Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God

1 Corinthians 1:1-2:16

Key Verse 1:23, 24

Read 1:1-9. What does this passage tell us about the purpose of God’s calling for the members of the church [in Corinth]? What did God provide for the church [then and also today] so that it could fulfill this purpose of calling? 

Read verses 10-12 and think about the appeal to “be perfectly united in mind and thought”. Paul appealed “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What does “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” indicate about the way in which different people can be united in mind and in thought? 

Read 13-19 and think about the meaning of the following expressions: a) lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power; and b) the message of the cross…is the power of God. In what respect is the cross of Jesus God’s “power”? How is this power related to the Apostle’s appeal to be united in the Lord? 

Read 1:20-31. In verse 23 Paul says he preaches Christ crucified, for to him, Christ represents not only God’s power but also God’s wisdom. In verse 30 Paul says God’s wisdom (i.e., Jesus Christ) consists of: a) righteousness; b) holiness; and c) redemption. How are the three related to one another? 

Read 2:1-16. In this passage the word “Spirit: is repeated. What do the following expressions tell us about the work of the Spirit?: a) my message and my preaching were…with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power; b) God has revealed it (God’s secret wisdom) to us by his Spirit; c) no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God; d) the Spirit who is from God; e) we speak in words taught by the Spirit; and f) the man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God.