Wisdom in Christ is Giving Glory to God

Corinthians 1:1-31


Wisdom in Christ is Giving Glory to God

Paul is addressing the Corinthian church that was eagerly using the gifts that God was giving them and he also encouraged them to continue in those gifts but made it clear that God is faithful in each of their callings (Verse 9).

In the midst of the early church there was continual growth in the leadership. As deeper development in Christ was learned the more influence leaders had on the congregants. Paul new that they were being enriched in everything by Him (Jesus) in all utterance and all knowledge. A problem can occur in a church with multiple pastors that are all well gifted in teaching. One pastor might be extremely intellectual while another is very animated and each is gifted in addressing people with passion and zeal. What happens in the congregants minds is they begin to have their favorites and might even lobby for leadership change. This problem was happening in the Corinthian church and Paul wanted to put a stop to the misguided hearts of the people. The ultimate emphasis needs to be on Jesus and the moving of His Spirit among the people’s hearts.

There must always be biblical structure in the church leaders but they are all under shepherds in comparison to the Chief Shepherd Jesus.

“(1) The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: (2) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; (3) nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; (4) and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)


“(23) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (24a) Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ,” (Ephesians 5:23-24a)


“(22) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

Now as Paul continues he never directly uses names of Pastors but he does begin to give proper perspective on the wisdom of men. The Corinthian church was putting so much emphasis on godly gifted men, including Paul, but he puts man’s wisdom in parallel to God’s wisdom.

If God could ever be foolish or possess weakness, He would still be infinitely wiser and stronger than man. In God’s wise and strong attributes He is able to take foolish and weak men and do his perfect work. Notice that Paul didn’t strictly exclude people that by man’s standards possess wisdom, mightiness, or are of nobility. For the most part God is more glorified when he uses the men and women that have come from humble and dark beginnings.

Of course our prime example of this is when Jesus was choosing his twelve disciples. They came from many different backgrounds, from lowly fishermen, to a skilled doctor, to a despised tax collector. Continually through the Gospels we see the many fumblings and bumblings of the Apostles but through Christ each one made their eternal mark on mankind.

It is only through Christ that wisdom is found. King Solomon rightly asked for wisdom above all things and there was none like Solomon in wisdom. Unfortunately Solomon took the wisdom and brought glory to himself which was his down fall. God can take the most ordinary person and do the most extraordinary things through them. I think you are qualified for God’s miraculous work if you feel inadequate.

“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:24)