Unlocking the Scripture Interpretation
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BIBL 360
Name: Amy A. Taylor
U
NLOCKING
T
HE
S
CRIPTURES
P
ROJECT
: I
NTERPRETATION
A. Who? (The Characters)
Description: Find out all you can about the author and the recipients, including their identities and situations. If specific people or groups are mentioned, now is the time to learn more about them. There are two characters central the letter; the author and the audience. There are also other characters listed in this passage that you will need to identify. You are not composing a detailed biography of their lives. You simply want to note what 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 says about them and how that fits with other Scriptural passages. Your “Who” section should have at least five (5 “Who” questions. The first two questions have been provided for you.
Question 1: Who is the author of 1 Corinthians?
Initial proposal based on content
: Paul is writing a letter to the church in Corinth based on concerns first from a letter from Chloe’s people and secondly by church members themselves.
Context:
I Corinthians 1:1 state that it is Paul who was called to be an author of God and he was sent by Jesus. Comparison:
Each of Paul’s epistles confirm that he is an apostle of God. Acts 9:15
he writes that he is God’s chosen instrument and representative to Non-Jews, Kings, and Jews. Romans 1:1
, states that Paul was a devoted slave on assignment and authorized apostle to proclaim God’s
word and acts. 2 Corinthians 1:1
, Paul was sent out on a special mission by Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:1-2
, Paul writes that his authority to write the church comes directly from Jesus Christ God the Father and that he is a apostle of God. In his other letters (
Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:1, Titus 1:1
) he gives his authorization to write
as an apostle of Jesus Christ and God. In 1 Corinthians 15:9-11
and Galatians 1:18-20
, Paul again share’s his commission with the church to becoming an apostle of Jesus Christ. Consultation:
The letter (1:1–2; 16:21) as well as church tradition acknowledges Paul as the author of 1 Corinthians. This affirmation generally has gone unchallenged.
1
Paul began this letter
in customary fashion, identifying himself (with Sosthenes) as the writer.
2
According to Acts 18, Paul lived in Corinth for 18 months and he started the church and was their pastor. 3
After he left Corinth, he arrived in Ephesus, and it was there on his third missionary journey that he wrote to the Corinthians after receiving a concerning letter from Chloe’s family. Conclusion: Paul, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, he was the author of 1 Corinthians.
Question 2: Who are the recipients of 1 Corinthians?
1
Dockery, David S., “The Pauline Letters,”
in Holman Concise Bible Commentary
, ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 552.
2 IBID, 553.
3 IBID, 553.
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Initial proposal based on content:
Paul is writing to the members of the church of Corinth who are believers whom God had set apart and called.
Context:
1 Corinthians 1:2, it states clearly who Paul identifies as the church of God at Corinth. In vs 10, he states specifically writing about the divisions and contentions amongst the members.
Comparison:
In 1 Corinthians, Paul states that there are divisions in the Corinthian church and verses 10-17
, speak on how human wisdom can divide the whole body of the church. Throughout all of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the concerns that Chloe’s family brought to him and a letter he received from other church members. Consultation:
Regarding the Corinthian church, they were converts who had come out of a sexual immoral, wealthy, intellectual and prideful city. They were an “multiethnic makeup of Greeks, Romans, and Jews and a mixture of social classes including rich, poor, and slave—made for a unique and troubled congregation.” 4
Regarding vs 18-31, they are identified as a church who: “Evidenced a wrong concept of wisdom, a wrong concept of the gospel, and a wrong concept of spirituality. It must be remembered that God’s wisdom is something that those “without the Spirit” cannot accept. 5
Conclusion:
While they were church members set aside by God, they were members who brought their previous worldly life into the church causing it to have problems and division. Question 3: Who is Chloe and her family?
Initial proposal based on content:
Chloe’s family is mentioned by name. What was her importance to the church in Corinth? Context
: 1 Corinthians 1:11
, Paul addresses that he received a letter from “the house of Chloe, Chloe’s family or people of Chloe depending on the version you read. Comparison:
There are no other verses in the Bible that speak of Chloe or her family.
Consultation:
The Holman Bible Dictionary says this about Chloe: “Personal name meaning “verdant.” A woman whose household members informed Paul of dissension within the church at
Corinth (1 Cor. 1:11). Where she lived and how her people learned of the situation in Corinth are not known. 6
Since there is little information about her and her family, it wasn’t crucial for Paul or any other author to mention more on her. 7
4
Dockery, David S. “The Pauline Letters,”
in Holman Concise Bible Commentary
, ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville,
TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 553.
5 IBID., 554.
6
Brand, Chad, et al., eds., “Chloe,”
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 284.
7
Soards, Marion L.. 2011.
1 Corinthians
. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. Accessed November 10, 2023. ProQuest Ebook Central. 35.
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Conclusion:
While Chloe’s letter played an import role into the writing of 1 Corinthians, more information on her or her family isn’t necessary to the truth that Paul wrote about. Question 4: Who are the philosophers of the world?
Initial proposal based on content
: The Greeks were most likely considered who Paul was address as the wise or philosophical ones. Context:
1 Corinthians 1:20 is where the first of the three questions Paul ask. In vs 22, he again addresses that the Greeks seek after human wisdom. Comparison:
Most of Paul’s letters were written to Greeks who were education in religion, philosophy, gods, traditions, and literature. 1 Corinthians 3:19
, Paul speaks about the wisdom of the world as foolishness, and he quotes Job 3:13b
that the Greeks listen to their own craftiness. Because philosophy is such a huge part of Corinthians lives, Paul many times uses philosopher’s quotes or teaching by contradicting them with the truth of what Scripture says (
Acts 17:16-34
). Colossians 2:8
, Paul warns the church to watch out for philosophers and people with vain talk who will try to sell you on the things of the world and not after Christ. Consultation:
Greek Philosophers in the New Testament are described as: “Greek thinkers called themselves philosophers (“lovers of wisdom”) centuries before the NT era. Rejecting the myths of their culture, philosophers examined the world by means of reason, not religion. 8
Conclusion
: The Greek’s loved the idea of human wisdom but were not interested in the true wisdom of Jesus Christ. Question 5: Who are the scholars/scribes of the world?
Initial proposal based on content:
The Jews were considered the wise when it came to religious
Mosaic Law. Context:
1 Corinthian 1:20, Paul asks the second question, where is the scribe (scholar)?
Comparison:
Isaiah 19:12,
Paul takes the context of Isaiah’s writing: Where are they? Where are the wise men? Again, in Isaiah 33:18
, Isaiah asks Where is the scribe? Paul used the same question that Isaiah used to have the Jewish leaders, the scribe, understand that he was referencing the Old Testament. Consultation:
The “scribe” (NIV = scholar) to designate Jewish experts in the law.
9
According to Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, describes this of a scribe: “A professional group of such scribes developed by NT times, most being Pharisees (
Mark 2:16
). They interpreted the law, 8
Cabal, Ted, “Philosophy in the New Testament,”
ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 1294.
9 Soards, Marion L
1 Corinthians
, Baker Books, 2011.
ProQuest Ebook Central
, 40.
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taught it to disciples, and were experts in cases where people were accused of breaking the law of Moses.” 10
Conclusion: The wise were most considered experts in Jewish Mosaic law. While they were experts in their law, they looked to the skies for miracles from Heaven to see who the Messiah is instead of opening their eyes to the Messiah that was in front of them. B. What? (The Key Truths or Events)
Description: This is the time to investigate important words and ideas in the passage. What is the tone of the passage - joy, sorrow, disappointment, delight? If it is an action passage, what do the main actions represent? What are the key truths, events, or relationships mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31? Explore these first as they appear in this passage and then throughout Scripture. You should identify at least five (5) “what” questions. The first two have been provided for you.
Question 1: What is meant by the word “foolishness” in these verses?
Initial proposal based on content
: Fool or foolishness was mentioned five times in this passage. What is the significance?
Context:
The first mention of the word foolishness is found in verse 18 (The message of the cross is foolish)
. Second mention is in verse 20 (God made the wisdom of this world look foolish.)
Third mention is in verse 21 (he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe).
Fourth mention is in verse 25 (this foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans) and the last mention is in verse 27 (God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise).
Comparison:
The first mention of the word foolish found in verse 18, Paul reiterates it again in 1 Corinthians 2:14.
The second mention of the word foolish found in verse 20 describes the philosopher, wise and debaters of the world as found in Romans 1:22 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” In verse 25, Paul references
Isaiah 55:8-
9 “
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Lastly in verse 27 God chose things the world wouldn’t consider of value. He used men and woman who the world discarded to bring the true wisdom of Jesus Christ to the world. In Acts 4:13-14
, Peter and John were perceived as uneducated, common men. In Exodus 4:10
, Moses is described himself as a man of no eloquence
and slow in word and tongue. God used Philip, Cornelius, Andrew, Paul, and Rahab just to name a few ordinary people who did extraordinary things.
10
Brand, Chad et al., eds., “Scribe,”
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers,
2003), 1452.
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Consultation:
“In 1 Cor. 1–3 the incarnation is portrayed as “foolishness,” but it is precisely this
kind of perceived “foolishness” which is better than worldly wisdom. Our understanding of this paradoxical relationship affects the manner in which Christ is proclaimed (1 Cor. 1:18–2:5). We must rely on God’s gift and power of proclamation not on human powers and wisdom.” 11
Foolishness appears in the Bible 360 times throughout the Old and New Testament. Foolishness describes a person who does not possess wisdom. They are thoughtless, self-centered, and obviously indifferent to God. Their wisdom is based only on human intellect and experiences without considering God. 12
Conclusion:
The foolishness described in these five verses; Paul uses them to clearly state Old Testament usages of the meaning of the word. Foolishness of this world is what blinds people from seeing the true message of the cross.
Question 2: What is meant by the word “stumbling block” in these verses?
Initial proposal based on content:
Jesus Christ is the reference of a “stumbling block.”
Context:
In Verse 23, Paul states: “But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” Comparison:
In 1 Corinthians 10:4
, Christ is named the Rock. 1 Peter 2:8
says: “And, He is the
stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.” Paul uses this verse referencing Genesis 49:24 and Isaiah 8:14
. Consultation:
The New Scofield Reference Edition Bible
states that a stone of stumbling as
Christ crucified is the Rock who was:
(1) Smitten that the Spirit of life may flow from Him to all who will drink Exodus
17:6
; 1 Corinthians 10:4
; John 4:13
; John 4:14
; John 7:37-39
.
(2) To the church the foundation and chief corner Stone Ephesians 2:20
.
(3) To the Jews at His first coming a "stumbling stone" Romans 9:32
; Romans 9:33
; 1 Corinthians 1:23
.
(4) to Israel at His second coming the "headstone of the corner" Zechariah 4:7
.
(5) To the Gentile world-power the smiting "stone cut out without hands" Daniel 2:34
.
11
Craig, Kenneth, “Fool, Foolishness, and Folly,”
ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 591.
12 IBID, 590.
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(6) In the divine purpose the Stone which, after the destruction of Gentile world- power, is to grow and fill the earth.
(7) To unbelievers the crushing Stone of judgment. Matthew 21:44
13
Conclusion
: The crucifixion of Jesus Christ for the Jews, He was a stumbling block as described
in the Old Testament. For the Gentiles, the crucifixion was pure foolishness. Question 3: What is the meaning of Wisdom?
Initial proposal based on content:
Jesus Christ is the definition of true wisdom.
Context:
In verse 30, “it is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus- who has become for us wisdom from God…”
Comparison:
In 1 Corinthian 2:4-7,
Paul describes wisdom as the revelation of divine will to humans (which God ordained before the world began. Colossians 2:3
states “In WHOM are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Proverbs 8
- Solomon writes of Wisdom in the chapter on the future Messiah, Jesus Christ. Consultation:
The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology describes the wisdom in verse 24 and 30 as: “The distinctive element in NT wisdom is its identification of Jesus Christ as God’s wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24), who becomes the ultimate source of all the Christian’s wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30).” 14
Conclusion:
From the Old Testament description of the predestination of Jesus Christ to birth of Jesus Christ, He grew in wisdom and is the Wisdom of God.
Question 4: What is the meaning of Justification?
Initial proposal based on content:
Justification is righteousness made through Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Context:
In verse 30, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God- that is, our righteousness (justification)…..”
13
Oxford University Press. 1980. The New Scofield Reference Bible
. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 1333.
14
Kantzer, Kenneth S., “Wisdom,”
ed. Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 940.
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Comparison:
Romans 3:21-4-25,5:1-21
are verses that describe justification, justification as a universal remedy, justification through faith, justification is apart from ordinances, justification is
apart from the law, results of justification, and justification compared and contrasted with condemnation. Specifically verses
24-25
Jesus and is victory over death for our sins has made us right with God. They state: “But also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Consultation:
The New Scofield Reference Edition Bible
says that “
Christ died under our sins
1 Peter 2:24
;
2 Corinthians 5:21
that He was raised and exalted to God's right hand, "now to appear
in the presence of God for us"
Hebrews 9:24
is the token that our sins are gone, that His work for
us has the divine approbation and that we, for whom He suffered, are completely justified.” 15
Christ is described as righteousness in the Evangeical Dictionary of Theology as “Christ is the God-man, his righteousness is infinitely valuable, affording salvation for all who believe. Imputed righteousness (justification): Justification is that step in salvation in which God declares
the believer righteous.” 16
Conclusion:
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he has made us right with God and fit for God. Question 5: What is the meaning of Sanctification? Initial proposal based on content
: Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we are made holy.
Context
: Verse 30- “it is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God- that is our righteousness, holiness (sanctification)….”
Comparison:
In Romans 6-8,
these chapters describe sanctification through union with Christ in His death and resurrection. Hebrews 2:10-11
, Paul says that through justification, we have been sanctified (holy) and are now part of Jesus’ family (His brothers and sisters). Hebrews 10:10
says
that we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ. John 10:36, 17:10
, Jesus was sanctified, being set apart, to complete the tasks of God. Consultation:
Sanctification is defined as: “To make holy. The Hebrew (qdš) and Greek (hagias-) roots are applied to any person, place, occasion, or object “set apart” from common, secular use to some divine power.” 17
Justification and sanctification go hand in hand. “In justification, God at the beginning of Christian life declares us acquitted. In sanctification, God 15 Oxford University Press. 1980. The New Scofield Reference Bible
. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 1216.
16
Diehl, David W., “Righteousness,”
ed. Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 756.
17
White, Reginald E. O., “Sanctification,”
ed. Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 770.
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accomplishes his will in us as Christian life proceeds. Sanctification never replaces justification.”
18
Conclusion:
It is through justification-the redemption of Jesus Christ that we have been sanctified- made holy and set apart- for the work of Jesus Christ throughout the world. C. Where? (The Geography and location)
Description: Where are the author and readers at the time of the writing? Are there places in the passage that need to be identified in geographic placement? Can anything be learned from the location of the events? Explore these places as they appear in this passage before considering their significance outside of 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. You should identify at least two (2) “where” question.
Question 1: What are the attributes of Corinth?
Initial proposal based on content:
The city and lifestyle of Corinth had a lasting effect on the member of the church of Corinth.
Context:
I Corinthians 1:2 “
To the church of God
in Corinth,
to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called
to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours….”
Comparison:
Acts 18
, Paul founded the church of Corinth. During his 18 months in Corinth, Paul taught the people the word of God. Consultation:
“Corinth was a city of commerce, diversity, and division. Corinth was located on an isthmus and had two harbors- one on the Adriatic Sea and the other located on the Aegean Sea. It was a destination place for ships full of cargo and people. It was an important commercial
center which made it popular and a destination city. It was a prosperous city. “Corinth had a reputation for pleasure and vice, especially in the area of sexuality. The Temple of Aphrodite’s housed over 1000 prostitutes that were used in worship. Corinth was home to many gods and many temples were dedicated to these gods. The people of Corinth were often prideful, seeking honor and recognition, and they liked to brag about themselves.” 19
Conclusion:
The problems of the church members of Corinth are no different than the problems that many people face today. Question 2: Where was Paul when he wrote the letter to the Corinthians?
18
White, Reginald E. O., “Sanctification,”
ed. Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 771.
19 McClendon, Adam, and Cartwright, John. 2022.
Approaching the New Testament : A Guide for Students
. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group. Accessed November 13, 2023. ProQuest Ebook Central, 141-144.
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Initial proposal based on content:
Paul was not in Corinth when he wrote this letter to the church, he was in Ephesus. Context
: 1 Corinthians 16:8, Paul confirms that he is in Ephesus when he wrote the letter. He writes: “But I will stay on at Ephesus until the Pentecost.” Comparison:
1 Corinthians 16:8
, Paul confirms that he is in Ephesus when he wrote the letter. He writes: “But I will stay on at Ephesus until the Pentecost.” Consultation:
“
Paul sailed east and came to Ephesus, visiting there before launching out on a tour of the larger region of Asia Minor. Paul brought his travels to a conclusion by returning to Ephesus, where he lived and worked for a period of twenty-seven months. While in residence at Ephesus, Paul exchanged a series of letters with the members of the church in Corinth.” 20
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary goes into further detail on where and why Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “During Paul’s Ephesian ministry a series of disturbing events took place relative to Corinth: (1) A party spirit arose in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:12–13; 3:3–4). (2) A series of reports came to Paul, some by those of Chloe (1 Cor. 1:11). These reports included attacks upon Paul (1 Cor. 2:1–10) and problems of immorality (1 Cor. 5:1). (3) Paul wrote a letter warning against fellowship with sexually immoral people (1 Cor. 5:9). This letter is lost unless a portion of it remains in 2 Cor. 6:14–7:1. (4) The Corinthians wrote to Paul (1 Cor. 7:1) asking about certain problems concerning marriage, fornication, and disorders in public worship. (5) A delegation came from Corinth (Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus) with news from Corinth (1 Cor. 16:17). (6) Apollos quit his work in Corinth and returned to Ephesus. Even under Paul’s urging, he refused to go back to Corinth (1 Cor. 16:12). (7) Paul sent Timothy to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17) in an effort to heal the problems. Timothy probably went by way of Macedonia (Acts 19:22; 1 Cor. 16). (8) Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:8), expecting them to receive the letter
before the arrival of Timothy (1 Cor. 16:10).” 21
Conclusion:
While we don’t know why Paul decided to leave Corinthian church, we can confirm
that he wrote several letters to the church while in Ephesus. D. When? (The Time Factors)
Description: Determine if there is anything critical related to the element of time in this passage. Does the message depend at all on certain aspects of the era in the church’s history in which it was written? Are there lessons to be learned based on the timing of the events? How is this presented first in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and then throughout the Scriptures. You should identify at least one (1) “when” question.
Question 1: When was the first letter to the Corinthians written?
Initial proposal based on content:
The letter recorded in 1 Corinthians was written between the
years 53-55 AD. 20 Soards, Marion L..
1 Corinthians
, Baker Books, 2011.
ProQuest Ebook Central
, 14.
21 Glaze, R.E., “Corinthians, First Letter to The,”
ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 346.
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Context:
There is no direct mention of a year when this letter was written. Scholars believe that the letter was written somewhere between 53-55 AD based on Acts: 18:1-17 and 1 Corinthians 16:8 where Paul informs the Corinthians that he is staying in Ephesus. Comparison:
Acts 18:1-17, 1 Corinthians 16:8
Consultation:
The Bible Knowledge Commentary states that “While Apollos was ministering in Corinth (Acts 19:1), Paul returned to Ephesus on his third missionary journey in the fall of a.d. 53 for a period of about two and one-half years (Acts 19). It was probably during the early part of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus that he wrote the letter mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:9, a letter misunderstood by the Corinthians (5:10–11) and later lost.” 22
In AD 54, Nero, at the age of 17, had taken over as princeps (
emperor
) of the Roman Empire. While the years that it is possible Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians, Nero was just a teenager; It was during his reign (AD 64-68), that the persecution of the church and martyrdom reigned. Paul was executed by the Roman Empire and Nero around 64 AD during the horrific persecution of Christians. 23
Conclusion: While we don’t know the exact date of the letter that was recorded in 1 Corinthians,
we can know that it was written sometime during Paul’s stay in Ephesus between 53-55 AD. E. Why? (The purpose of this passage)
Description: The purpose question is two-sided: there is the need that caused the revelation to be given, and there is the author’s message that addressed that need. Here you are drawing conclusion based on all that you have studied. Examine your work in observation and this interpretation exercise; what do you believe is the need of the Corinthian believers and then what
is Paul’s message and how does it address that need? The Need:
The need of the Corinthian church is for them to understand that division should not be present in the church. Paul addresses each of these divisions all throughout the letter.
The Message:
The message is clear as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
For we were all baptized by
one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—
and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” It is through Wisdom, Jesus Christ and his justification (death on the cross) and resurrection that we can have been sanctified and have been
redeemed. For those that accept Wisdom, we are all one, who God personally called to be His hands, feet, and voice to the world. 22
Lowery, David K., “1 Corinthians,”
in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
, ed. J.
F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 506
.
23
Poulton, Gary, “Nero,”
ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible
Publishers, 2003), 1186
.
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