The city of Corinth in A D 55 was a booming metropolis boasting approx. 250,000 free men and over 400,000 slaves. As a part of Greece, it was also a center of culture and learning influenced by the University at Athens. The Greece of Paul's time had already produced great philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle; credible academics like Herodotus, immortal literature in the works of Homer and Sophocles, amazing architecture like the Parthenon and the Temple of Hephaestus, grand-scale athletic events with the Olympics, beautiful sculptures and pottery and bronze-work, and enough religion to satisfy just about anyone with a huge variety of gods and goddesses with many temples erected in their honor. In Corinth alone there were at least 12 temples. Corinth had two major harbors and was a crossroads for many businessmen and travelers. As we see exemplified in our own time and place, such a busy and culturally influenced city was also a breeding spot for immorality. Imagine, then, going into Corinth, as Paul did and preaching that their very sophisticated and educated way of life was only foolishness.
1:18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to nought.
1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
1:22 Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:
1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;
1:24 but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1:26 For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, `are called':
1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
1:28 and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, `yea' and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:
1:29 that no flesh should glory before God.
1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
1:31 that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2:1 And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
2:4 And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
2:5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2:6 We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:
2:7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, `even' the `wisdom' that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory:
2:8 which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:
2:9 but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And `which' entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
2:10 But unto us God revealed `them' through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
2:11 For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God.
2:12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God.
2:13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual `words'.
2:14 Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.
2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The Greeks loved the pursuit of wisdom, but to offend their very culture and upbringing was a bold move on Paul's part, even if they had already professed Christianity. Only being truly convinced of the truth of what he was saying could Paul pull this off. Only armed with the gospel of Jesus Christ could his word be received. In such circumstances, I wonder if I could do it, even in a letter.
Jesus said, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels" (Luke 9:26); Paul wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16a); "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me, his prisoner, but join me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God" (II Tim. 1:8); Luke said, "Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak Your word with great boldness" (Acts 4:29).
The Greeks had a god or a goddess on every street corner, not so different from many Americans, except our gods come in the form of money, possessions, people, sex, self. Our culture has become as offensive to God as that of Corinth with all its temple prostitutes. And the contemporary "American way" is just as foolish and corrupt as the Corinthian way that Paul addressed. But thanks be to God that there is a remnant who are not ashamed of the gospel and who are bold to speak their convictions and lift up the One True God. Lord, Jesus, help me to be one of them! Amen
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