what is Paul doing in 1 Corinthians 3 with the wisdom of men and the wisdom of God?
Paul is contrasting the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God in 1 Corinthians 3. He shows that the Corinthian believers remained carnal, failing to cash in on the fountain of wisdom God made available. The same principle applies today: every believer can feast on the Book, though most won't.
Les explains that Paul has been constantly comparing the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God, yet the Corinthians were still so carnal that they were not cashing in on this fountain of wisdom that was theirs for the taking. Les applies this to us today: every believer can simply get into the Book and feast on it, but most won't. The common excuse is “I can't understand it,” but Les says it is not that difficult when you separate what is for the Jew and what is for the Gentile, compare Scripture with Scripture, and recognize that God dealt with the Jew under Law while He deals with us today under Grace. Law and Grace are contrary principles and will not mix, and Paul cries against legalism in any shape or form because we are not under Law but under Grace.
What two things is Paul comparing in 1 Corinthians 3?
Paul compares the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God. The Corinthian believers remained carnal, failing to access the fountain of wisdom available to them. This contrast runs through 1 Corinthians 3, showing that human wisdom is opposed to God's wisdom, which believers can receive by feasting on Scripture.
Why were the Corinthians missing out on God's wisdom?
The Corinthians were missing out on God's wisdom because they remained carnal, still clinging to the wisdom of men rather than appropriating the wisdom of God that was theirs for the taking. They excused themselves by claiming they could not understand Scripture, but the problem was spiritual immaturity, not difficulty.