These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Truth to Learn The Bible is the inspired Word of God. Believe it! Behind the Words “Speak” is translated from the verb laleō. This word refers to...
1 Corinthians 2:12 – Free and Undeserved
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. Truth to Learn God freely reveals Himself to Christians through His Spirit. Behind the Words Lambanō is the...
1 Corinthians 2:11 – Revealer Of Secrets
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Truth to Learn The Holy Spirit reveals God to Christians. Behind the Words The Greek word translated...
1 Corinthians 2:10 – The Spirit Reveals
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. Truth to Learn The Holy Spirit reveals the truth of the gospel to Christians. Behind the Words “Has revealed” is translated from the verb apokaluptō. This word is...
1 Corinthians 2:9 – They Can’t Understand
But as it is written: "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him." Truth to Learn Natural man can’t understand the mystery of salvation. Behind the Words The words “it is written”...
1 Corinthians 2:8 – Acts of Ignorance
which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Truth to Learn Christians should not be ignorant of God’s wise plan. Behind the Words “None” is translated from oudeis. This Greek word is made up of ou,...
1 Corinthians 2:7 – No More Mystery
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, Truth to Learn Christians are to openly proclaim the good news to everyone. Behind the Words “Mystery” is transliterated (a word taken directly from one language to another)...
1 Corinthians 2:6 – Wise Maturity
However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. Truth to Learn Mature Christians understand the true wisdom of God’s Word. Behind the Words “We speak” is translated from the Greek...
1 Corinthians 2:5 – Wisdom vs. Power
that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Truth to Learn Man’s message may be wise, but God’s message is powerful. Behind the Words The word translated “faith” is pistis. This is the noun form of the verb peithō, which means...
1 Corinthians 2:4 – Persuasion vs. Power
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, Truth to Learn Man’s preaching may be persuasive, but God’s message is powerful. Behind the Words “Speech” is translated from logos, which refers to “a word as...
1 Corinthians 2:2 – And Him Crucified
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Truth to Learn Christ’s crucifixion is the central theme of Christianity. Behind the Words “Determined” is translated from the Greek verb krinō, which literally means “to discriminate between good and evil,” that is “to judge,...
1 Corinthians 2:1 – Not Eloquent Preaching
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. Truth to Learn Paul did not depend on eloquence to get his message across. Behind the Words The words “when I came” are from the...
1 Corinthians 1:31 – Where’s Your Focus
that, as it is written, "he who glories, let him glory in the Lord." Truth to Learn The focus of our life needs to be on God, not the things of man. Behind the Words The words “it is written” are translated from the Greek verb graphō , which literally...
1 Corinthians 1:30 – All From God
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— Truth to Learn Our salvation is all from God. Behind the Words The word translated “of” is ek, which means “out of” or “from.” It is an indication of the...
1 Corinthians 1:29 – God Deserves the Glory
that no flesh should glory in His presence. Truth to Learn God deserves the praise for who we are and what we have. Behind the Words “That” is translated from the Greek word hopōs, which is an adverb of manner. The basic meaning of this word is, “in what manner,...
1 Corinthians 1:28 – The Non-People
and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, Truth to Learn God chose the lowly, non-people to be His. Behind the Words “Base things” is the translation of...
1 Corinthians 1:27 – God’s “Foolish” Choice
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; Truth to Learn God purposely choose weak and foolish sinners to be His. Behind the...
1 Corinthians 1:26 – Calling the Lowly
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. Truth to Learn God calls lowly sinners to His kingdom and to His family. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “you see” is blepō, which means “to...
1 Corinthians 1:25 – Wise Counsel
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Truth to Learn The wisdom of God often seems like foolishness to us. Behind the Words We have looked at the Greek word for foolishness (mōros) several times now. It is expressed...
1 Corinthians 1:24 – Wisdom and Power
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Truth to Learn Preach the “foolish message” and watch God’s power at work. Behind the Words The word “called” is translated from the plural form of klētos, a noun which...
1 Corinthians 1:23 – A Foolish Trap
but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, Truth to Learn The world does not understand the simple gospel message. Behind the Words “Preach” is translated from the verb kērussō, which means “to proclaim, to herald, or to preach.” It is expressed...
1 Corinthians 1:22 – Signs and Wisdom
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; Truth to Learn God is not found in miraculous signs or worldly wisdom. Behind the Words The word translated “since” is epeidē, which is made up of epei, meaning “as” or “because” and dē, a particle of affirmation or emphasis...
1 Corinthians 1:21 – Want to Please God?
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. Truth to Learn Belief in the “foolish” gospel message pleases God. Behind the Words “Since” is translated from the Greek...
1 Corinthians 1:20 – God’s Foolishness?
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Truth to Learn This world’s wisdom is foolishness compared to God’s truth. Behind the Words The word “wise” is sophos, which we saw in yesterday’s...
1 Corinthians 1:19 – Worldly Wisdom?
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Truth to Learn The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. Behind the Words “Written” is from the Greek word graphō, which literally means “to grave,” that is,...
1 Corinthians 1:18 – Completed and Sealed
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Truth to Learn Salvation is a completed and sealed transaction. Behind the Words The word translated “message” is logos. It generally refers to something...
1 Corinthians 1:17 – Preach The Good News
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. Truth to Learn All Christians need to share the gospel message to others. Behind the Words “Send” is translated from the...
1 Corinthians 1:16 – More Baptisms
Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. Truth to Learn Baptism is not to be a source of bragging or arguing. Behind the Words The word translated “yes” is the Greek conjunction de, which is most often translated as...
1 Corinthians 1:15 – It’s a Testimony
lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Truth to Learn Baptism is a testimony of the salvation in the name of Christ. Behind the Words “Lest” is translated from the two Greek words hina mē. The first of these, hina, means “in order that” and...
1 Corinthians 1:14 – Unity, Not Division
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, Truth to Learn Baptism should promote unity in the church, not division. Behind the Words The words “I thank” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is composed of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a...
1 Corinthians 1:13 – Worship Christ Alone
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Truth to Learn Submit to your leaders, but worship Christ alone. Behind the Words Meridzō is the word translated “divided.” It means “to separate into parts” or “to divide.” It is expressed here...