This should be the close of 1Corinthians 1 beginning at verse 26. Lets see what comes to us, what can we glean from this area, as it remains under the heading of "GOD's Wisdom."
1Corinthians 1:26-2:5 "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen[G1586] the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written (by Jeremiah in 9:23-24), "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined[G2919] not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration[G585] of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (KJV)
1Corinthians 1:26-2:5 "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose[G1586] what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written (by Jeremiah in 9:23-24), "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided[G2919] to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration[G585] of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (ESV)
1Corinthians 1:26-2:5 "You might as well admit it, my friends; it was not your academic qualifications or your good looks or social connections that influenced GOD to represent you in Christ. It is almost as if GOD deliberately handpicked the wacky of this world to embarrass the wise, the rejects to put to shame the noble. The ones with no pedigree of any prominence, the "nobodies" in society[G1586], attracted GOD's initiative to unveil his blueprint opinion in order to redefine humanity. Thus he rendered any other social standard entirely irrelevant, redundant and inappropriate. (Blueprint opinion [G1586 from G1537 and G3004], eklegomai, is from ek, meaning origin, source, and legomai which is from logos, the logic of GOD; traditionally translated as "elect." ) Every reason for someone's boasting in themselves dwindles into insignificance before GOD. [1]Of GOD's doing are we in Christ. He is both the genesis and genius of our wisdom; a wisdom that reveals how righteous, sanctified and redeemed we already are in him. (The preposition, [1, G1537] ek, always denotes origin, source. Humanity's association in Jesus is GOD's doing. In GOD's economy [dispensational period], Jesus as Christ represented us; what humanity could never achieve through personal discipline and sheer willpower as taught in every religion, GOD's faith accomplished in Christ. Of his design we are in Christ; we are associated in oneness with him. (Always has been and so will always be One with Him!) Our wisdom is sourced in this union! Also, our righteousness (innocence) and holiness originates in him. Holiness equates wholeness and harmony of a person's spirit, soul, and body. Our redemption is sanctioned in him. He redeemed our identity, our sanity, our health, our joy, our peace, our innocence, and our complete well-being! [Look at Ephesians 1:4] The Knox Translation reads, "It is from him that we take our origin." ) He is our claim to fame. (This is what Jeremiah meant when he wrote: "'Let not the wise glory in their wisdom, let not the mighty glory in their might, let not the rich glory in their riches; but let the one who glories glory in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things do I delight, say the LORD.'" In Jeremiah 9:23-24.) My intention in visiting you was not to engage with you in theological debate or to impress you with clever philosophical words guessing about the [1, G3142]mystery of GOD. (The words μαρτύριον [marturion], testimony and [G3466] μυστήριον [mustērion], mystery, look similar. The Alexandrian copy, and others, read, "the mystery" of GOD: also the Syriac version, (I was not able to copy this), "the mystery of GOD." The Alexandrian text-type is the form of the Greek New Testament that predominates in the earliest surviving documents. The Syriac version of the New Testament, dates back to the second century A.D. Syria was the country in which the Greek language intersected with the Syriac, which was closely related to the Aramaic dialect used by Jesus and the Apostles. That is why Syriac versions are highly esteemed by textual critics. The context of this chapter beautifully unfolds the mystery of the Gospel.) My [1, G2919]mind is fully made up about you! The only possible way in which I can truly [2]know you, is in the light of GOD's mystery, which is [3]Christ in you! Jesus died humanity's death on the cross (of our judgment) and thus brought final closure to any other basis of [1]judgment! (The word, [1, G2919] krino , to judge, to determine, to deem in a forensic sense, here, in the Aorist Tense[uses the G1537 with G2919 changing the G2919 to], ekrino, which suggests a once and for all completed action. The Aorist tense presents an occurrence in summary, viewed as a whole from the outside, almost like a snapshot of the action. Paul makes a very bold and radical statement, confirming his ministry focus to "know" the full scope and consequence of our revelation of mankind's redeemed innocence as communicated en the cross of Jesus Christ! This is the essence of the mystery of GOD! "For I determined to [2,G1492]know [- [2]eido, to see, to perceive] nothing in you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." Paul continues to unfold this mystery of our redeemed oneness! In the previous chapter, he concludes that we are in Christ by GOD's doing; here he clearly points to [3]Christ in us! [As Jesus declared in John 14:20.]
Look at 2Corinthians 3:4, "Christ is proof of our persuasion about you before GOD." Also 2Corinthians 1:18, "GOD's certainty is our persuasion; there is no maybe in him!" Then 2Corinthians 1:19, "The Son of GOD, Jesus Christ, whom I, Paul, Sylvanus and Timothy boldly announced in you is GOD's ultimate yes to humanity. Human life is associated in all that he is. In GOD's mind, there exists not even a hint of hesitation about this!
Look also at 2Corinthians 5:14, 16, "I am convinced that if one died for all, then all died! Therefore, from now on, I no longer know anyone from a human point of view!" Also Galatians 1:16 and Colossians 1:27.) I felt completely inadequate; you know that it was not my eloquent speech that persuaded you. I was so nervous that my whole body was trembling with stage fright! My message was not with persuasive arguments based on secular wisdom, since my aim was [1]not to point people to me but rather to the powerful working of the Spirit in them. (Thayer's Greek definition of [1, G585 from G584's which is from G575 and G1166] apodeiknumi is to point away from one's self. Previous translations of this word have often given the impression that the great, miracle-working man of GOD would steal the show and entertain the crowds! This was so unlike Jesus and Paul! Paul never writes about how many people he had heald and brought to faith, ...etc. His all-consuming concern was that the eyes of our understanding would be illuminated with the revelation of Christ in us.
Note 2Corinthians 10:10 [RSV], "For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." Also, 2Corinthians 11:6, "Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am noy in knowledge." ---RSV ) Humanity's wise schemes of influence could never match the power of GOD as reference to your faith." (The Mirror)
Again until next time may the GOD of peace give you peace. Then the LORD willing we shall continue with verse 6.
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