I Corinthians 1:1-31
Cliques and Wisdom
I Corinthians 1:10-17
• According to verse 10, what is the formula for
Christian unity?
• This section is called “divisions in the church.”
What was dividing the church? (cf ch 3:1-4)
• What could be wrong with saying “I follow
Christ?”
• Was Paul slighting baptism? (vs 14)
• What is often the cause of divisions in the
church? (cf. 3:1-4)
I Corinthians 1:10-17 – Digging
Deeper
• What ingredient for fellowship do ecumenical
movements disregard?
• What is most important the minister or the
message? Which most often brings people to
church? Which most often drives people away
from church? What does this say about people?
• When are pastors overrated?
• How can pastors and church leaders prevent
this kind of disunity?
• What are “words of human wisdom?” How do
they empty the gospel of its power? (vs 17)
I Corinthians 1:18-25
• The Corinthians’ undue esteem of human
wisdom was largely responsible for the
factionalism in their midst. It was therefore
necessary for Paul to put the wisdom of the
world into the true perspective that can be
gained only when it is compared with the
wisdom of God revealed in the cross
ofChrist. Because their regard for human
wisdom was so much a part of their Greek
heritage and tradition, he develops at length
the contrast between the two types of
wisdom.
I Corinthians 1:18-25
• What thought in verse 18 will run through this
section and into chapter 2?
• Why does human wisdom clash with
Christianity?
• Why did the Jews, with their Old Testament
background, look for signs when Christ came?
• How did the cross alienate both Jews and
Gentiles?
• In what way are things backward in the church?
(cf. vs 20-21)
I Corinthians 1:18-25
• Romans 11:33 – “Oh, the depth of the riches of
the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable his judgments, and his paths
beyond tracing out!”
• 2 Ti 3:15 – “from infancy you have known the
Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise
for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
• Why can’t created man match God’s wisdom?
• How does the contest between human wisdom
(philosophy) and divine wisdom (Scripture)
affect many church bodies?
I Corinthians 1:18-25
• Job 28:28 - And he said to man, ‘The fear of the
Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is
understanding.’ ”
• Romans 11:33 – “Oh, the depth of the riches of
the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable his judgments, and his paths
beyond tracing out!”
• 2 Ti 3:15 – “from infancy you have known the
Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise
for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Studying the Scriptures
• Why can’t created man match God’s
wisdom?
• What are the blessings of divine wisdom?
• With what attitude should we approach
God’s wisdom?
• How is the conflict between human
wisdom (philosophy) and divine wisdom
(revelation) affecting many churches
today?
I Corinthians 1:26-31
• 1. What evidence was there in Corinth that human
wisdom, power, and prestige do not bring people to
God?
• 2. What are the “foolish, weak and lowly things” of
the world?
• 3. Why did God choose such lowly means (cross,
grace, etc) to demonstrate his power and wisdom?
• 4. Of what can those “boast” who are wise in Christ?
• How does verses 18-31 underscore the truth of this
whole chapter?
I Corinthians 1:26-31
• 1. Genesis 45:8 =“So then, it was not you
who sent me here, but God. He made me
father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire
household and ruler of all Egypt.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
and/or greatness in God’s kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
prestige of the world’s leading people today?
I Corinthians 1:26-31
• 2. 2 Samuel 7:8 =“Now then, tell my servant
David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty
says: I took you from the pasture and from
following the flock to be ruler over my
people Israel.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
and/or greatness in God’s kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
prestige of the world’s leading people today?
I Corinthians 1:26-31
• 3. Isaiah 66:2 = Has not my hand made all these
things, and so they came into being?” declares
the Lord. “This is the one I esteem: he who is
humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my
word.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
and/or greatness in God’s kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
prestige of the world’s leading people today?
I Corinthians 1:26-31
• 4. Matthew 18:4 = Therefore, whoever
humbles himself like this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
and/or greatness in God’s kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
prestige of the world’s leading people today?
I Corinthians 1:26-31
• 5. Luke 1:52 = He has brought down rulers from
their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
• 6. James 4:6 = But he gives us more grace. That
is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
• What does each passage teach us about honor
and/or greatness in God’s kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
prestige of the world’s leading people today?