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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER ONE:
“UNITED IN THE SAME MIND”

Theme Verse: 10

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 – Introduction

1CO1:1 Paul 1 – invited to become an apostle of Jesus Christ by God’s will – and the brother Sosthenes 2 –

1

Paul: As in his other epistles Paul generally uses the dual formula of God and Jesus, omitting any mention of the Holy Spirit. “God” most often occurs in the Greek form HO THEOS, or The God. The designation “God” occurs 110 times while “holy spirit” occurs twice. [1 Corinthians 6:19; 12:3] The name “Jesus” occurs 27 times. Never in 1 Corinthians does Paul every call Jesus “God.”

2	Sosthenes: For details on this Christian see Acts 18:8 and Acts 8:12-17. It seems he was a Jewish leader converted to Nazarene discipleship. Paul’s mention of him here may mean Sosthenes was a co-writer or the secretary who took down dictation.

1CO1:2 to the congregation of The God in Corinth 3 – to all those who have been sanctified 4 in union with Christ Jesus, invited to be Saints, 5 together with all those 6 everywhere calling upon the name of our and their Master Jesus Christ: 7

3	Congregation of The God in Corinth: The best background to the formation of this congregation is seen in Acts chapter 18.

4

Sanctified: See the word sanctified or sanctification in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. Generally speaking there are three phases to the process of being sanctified: a) escape from the world; b) the believer’s part in sanctification; and, c) the conclusion to the process. See notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and the association with morals.

5	Invited to be Saints: Or, called; holy ones. “Saints” also occurs at 1 Corinthians 6:1, 2; 14:33; 16:1, 15. The designation is essentially drawn from Daniel 7:21. Compare notes on Matthew 22:14.

6	Together with all those: Some see two groups here though it may be just Paul’s way of including others besides those in Corinth. It seems likely Paul’s letter was copied and read in other churches.

7	Calling upon the name of our and their Master Jesus Christ: Compare notes on Romans 10:10, 11.

1CO1:3 Unmerited favor and peace from God our Father and the Master Jesus Christ. 8

8	God our Father and the Master Jesus Christ: Another dual formula omitting the Spirit.

1CO1:4 I continue to give thanks to The God 9 regarding all of you [in Corinth] and concerning the unmerited favor of The God that was given to all of you in union with Christ Jesus.

9

I continue to give thanks to The God: Paul’s customary salutation as in most of his other letters. Again the Spirit is lacking. Paul never uses such a phrase with regard to Jesus Christ. [Romans 1:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18; Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Philemon 4]

1CO1:5 As a result all of you are being enriched in union with him with regard to everything you speak and all the knowledge you gain, 10

10

Enriched in union with him with regard to everything you speak and all the knowledge you gain: Or, richly bless, wealth; utterance, expression. Compare Colossians 1:9. Paul will go on to encourage the same kind of speech in a congregational unity. [1 Corinthians 1:10] Of course, speech comes first from knowledge and faith. Note 2 Corinthians 4:12, 13.

1CO1:6 just as the testimony of Christ has stabilized all of you. 1CO1:7 Also, none of you lack any of the charismatic gifts 11 as you eagerly await the revelation of our Master Jesus Christ. 12

11

None of you lack any of the charismatic gifts: Or, spiritual gift. Paul introduces the Greek CHARISMATI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5486] from which the English “charismatic” comes. Paul will deal with such gifts in chapters 12, 13, and 14. [Hebrews 6:4] The Saints anointed with God’s spirit all are possessed of God-given gifts for use in the Christian ministry. [Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:7-16]

12

Await the revelation of our Master Jesus Christ: Or, coming, appearance. The Greek is APOCALYPSIN [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #602] and means an unveiling or revealing. See notes on Luke 17:30 and Daniel 12:1 [the latter in the JPS Tanakh]. It is associated with “manifestation” [appearing] and alludes to the visible return [parousia; presence; arrival] of Jesus Christ. [Matthew 24:30, 31; Hebrews 9:27]

1CO1:8 He will continue to completely stabilize all of you 13 so that you will be without accusation 14 in the Day of our Master Jesus Christ. 15

13	He will continue to completely stabilize all of you: Or, insure, confirm. The strength to endure comes from our Lord Christ Jesus. [Romans 14:4; 2 Thessalonians 3:3] Compare notes on 1 John 5:18.

14	Accusation: Or, guiltless, blameless, unreprovable. Jesus taught two outcomes to the resurrection of the Saints. [John 5:29; compare Daniel 12:2] Paul teaches the same at 2 Corinthians 5:10 as John does at 1 John 2:28; 4:17. There will be those who are found “guilty.” [Matthew 7:21-23]

15	The Day of our Master Jesus Christ: A reference to the parousia-judgment. [Matthew 24:45-25:46] Compare 1 Corinthians 4:5; Revelation 1:10. [Romans 2:5; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6, 10; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:12]

1CO1:9 The God is faithful 16 and trustworthy when He invited all of you to share communion with His Son 17 Jesus Christ our Master.

16	God is faithful: Or, dependable, trustworthy. [Deuteronomy 7:9]

17	Communion with His Son: Or, fellowship, part, share. The Greek is COINONIAN. Another dual formula lacking the Spirit. See notes on 1 John 1:3.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 – The Christ Is Divided

1CO1:10 I want to encourage 18 all of you, brothers, based on the authority of the name of our Master Jesus Christ, that all of you may say the same thing 19 and thus have no schisms 20 among you. Indeed, all of you should be harmoniously joined together, resulting in a unity of thinking 21 and opinion. 22

18	I want to encourage: Or, beseech, urge, entreat. Paul’s appeal is in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. That is, in the authority Paul received from the Master Jesus.

19

Say the same thing: The Greek is LEGETE [=say, or, speak]. KJV: all speak the same thing; TCN: to agree in what you profess; GDS: to agree in what you say. That is, the various members of the congregation all speak the same thing. There cannot be a variety of different views so that if one spoke to one congregation member one would hear something different than another member. Compare 2 Corinthians 13:11, “think in agreement.” Philippians 2:2, “the same mind.” See the Biblical Article Agree to Disagree in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

20	No schisms: Or, divisions, splits, factions. The Greek is SCHISMATA [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4978, a split]. The context would mean no schism or split in speaking, or what congregation members say about those subjects to be discussed in this letter.

21

Unity of thinking: Or, KJV: perfectly joined together in the same mind; BEC: understanding; TCN: one mind. The Greek is NOI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3563, intellect, thought]. [Philippians 2:2] There can be no “every wind of teaching” blowing through the congregation as if everyone was free to believe divergent and contradictory things. [Ephesians 4:14, 15]

22	Opinion: Or, judgment, viewpoint. The Greek is GNOME [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1106, cognition, opinion, counsel]. Church members should all have the same opinion or viewpoint rather than holding to many different beliefs.

1CO1:11 My reason for saying this is that some evidence was provided to me by the Chloe family 23 regarding you, my brothers – that strife and contention 24 exists in your midst.

23	Chloe family: Paul has learned of the problems in the Corinthian congregation by members of this family. It is possible someone here delivered a response to Paul’s “first” letter to the congregation along with eyewitness testimony.

24

Contention: Or, acts of strife, divisions, contentions, strifes, party feelings, cliques. These “quarrels” center around certain personalities as the following indicates. There are likely differing opinions on the subjects Paul is to go on to discuss. Such ERIDES [ERIS], or strife, is a work of the flesh. [Galatians 5:20]

1CO1:12 So I say to you that all of you are telling others, “I follow 25 Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” and yet another, “I follow Christ.”

25

I follow: That is, “I am of.” Or, a follower of, my leader is, Paul’s party. Paul lists four major personality cults: Paul, Peter [Cephas], Apollos, and Christ. It seems likely the latter – “of Christ” – are a self-righteous group, though claiming Christ, are really also part of their own schisms. These different opinions claim a particular authority. Peter may have never visited Corinth but it is likely that some of those with a strong Jewish bend of mind preferred him. [Acts 15:1, 2] Apollos is described in the Corinthian context in Acts 18. He was “mighty in Scripture” though a neophyte Christian. Since he was not properly baptized until that time of Paul’s stay in Corinth it seems almost unlikely Apollos did not qualify yet as an elder. [1 Timothy 3:1ff]

1CO1:13 Has the Christ become divided? 26 Was Paul impaled for all of you? Or, were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? 27

26

Has the Christ become divided: Or, PME: is there more than one Christ; AMP: divided into parts; TAY: you have broken Christ into pieces. Some have this as a question while others as a statement: “Christ is divided.” Literally, the phrase is “has been parted the Christ.” Paul does not mean Jesus himself, but the Church – the Christ, or, the Anointed. In 1 Corinthians 11:17-19 he explains why God permits this.

27	Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul: Possibly some formula like – “I Paul baptize you…” The book of Acts shows the one formula, “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Compare Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5. [Acts 3:6; 4:10]

1CO1:14 I am glad that I never baptized any of you save for Crispus 28 and Gaius. 29

28	Crispus: According to Acts 18:8 the Jewish presiding officer of the synagogue was among the Corinthians baptized.

29	Gaius: A name mentioned elsewhere four times. It seems possible they are the same person [Acts 19:29; 20:4; Romans 16:23; 3 John 1]. The Corinthians may have met in the home of Gaius.

1CO1:15 So, no one can claim 30 that they were baptized in my name.

30	Claim: It seems possible Paul avoided baptizing persons so that no clique formed around his name. Jesus also did not baptizing. [John 4:2]

1CO1:16 Though I did baptize the Stephanas family, 31 but other than these I am not aware of baptizing anyone else.

31	Stephanas family: Compare 1 Corinthians 16:15, 17.

1CO1:17 Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the Good News. 32 And this not in speech of wisdom, 33 so that the stake is not rendered completely ineffectual. 34

32	Proclaim the Good News: Paul seems the pure missionary who travels broadly to lay Christian foundations, leaving the follow-up to other qualified men like Apollos. Compare Acts 9:15 with Matthew 28:19.

33

Speech of wisdom: Or, KNX: orator’s cleverness; RSV: eloquent wisdom; BAR: artifices of rhetoric. Paul is modest, for one only need read his sermons in Acts chapters 13 [to Jews] and 17 [o Greeks] to read an example of Paul’s presentation. In addition, his writing is among the most magnificent in the Christian Bible. He uses 160 words unique to his writings – many theological. A reading of First Corinthians demonstrates the power and eloquence of Paul. Note 1 Corinthians 2:6.

34

The stake is not rendered completely ineffectual: Or, made void, empty. Paul wants the focus on the death of Jesus and not on himself. Many will want to read “cross” for stake. The Greek is STAUROS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4716, an upright stake] and the exact description of this “stake” – whether a cross or of some other configuration – is unknown.

1 Corinthians 1:18-21 – Worldly Wisdom Foolish

1CO1:18 For the message about the stake is, indeed, foolishness 35 to those who are self-destructive. 36 However, to us as those who are being saved 37 it is God’s power.

35

The message about the stake is, indeed, foolishness: Or, the message of the stake; word, preaching, discourse, story. The phrase is the same as the “Gospel” – Christ died for sinners, insuring a resurrection to judgment. [Acts 24:15; John 5:29] The idea that one man could die for all humanity was philosophically foolish to the Greeks who believed in the immortal soul. Compare the Greek reaction to Paul’s Gospel at Acts 17:18, 32. He truth about the death of Christ is among those “spiritual matters” of 1 Corinthians 2:14.

36	Self-destructive: Or, KJV: them that perish; KNX: who count their own ruin; TCN: those who are in the path to ruin; MOF: doomed to perish. Paul may mean those who have heard the Gospel message but rejected it. [2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9]

37	Being saved: Or, saving. There is a process of salvation beginning with an escape from the world and ending in that ultimate salvation. In the process of salvation both God’s part and the part of the Christian are necessary. [Philippians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 7:1]

1CO1:19 For it has been written: 38 “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise persons 39 and I shall put aside the comprehension of those who comprehend.” [Isaiah 29:14]

38	For it has been written: Paul quotes his first of many Hebrew Bible texts, Isaiah 29:14.

39	Destroy the wisdom of the wise persons: Surely the philosophy of Plato is included here.

1CO1:20 Where is the wise person? 40 Where the Bible copyist? Where the clever debater 41 of this time period? Has The God not made the wisdom of this world of humanity 42 foolish?

40

Where is the wise person: Or, sophist, philosopher, sage. Paul asks three rhetorical questions. [Compare Isaiah 33:18.] It is very likely that Greek philosophy had worked its way into the Corinthian Church just as it did among the Jews, and later the Moslems. “Worldly wisdom” can prove very destructive to the unity of the Church and here Paul begins to attack the first of the problems with Corinthian harmony. When Christian disciples begin to introduce “worldly wisdom” into the congregation – rather than Scriptural wisdom – a ruinous force is at work. Some disciples may have brought with them forms of Greek philosophy. [Acts 17:18] Paul alludes in the letter of the Colossians to the Epicureans, the Stoics, and the Gnostics.

41	Clever debater: Or, disputer, logician.

42

Wisdom of this world of humanity: Or, philosophy of this world. In all the Greek “worldly wisdom” they still worshipped demons and idols. [Job 12:17; Romans 1:22, 23] Their philosophy led them, not to monotheism [as revealed to the Jews] but a form of the trinity. [See Aristotle’s On the Heavens.] Their wisdom led them to belief in the “immortal soul” rather than the Hebrew belief in the resurrection. Interestingly, the resurrection becomes a subject of Paul’s letter in chapter 15.

1CO1:21 So because the world of humanity in all its wisdom never knew The God, 43 The God thought it well to save those believing through this foolish preaching 44 [of ours].

43	Never knew The God: Or, never in reality, knew not God, never find, failed to find. Compare Acts 17:23, 27. Paul uses TON THEON and thus “The God” and not just a divine abstraction. The Jews had The God revealed to them as YHWH in the Hebrew Bible. The Greeks’ “wisdom” led to the Trinity.

44

This foolish preaching: Or, TAY: foolish and silly; RSV: the folly of what we preach. The Greek’s thought many Jewish and Christian beliefs foolish – One God, the resurrection, the redemptive death of Christ. Ultimately, however, pagan beliefs faded because of their foolishness, replaced in much of the world by the teachings of the Nazarene. Whole heathen nations became “Christian” through what they formerly considered foolish. [1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:18]

1 Corinthians 1:22-25 – Christ Is God’s Wisdom

1CO1:22 For Jews are always asking for signs, 45 while Greeks search for wisdom. 46

45

Jews are always asking for signs: Compare Matthew 12:38 and Luke 11:29. The “signs” in the early Church were mainly to demonstrate to the Jews that God’s favor was now upon the Christian Congregation, or Nazarene Community. Paul is later to state that these “signs” would pass away. [1 Corinthians 13:8-11] Historically the split between the Jews and the Christians was complete around the year 150 when the former apostolic signs began to vanish. [See Eusebius’ History of the Christian Church.]

46	Greeks search for wisdom: “Greek” was a term similar to Gentile, meaning all the non-Jews. The Greeks were not impressed so much by “signs” as by “wisdom.”

1CO1:23 In contrast, we continue to preach Christ impaled 47 – to Jews surely something scandalous 48 but to the non-Jews simple foolishness. 49

47

We continue to preach Christ impaled: The impalement, or execution of Jesus Christ and what it meant [as revealed in the epistle to the Romans] is the basis of the Gospel message. Because the Corinthians were so fleshly minded Paul determined to simplify his message as to spiritual babies. [1 Corinthians 2:2, 6; 3:1, 2]

48	To Jews surely something scandalous: The Greek is SCANDALON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4625] and is also rendered stumbling-block, snare, trap-stick. Compare Isaiah 8:14; 28:14; Romans 9:32, 33; 1 Peter 2:8.

49

To the non-Jews simple foolishness: Or, Gentiles. Particularly the resurrection truth regarding Christ. [Acts 17:32] The Greeks, and most non-Jews, believed in the immortality of the soul making a resurrection nonsense. “The doctrine of the transmigration of the soul into some other body appears in Greece as a philosophical doctrine..… It found classical expression in Plato… There was a strong tradition in Greek though which denied the possibility of resurrection.” [Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Volume 3, pages 259ff]

1CO1:24 However, to those who have been invited 50 – both to Jews and Greeks – Christ, God’s power 51 and God’s wisdom. 52 [Proverbs 8:22]

50	To those who have been invited: See notes on Matthew 22:14 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

51	God’s power: The glorified Master Jesus is the agency or channel through which God’s power [DYNAMIN] was manifest in creation [Hebrews 1:2, 3] as well in Christ’s resurrection. [Philippians 3:10]

52	God’s wisdom: There may be an allusion here to Proverbs 8:22ff. [1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:3]

1CO1:25 For the simplest thing of The God 53 is wiser than any humans, and the weakest thing of The God 54 is far stronger than any humans.

53	Simplest thing of The God: Or, foolish thing of God. Paul uses an absurdum for God is not foolish from any perspective.

54	Weakest thing of The God: An absurdum, for God is in no matter weak.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – The Call of God

1CO1:26 Now consider your invitation, 55 brothers, that not many wise persons according to the flesh 56 were invited. Not many of the powerful. 57 Not many royal persons. 58

55	Consider your invitation: Compare Hebrews 3:1 and notes on Matthew 22:14.

56

Not many wise persons according to the flesh: Or, NEB: few of you are men of wisdom, by any human standards. This may be directed at what Paul later calls “super-fine apostles” who had lofty views of themselves. The truth is that most Christians throughout the ages have been average persons. This does not mean there have been no “wise” Christians, for one only need consider Sir Isaac Newton. [Acts 4:13] Paul himself is an example of one possessed of wisdom who became a Christian by the call of Christ himself. [Acts 5:34; 22:3]

57	Powerful: Or, mighty, ruling class, positions of power. Compare John 7:48 and James 2:5.

58	Royal persons: Or, noblest families, of noble parents.

1CO1:27 Instead, The God chose the foolish things 59 of the world of humankind so that he might embarrass those wise persons. And The God chose the weakest things 60 of the world of humankind that He might embarrass stronger things.

59

God chose the foolish things: Compare the Nazarene at Luke 16:8. Those chosen appear foolish from worldly standards which operate on greed and self-centeredness. From a physical, worldly point of view it was completely foolish for Paul to give up his place and prestige to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. [Philippians 3:4-8]

60	God chose the weakest things: Compare Matthew 11:25. The praise goes to God, for only by His power could Christianity overcome the world. The Nazarene’s handful of disciples overcame the Roman Empire.

1CO1:28 And The God chose those not of royal birth, and those despised 61 and those treated as nothing 62 so that He might render completely ineffectual things that are. 63

61	Those despised: Compare 1 Corinthians 4:13.

62	Those treated as nothing: Or, WMS: and what it thinks does not exist; TCN: unreal. Compare Romans 4:17.

63	Render completely ineffectual things that are: Compare 1 Corinthians 4:6 and 1 John 2:17.

1CO1:29 And this so that no flesh could ever boast 64 in the sight of The God. 65

64	No flesh could ever boast: Or, flesh. Compare 1 Corinthians 4:7.

65	In the sight of The God: The Greek ENOPION (“in the sight of”)

1CO1:30 For it is because of Him that all of you are united in Christ, 66 who became to us wisdom from God, 67 as well as righteousness and sanctification and a release by ransom. 68

66	United in Christ: The Greek is literally, “But, you are out of Him in Christ.” The “Him” is The God, showing that Paul did not view Jesus as “God.” Or, KJV: of him are ye in Christ Jesus; WMS: you owe it all to Him through union with; WEY: thanks to Him.

67	Who became to us wisdom from God: Compare Revelation 5:12. [Proverbs 8:22ff] While the world with its god, Satan [2 Corinthians 4:4], has what it calls wisdom, to the Christian wisdom begins with Christ.

68

Righteousness and sanctification and a release by ransom: Paul lists four attributes to a Christian’s relationship with Christ: wisdom, righteousness [Romans 10:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21], sanctification [John 17:19; Hebrews 10:10], and redemption [or, ransom; Romans 3:24]. Compare Messiah’s attributes at Isaiah 11:1-4.

1CO1:31 This is just as it had been written: “The person who boasts, let him keep boasting in YHWH.” 69 [Jeremiah 9:24]

69	The person who boasts, let him keep boasting in YHWH: Paul quotes Jeremiah 9:24. In the Greek KYRIO [Lord] is without the article and this could indicate YHWH could go here as it is in the Hebrew Text of Jeremiah 9:24.

Review Questions on Chapter One

Summary of Chapter One

Paul introduces his theme for First Corinthians in verse 10 – Church Unity. He identifies the first problem in personality cults and then in worldly wisdom. Following humans rather than Christ will lead to disharmony within the Church. Allowing worldly wisdom into the Nazarene community will only result in disunity. Paul will expand on the matter of worldly wisdom in chapter 2.