The Saving Wisdom of God

The wisdom of God is the beginning to recovering godliness. Apostle Paul pens his first letter to the churches of Corinth in response to a report he learned from the household of Chloe that there were divisions in the church. Many of the members of the church (though possibly not all) were separated into four factions: The Party of Paul, the Party of Apollos, the Party of Cephas, and the Party of Christ. Clearly, the wisdom of man is driving the vehicle of the church with pride behind the wheel. 

It is important to be reminded that the city of Corinth’s historical setting featured a society filled with wealth, mass paganism, prostitution, and love for entertainment. As a result, a church embedded in such a culture would likely be plagued with many problems. Paul, who had the heart of God, rightly deals with this issue of disunity in light of God’s view of divisiveness in the church (Prv 6:16-19, Ps 133:1, Col 3:12-14). He exhorts the Corinthians that: 

• Christ is not divided in his divinity and character. 
• Christ died for them (not man). 
• Gods’ people are unified into Christ baptism, not into a baptism of Paul. 

When the honoring of men morphs into worship, the flames of discord flare. This is the byproduct of human wisdom. As Paul continues his exhortations, He describes to the Corinthians the futility of the earthly wisdom in light of the Word and Power of God. 
Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-21
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