First, we mentioned blessings and gave thanks to God for the believers, explaining why the Book of 1 Corinthians was written in Ephesus—it is his fourth epistle—and we also cited a previous article discussing that we are merely adopted children. Second, we discussed the need to avoid forming divisions and instead be united in Christ, noting that even the most spiritual people can only recall all they have done with God’s permission. Third, we addressed how Christ crucified reveals God’s power and wisdom; thus what preached is Christ crucified. And we see that we will certainly receive wisdom from above if asking in faith, though the timing is not specified. Fourth, we discussed that God has made Christ Jesus our all. Fifth, it states that preaching cannot be done in one’s own strength, but must be done through God’s power. Sixth, it mentions that what God has prepared for those who love Him is beyond what the human heart could ever imagine; it references a previous article discussing what it means to receive more than we could ask or imagine, and also notes that the Holy Spirit searches all things. Finally, it states that God will graciously grant spiritual people the ability to discern all things.
Please note that this article is based on the Sunday (7/26/26) topicwise Bible study. During the study, there was one incorrect citation, which has been pointed out in the correction on the YouTube video; the rest remains unchanged. This article is an expansion of that study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. If this article refers previous articles, they can all be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/’; click on ‘Understanding Spiritual Life’.
1. Giving thanks to God for the believers
“Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”(1 Corinthians 1:1-9)
Right from the start, the letter clearly identifies the writers and the recipients, then extends a blessing to all those for whom Christ is Lord—including those he knew in the church of God at Corinth, as well as others outside that church whom he did not know. The latter group is clearly distinguished, since he could not possibly know who among them called upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He also says, “I thank my God always concerning you.” Here, “you” refers to the members of the church in Corinth, since these are the people he knew and do not include others he did not know. Thus, we know that “…you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 1:7)
He also specifically explains what those gifts are and encourages them to remain steadfast to the end, so that they may attain what this Scripture says: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”(Romans 8:29-30) We can see that this is a step-by-step process: first comes justification, followed by walking the path of sanctification, which leads to the opportunity for glorification. If we “don’t discount the words of the Bible”, this passage clearly demonstrates that foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin. The “called” here are the adopted sons who share in the glory with the Lord Jesus Christ, as explained in “1197 God’s adopted sons, spiritual interpretation of Bible, and loving others – Gal(4)1-(5)15” under “1. God’s adopted sons through redemption.”
Finally, we would like to mention why we believe the Book of 1 Corinthians is the fourth epistle written by Paul. He came from Corinth to Ephesus (cf. Acts 19:1) and debated daily in Tyrannus’s school in Ephesus: “This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”(Acts 19:10) Therefore, he stayed in Ephesus for at least two years during this period. As we have mentioned before, he had no time to write letters while he was engaged in preaching at that time; thus, the Book of 1 Corinthians was written in Ephesus and is his fourth epistle.
2. Do not form divisions, but be united in Christ
“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”(1 Corinthians 1:10-17)
In fact, Paul knew very well that they were not united with Jesus; otherwise, they would not have formed divisions, but would have “…if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”(Philippians 2:1-2) This passage does not mean that every word spoken by each person must be identical to that of others—that is impossible—but rather that if everyone is united with the Lord, each person will naturally share the Lord’s thoughts and intentions, and we will be naturally united, rather than merely in a superficial sense. Therefore, what everyone should seek is unity with the Lord.
He was very clear: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”(1 Corinthians 1:17) He gave examples to show that their factionalism was not groundless, and he also gave examples to prove that he had baptized only a few people. Since the examples included the household of Stephen, this clearly refers to the baptisms he had performed up to that point in his life; he also said he could not remember whether he had baptized others. This shows that even highly spiritual people can only remember everything they have done with God’s permission.
Here, it is particularly emphasized that God does not mind if he forgets things; if something were important to him, God could correct him, as He did during his second missionary journey when He directed him to go to Macedonia (see Acts 16:6-10). However, this does not mean that even if something is important to a person, the Triune God will necessarily remind that person to remember it, for God possesses absolute sovereignty. Paul knew that God is infinite and man is finite, so he could only say, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:12-14)
3. Christ crucified reveals God’s power and wisdom
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”(1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
First, let us clarify that the message of the cross is entirely different for those who are perishing and for those who are being saved. The “wisdom” referred to here clearly refers, at first, to the wisdom of this world, which tells us, “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom.”(1 Corinthians 1:22) “but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”(1 Corinthians 1:23-24) How could the triune God be foolish and weak?
The wisdom of God spoken of here comes from above, as James says: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”(James 1:5-6) “For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.”(James 1:7) So this is a promise, though it does not specify when it will be fulfilled. We need only ask in faith, and sooner or later we will receive this wisdom from above.
In fact, these verses also contain similar promises: ““So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?””(Luke 11:9-13) It states that one can receive a one-time filling of the Holy Spirit simply by asking, but it does not specify a timeframe. God has absolute sovereignty; He will do this at the best time. If I recall correctly, some one misinterpreted this passage, thinking he could receive it immediately. He sort of prayed, “If I don’t receive the one-time filling of the Holy Spirit today, I’ll stay kneeling and won’t get up,” but in the end, he had no choice but to stand up. We really must read the Bible correctly!
4. God made Christ Jesus our all
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.””(1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
We see that God’s choice is marvelous; He did not choose those whom the world considers wise, but rather chose those whom the world despises, “so that no man may boast before God.”(1 Corinthians 1:29) We preach Christ crucified, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him.”(Colossians 1:19) In other words, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”(Colossians 2:9) In short, “…Christ is all, and in all.”(Colossians 3:11) Therefore, everything comes from the Lord: “so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.””(1 Corinthians 1:31)
This is what Paul did: “…on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.”(2 Corinthians 12:5) “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
5. Preaching must not rely on one’s own strength but on God’s power
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”(1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
You see, Paul’s preaching at that time did not rely on his own eloquent speech or wisdom, but was empowered by God’s might; therefore, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”(1 Corinthians 2:2) This is what the Book of Galatians refers to when it says, “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, …”(Galatians 6:14) However, preaching is not merely about saying this one sentence. While this is certainly the truth, there is still much more that needs to be said. Paul said, “and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”(1 Corinthians 2:4-5) He certainly preached accompanied by many miracles and wonders, but he understood clearly that the purpose of these miracles and wonders was only “…testifying to the word of His grace, …”(Acts 14:3)
6. What God has prepared for those who love Him is beyond human imagination
“Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.”(1 Corinthians 2:6-11)
We briefly discussed wisdom from above earlier; here we see that what Paul speaks “…God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory.”(1 Corinthians 2:7) Clearly, the wisdom of that time ultimately led to the crucifixion of the glorious Lord, yet it paradoxically accomplished salvation. God’s ways are truly marvelous! We previously discussed in detail the point that what God has prepared for those who love Him is beyond what the human heart could ever imagine, in the section titled “4. Beyond what we ask or think” in the article “1132 Correction Yu Hongjie’s Discipleship of Newself – Unbiblical Places (2).” Please refer to that article.
Finally, we will discuss the Spirit of the Trinity—the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of God. As it says, “…for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.”(1 Corinthians 2:10). God has revealed Himself to us through the Holy Spirit. Indeed, “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.”(1 Corinthians 2:11). Here again we see that Paul is very logical. But we must remember that Jesus Himself said, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”(John 16:12-13) Therefore, there are things Jesus did not say while on earth, but the Holy Spirit knows them all. We must look to the Holy Spirit, “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Thus, the leading of the Spirit can indeed be quenched, and people often do so without even realizing it. “Let the Holy Spirit lead your Bible study”—only then will you be able to truly understand the Scriptures.
7. God graciously grants spiritual people the ability to discern all things
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”(1 Corinthians 2:12-16)
It is made clear from the very beginning that God has absolute sovereignty; He graciously reveals to the spiritual person what they need to know, enabling them to discern all things. Therefore, it is essential that God grant this grace; accepting this truth helps a person truly understand the Bible. Paul said, “which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”(1 Corinthians 2:13) And for this reason, “…he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.”(1 Corinthians 2:15) What the spiritual person knows comes from God, because God has absolute sovereignty: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”(1 Corinthians 2:16) How then can others understand him? Note that this does not mean we should deliberately speak in a way that others cannot understand; rather, it is only possible to do so in Christ.
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