1 CORINTHIANS 1


1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

We open a very remarkable epistle in our daily readings; for the epistles to the Corinthians breathe the emotions of the apostle Paul in a way not found in any of his other writings. They are like the Psalms of the New Testament, in which he shares his innermost feelings. Particularly is this so when we read the second epistle. The apostle spent much time in Corinth -- a city of great moral deviation, and in which it must have been difficult for the Truth to survive.

There were troubles within as well as without. Schisms and party-politics were prevalent; ecclesial politics were evident. Paul was criticized and condemned, and yet, throughout, he remained faithful to his calling and honest in his responses. He felt the bitter hammer blows of brethren who wished that his words were silenced, and his influence weakened. Yet, Paul reminded the Corinthians that they had been converted by the simple words of Truth in the powerful effect upon their consciences. - GEM

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2 Unto the ecclesia of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

The only foundation of Truth was that based upon the atoning work of the Lord Yahshua, for he "determined not to know any thing among you, save Yahshua Christ, and him crucified".

This principle envelopes the whole subject of the salvation effected by the Master, as the One who manifested Yahweh in flesh; and who was prepared to offer himself to declare the divine righteousness in its judgment against sin's flesh. - GEM

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3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Paul's two epistles to the ecclesia at Corinth is revealed more intensely than anywhere else the great burden that he constantly bore --

"The care of all the ecclesias" (2 Cor. 11:28).

Paul's conflict in Corinth which caused these epistles to be written was largely similar to the conflict in Galatia which caused the Galatian epistle. In both cases it was false teachers who perverted the Gospel and belittled the apostle.

But the conflict in Corinth was much more personal, severe, and intense. To the influence of false teachers was added the great pressure of the corruption of the city of Corinth, and the brethren and sisters' own backgrounds as drawn from it.

Corinth was proverbally the vice capital of the Roman Empire. To "Corinthianize" was a word commonly used for lewdness and licentiousness. It was the central seaport and crossroads of the Empire. It was a hub of wealth and activity -- the center of Greek commerce, industry, and finance. The population was about three-quarters of a million, the majority slaves.

Paul went to Corinth on his second missionary journey, after his disappointing confrontation with the self-satisfied, sterile philosophers of educated and cultured Athens.

Paul says he was in Corinth "in fear and trembling," but Christ appeared to him and told him not to be afraid but to speak out, for he had "much people in that city." Paul stayed there eighteen months, and built up an ecclesia. This was around 50 to 52 AD.

It was about five years later that the two epistles were written, a few months apart -- the first probably in the winter or early spring of 56 AD, and the second in summer or fall, same year.

The first was written from Ephesus, near the end of Paul's three-year stay there during his third missionary journey.

Conditions were bad in Corinth. There were divisions, serious moral corruptions, major doctrinal errors. The faithful among them were deeply concerned, but appeared to be a small minority.

Paul made it plain that there had to be correction or disfellowship (1 Cor. 4:21; 5:5, 9, 13; 2 Cor. 13:2).

We have two epistles and a record of two visits to Corinth by Paul -- the founding visit and a visit fairly soon after the second epistle. There may have been two other letters, one certainly before the two we have (1 Cor. 5:9), and one possibly between them (2 Cor. 2:4; 7:8), and possibly one other visit, between the two recorded (2 Cor. 2:1; 13:2).

It is clear from the first epistle that the two main problems were a glorification of worldly wisdom, and moral corruption. Corinth as a city was proud, clever, self-satisfied, rich in this world's goods, and utterly corrupt.

Herein we have a close parallel with our own day and problems, for these same two things are increasingly the main destructive influence pressing upon the Truth -- worldly wisdom and moral looseness.

Bro Growcott




10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The church (ecclesia) was associated with the apostles in the ministry of reconciliation. By "the church" (ecclesia), I mean, not that multiform thing called "the church" by the world in these times; but that one, undivided body of disciples, collected together by the personal labours of the apostles and evangelists; and all through subsequent generations, who should believe and practise the same truth.

To this "one body", (Eph 4:4) energized by the "one spirit", (Eph 4:4) and perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment", (1 Cor. 1:10; Acts 4:32) and styled "THE BRIDE" -- is committed the work of making known "the manifold wisdom of God", (Eph. 3:10) as contained in the word; and of inviting the world to be reconciled to God. (Rev. 22:17)

No member of this body is exempt from the obligation of co-operating in this work. It is the duty and privilege of every one in his own sphere to endeavour to turn men to righteousness; for there is no distinction of "clergy" and "laity" in the family of God.

Elpis Israel 1.5.




‭"‬I gave her space to repent of her fornication,‭ ‬and she repented not‭" (‬Rev.‭ ii. ‬21‭)‬.‭

These are solemn words.‭ ‬They indicate the unchanging way of the Deity towards apostates from the truth.‭ ‬He first warns,‭ ‬then waits,‭ ‬and finally,‭ ‬in the event of no reformation,‭ ‬abandons.‭

Those who are now professing God's truth are by this passage brought face to face with a question of overwhelming moment.‭ ‬It is beyond denial that with some He must be more than displeased.‭ ‬His command to be of one mind‭ (‬1‭ ‬Cor.‭ i. ‬10,‭ ‬etc.‭)‬,‭ ‬is being frequently violated-a state of active antagonism prevails.‭

That God would strengthen the two contending sides is not to be thought of.‭ ‬God could not long remain with both-though He might for a time.‭ ‬Separation from God is the certain outcome for one or the other-however much it may now glory in peace and prosperity.‭ ‬It is simply a question as to which side God will continue to co-operate with-with the one which maintains,‭ ‬by word and act the absolute integrity of His revelation,‭ ‬or with the one which connives at the conduct of those who impugn its veracity‭?

Now is the time to reflect-the space given for repentance. ATJ

The Christadelphian, Aug 1887



How is this unity to be secured? By an attentive and faithful ear to the voice of God. This will unite us in faith and supply us with principles for harmonious action. Difference of judgment frequently arises from a non-recognition of Scripture principles, hence the necessity for thorough and honest investigation concerning everything we take in hand.

Let us seek peace, eschewing strife and all that leads to it. Where no principle is involved let us be yielding to the wishes of others. We are living in an age when there is a manifest disinclination to heed the apostolic admonition. There is a tendency to seek to be different for the sake of being different-to refrain from adopting a particular course, wise though it be, because others have adopted it.

This attitude is to be deplored. It leads to evil. It tends to disunion. Unity is strength, and this we sorely want. We are few and weak and our enemies are many and strong. Let us endeavour to knit ourselves together as much as possible not only in faith but in action. In an ecclesia where Paul is observed, "decency" and "order" prevail. The decisions of the majority are respected and upheld-not rebelled against.

Bro AT Jannaway

The Christadelphian, June 1888



12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

The existence of such a state of division in a community blessed with the gifts of the Spirit, will appear inexplicable to those who have not realised that those gifts did not override the judgment and temperamental peculiarities of the possessors; but were restricted to the particular function appertaining to them.

A speaker of tongues was the same individual in the manifestation of character as if he had not received a supernatural knowledge of the languages. A worker of miracles was not made infallible by the impartation of the power to heal.

Those having the gift of knowledge, wisdom, &c., would be reliable guides; but they do not appear to have been deferred to, to their full extent.

And this would be accounted for by the probable argument that one man with a gift of the Spirit was as good as another with a different gift.

Thus, the man having the power to interpret tongues, if he differed in judgment with the brother who had the word of wisdom, might feel justified in maintaining his own opinion on the ground that he also having the Spirit, had as much right to form a judgment of the matter as another having the same Spirit in another form.

In this disordered state they appear to have written to Paul to give his mind [1 Cor 12] on the various questions raised.

The Christadelphian, Mar 1872




18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The natural man is responsive only to that which he can experience in the ordinary range of his faculties. The Spirit of God is not within this range at all. Consequently it is to him a myth or a notion, though in reality the first and truest and most powerful of all truth.

Nazareth Revisited Ch 52

***



THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS

This breaking of bread signifies our acceptance of God's ways, and is a testimony to the world that they have no hope outside of this way.

...We have even earned the bitterest odium it is possible for men to bear - the reputation of being illiberal, and uncharitable, and narrow minded, and bigoted because we maintain the 'teaching of Christ and his apostles on this vital matter. What can we do but accept the result with resignation ?

It is a result that has always more or less attended the testimony of the truth. It is no new thing for" the preaching of the cross" to be productive of offence. Paul speaks of it in his letters. He says the preaching of the cross was to the Jews a stumbling block and to the. Greeks foolishness.

He accepted the reproach incident to such a situation; he refused to glory in anything save the cross of our Lord Jesus. We are in the best of company when we are in the company of Paul, and we are undoubtedly in his company when we are accused by the modern Greeks (the scientists of every grade) of being behind the age and badly informed, and old fogey and sectarian; and by the Jews, of being worse than the Christians in the rigidness of our insistance on the original teachings of Christ; and by Christians, of being gloomy retrogressionists, the slaves of a dead letter, and strangers to the broad life and charity and the true spirit of the gospel.

To each and all, ... we challenge you all to deny that the conclusions which we maintain are the teachings of these writings. It would be pleasant to come on to your broad platform and to join in your charitable spirit and to share your freedom from the narrowness and restraint that undoubtedly hamper the profession of the gospel, as originally delivered, as regards the present evil world. We should have your pleasant society, and your encouraging recognition, and your advantageous patronage, and your general enjoyment of the broad fields of human culture, and pleasure, and good fellowship.

But wherein should we be the gainers in the day when Christ arrives to sweep away the present order of things, and to re-organize affairs in harmony with divine principles only, and to give glorious place in his house to those only who do the will of his Father, as written in his revealed word of truth?

We should have a poor staff to lean on, in a respectable world which will then dissolve in terror before his face. No: we have made Christ our portion, and for better or worse, we will accept the isolation and the odium that result, confident that experience shortly to be apparent, will justify an uncompromising adherence to the written word as the only enlightened policy that can be pursued."

Seasons 1.91.



The‭ "‬cross,‭" ‬as a subject of preaching,‭ ‬can only be understood in a symbolical sense.‭ ‬It occurs in Paul's letters,‭ ‬as the representative of the system of doctrine which had its centre and culmination in the death of Christ,‭ ‬and not as a literal expression-though having its origin in a literal occurrence.‭

It cannot be that the cross itself-the actual framework upon which Christ was cruelly impaled by the Jews and Romans-had any vitality or place in the preaching of the apostles.‭ ‬Otherwise,‭ ‬the Roman Catholics are right in their superstitious deference to the structural form,‭ ‬and in their devout appreciation of‭ "‬the wood of the true cross,‭" ‬which has been distributed in ship loads among the million worshippers of this mark of the beast.‭

Unless we put the cross in its proper place,‭ ‬as the symbolical expression of the great doctrine of Christ's sacrifice,‭ ‬in its absolute truth,‭ ‬it becomes an idol,‭ ‬whether clasped in material form with the devotions of the benighted Catholic,‭ ‬or cherished as a spiritual ideal with the undiscerning enthusiasm of‭ "‬evangelical religion.‭"

The brazen serpent,‭ ‬elevated in the wilderness for the cure of believing,‭ ‬serpent-bitten Israelites,‭ ‬was a legitimate object of regard,‭ ‬when accepted as a divine appointment for good‭; ‬but when,‭ ‬afterwards,‭ ‬the children of Israel degenerated to the idolatrous worship of it,‭ ‬Hezekiah,‭ ‬with divine approbation,‭ "‬brake it in pieces,‭" ‬calling it contemptibly‭ "‬a piece of brass.‭"-(‬2‭ ‬Kings‭ xviii. ‬4.‭)

Weeping,‭ ‬as the expression of an intelligently broken and contrite heart,‭ ‬is an acceptable sacrifice to God‭; ‬but when put in the place of truth and righteousness,‭ ‬it became a cause of offence in Israel,‭ ‬and is certainly not less so now.

‭ "‬And this have ye done again,‭ ‬covering the altar of the Lord with tears,‭ ‬with weeping,‭ ‬and with crying out,‭ ‬insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more,‭ ‬or receiveth it with goodwill at your hands.‭"-(‬Malachi‭ ii. ‬13.‭)

The religious outcry about‭ "‬the cross‭" ‬of the present day,‭ ‬is in the same category of perverted truth,‭ ‬and is doubtless as displeasing to the Almighty,‭ ‬as the excessive and irrational zeal of the Jews for the sacrifices and feasts of the law,‭ ‬while neglecting the‭ "‬weightier matters‭" ‬with which they were associated.‭ ‬There is a true doctrine of the cross,‭ ‬but the moderns,‭ ‬with all their outcry about the cross,‭ ‬deny it.‭

That true doctrine is that death-the resolution to original dust of the creature formed from the dust.‭-(‬Rom.‭ v. ‬12‭; ‬Gen.‭ iii. ‬19.‭)-‬is the consequence of sin‭; ‬that death reigns on account of sin‭; ‬that Christ came to suffer the death due to sin in the nature that was in sin,‭ ‬and to rise to the possession of life eternal for bestowal upon all who believe in him.‭

The moderns deny the first proposition,‭ ‬and by consequence,‭ ‬all the rest.‭ ‬They say there is no death‭; ‬that all men are immortal‭; ‬that eternal torture in hell is the wages of sin‭; ‬that all men by nature go to hell to be tormented of the devil,‭ ‬and that Christ came to endure the suffering due to these hell-doomed immortal creatures.‭ ‬What is their preaching of the cross,‭ ‬under these circumstances,‭ ‬but a denial of the truth,‭ ‬and a trumpeting of pagan doctrines under a false name‭?

To preach the cross truly,‭ ‬is to preach immortality through a crucified and risen Christ.‭ ‬No man can preach the truth without preaching this:‭ ‬but the precise terms in which he may do so,‭ ‬is a question of circumstances.‭ ‬In a day when‭ "‬the cross‭" ‬is universally current in a perverted sense,‭ ‬the use of the phrase is not a likely way of making the truth understood.‭ ‬We must adopt‭ ‬whatever language is necessary to convey‭ ‬the truth.‭ ‬The truth is the main thing‭; ‬words are merely secondary,‭ ‬and must be subordinated to ideas.‭

In the days of Paul,‭ ‬there was no false tradition of great antiquity hanging around,‭ ‬and almost depending upon the phrase he used to express the doctrine of Christ's sacrifice.‭ ‬It was a new and fresh and ignominious motto,‭ ‬and exactly equivalent to what‭ "‬the gallows‭" ‬would be in our day.‭ ‬He could use it with great advantage.‭ ‬It was a neat,‭ ‬curt,‭ ‬intelligible and telling expression of the great doctrine of Christ as the end of the law for righteousness.‭ ‬Its use was convenient and effectual as against Jews and Greeks.‭

To the former,‭ ‬it asserted the supremacy of Christ's sacrifice over those of the law,‭ ‬and in a word,‭ ‬placed it in the forefront of the gospel.‭ ‬In relation to the latter,‭ ‬it was a challenge of the‭ "‬philosophy and vain deceit‭" ‬which taught human immortality from human nature,‭ ‬and human deification from human virtue.‭ ‬But the situation is wholly changed now,‭ ‬except as regards the Jews,‭ ‬who seem now wholly beyond the influence of gospel operations.‭

The Gentiles have accepted Paul's phrase without accepting Paul's doctrine‭; ‬and hence in attempting to force the doctrine upon their attention,‭ ‬it is useless using the phrase,‭ ‬without new forms of phraseology,‭ ‬which will make the phrase scripturally intelligible.

You must remember that Paul's language was affected by the circumstances of his own time,‭ ‬and that therefore,‭ ‬to some extent,‭ ‬with an alteration of these circumstances,‭ ‬there is forced upon us,‭ ‬if we would succeed in making Paul's‭ ‬ideas understood,‭ ‬the necessity of an alteration of phrase.‭ ‬The moderns deny the kingdom that Paul preached,‭ ‬and therefore,‭ ‬in modern teaching of the truth,‭ ‬there must,‭ ‬of necessity,‭ ‬be given great prominence to the doctrine of the kingdom.‭

They do not deny the cross in the historical sense‭; ‬they misunderstand it,‭ ‬so that the doctrine of the cross naturally becomes more a matter of explanation than proclamation.‭ ‬The kingdom is entirely unknown.‭ ‬The dead weight of modern opposition falls upon this branch of the truth:‭ ‬and therefore through the sheer force of necessity,‭ ‬this takes the front in the battle.

‭ ‬But do not suppose because Christadelphians speak much about the kingdom,‭ ‬they think little of the cross scripturally understood.‭ ‬You will find that both occupy,‭ ‬in the system of truth to which they are related,‭ ‬that position of supreme importance which they possess in fact-the one as much as the other‭; ‬but in the public presentation of the truth,‭ ‬the form or manner of it is determined by the public necessity which,‭ ‬as already said,‭ ‬calls for a prominence of ideas over phrases misunderstood,‭ ‬and a prominence of the kingdom‭ (‬apparently‭) ‬over the cross.

‭ The Ambassador of the Coming Age, April 1868. p113



...the progressiveness of the salvation is indicated in the original, though not in the common version. "The doctrine of the cross," says Paul, "is God's power to us who are being saved"-τοις σωζομενοις to the being saved, literally. Also in 1 Cor. 15:2,

through which (gospel) also ye are saved by a certain word I preached to you if ye hold it fast; unless ye believed in vain."

Here the "are saved," σωζεσθε is qualified by the hypothesis, "if ye hold fast;" if they did not continue to hold fast the word preached, then they would not be saved.

The saving process was continuous with the holding fast. If they let go the process stopped, and they were lost.

In 2 Cor. 2:15, Paul says,

"We are a fragrant odor of Christ for God εν τοις ωζομενοις in them who are being saved, and in them who are being lost"-απολλυμενοις.

The common version has it, "In them that are saved, and in them that perish;" but "saved" and "perish" are both in the same tense; so that if "are saved" be correct, it ought to read "are perished" likewise.

But perdition is a process of decay, as salvation is of growth. Diseased trees grow worse and worse until they perish, having borne only evil fruit; while good trees grow up to maturity, and yield abundantly. So that,

"If our gospel be hid, it is hid from them that are being lost-εν τοις απολλυμενοις in whom the god of this age hath blinded the understanding of the unbelieving, in order that the illumination of the gospel of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God, may not shine unto them."

Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, Mar 1857





19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

It is of utmost importance - yea, it is absolutely vital - that we perceive the clear distinction between true wisdom - the wisdom of God - and every aspect of that which the world considers wisdom. They are not only different, they are completely incompatible - diametric opposites, like light and darkness. They ARE Light and Darkness.

All throughout Scripture, the thoughts of natural man are described as false, foolish, vain-

"It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps aright" (Jer. 10:23).

And "directing the steps aright" is the very essence of wisdom.

The present world, the present generation of man, for all its cleverness, and ingenuity, and education and self-glorification - for all its computers, earth-orbits, moon shots, and space probes - is no closer to true wisdom, but rather further from it; for all these things - all these accomplishments - are detriments to the acquirement of true spiritual wisdom which must begin with a true estimation of man's natural ignorance and folly. Jesus said-

"I thank Thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes, for so it seemed good in Thy sight" (Matt. 11:25-26).

This is a divine principle of action that is vitally important to recognize-

Wisdom is given by God only to those who fully realize the foolishness and emptiness of all natural man's thoughts, INCLUDING THEIR OWN, and who seek His guidance in love and faith and trust.

In the first three chapters of 1st Corinthians, Paul gives the divine estimation of all human thinking and natural attainment, and fully exposes its utter folly and emptiness. He completely clears the ground of all human fabrications and conceptions-

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent" (1 Cor. 1:19).

"Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" (v. 20).

"God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" (v. 27).

"The wisdom of this world comes to naught" (2:6).

"The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain" (3:20).

And he finally sums it up decisively and conclusively, dismissing all human learning as a stumbling-block in the way of life (1 Cor. 3:18)-

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, LET HIM BECOME A FOOL, that he may be wise."

Let him put it all behind him as empty human folly, as Paul did all his human learning-CAST IT OFF as a useless hurtful thing (1 Cor. 3:19)-

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."

Bro Growcott - But where shall wisdom be found



20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

"Where is the wise (the philosopher)? Where is the disputer of this world?" We have to say, "Where is the scientist? Where is the higher critic? Where is the unbeliever?" They are having a fine dance in the sunshine, to be sure; but what is all this world of "learning" they have created for themselves but an intellectual cloud- land with much apparatus and much inspiration of pride, visible only in the smoke of their intellectual meerschaums?

There is fact and truth in science: but there is science falsely so-called. Speculations and inductions are not science, but mere methods of human thought which may be entirely illusory in their results. Scientific meditation is respectable, when it confines itself to fact: though even then, there should not be such a fuss. But when it lifts its hand against attested divine truth, it becomes the worst foe of mankind.

By the side of "the unsearchable riches of Christ," it is only properly classified in Paul's rough but correct word-"dung."

What else is human notion of any kind at last when lifted against Christ? A Professor dies: his memory is glorified in high - sounding words by fellow - sinners. But what is he in himself? Rottenness-decomposition-dung.

Can his theories, his writings, his diplomas, his fame, redeem his bones from corruption? The best his friends can propose is "cremation!" Can any of them say,

"I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live?"

Where is learning in the presence of death? Learning that bows at the feet of Christ (there is such learning, but true learning and Christ are not incompatible) has a useful lowly place as a servant. But learning that denies or even competes with him is to be spurned indignantly from the presence of divine light and knowledge.

"Be steadfast and immovable," was Paul's advice to the brethren in his day. "Stand fast. Be strong: quit you like men." The advice has not lost its force, or its value, or its need.

"Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is."

Stand by the banner that Christ has erected in this breaking of bread. A crown waits the victor. The battle will not be long. The length of natural life at the most will see the end of our conflict, and then for us (whatever else may happen) will have arrived the goal of all effort, the joy of all aspiration, the haven of all rest-the air musical with the voice of melody-sorrow and sighing a memory of the past-the cup of life and gladness full for ever.

The Christadelphian, Dec 1898




24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The glory of the name, as we have before seen, is moral and spiritual, as well as physical. The glory that Christ manifested during his ministry on earth, consisted in the exhibiting of those "moral attributes," set forth in the name of Yahweh: - and in the display of that Spirit power, by which he performed those marvellous works; - those miracles of his grace. Part of this glory appeared through his character as a sufferer. The sufferings are referred to by the prophet Isaiah, in chapter 53 - where the "long-suffering", patience, and forbearance, and meekness of the Saviour are portrayed. ...

..."Christ" is styled "the wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 1:24); and "Of God he is made unto" all who are in him -

"wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (chap. 1:30). If we are able to partake of His wisdom and His righteousness, we partake to a certain extent in the glory of His name. 

Paul shows it to be a part of the mission of believers to make known this wisdom to the world, in his epistle to the Ephesians. Having spoken of the "fellowship of the mystery, which hath been hidden from the ages in God, who created all things," he says: "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the Ecclesia the manifold wisdom of God" (Eph. 3:9-10).

By the phrase, "manifold wisdom," it may be understood that wisdom has many foldings - a multiplicity and diversity of forms; so deep, so rich, so profound and unfathomable, as to lead the apostle to exclaim: "O the depth of the riches, of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out".

The Word, is the medium through which this wisdom is conveyed to us, in all its varied shades of light. Righteousness is the companion of Wisdom. The Spirit of wisdom personified in the Proverbs is represented as saying, 'I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment" (Prov. 8:18-20). "All the words of my mouth are in righteousness" (chap. 8:8).

Christ being the manifestation of the wisdom of God, he is also the manifestation of His righteousness. "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Rom. 10:4). This righteousness is a part of those "attributes" of the Deity constituting the glory of His name. "For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth" (2 Cor. 3:9-10).

Sis Lasius - Yahweh Elohim Ch 4.





29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

God has ever chosen persons despised by their contemporaries to bring to nothing the theology of the schools. He does not use the wise in their own conceit, professors and presidents of divinity establishments, to enlighten the people. He leaves them in their solemn foolishness as blind to lead the blind; and takes fishermen, and carpenters, and tentmakers, and healers of the sick, &c., to reduce their "wisdom" to absurdity, "that no flesh should glory in his presence."

Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, Jan 1854



That no flesh should glory

Any glorification of the flesh is false and abominable to God. Moses forgot this great principle just for a moment and under great pressure. In consequence, he was cut off from entrance to the promised land as a standing example to all following ages.

All the world's institutions are based on false beautification and glorification of the flesh. Therefore they reject the true Christ.

"His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men." "He hath no form nor comeliness, no beauty that we should desire him"-Isa. 52:14 and 53:2.

There was in Him no appeal to the flesh. He was and is despised and rejected. The flesh hates the principles He typifies and enunciates.

So with God's great ambassador to the Gentiles-

"his bodily presence is weak and his speech of no account."

Again, why? And the Scriptures answer-so that the power and glory and influence should be with the message and not with the messenger-2 Cor. 10:10, R.V.; 1 Cor. 2: 3-5. The principle is clearly enunciated in the case of the Immerser.

"What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Verily, they that wear soft raiment, and live delicately, are in king's houses."

John dwelt in the wilderness, clothed with skins, and eating the meager fare of the desert, and all who would be with him must go out unto him-Matt. 11. The Gospel message is a call to come out-not go in!

Bro Growcott - Strength and weakness



No flesh should glory in His presence 

The truth is simple, though profound. It requires no unusual qualifications to apprehend it. Ordinary capacity, coupled with a good and honest heart, is all that is needed. Thanks be to God for His beneficent plan. Had He decreed otherwise, few of us (through stress of circumstances) would be able to attain to salvation.

The plan is self-evidently divine. Man aims at securing the sympathies of the great and learned. But not so with God. He has chosen the poor, rich in faith. If a learned man would receive the truth, he must come down from his learning, and, like the unlearned, receive with meekness the simple Word.

There must be no arraying the judgment against that Word, though the whys and wherefores of God's will may not in all things be fathomed. The simplicity in Christ places the learned and unlearned on a level.

This arrangement is exceedingly distasteful to the flesh, which dotes on distinction. God's method has for one of its objects the humbling of the creature. The learning of the world is more a hindrance than a help in receiving the truth. Whatever advantages such learning may have, they are outnumbered by the disadvantages.

Learning, in the great majority of cases, inflates, and inflation blinds. It is a notable fact that the greatest enemies that the truth has are to be found among the learned. Their worldly wisdom is a snare, both to themselves and their followers.

The Christadelphian, Feb 1889



30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

The individualization of the Eternal Word in a man, instead of excluding the notion of a personal and independent volition, rather seems to involve it, for the result was the appearance of a new personage on the scene -- the Son of God who,

"though he were a Son, learnt obedience by the things that he suffered" (Heb. 5:8).

The rendering of perfect obedience by such a man was surely the work of God, since the man who could render such obedience had to be expressly produced by God; and seeing "the flesh," viewed historically and racially, could never have brought such a Deliverer to the birth, surely the flesh has no share in the glory of the deliverance. It remains absolutely true that "of God, he (Christ) is made unto us righteousness."

There ought to be no difficulty in receiving and rejoicing in the whole truth of the matter. There would be none if men were content to receive the testimony in its entirety and simplicity.

Seasons 1.45.