Les Feldick Bible Study

What concept does 1 Corinthians chapter 2 introduce regarding wisdom?

1 Corinthians chapter 2 introduces the concept of two opposing wisdoms: the wisdom of this world set up against the wisdom of God. Paul, as an example, did not come with excellency of speech or worldly wisdom, but determined to know only Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Les explains that 1 Corinthians chapter 2 introduces the concept of various wisdoms, specifically the wisdom of this world set up against the wisdom of God. Paul uses himself as the prime example, saying he did not come to Corinth with excellency of speech or of wisdom when declaring the testimony of God. Instead, he determined not to know anything among them save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Les notes Paul did not come to Corinth's Bema Seat, where philosophers displayed their learning, nor did he rely on Greek classics such as Homer and Plato; that did not count with Paul.

More Questions

Why does Paul call himself a "wise" master builder in 1 Corinthians 3?

When Paul calls himself a "wise master builder," the word "wise" ties back to the wisdom theme he drummed into the Corinthians in the first three chapters, where he always contrasts the wisdom of God with the wisdom of this world, and the wisdom of this world knows nothing of the wisdom of God.