1 Corinthians 1:30-31. Boast in the Lord. Today’s BDBD.

Many reasons can be found to boast in me and my abilities. Yet none are valid for God makes them all possible. God supplies the ability. God supplies the health. God supplies the environment. God supplies the skills. God supplies the resources. God supplies the proper weather. God supplies the food and water. God supplies the resources in people and money. God supplies the time. God supplies the wisdom. These are all worldly.

Spiritually God is all in all for the believer. He is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the first and the last. He is the beginning and the end. He made the way. He is the way. It is because of God that I am in Christ Jesus. God set the plan, and the plan is Jesus. So, what reason can be found to boast in me and my abilities since he has and will do it all? Whatever I have he has supplied.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29. Not Much of Anything. Today’s BDBD.

Take a self-assessment is the theme of these verses. The congregation at Corinth had become conceited. God revealed truth to them, and it boosted their pride. They began thinking too much of themselves. They forgot who they were when God called them. They forgot God was the one who built them up.

Not many were wise by human standards (26). Not many were influential. Not many were of noble birth. Paul sums up their social status prior to a relationship with God as foolish, weak, and despised (27, 28). Why? So that we cannot boast before him.

I always need to remember who I am before God. I need to remember where God called me from. God reminded King David when he was called from, a shepherd, the lowest in his family. Humility is important, especially before God.

1 Corinthians 1:22-25. Miracle Mania – Wisdom Insanity. Today’s BDBD.

A person will experience God’s miracle and then foolishly ask for a miracle as proof that God’s miracle is true because the ego loves power and the praise of men more than God. A person can hear pure wisdom and unfutable knowledge and refuse to concede to them because pride loves imperfection and insanity more than truth.

Jesus came full of grace and truth (John 1:14, 17), performing many miraculous signs before and among many people, including the Jewish religious leaders (John 4:48, 7:31, 9:16, 11:47, 12:37). Similarly, the apostles performed miraculous signs (Acts 2:43, 5:12, 14:3). Still, many refused to believe, though a few did.

Jesus sent his apostles, including Apostle Paul, with the message of the gospel. Apostle Paul’s customer was to go into the synagogue and reason with them from the Scriptures, “explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. ‘This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,’ he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded…, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.” (Acts 17:3-4) Still, many refused to believe.

To those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles (Corinthian Church had both), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Therefore, I will always remember to preach Christ crucified, died, buried, rose from the dead, and he will come again soon… very soon.

1 Corinthians 1:18-21. The Problem: A Wrong Idea of God. Today’s BDBD.

Ask people on the street, scroll through social media, and talk with anyone on a college campus about God, and you will find a wide range of ideas and understandings about God. The types of people and their comments about God would not be much different from the ideas people had in Paul’s time, 2,000 years ago. I know because I have done this.

The “wise man” is a Gentile philosopher in general. The “scholar” is the Jewish teacher of the religious law. The “philosopher of this age” is the Greek skilled in elaborate and devious argumentation who engages in long and subtle disputes (sophist).

Paul, in verses 18, 20-21, is quoting Jesus, and he quotes Isaiah 29:14 in verse 19. Luke 10:21 states, “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.'”

Elsewhere, Paul instructs Timothy and Titus to learn so they may have a good understanding of the faith they believe in (2 Timothy 3:14-17; Titus 2:1). However, here he tells the Church in Corinth that the basis of the faith we share is found in the message and action of the cross of Christ. Let go of that, and I am letting go of the fundamental message of my Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

1 Corinthians 1:13-17. Cross and Baptism. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul supports his call for unity with two basic concepts given by Jesus Christ: the cross of Christ and baptism in the name of the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:11, 28:19; John 1:25-33, 14:26). The church of God in Corinth would have known both from the very beginning of their walk with Jesus.

Apostle Paul asks questions, a common teaching method in ancient Greece, to help them logically come to the proper conclusion about why they should remain united. Christ is not divided. Jesus is the only one who was crucified for our salvation. Jesus was the only one they were baptised into.

When Paul arrived in Corinth, he preached the gospel, which they received and on which they took their stand. He did not employ human wisdom, which many in the congregation took pride in. He taught the cross of Christ simply and sweetly. By this gospel they were saved, if they hold firmly to the word. What is the gospel? Paul will repeat the gospel in detail in chapter 15. Here are verses 3-4, “…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…”

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1 Corinthians 1:10-12. Quarrels. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul addresses the first problem amongst the believers in Jesus Christ at Corinth, divisions and quarrels. I believe the meaning of divisions here is “the condition of being divided in opinion, which leads to separate meetings and isolation of groups and individuals.” All suffer with divisions and quarrels, especially the weak and vulnerable. But none more than Christ Jesus, who commanded, “Love each other as I have loved you. By this all may know that you are my disciples, and that I sent you.” (paraphrased from John 15:12, 17, 12:34-35)

The Corinthian Christians began following Christian teachers and Christian doctrine. Apostle Paul thanked God for the gifts they received, especially speaking and knowledge in verse 5. They could cite their belief and proof of what they believed. Facts, figures, numbers, verses, and cite quotes from their favorite writer and speaker. What is the motive? Is their love in it?

1 Corinthians 4:7-9. God is Faithful. Today’s BDBD.

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, made it clear in prior verses that each member of the young congregation was sanctified and called to be holy because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit did so by giving them gifts to be used for the benefit of others. Collectively, they did not lack any spiritual gift (7).

Apostle Paul ends verse 7, “as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” The members of the church were actively working in the church. However, their eager hope was for Jesus to come again. Jesus’ parables teach us to keep our lamp burning as we await his coming as king. The things in this world do not compare to the coming king and the kingdom he will set up. That is why we are eager. We believe.

Even though the church at Corinth will be rebuked in this letter, the Holy Spirit makes it clear that God will keep them strong to the end (8). They will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus appearing (8). God is faithful (9).

What he started in us, he will complete. He calls us into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (9). God the Father loves the Son (9). Jesus, the Son, loves us. The Father loves us as the Son loves us. We are one. We are weak. He is strong. God, the Father, will complete the new covenant made in the blood of his Son. This is God’s promise to us because of his love for the Son and for us.

1 Corinthians 1:4-7. Gospel Effect Abuse. Today’s BDBD.

The Apostle Paul had visited the city of Corinth around two years earlier, sharing his testimony about Christ. The congregation listened and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s grace in the form of spiritual gifts confirmed that the good news was received. They were enriched in every way -especially with the gifts of speaking and knowledge. Paul, speaking in general terms, thanked God for this grace to the Corinthian congregation in Christ Jesus.

However, in highlighting these two gifts with thanksgiving, Apostle Paul proposed to dwell on the abuse of their speech and knowledge later in the letter, especially since the Corinthians prided themselves on their speech and knowledge (1:20, 3:18, 4:19, 13:1-14:40).

God confirms, or rather gives effect to the gospel in his congregation by our accepting it and setting our seal to the gospel’s truth, through the inward power of his Spirit, and the outward gifts and miracles accompanying it. The gifts, however, can be abused.

The gifts of God, given by the grace of God, that confirm the gospel of Christ when we believe, are many and great, far beyond the lists the apostles give in other letters, just as knowledge is not in any of those lists. Some have but one gift their entire earthly life. Others have more gifts and/or the gifts they have change as they age. Whatever gift is given, whenever it is given through the Holy Spirit, is to be used in humility and fear to edify the church and those who will someday believe. When pride sets in, all is lost, and much harm is done in the end, just as happened to King Saul, who lost the crown and died a humiliating death.

1 Corinthians 1:3. The Father and Jesus Christ. Today’s BDBD.

Greeks’ traditional religion did not see its gods as their fathers. When a Greek became a Christian, they accepted that the One and Only Supreme God was their Father.

The pronoun “from” which is applied to “God our Father” is also implied to be with “the Lord Jesus Christ”, so that it would also read, “from the Lord Jesus Christ”. Grace and peace come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace and peace I receive through the Holy Spirit is a gift of the Father and Son.

Paul, in verses 1 and 2, uses the title “Jesus Christ” from the Greek “Iesous Christos” (and vice versa). Here, Paul uses the phrase “Lord Jesus Christ” from “Kyrios Iesous Christos”.

Greek culture traditionally did not believe any of their pantheon of gods were lords, let alone a Supreme Lord. They believed their gods were subject to fate just as humans were. Greeks did not worship a god as Christians and Jews do. Rather, they believed their gods had powers and abilities that humans do not have, but none of them were the creator of the cosmos (universe). The Greeks attempted to win the favor of one of their gods to convince that god to grant them a gift and/or favor with their unique power, not much different from the comic book group of heroes today. Which god they sought favor from depended on the special power the god had.

Christianity teaches the truth through the Holy Spirit. A Supreme God exists for eternity and beyond, God the Father. He has an eternal Son who is Lord of all, creator of all, including all humans. Jesus is the name God the Father, through the Spirit, gave to him when he came to the earth in the form of a human to redeem His people from sin and death. Through grace, not merit, Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father give peace of soul.

1 Corinthians 1:2. To the Church of God. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul is writing to “the church of God.” The Greek word for church can be better translated as “congregation” due to the many modern-day uses of the English word “church”. The meaning behind the Greek word for “church” implies that God called people to come to His community of believers from among the people of that ancient Greek city with commanding authority.

God’s congregation is defined in three ways. First, we are sanctified in Christ Jesus. The original Greek verb for “sanctified” means “set aside and made holy for a special purpose.” Sanctification is the process of being made holy, resulting in a changed lifestyle for the believer in Jesus Christ. More than that, God has a set purpose for each of his people.

Second, God calls his congregation to be holy. The original Greek word for “holy” can also be translated as “pure”, as Jesus is pure. God’s people were impure. When God called us, he made us pure through the blood of Christ Jesus. Corinth was known for the immorality of religious prostitution throughout the Greek and Roman world. God called some, made them pure by grace through faith in Jesus, and enabled them to leave that lifestyle.

Third, God’s community calls on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. God calls us to have an active relationship with Him, every day, every hour, every moment.

The amazing fact of these truths concerning the congregation at Corinth is that Apostle Paul, in this letter, finds many faults with the young church. Still, he states all these things to be true. However, this is not so amazing because the truth in them is not based on us. Rather, they are based on God’s work in and through us. God sanctifies me. God makes me holy. God makes the relationship with me so I can have communion with him. Not “what I did”, its “what God has done for me”.

1 Corinthians 1:1. Called to Be… Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul’s defined himself with, “called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God”. Apostle means sent on a mission with full authority of representation; an ambassador. Jesus chose twelve to be his apostles during his earthly ministry. (Mark 3:13-19) When Judas betrayed Jesus another was chosen to take his place. (Acts 1:12-26) Then Jesus called Paul, the fourteenth apostle. (Acts 9:1-30) Silas and a few others were also apostles. Apostles are the only ones that display all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to support the mission that God has given them. Apostles were personally sent by Jesus, learning directly from Jesus.

How we see ourselves is important. Do we see ourselves in the eyes of others, in our own eyes, or the eyes of Jesus? If we see ourselves in the eyes of Jesus, he will help us understand ourselves more when we study the Bible and pray.

After Jesus came to Paul and called him as an apostle, and after he changed his name (originally Saul), he saw himself in the eyes of Jesus. He later confessed, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:7-11)

Wondering who you are? Trying to seek your true self? Not measuring up to how others define you? See how God sees you? Pray. Ask God to reveal him to you so you can see yourself in him. Read the Bible. See what he has already said about you.

1 Corinthians Chapter 1 Overview. Today’s BDBD.

Paul wrote this letter in 55 or 56 AD while he was at Ephesus during his 3rd missionary journey. Paul is dealing with problems concerning the young congregation as a whole and also with personal problems.

The first issue makes it clear that Jesus is the head of the church. I belong to him. I follow him. He was crucified for me. I was baptized into his name. I should not turn another into a kind of living idol.

I did not know God. I could not have known God unless he reveals himself to me. (21) Even if I were to study and learn from the wisest and most published person, I would not know God. The world through its wisdom cannot know God.

I am saved through the cross of Christ. The cross of Jesus is foolishness to mankind. The cross of Jesus is a weakness to mankind. Mankind is wrong in both. The cross of Christ is God’s strength and God’s wisdom.

Christ crucified is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Some have said I know a lot and am well studied. The more I study the more I see that I know little nor have much wisdom unless God reveals it to me. That what I don’t know or understand I study a lot to learn a little more in hopes to understand that which I don’t understand. Once I learn something it brings more questions and things that I do not understand. So more study, prayer, and thought is needed. Yes, I accept all I know has been revealed to me by God through his Spirit.

I am not strong physically even though I jog and go to the gym. I am not strong mentally nor emotionally though it may appear to be so from the outside. When trouble and problems come I try to face them with faith. Yet I worry and am concerned.

So, for wisdom and strength, I go to God. I am weak. He is strong. I am not wise. He is all wisdom.