Paul emphasizes again that his approach to teaching did not involve polished and clever speech. He didn’t consider his personal words to be of superior (or also translated "prominent") wisdom. In other words, he wasn’t grandstanding or making a big deal of himself while sharing truth with the Corinthians.(Verse 1) He distilled his entire philosophy down to the basics of who Christ is and what his crucifixion means.(Verse 2) He wasn’t some invincible, perfect preacher, either. While with the Corinthians, he was weak (and the Greek word here implies physical sickness or impairment) and scared. His message was convincing not because he was a skilled debater, but because God was working through him. (Verse 4) He allowed himself to look small, and weak so that the people he taught would never put their trust in him instead of in God. (Verse 5)
Paul was not, however, opposed to wisdom and teaching wisdom. Although he gives "wisdom" a back seat in verses 1, 4 and 5, the Greek word used for wisdom here, Sophia, can mean either wisdom from God, or faulty so-called wisdom created by humans. So context is key when we look at this word.
Paul didn’t just use the polished debate associated with human wisdom. He didn’t use charismatic speaking techniques to manipulate his audience. He just presented truth while living among them, letting all of his weaknesses show.
Paul did teach wisdom to those who were "mature". This probably referred to believers who had grown enough in their relationship with God and knowledge of scripture to understand what Paul taught.
Paul says that he speak God’s wisdom "in a mystery". This is the Greek word "Musterion" and refers here to "something hidden or secret which is naturally unknown to human reason and is only known by the revelation of God." (Spiros Zodhiates’ Lexicon To The New Testament) For us to come to an understanding and acceptance of the truth about God, God has to reveal the truth to us individually. I don’t mean that he gives us a warm fuzzy inside when we’re hearing the truth. (Good luck using THAT as a "truth-meter" in life!) He may do it through a number of methods, people, books or experiences. But it has to start with his action, bringing those thoughts, people and circumstances about, and giving us a desire for truth. We may experience it as a choice we make, or something we initiate. But at the same time, in some invisible, unknowable way, it all starts with him.
As we look at more scripture, we’ll see this idea of God’s "initiation" pop up again and again. We can see it implied here in verse 7 when Paul refers to the "hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory". God’s plan, since before he created the world, has been to reveal truth to people and for them to be transformed forever by it.
Not everyone will be transformed by the truth. It is specifically targeted at "those who love God." (Verse 9, adapting a quote from Isaiah 64:4 and 65:17, using the Greek translation of the Hebrew text, resulting in a different read from the original.)
So you might ask at this point, "If God initiates our understanding, and therefore our love for him, how does he use our love of him as the basis for initiating our understanding and eventual love of him? Where does our choice and responsibility granted with free will intersect with God’s absolute control?"
Let me be the first to welcome you into one of the greatest and most complex topics of Biblical and philosophical study! (Or in other words, good question!)
We’ll probably end up touching on this mystery now and then, but since it is a topic best covered using a variety of scriptural sources, we won’t be able to tackle it with much force using our "chapter by chapter" format. However, if you’d like to read more on this topic, please shoot me an e-mail. Over the years I’ve fallen on different sides of this issue and am currently reading yet another book that I hope will give me some more insight. It’s a mind-bender, but a fascinating mystery to probe at!
Next week- Spiritual thoughts, spiritual words and spiritual people. What does it all really mean?
Coffee House Question-
How important is it to you to have a preacher that speaks well and holds your attention with his level of infection and energy? How important is it to you to have a preacher teach from the Bible, as opposed to topical, yet scripture-based sermons?
Both of these things are important to me, but I admit that an intensely charismatic preacher can be distracting. I used to refer to our old church as "the Show". Balance in all things, eh?
ReplyDeleteI've found that to be the case as well. And I agree that it's awesome when you can find a preacher that makes good use of both!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Paeter