Wednesday, June 18 – 1 Corinthians 2, 3 – Additional Reading: Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 29

1. What was Paul determined to do when he came to Corinth? (1 Corinthians 2:1–2)

2. How does the natural man perceive the things of the Spirit of God? (1 Corinthians 2:14)

3. What evidence of the flesh’s influence was evident in the church at Corinth? (1 Corinthians 3:3)

4. What will happen to anyone who destroys the temple of the Holy Spirit, the church? (1 Corinthians 3:16–17)

“The first epistle to the Corinthian church was written by the apostle Paul during the latter part of his stay at Ephesus. For no others had he felt a deeper interest or put forth more untiring effort than for the believers in Corinth. For a year and a half he had labored among them, pointing them to a crucified and risen Saviour as the only means of salvation, and urging them to rely implicitly on the transforming power of His grace.” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 298)

“A letter was sent to Paul by the church, asking for counsel concerning various matters, but saying nothing of the grievous sins existing among them.” (AA, p. 300)

“About this time there came to Ephesus members of the household of Chloe, a Christian family of high repute in Corinth. Paul asked them regarding the condition of things, and they told him that the church was rent by divisions. The dissensions that had prevailed at the time of Apollos’s visit had greatly increased. False teachers were leading the members to despise the instructions of Paul. The doctrines and ordinances of the gospel had been perverted. Pride, idolatry, and sensualism, were steadily increasing among those who had once been zealous in the Christian life.” (AA, p. 300)

According to the SDA Bible Commentary, “The main burden of this epistle is twofold: first, reproof for the backsliding, which had resulted in the introduction into the church of practices that corrupted the teachings of the gospel; and second, instruction, or explanation, regarding the points of belief and practice concerning which the believers had sought for clarification.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Introduction to 1 Corinthians, Theme)

In today’s chapters, Paul seeks to bring the church back to the foundation of faith. His preaching in Corinth was not based on human wisdom or eloquence but on the power of the Spirit. The foundation of the church is Christ. The true message is, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified,” “that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)

This message seems foolish to the world because it cannot understand it. It is a divine message, and the carnal mind cannot grasp it. Only the Spirit of God can reveal it. The Christian and the church must be Spirit-led, for God’s plans exceed human understanding: “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9, quoting Isaiah 64:4)

The Corinthians remained carnal, as evidenced by their arguments and divisions. Some claimed to follow Apollos, others Paul, and others Peter. Such attitudes reflect spiritual immaturity. Paul, Apollos, and Peter were simply God’s servants. One planted, another watered, but it is God who gives growth. These divisions reveal a carnal mindset.

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

We cannot build the church on personal preferences or charismatic preachers; each person must build their experience on Christ. If someone builds on Christ with weak materials, testing will reveal it, but he will be saved because his foundation is Christ. However, if the foundation is something else, no matter how impressive the structure, it will not lead to salvation.

Dear friends, the church is God’s temple, and the Holy Spirit dwells within it. It is not the church of a preacher, a topic, or a group. Anyone who fights against the church fights against God. This is serious.

May God grant us the maturity to build upon Christ and remain in Him.

May God bless you today.