Shameful Cross vs. Proud Eloquence: 1 Corinthians 1:13–17, Part 3

>> This is our third session on 1 >> This is our third session on 1 Corinthians 1:13-17. Corinthians 1:13-17. Corinthians 1:13-17. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? for you? for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? That's going to consume him now. That's going to consume him now. That's going to consume him now. Give the focus for the rest of the text. Give the focus for the rest of the text. Give the focus for the rest of the text. I thank God that I baptized none of you I thank God that I baptized none of you I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say you were baptized into my name. may say you were baptized into my name. may say you were baptized into my name. So, he's trying to discourage So, he's trying to discourage So, he's trying to discourage any exaltation of the preacher any exaltation of the preacher any exaltation of the preacher instead of the Christ. instead of the Christ. instead of the Christ. The message, the gospel, the focus on The message, the gospel, the focus on The message, the gospel, the focus on Christ crucified. Christ crucified. Christ crucified. Well, I did baptize also the household Well, I did baptize also the household Well, I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. So, that whether I baptized anyone else. So, that whether I baptized anyone else. So, that statement right there statement right there statement right there is is is I did not put a priority on being the I did not put a priority on being the I did not put a priority on being the one who does the baptizing. one who does the baptizing. one who does the baptizing. I baptized very few of you, and my I baptized very few of you, and my I baptized very few of you, and my passion was that Christ would get the passion was that Christ would get the passion was that Christ would get the honor, not me. And so, I'm very very honor, not me. And so, I'm very very honor, not me. And so, I'm very very thankful that I did not become known as thankful that I did not become known as thankful that I did not become known as the baptizing apostle.

Father, as we took as we look now at Father, as we took as we look now at this ground clause here, this ground clause here, this ground clause here, for Christ did not send me to baptize, for Christ did not send me to baptize, for Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, and not with but to preach the gospel, and not with but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Oh, of Christ be emptied of its power. Oh, of Christ be emptied of its power. Oh, grant, Father, grant, Father, grant, Father, that we would know what this is here that we would know what this is here that we would know what this is here that we shouldn't do, that we shouldn't do, that we shouldn't do, and how it is that Christ, by being and how it is that Christ, by being and how it is that Christ, by being crucified, crucified, crucified, is a powerful worker worker in salvation. in salvation. in salvation. Show us these things, I pray, in Jesus' Show us these things, I pray, in Jesus' Show us these things, I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. name. Amen. name. Amen. I didn't mean to have power twice there. I didn't mean to have power twice there. I didn't mean to have power twice there. I'll just cancel that out. I'll just cancel that out. I'll just cancel that out. For Christ did not send me to baptize. For Christ did not send me to baptize. For Christ did not send me to baptize. So, his his reason for playing down his So, his his reason for playing down his So, his his reason for playing down his role in being the baptizer role in being the baptizer role in being the baptizer is that Christ didn't send him to do is that Christ didn't send him to do is that Christ didn't send him to do that.

that. that. Now, that doesn't mean Don't jump to Now, that doesn't mean Don't jump to Now, that doesn't mean Don't jump to this conclusion. Whoa, whoa. Wait a this conclusion. Whoa, whoa. Wait a this conclusion. Whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. Jesus said, "Go therefore and minute. Jesus said, "Go therefore and minute. Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing make disciples of all nations, baptizing make disciples of all nations, baptizing them." And Paul is saying he wasn't sent them." And Paul is saying he wasn't sent them." And Paul is saying he wasn't sent to baptize. to baptize. to baptize. He doesn't mean that he's contradicting He doesn't mean that he's contradicting He doesn't mean that he's contradicting the mission of Jesus. He meant the mission of Jesus. He meant the mission of Jesus. He meant He didn't send me to be to make sure He didn't send me to be to make sure He didn't send me to be to make sure that I am the one who does the that I am the one who does the that I am the one who does the baptizing. Of course, all believers are baptizing. Of course, all believers are baptizing. Of course, all believers are going to be baptized. You can see that going to be baptized. You can see that going to be baptized. You can see that in 1 Corinthians 12. in 1 Corinthians 12. in 1 Corinthians 12. In one spirit we were all baptized into In one spirit we were all baptized into In one spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of one free, and all were made to drink of one free, and all were made to drink of one spirit. There's no question that Paul spirit. There's no question that Paul spirit. There's no question that Paul loved and believed in and sought to it loved and believed in and sought to it loved and believed in and sought to it that baptism was carried out. that baptism was carried out. that baptism was carried out. He's just saying here, Christ didn't He's just saying here, Christ didn't He's just saying here, Christ didn't say, "That's your job, fella. Make sure say, "That's your job, fella. Make sure say, "That's your job, fella. Make sure you're the one who goes into the water you're the one who goes into the water you're the one who goes into the water and and and buries them and raises them." He didn't.

Christ did not send me to baptize, but Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel. And then he says And then he says And this is this is a major shift right And this is this is a major shift right And this is this is a major shift right here. here. here. And everything else for four chapters, And everything else for four chapters, And everything else for four chapters, four four four chapters chapters chapters is is is this focus. He He didn't send me to to this focus. He He didn't send me to to this focus. He He didn't send me to to preach the gospel with preach the gospel with preach the gospel with words of eloquent wisdom. words of eloquent wisdom. words of eloquent wisdom. Now, here's here's the simple Greek. Now, here's here's the simple Greek. Now, here's here's the simple Greek. In wisdom of word. Now, is that a good In wisdom of word. Now, is that a good In wisdom of word. Now, is that a good translation? Words of eloquent wisdom. translation? Words of eloquent wisdom. translation? Words of eloquent wisdom. Even though the Greek is simply Even though the Greek is simply Even though the Greek is simply word word word wis- in wisdom of word. Yes, it is. And wis- in wisdom of word. Yes, it is. And wis- in wisdom of word. Yes, it is. And you can see that here in chapter 2. When I came to you, brothers, I did not When I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of come proclaiming to you the testimony of come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. And God with lofty speech or wisdom. And God with lofty speech or wisdom. And here the idea of lofty or eloquent words here the idea of lofty or eloquent words here the idea of lofty or eloquent words is explicit in the Greek with that word is explicit in the Greek with that word is explicit in the Greek with that word right there, exalted or superior or right there, exalted or superior or right there, exalted or superior or lofty lofty lofty word of wisdom.

word of wisdom. word of wisdom. Keep going. For I decided to know Keep going. For I decided to know Keep going. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ nothing among you except Jesus Christ nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in and him crucified. And I was with you in and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling weakness and in fear and much trembling weakness and in fear and much trembling and my speech and my message were not in and my speech and my message were not in and my speech and my message were not in persuasive words of wisdom. Persuasive persuasive words of wisdom. Persuasive persuasive words of wisdom. Persuasive words of wisdom. So, the idea of words of wisdom. So, the idea of words of wisdom. So, the idea of loftiness here and persuasiveness here loftiness here and persuasiveness here loftiness here and persuasiveness here by virtue of being oratorically by virtue of being oratorically by virtue of being oratorically effective. effective. effective. That's what he has in mind when he says That's what he has in mind when he says That's what he has in mind when he says here, and it's a good translation, here, and it's a good translation, here, and it's a good translation, wisdom of word. I didn't come preaching wisdom of word. I didn't come preaching wisdom of word. I didn't come preaching the gospel. I wasn't sent to preach the the gospel. I wasn't sent to preach the the gospel. I wasn't sent to preach the gospel with words of eloquent wisdom. gospel with words of eloquent wisdom. gospel with words of eloquent wisdom. That's going to be the issue for four That's going to be the issue for four That's going to be the issue for four chapters. chapters. chapters. And that's a shift here, and he's And that's a shift here, and he's And that's a shift here, and he's getting at the idea that really behind getting at the idea that really behind getting at the idea that really behind this issue of were you baptized in the this issue of were you baptized in the this issue of were you baptized in the name of Paul? name of Paul? name of Paul? Were you baptized in the name of Cephas Were you baptized in the name of Cephas Were you baptized in the name of Cephas or Apollos? Behind that issue or Apollos? Behind that issue or Apollos? Behind that issue is a is a is a a kind of boasting and pride a kind of boasting and pride a kind of boasting and pride that looks for a kind of wisdom that's that looks for a kind of wisdom that's that looks for a kind of wisdom that's worldly, a kind of philosophical worldly, a kind of philosophical worldly, a kind of philosophical impressiveness, and a kind of impressiveness, and a kind of impressiveness, and a kind of eloquence eloquence eloquence that was common in that was common in that was common in Corinth and Athens at the time, the Corinth and Athens at the time, the Corinth and Athens at the time, the Greek eloquence and oratory and the Greek eloquence and oratory and the Greek eloquence and oratory and the wisdom and the philosophy.

wisdom and the philosophy. wisdom and the philosophy. And he's saying, "That's not what I came And he's saying, "That's not what I came And he's saying, "That's not what I came to do." to do." to do." And he's going to dwell on that for four And he's going to dwell on that for four And he's going to dwell on that for four chapters, and here's the reason. chapters, and here's the reason. chapters, and here's the reason. Lest Lest Lest which means so that which means so that which means so that this would not happen. this would not happen. this would not happen. So that not So that not So that not the cross of Christ be emptied of its the cross of Christ be emptied of its the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. power. power. And there's going to be a lot to be said And there's going to be a lot to be said And there's going to be a lot to be said on on on why is the cross of Christ emptied of power if you come of Christ emptied of power if you come with eloquent wisdom. with eloquent wisdom. with eloquent wisdom. Words of eloquent wisdom. Here's the Words of eloquent wisdom. Here's the Words of eloquent wisdom. Here's the reason, and we'll see it over and over reason, and we'll see it over and over reason, and we'll see it over and over again in the next chapters. again in the next chapters. again in the next chapters. This appeals This appeals This appeals to human pride. to human pride. to human pride. I want to look like a better orator. I I want to look like a better orator. I I want to look like a better orator. I want to look like a more impressive want to look like a more impressive want to look like a more impressive philosopher.

philosopher. philosopher. The worldly wisdom The worldly wisdom The worldly wisdom and the eloquent of the tongue draws and the eloquent of the tongue draws and the eloquent of the tongue draws attention to the exaltation of the attention to the exaltation of the attention to the exaltation of the speaker. speaker. speaker. The cross, on the other hand, was in the The cross, on the other hand, was in the The cross, on the other hand, was in the Greek and Roman world absolutely Greek and Roman world absolutely Greek and Roman world absolutely shameful and despicable. It is shameful and despicable. It is shameful and despicable. It is unthinkable. We're going to see this in unthinkable. We're going to see this in unthinkable. We're going to see this in chapter two. Absolutely unthinkable chapter two. Absolutely unthinkable chapter two. Absolutely unthinkable that a king or a Messiah or anybody you that a king or a Messiah or anybody you that a king or a Messiah or anybody you would admire worship, could be would admire worship, could be would admire worship, could be crucified. No way. And that's what he came preaching. And that's what he came preaching. Utterly nullifying Utterly nullifying Utterly nullifying everything in which men may boast. everything in which men may boast. everything in which men may boast. The cross has its power The cross has its power The cross has its power by crucifying pride. It has to overcome and defeat It has to overcome and defeat the old sinful nature that is the old sinful nature that is the old sinful nature that is self-reliant.

self-reliant. self-reliant. Christ, in dying for our sins in the Christ, in dying for our sins in the Christ, in dying for our sins in the most shameful way, becoming as it were a most shameful way, becoming as it were a most shameful way, becoming as it were a nobody and a nothing, nobody and a nothing, nobody and a nothing, breaks the power breaks the power breaks the power of of of pride. pride. pride. Now, that Now, that Now, that is going to occupy us for four chapters. is going to occupy us for four chapters. is going to occupy us for four chapters. Let me just show that quickly. Let me just show that quickly. Let me just show that quickly. Here's 1:22, Here's 1:22, Here's 1:22, chapter 1. chapter 1. chapter 1. The Jews demand signs, Greeks seek The Jews demand signs, Greeks seek The Jews demand signs, Greeks seek wisdom. wisdom. wisdom. That's that worldly wisdom. That's that worldly wisdom. That's that worldly wisdom. We preach Christ We preach Christ We preach Christ shamefully, horribly crucified, a shamefully, horribly crucified, a shamefully, horribly crucified, a stumbling block indeed to Jews, stumbling block indeed to Jews, stumbling block indeed to Jews, foolishness and folly to Gentiles foolishness and folly to Gentiles foolishness and folly to Gentiles indeed, but to those who are called, indeed, but to those who are called, indeed, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks, power of God. Jews and Greeks, power of God. Jews and Greeks, power of God. This crucifixion is the power of God. This crucifixion is the power of God. This crucifixion is the power of God. That's what we saw here in this word That's what we saw here in this word That's what we saw here in this word power. power. power. The cross will be emptied of its power. The cross will be emptied of its power. The cross will be emptied of its power. It's the power of God and the wisdom of It's the power of God and the wisdom of It's the power of God and the wisdom of God. God. God. For fool For the foolishness of God is For fool For the foolishness of God is For fool For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God wiser than men, and the weakness of God wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Or here it is is stronger than men. Or here it is is stronger than men. Or here it is again in in 2:6, again in in 2:6, again in in 2:6, yet among the mature, we do impart a yet among the mature, we do impart a yet among the mature, we do impart a wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age this age this age or the ruler for the or the or of the or the ruler for the or the or of the or the ruler for the or the or of the rulers of this age, rulers of this age, rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away, but we who are doomed to pass away, but we who are doomed to pass away, but we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of impart a secret and hidden wisdom of impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which is decreed the ages for our God, which is decreed the ages for our God, which is decreed the ages for our glory. So, there's a difference between glory. So, there's a difference between glory. So, there's a difference between the wisdom of this age and the true the wisdom of this age and the true the wisdom of this age and the true wisdom of God.

wisdom of God. wisdom of God. Here it is in 3 18. Let no one deceive Here it is in 3 18. Let no one deceive Here it is in 3 18. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he's himself. If anyone among you thinks he's himself. If anyone among you thinks he's wise in this age, wise in this age, wise in this age, let him become a fool let him become a fool let him become a fool that he may become wise. that he may become wise. that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly For the wisdom of this world is folly For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. with God. with God. For it is written, he catches the wise For it is written, he catches the wise For it is written, he catches the wise in their craftiness. And again, the Lord in their craftiness. And again, the Lord in their craftiness. And again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise that they knows the thoughts of the wise that they knows the thoughts of the wise that they are futile. One more. are futile. One more. are futile. One more. Chapter 4. So, we're all the way into Chapter 4. So, we're all the way into Chapter 4. So, we're all the way into chapter 4 and the issue is still the chapter 4 and the issue is still the chapter 4 and the issue is still the same. same. same. I think that God has exhibited us I think that God has exhibited us I think that God has exhibited us apostles as the least apostles as the least apostles as the least of all. of all. of all. Like men sentenced to death. Like men sentenced to death. Like men sentenced to death. Like a a crucified savior, they led a Like a a crucified savior, they led a Like a a crucified savior, they led a crucified life. crucified life. crucified life. Because we have become a spectacle Because we have become a spectacle Because we have become a spectacle to the world. Like to the world. Like to the world. Like a naked a naked a naked crucified crucified crucified Messiah. Messiah. Messiah. To angels and to men, we are fools To angels and to men, we are fools To angels and to men, we are fools [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] for Christ's sake. But you are wise in for Christ's sake. But you are wise in for Christ's sake. But you are wise in Christ. This is irony. We are weak, but Christ. This is irony. We are weak, but Christ. This is irony. We are weak, but you are strong.

you are strong. you are strong. You are held in honor. You are held in honor. You are held in honor. We are in disrepute. We are in disrepute. We are in disrepute. So, So, So, he has moved he has moved he has moved from from from were you baptized into the name of Paul? were you baptized into the name of Paul? were you baptized into the name of Paul? And then dealing with that all the way And then dealing with that all the way And then dealing with that all the way to the end of verse 17, to the end of verse 17, to the end of verse 17, only here only here only here he makes a shift. he makes a shift. he makes a shift. Sets up the theme for the entire Sets up the theme for the entire Sets up the theme for the entire four chapters to come four chapters to come four chapters to come in awakening us to the issue of in awakening us to the issue of in awakening us to the issue of shameful crucifixion shameful crucifixion shameful crucifixion versus versus versus proud eloquent proud eloquent proud eloquent philosophical philosophical philosophical Greek wisdom. Greek wisdom. Greek wisdom. And he he does that And he he does that And he he does that here and thus shows what's really behind here and thus shows what's really behind here and thus shows what's really behind this issue here of division. this issue here of division. this issue here of division. Is Christ divided?

Is Christ divided? Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Was Paul crucified for you? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? The issue The issue The issue I wasn't sent to baptize. I wasn't sent to baptize. I wasn't sent to baptize. I was sent I was sent I was sent to proclaim a gospel and at the heart of to proclaim a gospel and at the heart of to proclaim a gospel and at the heart of this gospel is a crucified this gospel is a crucified this gospel is a crucified Messiah Messiah Messiah which destroys all the boasting behind I am of Paul. I am of Paul. I am of Apollos. I am of Apollos. I am of Apollos. I am of Cephas. I am of Cephas. I am of Cephas. And so he cuts out from under And so he cuts out from under And so he cuts out from under the Corinthian boast the Corinthian boast the Corinthian boast their pride their pride their pride by focusing on by focusing on by focusing on the shame of the cross over against the shame of the cross over against the shame of the cross over against the oratory the oratory the oratory and the philosophical wisdom that they and the philosophical wisdom that they and the philosophical wisdom that they were so prone to boast in. were so prone to boast in. were so prone to boast in. And he deals with it now for four And he deals with it now for four And he deals with it now for four chapters.