God chose (1:27-28)

• Foolish. Criminal raised to become Savior• Weak. Apostles are ‘unqualified’• Base. Low born; from no one in particular• Despised. Of no account. Ac.4:11• Things that are not. As good as nothing; of

no value. E.g.: baptism; Lord’s supper

Paul’s Corinthian audience (2:1-4)• Jews wanted a sign (1:22), a Messiah to

restore their glorious kingdom–Paul preaches – • The Messiah has already come• He was crucified

• Greeks wanted wisdom / oratory (1:22; 2:1-4); Paul offers no philosophy–Paul preaches –• Plain message• ‘Foolish’ message

Paul’s message (2:1-4)

• Plain, 1 (no emphasis on oratory)• Foolish, 2 (not ‘customer oriented’)–Modern man cannot understand

Roman world’s disgust for crucifixion–Who would worship a crucified man?–Paul would not distract listeners

atten-tion from his message to his manner

• Humility, 3. 15:9-10• Powerful, 4. 1:18

‘Comparing spiritual thingswith spiritual’ (2:13)

1. Combine (ASV; NASB)2. Compare (2 Co.10:12) (KJV; NKJV)3. Explain, interpret (ESV; NRSV; SEB)

(LXX: Gn.40:8, 16, etc.)No wonder Paul rejected excellencyof man’s speech & wisdomo This is verbal inspirationo This is plenary verbal inspiration

‘Natural Man’ (2:14)

1. Unconverted? 2. Uninspired?3. W/o Spirit

Natural man does not receive Spirit’s teaching (Lk.8:13; Ac.8:14; 11:1; Ja.1:21)

Describes typical Greek wise man of the world – has all he needs in nature Revelation is foolish; he rejects it Jude 19; Ro.1:18, 23; Jn.6:60-66

} ‘Foolishness’ to his

natural insight

‘Spiritual Man’ (2:15-16)

1. Judges all things, 15 (understands these things).

2. Natural man cannot understand him, 14 (cf. 4:3-4)…condemns what / who he does not understand (15).

3. He has the mind of Christ, 16 (Ph.2:5).