floyd Goff, one of the first elders I ever worked with, said, “If your cup runs over, that’s great! But don’t slosh it out!” Further, in the end, who will get the glory? Will people go away talking about the preacher or talking about the beauty of the Lord and what he has done? The apostle Philip said, “Show us the Father and it will be enough.” Indeed! Show us the Father.Into what “image” will people be transformed? If the preaching seeks human glory, the listeners will seek the same. That is exactly what Paul is attempting to change in the Corinthian thinking. As 2:14 states, anything but the teaching of the Spirit of God will produce a natural man. Finally, 1:17 is Paul’s greatest concern. This kind of preaching empties the cross of Christ of its power. Paul defines this in verses 27-31. The Lord decided to save people apart from the idolatry of worldly wisdom (vs. 21). It is reminiscent of the servants of Naaman redirecting their master to obey Elisha and dip in the River Jordan to be cleansed: “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” (2 Kgs. 5:13, NIV). That’s the wisdom of the world—and its purpose is man’s glory. Therefore, salvation is in the foolishness of the cross, in that which is low and despised in the world, in that which makes no sense to natural humans. Vs. 30, “because of him…you became the wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” Could you have attained those things without him?! The set up for both letters: verse 31“Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” That is a quotation of Jeremiah 9:23-24, 23 “Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Israel didn’t listen!Wisdom, might, and wealth is all that man has. None of it is permanent and none of it will save. It will only give temporary glory and a false feeling of security. When we preach and teach the cross, when we bring people to the Lord, what should be impressive is that God gave up everything to save you. So, will you trust your own way, or will you trust him? His way is the “way of the cross!”Conclusion: Jesus proclaimed…
Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:27 “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:33 “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
Conclusion: Now, what are we preaching? What are we living? What is the real problem?
It is the failure of preaching and living the Gospel of Christ crucified!
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