Bible, NT-23, 1st & 2nd Corinthians
Part 1
LESSON 23
FIRST AND SECOND CORINTHIANS
Part 1
By Rev. G. Evan Newmyer
INTRODUCTION TO LESSON 23
The Romans were a snap compared to the Corinthians, for the Romans it was a matter of focus; getting their eyes back on Jesus and off others. To the Corinthians it was getting them to open their eyes to their own selves. The most dangerous situation a leader can find their self in is facing the Corinthian mindset; yet fighting the carnal with the carnal is like one tornado fighting another, an awful lot of innocent people get hurt. Whenever we attempt to minister or disciple to anyone through our soul alone, it ends with the blind leading the blind. Paul’s approach toward the Corinthians is for them to look at their own selves as they are seen. They had the Spirit, but they were not Spiritual, rather they were still carnal. To us it seems impossible, but here we find it. Nonetheless, this letter will lead us to discover some wondrous things, it’s a wonder Paul didn’t kill them. We will find some areas where our Doctrine will be strengthened, some where your eyes may be opened. Corinth is also an example of how the “gates of hell” are implanted, as well as how to respond when facing them.
Second Corinthians gives us our first real look at “friendly fire” from within the Body, and how the waster was created to destroy. These two working manuals help those who are called to the ministry, those called into intercessory prayer, and those called.
Romans showed us the self-danger or what we do to ourselves when we fail to discern; Corinthians shows the damage we do to others when we fail to enter the Spiritual. When we fail to walk in the Spiritual we will remain carnal in nature, but as Paul said in Romans, to be carnal minded is death.
FIRST CORINTHIANS – WRITTEN 59 AD
One thing we’re going to discover is the carnal minded and the Babe in Christ are different, yet both appear to have some of the same traits, but their intents are different. Paul begins this adventure by telling the Corinthians they are not Spiritual, thus he has to speak to them as if they were Babes. Not saying they were, only their understanding was still in the fetal stage. The Babe in Christ is like any baby, they need help to eat, guidance in playing, with a great deal of attention and instruction. Yet, if a person has been in the Body for some time, but they are still using natural reasoning as their guide, still judging the event by the event, still trusting in their own intellect, still getting mad when things don’t go their way, still giving their opinions, still unable to discern Spiritual matters, still taking the glory, still run by their emotions, they are carnal.
The approach to the carnal is much different than to the Spiritual, yet one can’t minister “carnal to the carnal”. We have to keep in mind how the Corinthians did some things by the Spirit, but they still were not Spiritual, thus activity and understanding are different. We can speak in tongues, pray, teach or prophesy and not know why. Therefore, one can have the Spirit of Christ, but not the Mind of Christ. The carnal minded expect Christ to adhere to their mind, it’s our mind needing to be renovated and outfitted with the Mind of Christ. The Corinthians were on the very border of “Spiritual wickedness”, they had the Spirit, but failed to enter the Spiritual realm. They were above many things, yet without being Spiritual they were unable to discern, or understand Spiritual matters.
Corinth had the worse of all possible elements, carnal leadership. They heard “the word of the Lord” from the Apostle, but termed it “something a person said”, then demanded for Paul to prove himself. They investigated Paul, rather than discern the words spoken. The carnal mind will always investigate to prove something wrong, so they won’t be held responsible to the “word spoken”. They question the Bible, question the teaching, challenge what they don’t want to receive while holding unbelief, all to avoid the call to be Spiritual in nature, yet being Spiritual is the “Image” God desires.
The proof of the carnal mindset will be displayed in the Corinthians view of baptism, they twisted it into social importance, or personal validation. They held self-induced suspicious opinions to attack Paul, just as the Pharisees did against Jesus; for the same reason, not to be held accountable to the word spoken. It didn’t make any difference if they received the Word or not, it was spoken, once spoken they were accountable.
Discernment is a Spiritual attribute, Paul will discern the Corinthians, but the Corinthians won’t discern Paul, or themselves. Two things are certain, if someone has set out to prove what the Spirit is doing is wrong, they are in dire need of the Holy Ghost to set them on the true and correct path. The “error” if any, is discernable by the Spirit: it’s the Spirit doing the proving, not man. Paul was accused of the Corinthians of failing to have a sign of Christ speaking through him, thus they thought they found him in error. Both of the letters show the error was with the Corinthians; therefore, in their endeavors to prove Paul in error, they only proved they were the ones in error. The carnal mind is the mother of the hypocrite, they accuse others of what they are doing.
Discernment will be our lesson in these letters, this one area will be the difference between “I wish you all prophesy”, and “not all are prophets”. Just because we gave a word doesn’t mean we’re a prophet, just because we teach Bible history, or what others say about the Bible doesn’t mean we’re a Bible teacher. One attribute regarding a Bible Teacher is the ability to open mysteries so the student can apply the Truth in their own lives, as well as being a teachable teacher; what good is an unteachable teacher? The Corinthians are the evidence of the carnal mind, they refused correction proving they were unteachable, yet an attribute to the Wisdom of God is to be easily entreated. It doesn’t mean they accept any wind of doctrine, it means they are open to hear sound teaching.
The Corinthians were members of the Body, they were a local body began by Paul, he termed himself their “father”, yet he also termed them “carnal”. Raise a child in the way they shall go? It was his hope, but they would have to enter the way. The foundation was sure, the seeds were planted and watered, it was time for God to bring the increase, if they submitted and allowed it.
If Romans 8:6 says to be carnally minded is death, if the carnal mind is an enmity toward God, if those of the flesh cannot please God, why even fool with these carnal minded Corinthians? Grace is Grace, it’s a driving force to see the lost saved, even if the lost are within the Body. The Corinthians are a prime example of a people who accepted the Plan of God, but refused to enter it. They have the Potential, God gave them what it takes, all they needed to do is submit to the Spirit to enter the process.
We have to make the division between acts of the flesh to please God, and having a carnal mind. “We just did that”. No, we find the word Carnal in Romans 8:6 as the Greek Sarx, translated over and over again as Flesh. However, here in First Corinthians 3:1, 3:3, 3:4 and 9:11, as well as in Second Corinthians 10:4 we find the word is the Greek Sarkikos meaning Putting the mind, or Allowing the mind to center on temporal matters, external, worldly, natural, sensual, earthly, or using the mind by itself as the ruling element of reason. In Romans it was acts of the flesh in a religious sense, here it’s using the natural mind of man as the guide and instructor. Romans were judging people so they could feel superior, the Corinthians were intellectuals, void of Spiritual discernment, thus to remain carnal is the same as remaining natural.
In searching the areas of the soul we find other Greek words relating: Phusikos meaning the physical, Somatikos pertaining to the outward appearance, and Psuchikos meaning soulish, or where the old nature rules. When we use our resources to enhance the flesh, for the sake of the flesh, we are Psuchikos. When we minister through our hurts, pains or experiences void of the Spirit we are also Psuchikos. All of these various areas of the soul run life style define what the Corinthians were doing, so were they saved? Yes, they were saved from the world, they had the Spirit, but were they going to make it in the First Resurrection? Not on the path they were walking.
This letter will give us some insights, we will find the “spirit of man” and the “spirit of the world”, how they are either opposed, or ignorant to the things of God. We will also see how baptism is not always associated with “water”, but is associated with realms, or as a means of identification to enter a Covenant.
What then is the difference between these Corinthians and a Babe in Christ? A Babe in Christ is still natural, but they are fighting to become Spiritual. A Carnal Christian has stopped in the process, desiring to remain natural, yet they have the Spirit and Mercy of God. They want the benefit, without the responsibility. If we have the Spirit, we must also know there is a growth process. We must submit to the New Man, allowing Him to witness Jesus through us.
A flesh minded Christian is still locked into deeds of the flesh to impress God, or impress the people of God, far too often they are impressed with their own selves. A Carnal Christian is one who trusts in natural intellect, one who uses the knowledge of people as their standard, but they have failed to gain the Knowledge of God, or the love to couple with the Knowledge. They chase after natural reasonings, usually making gods out of people, especially teachers or scholars they like, but they also make devils out of the people of God they don’t like. So, then how does one deal with them? Hire another pastor who doesn’t know them? No, Paul didn’t run from the problem, neither did he approach it by using the same methods as the Corinthians used against him. He was not about to engage in a camel swallowing contest, or some “oh yeah” debate. He fought the good fight, knowing a soul is a priceless commodity, it’s the treasure in all this.
Although the Corinthians were not Spiritual, Paul will spend a great deal of time teaching them the Spirituals. The instruction into Spiritual matters in First Corinthians regards the basic elements of the Spirituals, those simple signs of the Spirit in us. Without the Spirit we haven’t a chance, but if we have the Spirit, yet remain carnal, we ignore our chances.
We also find the teaching technique of using metaphors by Paul, can be twisted by the carnal mind. Was Paul wrong in using metaphors and allegories? No, not at all, the presentation is there, it would take a desire to enter the Spiritual for them to discern the teaching. Parables, metaphors and allegories are God’s way of presenting matters so we can find the Truth, while at the same time exposing the carnal minded. It is the Glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of the kings to search out the matter (Prov 25:2). A sign of carnal leadership is how they take a Spiritual concept, then twist it to the flesh. Just because someone twists a teaching, doesn’t mean the teaching is wrong, it means they twisted it. It could be a simple ABC type of teaching, if they don’t want to submit, they will twist it. Paul’s teaching on the “husband and wife” is a perfect example, if we presume he is speaking of gender, then we have to cut the head off the husband and put it on the wife, or since he speaks only of husbands and wives, it means the wives must remain silent, but the widows and single women do not, clearly partial and out of order. If the woman is to remain silent, yet her mouth is on her face, her face is part of her head, yet her head is her husband, who then is to remain silent?
For the most part if someone is knee deep in carnal activity, and we tell them they are carnal, they will get mad, or attack, or enter a “I’ll show you” mindset, which only proves the point. They will punish us by not talking to us, truly a “babe maneuver”. However, if they ask questions, or seek ministry, it’s a different matter. If they didn’t want to know the answer, they shouldn’t ask. Paul is answering questions sent to him, while at the same time showing how the questions revealed the source of their thinking. Paul didn’t have to “read their minds”, their minds were displayed in their carnal questions.
The difference between ministry and psychology is of course ministry to the masses is by the Holy Ghost, in the one on one by the Holy Spirit, but psychology is using the intellect of natural man to discover the mind of natural man, much like a Corinthian ministering to a Corinthian, this letter will show the error in the premise. The Corinthians were using psychology, Paul was ministering. The Corinthians were using formed natural intellect to attack the anointing of Paul: Paul on the other hand went to the Creator and obtained his ability to minister. The Corinthians were attempting to push Paul away, Paul was reaching out to restore, encourage and edify.
Most people would not consider these letters in the area of “edification”, yet in the true sense of being Edified they are. It’s our concept of edification producing the problem; edification means to build up, in a Godly sense it’s limited to building someone in the Lord. The counterfeit would be building the person in the person, or enhancing their flesh, ego, or pride. If we simply say, “to build up”, we can be building the ego of someone, thinking we’re edifying them. We’re ruining them, not building them. The very purpose for coming together in the assembly is to exhort one another, a far cry from going to church to have our egos exalted. In Second Corinthians we will find an attribute of Godly edification is correction with sharpness in love by the Holy Ghost through the Spirit (II Cor 13:10).
We will see in just a short time how Corinth was highly influenced by the oracles in Delphi, the location of the temple of Apollo the Greek god: just as the people in Ephesus were influenced by Dianna the Greek goddess. As strange as it seems in Greek mythology Apollo and Dianna were brother and sister, thus one had a temple in Delphi, the other had one in Ephesus. The evil influence was not only because Delphi was across the bay, but because Corinth had it’s treasury located in Delphi, the banking center of Greece. The influence caused the Corinthians to engage in a common error, mixing the things of the world into the things of God. Paul shows how its a danger, the realms are completely different. Paul’s response to the Corinthians is a perfect example of how God exposes the devil’s use of divination through the natural thinking of carnal minded people, yet Paul also shows how the tricks of the enemy have no effect on the Spiritually minded. If we’re in the Body of Christ, and Jesus is above all things, surely we are above the ways of darkness. Discern to learn and we will never burn, or get burned.
Now to the historic side of Corinth, we just saw how Corinth was located across the bay from Delphi. Delphi was an important cosmopolitan city within the Roman province of Achaia, located within Delphi was the temple to Apollo, the Greek god. Some of the Delphic temple rites ran a close parallel to the Manifestation of the Spirit; however, there were some major differences. The damsel who was possessed with a spirit of divination in Acts 16:16-19 would have been associated with the Delphi temple. The damsel had a “spirit of divination”, the word Divination only appears once in the New Testament (Acts 16:16). The Greek word is Puthon, from Puthon comes the Greek Pythian as the name of the ritual conducted at Delphi, Puthon was a serpent from which the rites of Pythian came.
According to Greek mythology when Apollo was still a baby he came to Delphi where he found Python the serpent son of Gaia (Mother Earth). Apollo killed the serpent, at the same time abandoned Delphi to purify himself. When his purifying was done, he came back to Delphi, crowned himself then took over the position of being the oracle, causing the temple to named after him. He then instilled the rites of Phthian, which is the mother of all mind control and divination. The rites of Pythian were related to the mystic abilities of a snake to charm it’s prey, even today there are secret societies who still engage in the rites of Pythian. Using devils to tell them of ones past, then telling the person of their past, to gain their confidence so they can entrap their mind to future events, yet it’s still witchcraft. The Pythian would entrap the person’s mind, make suggestions about the future, then the person would make the event happen, thinking the Pythian was telling the future. People who claim to talk to the dead use the same Pythian method, they are not talking to the dead, but to devils, yet the person makes it appear as if they hear the dead.
The Pythian in the temple would speak of facts known to the victim, usually things of the past, when the victim becomes impressed, they have enticed themselves. The evil oracle would start telling them of their future, but the purpose is to make the victim a mental slave. The same demonic mystic form of prophecy is around today, it’s a matter of giving words to the lust in the person, a form of a lust speaking to a lust under the guise of being prophetic. The false prophet attempts to find someone who is run by a lust of importance, or acceptance, or being superior, they speak to the lust, the person becomes so excited they accept the word, but it’s not the Word of deliverance, it’s a voice of darkness. It’s the worse of all soul-ties, but it begins when a carnal mind thinks the dark mystic practices are “Spiritual”. We will find the Bible concept of “Spiritual” is limited to the Spirit of Christ in us manifesting in our lives. The unclean spirits are centered on one thing, to keep us from Grace and Salvation, the Spirit of Christ in us is centered on one thing, the saving of our souls. It’s difficult at best to have a saved soul, yet follow mystic dark practices.
Accordingly, the priestess engaged in the Pythian divination was trained in how to entice a person’s ego, or lusts. It’s simply a lust hunting out a lust, the same premise James talks about, a person with a lust tempting another with a lust. They couldn’t read the mind, rather then implanted their own suggestions into the person’s mind. They could make a person believe something happened, when it didn’t. This same trick is found in fortune readers, or Tarot card readers, they use familiar spirits and devilish soul-ties. Thank God for the Holy Spirit, if nothing else we can see how Paul was not even phased by this type of demonic activity, he was able to discern. The damsel said the right things, but from the wrong motive, for the wrong purpose. Paul discerned the devil in her, then cast it out. She was in bondage, seeking to set others in bondage, but Paul set her free. The damsel followed Paul and Silas saying, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17). We saw this in Acts, but for here we want to see how it relates to the misuse of prophecy. Was Paul and Silas servants of God? Yes, were they sent on a journey to show people the way of salvation? Yes, so what was wrong with the words of the damsel? She was exalting the men, not God. This act was not limited to the Pythian priestess; history shows even the prophets of God can fall into the same danger of speaking to the lusts and souls of people form their own fears, yet adding “so saith the Lord”. How can it be? The prophet Ezekiel ran into the same problem, not saying he gave false prophecy, rather he was almost the victim of it. Paul will quote the experience from Ezekiel to show the Corinthians how dangerous their position was; they were saying things attempting to make God bring them to pass.
Paul lived with the Corinthians for some time, yet in Second Corinthians we find these carnal minded rejected Paul, yet accepted false apostles, who came in with the outward appearance of righteousness, but inside Satan still reigned. Couldn’t they tell the difference? No, they were carnal, moved by emotions, or natural intellect. Their hope was in the words of Paul, yet they were rejecting them for the words of Satan. Why? Enhancing the self, a sure sign of the carnal mind. The carnal mind is open to the Pythian witchcraft, thus carnal attracts carnal, lust for lust. However, wasn’t Paul discerning the words of the Corinthians? Yes, so was he Pythian? No, his discernment was by the Spirit, his goal to save them, not trap them.
The city of Corinth was also known as one of the more wicked cities of ancient times, yet it also had some of the more intellectual Greeks living therein. Interesting, today we hear how we have more intellectuals, or how they are better able to give us a “more perfect translation”; however, the Author is still the Holy Ghost, producing a translation which best suits our wanton theology is hardly “more perfect”. The concept of Truth is found in how the context of the Bible hasn’t changed, it’s still the Rule Book, it still defines itself. As long as the Holy Ghost is here, He is still interpreting it for us.
The letters to the Romans and the Corinthians show us the two major world powers of the time. We know Rome was over Israel, as the “warring” faction of the time, but the Greeks were the intellectuals of the time. The Greeks were not a threat to the Romans, thus the Romans left many Greek areas intact. Both Corinth and Delphi were favored in Rome for their idols and temples. The idol is nothing, what man does with it determines the influence. The Jews called idols, “devils”, since idol worship edified the devilish sin nature of man. Paul called them devils, yet he also said they were nothing. It’s not the “thing”, it’s what we do with it. Money is money, the love of it causes the problems. There were many unscrupulous business practices done in Corinth, immorality, pagan practices, and the worship of Aphrodite was common. Paul used the self-based love of Aphrodite to show the contrast between the Love of God and the love of man’s self-based heart. Aphrodite was not a real person, she was an idol, but she also represented the self-love, self-motivated mindset of man, displayed in her son Eros (Cupid). Idols are the works of the hands of man, as such they tend to take on the nature of man. Hero was an idol represented by a real person, but he was hardly a “hero”. There were others who were real people, but in the hands of the Greek poets they became gods and goddesses. On the same note there were other idols based on the fathoms of the mind of man, in either case the importance of the idol was in the mind of man, not the idol.
Aphrodite was their goddess of love, but her type of love would kill or destroy to gain a “good feeling”, hardly the same as God’s love. Many of the people who worshipped idols did so out of fear, they were afraid the idol god would punish them, or bring some natural disaster to destroy them, or one god would get in a war with another, then use the people as some toy to war with. Then along came Paul who preached this Christ of Faith, a Loving and Caring Lord, a real subject who could live up to the title. A Lord who could provide much more than all the idols put together. Even today if we’re caught in a natural disaster we tend to think we’re being punished, or God is using us in some war of good versus evil, even to the point of calling it, “an act of God”. The earth groans, waiting for the Judgment to take effect.
In reading the New Testament we know there were other bodies of believers, such as the church in Jerusalem, yet there is no letter to the “Church of Jerusalem”, the reason is they didn’t need correction. There were other bodies as well, but like Jerusalem they didn’t need correction. The New Testament letters are guides along the edge of the path, warning signs of the danger of moving from the path.
I Cor 1:1-31
The History of Corinth helps explain why Paul tells them in First Corinthians 1:10 to be “perfectly joined together”, or better, to mend what has been divided. The gates of hell were being established as division, contention and heresies. Paul begins by showing his position was not “self-appointed”. Verse 2 is a Godly division as a result of an ungodly division; “to them who are sanctified”, rather then “to all”. Paul begins by addressing his letter to those who are Set Apart, but he also included us in the phrase, “called to be saints, with all in every place who call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord”. We know the term Name refers to Authority, in a few verses we will find how some of the Corinthians forgot they were accepted by the Name of Jesus.
The first time Paul visited Corinth he worked with Aquila and Priscilla in the art of tent making, not because they always did, rather there was a special reason why they did so in Corinth. The word, “tentmakers” is a compound Greek word meaning one who constructs tabernacles, as a tent. We know from other letters the reason Paul worked as a tentmaker was to care for those of his ministry, rather than himself (Acts 18:3). We also know other churches cared for Paul, yet Paul himself said a man should work in order to have to give (Eph 4:28). Corinth was a very rich community, when the call for the collection of the saints in Jerusalem went forth, it was Corinth who said they would give much. Their zeal encouraged other bodies, but when it came time to collect Paul found they where not in line with their words. In Second Corinthians we find some time has passed from “we’ll give” to the actual giving, thus we find the carnal minded are quick with their mouth, but slow with their actions. Paul’s concern was in taking money from the carnal Corinthians, they might take on the attitude of “you owe us Paul”, which is Simony in reverse.
During the first visit we find Paul would enter the local synagogue on the sabbath to reason with the Jews (Acts 18:4). Until the prophet Silas (Acts 15:32) and Timothy showed up to encourage Paul. As a result, one Crispus, a chief ruler of the synagogue believed on the Lord, as well as many other Corinthians. However, some of the Jews turned on Paul, one by the name of Sosthenes (meaning Of safe strength), who was the chief ruler of the local synagogue handed Paul over to the civil authorities, saying “this fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law” (Acts 18:13). It was a religious question, not a civil one. Gallio, the civil authority refused to hear religious matters, thus he refused to judge Paul.
Paul was released, yet Sosthenes was beaten before the judgment seat (Acts 18:15-17). So what? Look at First Corinthians 1:1, wow, there is Sosthenes again, only this time he is a “brother”. Paul knows if one like Sosthenes can be turned around, surely these carnal minded Corinthians can.
Paul’s time with Corinthians during the first visit wasn’t a two week camp meeting, he was there teaching them for nearly a year. They had the personal attention of the apostle, yet they were carnal. Was it Paul’s fault? Did he fail? Not hardly the evidence of the other bodies shows how they received the Logos, became Born Again, then moved on with the Lord. The Corinthians were spinning their wheels, making much noise, going no where.
Paul’s approach will lay out the path of recovery, in verse 3 we find the first two steps, Grace and Peace, two things the Corinthians were missing. Grace and Peace will become the central theme of this letter. Get Grace, find Peace with God, then overcome carnal thinking. Paul reminds them how Grace was given to them, they had the Spirit, the Seal of Grace, yet they were not walking in Grace, or even trying. The Romans felt the Cross justified them, here they stopped in the process. The Corinthians assumed by having the Spirit they were Spiritual, Paul will judge the evidence, showing their precept was wrong, nearly dead wrong.
The word Peace is the Greek Eirene meaning the opposite of war or dissension (Luke 14:31, et al), Peace means health, welfare, prosperity, every kind of good, we see it as the “way of peace”, or the Gospel of peace, the God of peace, or the Prince of peace. In the Septuagint it was used Exodus 18:23, thus it’s the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew Shalom meaning health, well-being, wholeness, soundness and prosperity. God is the God of Peace, He is not one who needs Peace, but one who dispenses it, thus Jesus said, “Peace I give unto you”. Prosperity is not centered on things, one can have tons of things, yet be at constant inner war. Although one cannot exclude things, since Jesus said He would add the things (Matt 6:33); however, we don’t want to become “unbalanced”, by rejecting Prosperity, neither do we want to focus all our attention on it. John tells us true prosperity comes as our souls prosper, thus if our souls prosper, so will we (III Jn 2). Under the Old Covenant there were ways for one to prosper, but the Commandment would fall on them, finding them guilty, then worthy of death.
Interesting enough God rewards those who practice His type of Peace (James 3:18), but punishes those who don’t (Rom 3:17). Peace is the center of stability, it keeps our faith on track, knowing we are at Peace with God. However, when one is in strife, or producing it, they are not in Peace. Although Peace it is part of the Gift, one has to accept it in order to have it. Clearly when Paul uses “Grace” and “Peace” in conjunction, showing one connects to the other. Peace is not an easy task, yet James says the true warrior for God is the person who knows the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them who make Peace (James 3:18).
Paul will use another Greek word for the English Peace in 14:30, there it’s the Greek Sigao meaning Keep silent, it was pointed toward the leadership. When we get to the metaphors we will find Paul is not against women, he is opposed to carnal leadership. Without understanding the metaphors will we make a carnal doctrine out of something purposed to remove carnal thinking.
The word Given in verse 4 is the Greek Didomi meaning to give of one’s own accord with good will, without regard for the “goodness” or lack thereof of the person the gift is being given to, but it does suggest how the Giver expects the good to be manifested after the gift is given. This shows Grace is given to those of us who have no foundation to receive it, but once it’s given, God expects us to use it in accordance with the qualities of Grace. If it’s the case, and it is, then remaining carnal is either ignoring the gift, or misusing it (Jude 4).
In verse 5 the word Enriched is the Greek Ploutizo meaning to make rich, or to bestow an abundant supply. The word Utterance is the Greek Logos, it was their utterance becoming questionable. Paul points to Knowledge, giving us two more elements added to his teaching. Grace with Peace, then Grace with the Knowledge to know what they mean.
The word Confirmed in verse 6 is the Greek Bebaloo meaning Established, thus the ability was there, the Seed was planted, but there appeared no growth. How can this be? Doesn’t God bring the Increase? If so, how can this group remain carnal? A mystery? Not really, God is fully able to bring the increase in accordance with our obedience, belief and faith.
Verses 6 and 7 confirm they are called, as well as in the Body, they are not Heathens; they have accepted the terms and conditions. In verse 7 the word Gifts is the Greek Charisma, which is the activity of Grace (Charis), thus he is showing the theme of his letter, if one speaks the Logos, yet has Charis they should be Charisma centered, meaning they are not carnal. In essence there is no reason for them not to be Spiritual, they had all the tools and equipment required to do the job.
In verse 8 the word Confirm is again the Greek Babaloo thus showing Paul’s desire was not to see the Corinthians removed, but for them to reach the Potential God has for them. This is confirmed in verse 9 showing the Faithfulness of God, thus God wasn’t done with the Corinthians, neither was Paul, but we have to see the language. “by whom you were called”, showing a past tense endeavor, “unto” showing the future purpose of having, “fellowship”, which becomes the issue. The word Fellowship is the Greek Koniona, this is not relationship, but fellowship: fellowship takes the same frame of mind, same likes, same desires, same goals, with the same manner in which to obtain those goals. In order to have fellowship with God, we must treat the people of God in the same manner as God does, something the Corinthians were lacking.
Many years after this letter was written, a disciple of Paul’s, Clement by name wrote to the Corinthians of his day. Clement’s letter shows the problem continued, although the correction and means were presented by Paul. God wasn’t done, the problems continued, and God continued to reach to restore, even years later.
The opposite of Division is “perfectly joined together”, the phrase is the Greek word, Katartizo meaning To adjust to fit, or complete the purpose of something. The Corinthians needed to adjust their thinking and ways in order to have the “same mind” in order to walk in the “same judgment” (v. 10). The word Judgment is the Greek Gnome meaning To discern. This is a vital element of the Spiritually minded, the ability to Discern things seen, or not seen. Paul read the letter sent to him, but by the Spirit discerned past the questions to the problem, thus he will address the questions, but only as they relate to the problem. He is not reading their minds, he is reading their words, as a pathway to their thinking. By their words they were condemned, Paul is simply telling them what the Spirit saw. The carnal mind has a difficult time in this area, they assume the saint is attempting to read their mind, when in fact their fruit has been judged.
If there are divisions and contentions, then the carnal mind is making decisions. The two Unities of the Body are the Unity of the Faith, and the Unity of the Spirit, the carnal mind lacks either. The gates of hell were being planted by carnal thinking people who had leadership positions, the division began within the local body, yet if allowed it would continue to break the Body into unattached segments. With Division comes contentions, then confusion, leading to all sorts of evil works (James 3:16).
Paul views the question regarding water baptism, knowing carnal minds were doing the asking. Our water baptism is our induction into the Body, but once in the Body, we’re in the Body. If we are in the Body, then our water baptism worked, more important if Jesus baptized us with the Holy Ghost, we are being formed into the Church. Whether our water baptism was “in the Name of Jesus”, or “In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost”, it didn’t matter, if it worked, it was right. The Token was by us, it didn’t make any difference who the person was who baptized us, as long as they were in the Body.
The most profound evidence of being a member of the Body is the Spirit, do we have the signs of the Spirit? If so then we no longer ponder “what Name”, it worked. Here the Corinthians are fighting over the “best baptism”, failing to consider why they were baptized in water. Fighting over matters meaning little tend to ignore the evidence, if they had the Spirit, it worked. However, they were looking at who baptized them as a sign or validity, or importance; they didn’t mention their own belief. We know they are contending over water baptism since the names of men are used, if we were baptized in the Name of Jesus, or the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and it worked, there is no debate.
The one area where there seems to be more confusion than any other element is “baptism”. What name? What type of water? Dipped? Sprinkled? The answer is always the same, “did it work?”, if so, then get on with the Process. It becomes clear the first two points of carnal thinking are Debates and Bragging, in this case it was water baptism by their favorite person of God. It would be the same if they fought over location, “I was baptized in the Jordan”, or “I was baptized in the Red Sea”, “Ah gee, I was baptized in the little lake over there”. If we get caught up in these areas of much to do about nothing, it’s a sure Sign (if we are looking for one) how we are yet Carnal.
Carnal minds seem to enter mentor worship quickly, they hold the words of man above those of God. They tend to trust in their talent, ability or gift, forgetting why they have a talent, ability or gift.
The world has their money barons, their leaders, their stars, and their “idols”. Carnal minds are moved by personalities, natural reasoning and intellect, it’s the same worldly premise, different idols. The carnal mind will give man the glory, before giving God the glory. It’s the case here, they gave Paul the glory, Apollos the glory, but not God. They get caught up in the emotionalism of the day, missing the entire point of being baptized. The carnal mind jumps from meeting to meeting looking for the “Spiritual connection”, or the new star, or the latest wind of doctrine. They are impressed with stardom and intellect, not Truth.
The phrase, “Christ sent me not to baptize”, would almost seem out of order, especially when Jesus commanded us to baptize. However, the context doesn’t mean Paul refused to baptize, it shows baptism alone wasn’t the call, it included teaching, baptize, then teach the more, thus the Corinthians failed to receive the first teaching, as they were stuck on their carnal reasoning regarding baptism, missing the disciplining of the second teaching. Simply baptizing a bunch of people in water is not the call of Christ, it’s the teaching in conjunction with the baptism making the baptism count for something. On the part of the candidate it’s their belief, if we baptize anyone, yet they have not made some indication of their belief, we have violated the Commandant. Many know the day they were baptized, but how many know Why?
The phrase “Wisdom of words”, is the same as using man’s wisdom, or man’s intellect to preach the Gospel, words from death still produce death. The Gospel does not come in word alone, later Paul will tell these same Corinthians about the Wisdom of God. Here Paul tells them he didn’t come with fancy based carnal wisdom, or some star attitude, but as a called Apostle with a message ordained by God. They were looking at the man, not the message.
Verse 18 connects to 17, back in verse 17 the phrase “to preach the gospel” is the Greek Eauggelizo meaning To show good tidings, but in verse 18 the word Preach is the Greek Logos, thus Paul came not to baptize, but to introduce the entire Gospel, the Corinthians were stuck on one point wherein they could place some self-importance, another sign of a carnal mind. It wasn’t who baptized them, but why they were baptized. It doesn’t take away from the fact the person doing the baptizing has to be in the Body, but the Corinthians were taking it further. They equated the effectiveness of the baptism based on who did the baptizing, rather than their belief.
The most dangerous condition is to be in the Body, have the Spirit, yet view everything from a carnal prospective. Jesus told the disciples they couldn’t speak of Him being the Christ of Grace for this very reason, to them Spiritual matters were foolishness. To the Corinthians it was even worse, they had a few Spirit attributes, the basics, speaking in unknown tongues and prophecy, something Cornelius and others did two seconds after they received the baptism with the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:45-46). The Corinthians had the position, but if they approached it from the carnal mind, they would mistreat the position. The evidence was in their approach to Paul, especially evidenced in their division.
Then in verse 18 we find the Logos of the Cross to those who perish is foolishness, is it foolishness to the Corinthians? Or were their carnal ways making it appear foolish? However the Logos (Jesus, Word) of the Cross to those who are saved (Sozo) it is the Power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, bringing to nothing the understanding of the prudent (v. 19). The wisdom of man is exactly what the Corinthians were trusting in. The word prudent is the Greek Sunetos meaning Intelligent or Learned, neither the “wisdom of the wise”, or the “prudent” refer to Spiritual matters, rather they relate to the natural intellect of man. The Corinthians couldn’t see past the mundane, to the importance.
Where is the wise? The scribe? The intellect? Has not God made Foolish the wisdom of this world? Simply hasn’t God shown how foolish the natural reasoning of man is?
Now the division between the wisdom of man and the Wisdom of God; the prior references to the “wisdom” connect to the “strange woman” in Proverbs, whereas the Wisdom of God connects to the Spirit of God. The Corinthians had the Spirit that is of God, but lacked the Wisdom of God. Rather than deal with their own questions in a Godly manner, they were attempting to use the wisdom of man, causing them to end in debates, or contentions. Paul is not going to add to the contention, but he will answer the questions. Paul will use Mercy in his approach, but it doesn’t mean he will ignore the problem. Mercy applied righteously deals with the problem through the Wisdom of God seeking restoration, rather than condemnation.
The next step is to “save” them who believe, the word Save is Soteria meaning Salvation. Prior the Power of the Gospel was for those who were Sozo, or saved from the world, here the Progression points to Salvation, even the salvation of our souls. This is the very element the Corinthians were missing, they felt they won the race, in truth they haven’t even started (v. 21).
From those who Believe to the Jews require a sign, the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we are neither, rather the signs follow the Believer, the Wisdom of God guides the Believer. If one seeks a sign then Preaching offends them, it becomes a stumblingblock, but if one seeks wisdom the same preaching appears as Foolishness (v. 23). Why? The acceptance of the Cross of Jesus is so easy a child can understand it, but to the carnal intellect it seems too simple, below their intellect, it isn’t a challenge to their thinking. To the Jew the preaching isn’t entertaining enough, they what to see some signs. However, to the seeker of Truth, Truth is the motivating instrument of their faith. Once they believe, then the signs follow them (v. 22-23).
Unto the Called, whether Jew or Greek, yet the key is the Power of God which is Christ, coupled with the Wisdom of God (v. 24). This is important, it connects to chapter 2 and 11. The head of the leader is Christ, the head of Christ is God. Here the word Power is the Greek Dunamis, meaning Power, it would be known to us as the metaphor Horn, but we can see the Authority to gain the Power in order to operate in a Godly manner is found in the Wisdom of God.
Even if Paul preached from the foolishness of God, it was still greater than the best the wisdom of man could offer. We begin to see the type of exposure, the Corinthians felt Paul was weak, he didn’t fight back, he was always one of those “mercy people”. Later they will demand a sign of Christ speaking through him, they will even tell him, he is weak. However, who does God pick? The foolish things of the world to confound the wise, the weak things to confound the might, the base things which are despised to bring to nothing the things that are (vs. 26-28). The words, Weak, Base and Foolish tell us what we were like in the world. The word Weak is the same Greek word Paul used in Romans 8:26-27, meaning Comatose, or asleep in reference to the things of God. The word Base means Ugly in more ways than one. The word Foolish is the same Greek word from which we gain our English word Moron. If we are picked by God we were in one or more of those areas, or all three at the same time, which is usually the case, thus we were comatose, ugly and a moron, just the type of person God is looking for.
The wise in the world will tell God how things should be run, the mighty attempt to make God do it their way, yet they seem to despise those picked of God. God uses us by His Spirit to bring to nothing the wisdom of the world. Why would Paul put this in? Is there a reason? Yes, the Corinthians were so impressed with their own natural intellect and carnal behavior they didn’t want to be Spiritual. They didn’t want to give up what they felt was their “person”, yet they were living a lie. We can be so proud of who we think we are, we refuse to be who God wants us to be. God can’t use those who take pride in their natural state, they will attempt to force God to do what they want, but they will refuse to do what God wants. The perfect example would be the Corinthians, they wanted Paul to condone their activity, when he didn’t, they got mad, then started the famed, “we don’t see it”, “we don’t have to listen”, “you haven’t proven it yet”, childish behavior. Even to the point of demanding a sign of Christ speaking through the man, the very same man who brought them to the Lord. They felt speaking in tongues was a “sign of Christ speaking”, but it’s a sign the Seed is planted, a sign of Christ would be words of Mercy and Grace. This entire letter is a sign of Christ speaking through Paul.
If these Corinthians had the Spirit, it means the Holy Ghost granted the Seed, which means they were presented, which means Paul laid hands on them, yet they want a “sign”? Carnal minds forget Godly matters, or twist then into the flesh. However, the saved fool, weak, base person knows who their God is, they give Him the glory. If anyone Glories, let them Glory in God. Those who have the Spirit of Christ do glory in God, but the spirit of the world uses the fear and cares of the world, but the spirit of man is natural, centering on the ignorance of the things of God.
I Cor 2:1-16
In verse 1 we find the division between the wisdom of man, and the Wisdom of God. Although God’s Wisdom is not defined here as it is in James, we nonetheless find a division. Paul didn’t speak from man’s wisdom when he was with them, he is not speaking from man’s wisdom now. Did he have a choice? Yes, in verse 2 he says he determined, the word determined is the Greek Krino better known to us as Judge. This is another verse showing Spiritual judgment is a matter of dividing the Precious from the Vile. It also stands there is no way anyone is going to gain God’s Wisdom without the Spirit and without asking in faith.
Some of us think we must feel the anointing before we act, but if we have the Spirit, we are also able to Hear, meaning we can speak as an oracle of the Lord’s. Paul was among those who could say, “the Lord has spoken, what can I do but prophesy”. Paul didn’t come boasting in his position, or telling them the things of God were “too deep” for them, he came preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified (v. 2).
Now wait, does all this mean Paul didn’t preach the Resurrection? Not hardly, “Jesus crucified” includes the Resurrection; the purpose of the Cross was to reach the Resurrection to bring about the Gospel. If Jesus would have stopped at the Cross then our Entrance into heaven could not take place, neither could our Entrance into the Kingdom of God. Without the Resurrection we would be forgiven, yet dead. We needed Life beyond death to add to our forgiveness.
God’s Wisdom holds an speaking attitude of Mercy, with correction. The Corinthians were presented the Wisdom of God when Paul first came to them, but they had to receive, in order to gain. He didn’t teach them how to make fishing nets, or tents, he taught them Jesus. His teaching was simple, their understanding of it became complicated since they attempted to receive the Gospel through the wisdom of man.
The context of “weakness, fear and trembling”, was a rebuke toward their supposed courage, strength and wisdom. They relate back to the Foolish, Weak and Base things Paul just talked about:
1 Corinthians 1:27-28 1 Corinthians 2:3 Foolish Fear Weak Weakness Base Trembling Each area Paul alluded to would be areas where the Corinthians failed to discern. Paul didn’t come to them with the intellect, or wisdom of man, he came to them as a simple man with a powerful message by the Holy Ghost. Where we think we are strong, we will not allow the Lord to work, but if we know we are weak, we will humble ourselves and allow the New Man to work through us.
If prophecy is comfort, edifying, and exhortation, don’t you think we would have examples here in this letter? Yes, in First Corinthians 14:24 we find prophecy will open the “secrets” of ones heart, so what is that? Exposure, far from a pat on the head, but edifying. In First Corinthians 1:9 Paul said, “God is faithful, by whom you were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord”, an example of Comfort. In First Corinthians 3:1-3 Paul told them they were so carnal he had to speak to them as babes, which is exposure, yet edifying. The sad part is they thought they were Spiritual and Paul was in error. Evidence, always look at the evidence. Who is fighting over baptism? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who is divided? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who has the manifestation of the Spirit? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who has the evidence of God’s Wisdom? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Clarity at times is so obvious you have to force yourself not to see it.
In First Corinthians 6:11 he said, “And such were some of you” but you are washed….”, this would be Exhortation calling them to continue in the washing to be sacrificed and justified in Jesus by the Spirit. He is not projecting some future event, but he is reaching to the future based on a past event. They stopped in the middle of the Jordan, failing to see the reason they entered was to get to the other side.
The word Prophecy is the Greek Prophetes which is a compound word meaning Before (Pro) and To declare or make known before (Phemi), but we also know Prophecy is God speaking through a person, thus speaking words of Grace would be a form of Prophecy. We tend to link Prophecy with someone saying “So saith the Lord”, although Prophecy is the Lord saying, the person doesn’t have to qualify it by saying, “So saith the Lord” each time they prophesy. In this letter Paul desires for them to speak continually from the Spirit, which of course they were not. The wisdom of man speaks words of division, strife, envy, pride and deception, the Wisdom of God speaks words of unity, Grace, Mercy, and faith. The wisdom of man seeks self-exaltation, the Wisdom of God exalts Jesus. The words determine the source, Paul points to Jesus, the Corinthians to their own importance. Where does the wisdom of man come from? And where does the Wisdom of God come from?
Paul displayed at least two elements when he was with them, words (Prophecy) and Power (Signs). Paul admits, although he was weak, in fear and trembling, the Spirit of God was in Demonstration and Power. The signs were there, now it was time for the signs to follow the Corinthians. The wording, “in demonstration of the Spirit” has a connection to the Manifestation of the Spirit defined in Chapter 12, but here Paul is taking it further as he includes the anointing on his office. The Wisdom and Power were already presented, Paul acted as a person in the Office, as the Office manifested. The Anointing spoke and acted, but what did they do with the presented evidence?
The Greek word Apodixis translated as Demonstration is only found here in 2:4, although it does mean To Manifest, there is more to it. Why didn’t Paul use the same Greek word here as he does for Manifestation of the Spirit? It would seem to fit, but here he is talking about preaching before the group, rather the Manifestation of the Spirit in Chapter 12 is used in a one on one situation. From the wording used here we know there is a difference between the Demonstration of the Spirit of God, and the Manifestation of the Spirit (New Man or Holy Spirit) in the one on one situation.
This is leading to a simple explanation regarding the Spirit the Corinthians received, this area shows the Spirit of God Identified (baptized) them into the Body, it was not their intellect, or wisdom. The purpose in receiving the Seed was to be Spiritual in order to understand the things of God. The reference to Spirit of God here shows the completeness of God, the entire Report called them into the Body. The Mercy of the Father, the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, with the Holy Ghost. Therefore, he doesn’t use the title Holy Ghost, rather he is pointing to how much God has invested in them, and how they have the keys regarding God’s investment.
In this case Paul tells them to remember how the Demonstration confirmed the Gospel, they received and were Sozo from the world, now it’s time to enter the Salvation of their souls. Verse 5 is a powerful verse showing direction, their faith “should not” stand in the wisdom of man, but in the Power of God. Even after we enter the Body we can fail to put our Faith in God. Here the Corinthians had theirs in the wisdom of man, yet it was the Power (Dunamis) of God sent to save them. Taking us back to verse 1:24, “Christ the power of God”, thus they needed to put their faith in Christ the Power of God, rather than man.
Verse 6 begins another division, “we speak wisdom among them who are perfect”, say What? Perfect? The arrogance of the man. No, not at all, perfection is within, this is merely Paul saying he is speaking to the Spiritually minded, or those who have the potential to be Spiritual. The division is the Wisdom of God on Paul’s side, not the wisdom of “this world”, nor of the princes of this world, which comes to nothing.
Verse 7 brings more clarity, Paul is speaking the Wisdom of God in a mystery, it centers around, “the Greeks seek after wisdom” (v. 1:22). However, he is showing them there are two types of wisdom, the one they were using is worldly in nature, the one he was using is Godly in nature. They were seeking wisdom, but the wrong kind, from the wrong source. They were speaking as the princes of this world, the same ones who put Jesus on the Cross.
The Greeks were very proud of their wisdom, some of the rotten baggage remained with the Corinthians. Like the acts of Pharaoh being carried by the children into the wilderness, the Corinthians brought the Greek wisdom of man by a spirit they should have rejected.
The Wisdom of God was long before there were any Greeks, even before world (v. 7). This Wisdom was “unto our glory”? Could it be right? Yes, our Glory is found in the New Man, Christ in us, the hope of Glory. The same Glory none of the “princes of the world” knew, for if they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory (v. 8). If these princes of the world, are of the world, what spirit do we think they would use? The spirit of man? Correct, the division is between the spirit of man being ignorant of the things of God, but the spirit of the world being opposed to the Spirit that is of God, meaning the spirit of the world did not come into existence until after Pentecost. This is clear when John tells us of the “he in the world” is antichrist in nature, thus the spirit of the world is overly concerned about the cares or fears of the world, causing them to bring terror and fear into the Body regarding what the world is doing. This in turn removes faith, causing a falling away from the faith. On the other hand the spirit of man is the spirit of disobedience, or spirit lusting to envy, a product of the Fall, it is ignorant regarding the spiritual things of God. We will find how the Spirit of God removed us from the realm of the spirit of man by bringing us into the kingdom. Therefore, the spirit of the world attempts to combat the purpose of the Spirit which is of God by mixing the cares of the world into a religious doctrine not conducive to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Paul also understands the Plan is the Plan, as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them who Love (Agape) Him. But God Has Revealed them unto Us by His Spirit, for which is Born of the Spirit is Spirit, and the Spirit searches all things, yea even the deep things of God, for deep still speaks to deep (vs. 9-10). The context here shows only the Spirit of God knows the things of God, yet the Spirit of Christ in us knows us, as well as the things of God. It also shows the Spirit that is of God is from God, but the New Man is not all God is.
As we did in Romans we are now looking at “us” and “you”, and the differences between the two. If the Corinthians were walking in the Spirit, none of the questions they presented would have come to their minds. The Spirit is not going to say, “who baptized you?”. The mere fact they had the Spirit proves the baptism was accepted. Often the question asked, and how it’s presented will tell us if the source is carnal, or Spiritual.
In verse 9 the wording “have entered” is the Greek Anabaino meaning to make entrance in one direction. The word Enter in reference to Entering the Kingdom of God (sheepfold) in John’s Account it’s the Greek Eiserchomai meaning Entry in either direction, it also entails the purpose of entry. Jesus said once we enter the sheepfold the training begins, then we can go in and out. The Corinthians were standing at the Door, really they were blocking the entrance. The Greek Eiserchomai was used to show one entering with a purpose, or making entry to reach a result, then being able to venture in and out by right.
Verses 11 and 12 are vital, the spirit of man knows the things of man, but doesn’t have a clue regarding the things of the Spirit of God. The spirit of man can be very intellectual, know the original languages, study what others say the Bible says, but still ignorant regarding spiritual matters. Only the Spirit of God knows the things of God, for no man knows the things of God. Here is the exposure, they had the Spirit, but they were using the spirit of the man to define spiritual matter. Their questions revolved around issues showing they didn’t know the Things of God, they were listening to the voice of the Stranger.
This also links to verses 9 and 10, it’s not separate from them, but showing the division in the body of the Corinth was merely a sign of the division in the people. In this case Paul tells them they are ignorant, but if they were set against the things regarding the Spirit that is of God, they would be antichrist in nature, more serious.
The division was evident by their words, the spirit of man is the fallen nature. They may say they are Christian, but they if they give man the glory they are using the spirit of man. Did the spirit of man control them? No, it’s the point, they had the Spirit of Christ, thus they had the power and authority to reject the spirit of man.
However in verse 12 we find a slight change, as the spirit of the world, not the spirit of man, but we also find “the Spirit which is of God”, rather than the “Spirit of God” as we found in verse 11. Why not use the title Holy Ghost in verse 11? Because Paul is speaking of the entire Report, God in fullness, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as God is Spirit. The Spirit of God called us into the Body, so we could have the Spirit which is of God. In essence Paul is telling the Corinthians he is not of “the spirit of the world” come to harm them, rather he is speaking from the Spirit which is of God. The natural mind cannot tell the difference between being discipled, or controlled, at times they simply don’t like anyone telling them what to do, thus they run to another body to become the invisible.
The spirit of the world is seen as the “he in the world”, it did not come into being until the Holy Ghost began to reprove the world, thus the spirit of the world is the Beast of the Sea, who holds the authority, power and seat of Satan, yet the Beast of the Earth is the he in the world, who uses the authority of the Beast of the Sea. The spirit of the world is opposed to the Spirit which is of God, as the Spirit which is of God is the Holy Spirit in us. The spirit of the world will use social pressure to make us reject the voice of the Holy Spirit for the voice of the world. However, we find the he of the world is run by the spirit of the world, through the authority of the world. Verse 13 confirms it, the Corinthians were ignorant, meaning they are more listening to the spirit of man, not the spirit of the world. In truth it was their hope, being ignorant is far cry from using the spirit of the world.
Those same deep things of God, are the things Paul speaks of, not by the wisdom of the Greeks (world), but the in the Wisdom of God. Now he speaks of the Holy Ghost, as the Holy Ghost teaches by comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual. Therefore, the Holy Ghost is spiritual, the New Man is spiritual, they compared matters, yet if we are carnal minded we won’t have a clue to what is being compared. Therefore, the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually Discerned (vs. 13-14). Having the Spirit isn’t the end of the race, our souls being formed into a spiritual nature is the goal. This above all else shows this is a Process, as we grow.
One of the vital verses in the concept of Spiritual abilities is found right here. Spiritually Discerned, it’s our safety net, our ability to see past the here and now, to the intent, as the cares of this world will not invade our thinking. The word Discerned is the Greek Anakrion meaning to examine, or investigate, but it depends on the word it’s attached to. Here it’s Spiritual, not carnal. The Corinthians were using the wisdom of man, which is earthly, sensual and devilish, they held the cup of devils up as their testing source.
These verses are perhaps the most rebuking of any Paul used toward members of the Body, they are stronger than the ones used toward the Romans. The Corinthians were in the most dangerous of all places, they had the Spirit giving them position to speak about the Cross and Resurrection, but they were using the wisdom of the world by the spirit of man as their teacher and guide. The same elements used by the princes of the world used in their reasoning for putting Jesus on the Cross.
Verse 15 uses the Greek Anakrion as the word “judge”, meaning to Discern, or Judge righteously. If we use the word Discern in place of Judge we could read this as, “but he who is Spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is not discerned of man (natural)”. This doesn’t mean the Spiritual person is not to judge their self, it means no carnal natural person can discern what God is doing with a Spiritual person, but the Spiritual person can always discern what is going on with the natural, carnal minded. How? By the Spirit. The Spirit hears words, by the words the person’s heart is discerned, then we address the intent of the heart. This is what Paul is doing here, he had their questions and from the questions he discerned their hearts. You don’t have to read someone’s mind to know their intent, you hear, discern, and respond.
If the Corinthians were in the Body, why were they acting this way? The Gospel has two areas, Mercy (Kingdom of Heaven) and Grace (Kingdom of God), the first part of this promise is the Living Soul condition, or Zao Psuchikos, but the second part is the Quickening Spirit or Zoopoieo Pneumatikos. As a Living Soul we have life, but it’s imputed, as a Quickening Spirit we have Imparted Life. Both conditions are important, but we can’t remain a living soul, when the call is to become a Quickening Spirit.
Paul quoted Isaiah 64:4, but Isaiah 64:5 shows God comes to those who Rejoice and work Righteousness, but He is wroth at those who sinned, unless they repent. If they repent, then they shall be saved, thus Paul is calling for repentance, the jack hammer to the stronghold of a carnal mind. The only way any of us will know what the predestined plan of God is for us, is when we have the Witness. Paul isn’t boasting, he is pleading, the Corinthians have all it takes, all they need do is submit by putting their faith in Christ.
The word Instruct in verse 16 is the Greek Sumbibazo meaning to uplift, we find Paul using Old Testament foundations to correct the New Testament carnal minded. However, he has to, since they are carnal minded and unable to understand Spiritual matters. He just said the Holy Ghost teaches by comparing Spiritual to Spiritual, but these people are not Spiritual, meaning Paul must use carnal reasoning. The Holy Ghost is instructing, but they consider it foolishness.
Jeremiah says, “For who has stood in the counsel (secret) of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His Word and heard it?” (Jere 23:18). Isaiah 40:12-13 says, “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor has taught Him?”. Both of these don’t answer the questions, they merely ask them. Who indeed, but we have the Mind of Christ through the New Birth; we are Instructed in the things of God, by the Mind of the Lord. We could see this is the Mind of the Lord by the Holy Ghost instructing us by the Mind of Christ which is the Spirit in us which is of God to our souls.
Godly division is a matter of separating the Precious from the Vile, but the Holy Ghost isn’t done yet, there is more to this hammer of truth.
I Cor 3:1-3
This is very interesting, since Paul just finished saying the natural mind can’t understand the things of God, he now separates the carnal from the Spiritual, but in so doing we find one can be in Christ, yet carnal, if carnal they are yet natural. In Romans we found one can be in Christ yet mind the things of the flesh, here we find one can be in Christ, yet remain carnal. On the same note, let us not forget we can be in Christ and Spiritual. This explains Romans 8:1 as well, both the Romans and Corinthians were in the Body, but hardly Spiritual, thus there are some in the Body who mind the flesh, but there are some who mind the Spirit. The Corinthians and Romans would be examples of those who “sleep in Jesus”, they have the Spirit, but their works of mercy will have to pass the fire, but those who are Spiritual have entered the Rest of God, ceasing from their own works.
We have three things noted here in verse 1, the Spiritual, the carnal and babes. Are there Babes in Christ? Yes, it’s why we call them “Babes in Christ”, rather than “Babes in Jesus”. Do we teach them as we would the “youngmen”? No, of course not. However, the Babes in Christ have the Spirit, yet they are seeking to be Spiritual, here we find something different. The Greek word for Babes is Nepios, meaning Natal, or in the womb, denoting the Corinthians were not Born Again, yet they had the Spirit. By Paul using Nepios it really is “edifying”, or building them up. It’s best to know you’re not there, rather then live in the deception thinking you’ve already made it. The Corinthians were living the illusion of thinking since they had the Spirit, thus they were Born Again, by Paul using the Greek Nepios the illusion is cut off at the roots. Their actions were carnal, their questions were carnal, their debates were carnal, yet they had the Spirit. Their ways tell the tale, they are still in the fetus stage, their faith was in the wrong area, causing their growth to cease.
These verses are examples of Discernment, Paul by the Spirit saw behind the questions to the problem. He is addressing the problem, and will do so for a number of chapters. He will answer their questions, but as they relate to the real problem, their carnal nature. They had power over the spirit of man, meaning they had the ability to say No, but they were using the spirit of man by using the wisdom of the world. Once we come to Jesus we have authority over the spirit of man, which is spirit lusting to envy.
In chapter two Paul made reference to the wisdom of the world six times, then he ended by saying, “We have the mind of Christ”. He begins chapter three with You, thus separating the one difference between We and You based on which wisdom one uses. In Romans it was “we” and “they”, here it gets more personal in nature, for good reason. The Romans were about to destroy themselves, here the Corinthians were about to destroy themselves and others.
The “sure sign” of being Born Again is Love, yet do the Corinthians show Love? Hardly, they are divided, in strife and envy, acting as natural men. If they act as “men” what spirit is driving them? The spirit of man. If they operate in envy what spirit are they using? The spirit lusting to envy. If they use the wisdom of the world, what spirit are they using there? The spirit of man, indicating they haven’t a clue to the things of God.
Because they are using their carnal minds, they are also ignoring the call to be Spiritual, meaning they could just barely handle Milk, much less Meat. Milk often pertains to the knowledge of the Gospel, or the basic matters understood by the natural mind, but Meat involves Spiritual discernment, or doing of the things of God. Paul will give them knowledge regarding Spiritual matters, but neither he or God will force them to walk in the Spirit.
The signs of the carnal mind are the displays of envy, strife and division. This same envy and strife leads to hate and bitterness. Wait a minute, didn’t this same Paul say even if someone preaches Jesus from envy and strife, at least Christ is preached? Yes, but in the context the reward is to those preached to, it doesn’t relate to the one preaching. Both James and John write how the signs of envy and strife in our lives as signs of still being in darkness. One can read Scripture aloud, if the hearer is willing to receive the Truth, they will; although the speaker is not holy, the words spoken are. In Mark we found even if one preaches, yet doesn’t believe, there may be a hearer who will (Mark 16:16-18).
When Paul was in Corinth, Apollos was in Ephesus, yet all Apollos knew at the time was the baptism of John, explaining why some Greeks were baptized under John’s baptism (Acts 18:24 & 19:2). This explains the phrase “Name of Jesus only”, since some were being baptized under John’s baptism. John was not a member of the ministry of Jesus, thus John’s baptism after the Cross really availed nothing. As Apollos was preaching in Ephesus a husband and wife team of Aquila and Priscilla explained the Way of God, which would include the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. When Paul was in Ephesus, Apollos was in Corinth. Apollos was an eloquent speaker, mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24). The Corinthians considered Paul weak, but Apollos mighty, thus they were bragging in who baptized them, or under what Name was the real baptism. Carnal minds hurt many people, simply because they haven’t a clue regarding Spiritual matters.
The Greek word for Envying is Zelos, but it also means one who is Zealous for God. The difference? In the case of Envying it’s coupled with the old man, in the case of being Zealous for God it’s coupled with the New Man. It’s not the same word James uses for envy in the phrase spirit lusting to envy, the word for Envy means completely in capable of doing good. Here Paul uses Zelos for good reason, they had the Spirit, they could put their faith in Christ to be Zelos for God, or they could continue to listen to the spirit of man, ending Zelos for religion, but not Spiritual.
The Greek word for Strife is Eris meaning one who loves strife, or one who causes strife, contention or wrangling. In this case it means one who starts things, or the one who causes the fight. Questions and opinions used to belittle or trap someone are methods of Strife. There are some who plan out strife, they speak to people about others just to get them all worked up into some soulish tornado. The result is removing Peace, exactly what the Corinthians were doing among their own, and others.
The word Divisions is the Greek Dichostasia meaning one who separates by dissension. Seditions or divisions are works of the flesh, in Romans Paul warned us to stay away from those who cause such things (Rom 16:17). If it’s the case, what is he doing here? Adding fuel to the fire? No, correction, these people are still his children in the Lord; they may have many teachers, but not many fathers: the phrase means one who began the local church, Paul is still teaching them as a parent would a child.
If the carnal mind doesn’t like the people or event, it will divide through strife. If it can’t have it, it will destroy it, discredit it, deny it, or discard it. The carnal mind seeks to be the center of attention, if the attention is not on them, envy enters their heart, causing them to attack. Later Paul will show certain things affront the unlearned and the unbeliever; the purpose demonstrates how the Corinthians were the unlearned in Spiritual matters.
I Cor 3:4-23
Verse 4 defines the carnal mind, an exposure we must all keep in mind. “For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?”. Division into groups to exalt ourselves is carnal, in this case they divided themselves based on who they felt were more Godly. “I’m of this denomination”, or “we’re non-denominational”, “I was baptized in this name”, “I’m better I was baptized under this name”. Carnal minds seek to be superior over the rest of the Body, to have a special something making them better than the rest of us. A title they feel exalts them, or something else placing them above the others, sadly it’s based on envy, the lust to be better than the total. The evidence is here, one says they are better because Paul baptized them, another says they are better because Apollos baptized them. The Body is divided based on envy, yet the Church is never divided.
Paul tells them they are carnal, he already said they were unable to understand the Spiritual, yet he says they are of the Body, even the Temple of God, they even have the Spirit, making them a potential Tabernacle (vs. 3:1-3 & 3:16-17). “Wow, the Temple, must be great”. Could be, if one keeps it in context, but remember when the disciples told Jesus how great they thought the Temple was, He said it would be destroyed. Being the Temple of the Spirit doesn’t mean the flesh is holy, or we as individuals are “the Temple of the Spirit”, since before we could gain the Spirit we had to impute the flesh dead. The temple is the structure, wherein the people go, but we find another place outside of the temple as well. If we are the Temple of the Spirit, yet the flesh is dead, then Paul must be talking about another element, rather than the flesh of man. The Temple must be “holy”, but can the flesh be holy? Not hardly, what then is this “body” he is talking about? The Temple Paul is talking about is the Body of Christ, which is Holy, it becomes our Flesh after we imputed the old flesh dead. Will the Body be broken? Yes, in a few chapters Paul will make the point using the night of betrayal as an example of someone defiling the Temple. If it’s dangerous for a Novice to teach, think of the danger of having carnal minded leadership.
What two things caused the Temple to be destroyed? The iniquity of failing to make it a house of prayer, plus the sin of selling the dove. Ahh, the Building process, only here Paul uses the metaphors of man’s treasure to show it’s far better to use gold, sliver and precious stones, than wood, hay and stubble. Gold points to purity, silver to redemption, and precious stones to the attributes of the Spirit. Wood refers to the things of man, including man’s wisdom; hay to the works of man’s hands, stubble to the knowledge of man. The foundation Paul laid was firm, it was the building materials the Corinthians were using producing the problems.
The word for Temple is the Greek Naos, generally was used to refer to the inner parts, or most sacred part of the temple. Often Naos pointed to the holiest place in the Temple, which would fit the context better. The Spirit is the Mercy Seat of Grace within us, our souls akin to the holy place, but all of us are in the Temple (Body of Christ), yet remove the Spirit and we have a defiled, broken temple. However, it’s getting ahead of the context.
Paul didn’t cause the increase, neither did Apollos, but they both worked together for the benefit of the Corinthians (v. 8). It’s always God who brings the increase, we can try all the programs we want, but if we are serious about this, we leave the Increase to God, we take care of the planting and watering (v. 5-6). It had nothing to do with induction into the Body, the Corinthians were in the Body, it was up to them to do some building, so God could bring the increase. Unless they join to the building, God will not increase. If the seed is planted, yet never grows, what good is it? If one waters the ground, yet there is no seed, or increase, what good is it? It’s the increase producing the product, if Paul hadn’t planted, God would have sent someone else; if Apollos hadn’t watered, God would have sent someone else, but only God can bring the increase (v. 7). The Corinthians were putting the importance on men, rather than God. Carnal minds seem to pick their favorite person of God, assuming the anointing is a result of the person, rather than God who anointed the person.
The foundation is Christ, they have the Spirit, but what are they using for building materials? Spiritual? Or carnal? Back in verse 10 Paul shows the foundation is the result of God’s Grace, yet Grace is not carnal. The foundation is sound, but the Corinthians were attempting to make the building carnal. Jesus said we should not attempt to build on sand, here the foundation was correct, the building materials faulty.
Now the hard part, Paul knows his “reward” is according to his labor, but he tells the Corinthians their “work” will be revealed by fire. The word for Labor in verse 8 is the Greek Kopos meaning To cause one trouble, or a troublesome type of labor, usually associated with a beating of the chest in sorrow. This shows his labor toward the Corinthians was related to the sorrow of seeing his labor treated in a carnal manner.
The word for Laborers (together) in verse 9 is the Greek Sunergos meaning Fellow-laborer, or companion in work, it holds the thought of one helping the other. The word for Work in verse 13 is the Greek Ergon which is the suffix to Sunergos, Ergon is often used for “works”, business, type of work, or deed. Putting it all together we find a rebuke to the Corinthians, Paul and Apollos worked together, there was no division between them, their goal was hard, and troublesome, the foundation being laid in the “camp of the carnal” is always difficult, but more hurtful was seeing what the Corinthians were doing to the foundation. The foundation was correct, the water was correct, but the building process was no longer in the hands of Paul or Apollos. Yet, if God brings the increase, what is so wrong here? God wasn’t being allowed to bring the increase, they stopped short of the place where God could bring the increase. They were attempting to use carnal endeavors to build a Spiritual house, the result would be defiling the Temple, not establishing it.
Verses 14 and 15 would appear to be at the Judgment, except for the word “saved”, which is the Greek Sozo, not Soteria, but it would be the case if they were saved from the world, yet not able to enter the First Resurrection. They would fit those who Sleep in Jesus through the Night, then stood up on the last day. If Paul would have used the Greek Soteria it would reflect on them making the First Resurrection. We have to put this with First Thessalonians 5:5-6, there are those who Sleep in Jesus, but the warning is let us not Sleep, not be with the drunken who go into the Night, but rather let us become Spiritual to become children of the Day.
The wording “every man” has to be taken into context as to time and position. Both Jew and Gentile have to find their name in the Book of Life, thus no matter who you are, you must come through Jesus. For those in the First Resurrection they enter the Door by having Jesus in them of a truth, which means they are Spiritual in nature, or at least trying to be so, meaning their names are in the Book of Life.
We have two areas to consider in these verses helping us understand the Temple – Tabernacle principle. We are God’s “husbandry”, His “building”, two things not one. The word Husbandry points to a field, it comes from two Greek words, one means A cultivated field, the other means A farmer, we are not the Farmer, but we are the field, the same field in which God planted the Seed. Then comes the Building, which is the Greek Oikodome meaning a Building in the process of construction, or an edifice, generally it means edification, or building up, it doesn’t mean the completed building, rather it points to one in construction, giving us Process. The same Greek word is used in First Corinthians 14:26-31 telling us to let all things be done for the edifying of the Body, showing the connection. This also shows the “temple of the Holy Ghost” is not our fleshly bodies, but the Spirit securing us in the Body of Christ. The temple of the Holy Ghost is in us, yet what is in us connecting to the Holy Ghost? The Spirit, thus this has nothing to do with the fleshly body, it relates to the Spirit and soul. The Corinthians needed to submit to the building process to become Spiritual in nature.
Of course we could look at the word “man” as the New Man, keeping this in context we can see the “Spirit” will be saved, but the soul lost. This is confirmed by Jude’s comment, “having not the Spirit”, which could also read, “Not able to hold unto the Spirit” (Jude 19). Surely the spirit of man is not going to be saved, the only Spirit this could refer to is the New Man, the New Man being the Holy Spirit will go home in the Rapture.
The word Defile is the Greek Phtheiro meaning to make corrupt, or to cause to be destroyed. Surely they will not cause the entire Body to be destroyed, but we do know the Body will be broken. In their case the Temple is the place within, connecting them to the Body. This goes right with, “let no man deceive himself” (v. 18). The word Deceive is the Greek Exapatao meaning Beguiled or deceived; the word Beguiled means To distract ones attention from one thing to another. The evidence of this was of course the dispute over baptism. In the case of the baptism controversy it was, “who baptized me?”, rather than “why was I baptized?”.
Verse 19 goes right back to the “wisdom of this world”, showing the source of the foolishness, thus to the carnal mind Spiritual things are foolishness. Again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, yet Paul just said the spirit of man doesn’t know the things of God. The spirit of man knows man so well, it can take the deep things of man, and beat man stupid, while man thinks he is superior. The thoughts of the wise of this world are vain, attempting to impress people with their knowledge, yet their knowledge lacks Truth.
The phrase “He takes the wise in their own craftiness” is interesting, the word Craftiness is the Greek Panourgia meaning A false wisdom or Subtle, going right to the methods of the beasts of the field (Gen 3:1). The problem with the carnal mind, or the natural mind, is the use of manipulation and subtle methods based in the nature, yet the person is blinded to their folly. Discernment looks past the mask to the source, just as Paul is doing here. This is made clear in verse 20, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and they are vain”, which goes right back to, “Who has known the Mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him, but we have the Mind of Christ” (v. 2:16). The word Vain is the Greek Mataios meaning Devoid of truth, or of no purpose.
Verse 21 goes back to 1:31, “let him glory in the Lord”. The spirit of man glories in man, the spirit of the world in the things of the world, the Spirit of Christ in God. This was another area where Paul discerned the carnal nature, their debates over baptism was an attempt to place the glory on man.
Verse 22 shows the authority, whatever was given to the Corinthians by Paul, who planted, by Apollos who watered, as Cephas who assisted, unto life found in the Spirit which is of God, or things in the present, or things yet to come, are all theirs, they have the ability in hand. They can use the spirit of man, or submit to the Holy Spirit. They are not trapped into using the wisdom of the world, or the spirit of man, none of them rule them. They are a people of Authority, they just forgot they were under Authority as well.
Verse 23 becomes important later, they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. The head of the man is Christ, the head of Christ is God. There was no reason whatsoever to be carnal, they had the Spirit, they had Authority. All they had to do was make the decision, then submit to the Spirit.
The Corinthian stronghold was self-deception based in the confusion they created, they needed some Light to see themselves as Paul did. This stronghold is different from the religious conceit held by the Romans, yet both entailed self-deception; however, history shows the Romans received the Word, remaining firm until 315 AD. Whereas the Corinthians had to hear again from Paul, then later from the church fathers, yet they still refused to accept the Truth, finally faded into nothing. They never got the idea, they were so self-deceived the generations thereafter followed suit. They taught the next generation the same foolishness they retained, causing it to continue on, until the spirit of man overcame them. If this were not a serious issue, we wouldn’t have it written for our sakes. We learn, so we can discern, so we won’t burn.
I Cor 4:1-5
Paul is a Minister of Christ, a Steward of the mysteries of God, going back to “but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery”. The word Minister is the Greek Huperetes meaning anyone who serves with hands, it was used to describe those who rowed ships in unison. One might think Paul is saying he is a minister to Jesus, but it’s not the case, he is a minister to the Body of Christ by Jesus. This is made clearer by the word Stewards which is the Greek Oikonomos meaning the manager of a household, not the master of the house. A manager is one who manages the affairs, they do not create the affairs they manage, thereby showing the difference. The Corinthians were attempting to be master and manager, which is out of order. This Greek word was also used to show the position of a treasurer, such as one who holds the wealth of another. Paul isn’t boasting, but he does remind them, “you came to me for answers, but here is what the Lord has to say”. If they didn’t like the answer, don’t ask the question.
Verse 2 shows Responsibility, Paul also had the power to deliver, or not to deliver, he could just answer the questions, ignoring their carnal minds; however his duty as a Master of the Household was to bring these matters to light, thus he did as the Lord directed. The purpose? To belittle the Corinthians? No, to build them, but the exposure had to come before the building.
Verse 3 explains how the Corinthians were asking on one hand, but judging Paul on the other. Which is another sign of the carnal mind, if Paul agreed with them, then they would refer to him as a “anointed”, if not, they had their judging to fall back on, allowing them to reject Paul’s words. They would be wrong, but it’s nonetheless a method of the carnal mind. It often comes down to, “Oh yeah, well you…”. Camel swallowing contests are useless endeavors of the flesh.
Verses 3 and 4 use the word Judge in one form or another four times, the word Judge in the phrase “judged of you” is the Greek AnaKrino which is a compound word from the emphatic Ana (On or Upon), and Krino (to judge). The Greek Krino is a root word from which we get the English word Hypocrite. A Hypocrite is one who judges others under them, or judges to make themselves feel superior, yet they are doing the same as they are judging; yet in many cases they are so self-deceived they don’t think they are doing the same. It’s why we come to the Table of the Lord as we allow the Spirit to examine us, of course one must have the Spirit.
The word Judgment in verses 3 and 4 is the Greek Hemera meaning Day, in fact the TR renders this “or by a man’s day”, which doesn’t make a whole bunch of sense, unless we know this is the Day, coupled with the reference is to “man’s judgment”. During the day natural man still judges based on disobedience. The metaphoric context is man judging man by man’s rules and concepts, which is still being a hypocrite.
In all this we learn there are several words for “Judge”, and “Judgment”, this is good place to view them up. In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus told us, “Judge not, so you won’t be judged. For with the same Judgment you judge, you shall be judged”. Put it with Paul’s statement about judging ourselves, and we go “tilt”. In Matthew the Greek word is Krima meaning To place one in damnation, or condemnation of wrong. This is an attitude of seeking fault, it’s not merely judging, rather it’s the mindset of finding fault by judging. Jesus went about doing good, yet when fault appeared He would deal with it in a Godly manner. How do we know? Simple, He told the Pharisees their faults, He told Peter, “Get thee behind Me Satan”, yet in each case He also provided an escape. The difference is dependent on what one is seeking, the Pharisees were spending all their time seeking fault, Jesus was spending His doing good, yet He didn’t ignore fault when it appeared.
Here in verse 4 in the phrase “He that judges me” refers to the Lord doing the judging, the word Judges is the Greek AnaKrino again, thus it’s not the judging, but who is doing it. Man judges to exalt himself, the Lord judges so we won’t be condemned with the world. In essence Paul is tell the Corinthians go ahead and judge me, I will discern, you can’t help me or hurt me, but the Lord through me is reaching out to help you.
Verse 4 tells us why Paul wouldn’t Judge himself through himself, he had noting from which to compare of his own. He had the Declaration of Justification, but if he was Justified, there would be no need to Judge him. He was in the process of being Justified by Christ, as he was Judged of the Lord, thus what he thought was something in him, maybe something leaving him. What he thought may be the cause of the problem, may be the fruit. It’s impossible for any of us to use the soul to judge ourselves, we must allow the Lord to judge by the Spirit. Therefore in order to “judge ourselves” we must have a standard, the standard is the New Man, not other people. Therefore, when we judge ourselves, lest we be judged it has nothing to do with using our natural mind or soul to judge ourselves, it’s a matter of the New Man judging us by comparing Spiritual to Spiritual; meaning the Holy Ghost who is Spiritual teaches to the New Man who is Spiritual, the New Man teaches us, but if we are carnal, we won’t understand any of the teaching, or we will twist it to carnal.
If we continue looking at the word Judge we have to jump ahead for a moment to First Corinthians 6:2, where we again find two different Greek words; the phrase “shall judge” is the Greek Krino (the root word to Anakrino above) meaning To separate, or discriminate between good and evil. Above we had the addition of Ana, meaning upon, thus the Corinthians were laying Judgment on Paul, but their intent and purpose was evil in nature. In answering them on the question Paul was right, he didn’t judge himself in like manner; however, in this case we find Paul did judge himself in a Godly manner. In each case we find the word “judge”, but with completely different intents, and purposes.
Paul never used the old man as his guide or judge, whether the judging came from others, or toward others, but he did allow the New Man to judge and discern. The fine line between judging a person, and judging things is the issue. If we can put a face on what we judge, we are judging people.
In First Corinthians 6:2 the phrase “unworthy to judge” gives us the Greek Kritherion for the word Judge. The Greek Kritherion means A lawsuit, relating to the one who does the judging, or the one who has the authority to judge, becoming a very important issue. The Corinthians were using a carnal source from the spirit of man to judge a saint of God. Paul on the other hand was allowing the Holy Ghost to judge the Corinthians, as the New Man judged him.
The old man has no authority whatsoever to judge anything or anyone. Will he? In a heartbeat, but lacking authority makes the judgment hypocritical, and illegal. Since the old man is a waster by nature, he judges to get us under judgment. Once we figure it out, we stop judging people, by allowing the New Man to discern. The paradox is how the old man judges people to place them in a lower class, making the one who is judging think they are better, but in Romans we found it produces the opposite. What one judges, they are doing. It’s not the same as correction, in order to bring correction one must have the proper authority and position. Paul as the teacher of these people had right standing to correct them, they did not have right standing to judge him.
We are the only ones on this earth who have this opportunity to be judged of God before the Judgment, so we won’t be condemned “with the world”. If one uses the spirit of man in a religious manner, they will be condemned with the world. Paul’s plea is for the Corinthians to enter the Spiritual, in order for their souls to become Spiritual. He shows them how they were using the spirit of man, if they remained carnal, they would need a Law based in carnal ordinances, the only one open to them was the Law of Moses, yet it’s purpose is to hunt out sin, convict and proclaim the punishment. Perhaps it’s for this reason we find Paul making references to the Law of Moses as he applies it to these carnal people.
This will take us to First Corinthians 11:31 where we find one more Greek word, coupled with those we have already talked about. In the phrase, “For if we would judge ourselves” we find the wording “would judge” is the Greek Diakrino, this word uses the same root word of Krino, but now we have the addition of Dia. We may recall the word DiaMerismos meaning to completely separate, but Merismos means to open up in order to discern. Jesus said He came to “diamerismos“, but the Word in us will Merismos. The concept in DiaKrino is to Separate (Dia) from the world (what is judged), we do so by knowing we are the Bread as the Body given by the Lord. The baptism was their token of being separated, yet they were using it for some social importance.
The Corinthians were using the ways of the world to judge Paul, but Paul tells us to judge and determine if we are Separated from the ways of the world by allowing the New Man to judge us. In the phrase “should not be judged” the Greek word for Judged is Krino the root word for DiaKrino. If we Separate ourselves (Judge), we will not be judged (joined to the world). The method is words and actions, are we using the spirit of man? We will be judged with the world, but the Spirit that is of God will be saved.
All this connects to the difference between Godly principles applied by the Spiritually minded, or by the carnal minded. Same principle, but different sources for the application, ending in different results. The carnal mind uses natural reasoning and carnal intellect, the Spiritually minded submit to the New Man using Godly Knowledge and Wisdom. The only Judge is Jesus, the New Man being created after God’s True Holiness and Righteousness has the authority to judge us individually.
Many of us find ourselves waiting for our day in the Sun, yet for some when it comes we get all haughty, or full of pride, we failed to DiaKrino, yet we are being Krino. When we’re down in the valley, we begin to look for the fault in others so we can feel better, it’s a failure to DiaKrino, yet we’re being Krino. Are we doing what the Lord wants us to do? Or are we doing what we want? These are Discerning questions only the New Man can answer.
Paul didn’t fall for the deception of allowing the old man to judge him, nor did he use his opinions, fears, or any emotion to judge him, but he did allow the New Man to judge him. The separation between man’s judgment and God’s judgment is vast in many areas, but can almost appear the same to others. The fine line is still a line between Light and darkness. The Corinthians thought they were being Spiritual, thus they felt they were judging Paul as “saints”, but they weren’t even close. Paul on the other hand was able to deal with their carnal attacks through Mercy, Love, and God’s Wisdom. It comes down to intent, purpose and motive, all of them play a part in the judging process.
First Corinthians 4:5 shows three areas, “will bring to light”, “will make manifest” and the “counsels” of man, all showing how all things will be made manifest in due time; however, for some it will be too late. It’s far better to stand naked and open before Him we have to do with now, rather than later (Heb 4:12-13). The word Counsels is the Greek Boule meaning the intent; we know the Word in us discerns the intent before the intent can form words (Heb 4:12). Far better to have the Word in us discerning, then Jesus judging us on the last day.
I Cor 4:6-21
Paul explains the relationship he and Apollos had as an example of how two men of God work together, yet neither thinks of their self above the other. The phrase, “have in a figure transfigured” is the Greek Metaschematizo meaning A change in condition, it was used in Second Corinthians 11:13-15 in reference to the self-transformed. So does it mean Paul is saying Apollos is self-transformed? No, it shows how he and Apollos discussed the Corinthian problem, seeking God to deal with it to benefit the Corinthians. Metashematizo could best be described as a change in the outward structure, as one would change an English garden into a Dutch garden. It’s still a Garden, the difference is the outward structure. The word would not fit if we took the garden and made it a soccer field, it would then be Metamorphoo, thus Satan can Metashematizo but he cannot Metamorphoo. Why use this word? Paul and Apollos had to discuss the problem, so were they judging? Or discerning? They addressed the problem by seeking a solution, they were Open, yet the Corinthians were applying pollution by deception. We must seek the solution, we never exalt the pollution; our example is what Paul and Apollos were doing, the opposite is what the Corinthians were doing.
Some of us are troubled over events, yet we think we can’t discuss them or we would be “judging”. The key to judging or discerning is intent, if we are seeking a way to deal with the event or problem in a Godly manner, it’s different than using the event to exalt ourselves. The Corinthians were bragging in their position, they lacked Spiritual discernment, the only reason they judged was to exalt themselves. Their position was fine, it was Christ based, but they presumed the race was over. Anything the Corinthians received they received by God through the men of God based on God’s goodness, not their goodness; however, they took the same Precious information, filtered it through their carnal strongholds, turning it into the carnal intellect, or the natural reasoning of man. The exact reverse of the intent of God, we have the Keys.
Verse 7 is a classic identifier of a carnal mind, wanting to be the special of the special, smarter than the smartest, to be elevated above others. “My baptism is better than yours, my man of God is more anointed than yours, my mom can beat up your mom”. Childish behavior, thus Paul said it would be difficult to speak to them, it would be like teaching the fetus the third year of college.
The Corinthians were very wealthy, they had many things, but they felt those things came by the power of their own hands, thus they felt all things came by the power of their own hands. Paul asks an important question, “For who makes you to differ from another? (v. 7)”. The wording “makes to differ” is the Greek Diakrino again, meaning a Separation to make a distinction or difference, in this case it means to separate based on ones own natural reasoning. The carnal mind simply can’t understand Spiritual matters, to the carnal mind there is no difference between “the faith of Jesus”, and “faith in Jesus”, yet the two differ considerably.
The Corinthian mindset forms little clicks, little groups of separation for the purpose of self-enhancement, which was displayed in, “I am baptized of Paul”, “I am baptized of Apollos”, all carnal conclusions, none of which came from Paul or Apollos. Paul never said, “Yeah I know what Apollos said, but Remember thou were baptized by me”, rather he shows baptism was a commandment, but connected to teaching. The Corinthians forgot the teaching, rather they used baptism as a means to exalt the self, or to judge others by. There are some who exalt water baptism above measure, thus they turn a Godly event into an idol by exalting it higher than God has. Whenever we use an attribute of God, whether it’s water baptism, the anointing, or the office to exalt ourselves we have made a golden calf. Water baptism is important, but the Corinthians took it beyond the intended purpose, producing error. They used it to exalt their self, making it an idol. Who gives us the right to baptize anyone? Jesus, who baptizes us with the Holy Ghost? Jesus, thus without Jesus we are nothing.
The Corinthians were kings, as kings they had the power to accept or reject, but they were accepting the wrong “visitors” into their kingdom realm, while rejecting the true Ambassador of Christ (v. 8). Who made them kings? Rome? The stock market? Nay, Jesus has made us kings and priests (Rev 1:6). As kings they could band the wisdom of man, yet receive the Wisdom of God with open arms. As kings they could band the spirit of man by walking with the New Man (Spirit which is of God).
Here in verse 9 Paul shows God set the Apostles last, yet in I Corinthians 12:28 he says the Apostles are first. The word Last means last in time or place, whereas the word First means first established, thus the Apostles were the first group established, but became last in reference to the honor given the other members of the Body. The Offices are gifts given to the Body, to assist the Body. Paul understood the calling, yes they were to give him honor, but he made himself servant in order to minister to them. If we think we are better than the people we minister to, we have yet to learn what ministry is.
Paul is simply saying he had gone through many things based on his calling, so the Corinthians and others could be established. The Corinthians thought of themselves as kings who are not subject to authority, but they should act like servants in order to reign as the called kings.
We can also see Paul suffered many things, but the Corinthians either did them or caused them, it should not be. They forced Paul to work with his hands, they were using their knowledge of Grace in an ungodly manner, thus their knowledge puffed them up. It’s not simply knowledge puffing up, we all have knowledge of something. It’s knowledge used to belittle others, or exalt ourselves becoming the problem.
He also shows us this knowledge is specific, rather than knowledge in general. His reference is to Liberty, thus one can be knowledgeable of Liberty, yet use it in an ungodly manner. The Corinthians knew they were free, yet absent Love they used their knowledge to belittle those who were weak in the faith. The same can be true regardless of the knowledge, they could have knowledge of a language, yet use it to belittle others, while exalting their selves. Paul told the Romans, if you keep the day, or not, keep it between you and the Lord. It does connect, the knowledge of being free of the Law of Moses means we can eat, or not.
Surely this can’t mean simply because we have knowledge we are puffed up, since information is knowledge. “Well brother the Bible says knowledge puffs up”, “oh, man, where did you get that?”, “From my knowledge of the Bible”. Oops. An example of the principle, using knowledge in an ungodly manner ends puffing up. What is the distinction? Paul and the Corinthians, they were using knowledge to impress themselves, Paul was using it to save the Corinthians; both were using knowledge, but for two completely different reasons.
On the other hand, if Paul would have held the same type of love these Corinthians had, this letter would be about three sentences long, nor were there be a Second Corinthians. We would read something like, “You are carnal minded idiots, see you around, have a nice day, I never knew you, love Paul”. No, the man was reaching out to them like a father to his son, yet they became a thorn in his flesh, they mocked him, sent messages from the wrong source, yet they were a people God loved, whom God loves, Paul loves.
Paul isn’t writing to shame the Corinthians, but to warn and persuade them to seek the Spiritual nature of the Lord. He is not calling them into the Body, they were already there, he is not calling them to receive the Spirit, they had the Spirit, rather it’s to move forward to become Spiritual in nature.
Their attitude toward Paul was a disgrace, they failed to give honor where honor was due, moving deeper into a carnal mindset. Paul thought of himself as a servant, but disciples should honor their teacher, yet there is a difference between giving honor, and seeking it (vs. 10-14).
Verses 15 through 17 don’t mean Paul is violating “call no man father, but your Father in heaven”, since the context means Lordship, rather he is talking about the Apostle function of beginning a new body in an area where there is none. The metaphor “father” refers to someone who begins something. Abraham is known as the “father of circumcision”, since circumcision as it relates to a Covenant began with him. Therefore, we find will have many teachers, perhaps many prophets, or pastors, but we won’t find many who started us on our path of Grace unto Salvation. It’s true the Holy Ghost called us, but He did so through a person. How can they believe unless they hear, how can they hear unless someone is sent.
Paul is their father in the Lord, he sent another son to them, thus it was as if Paul himself were there. The Corinthians displayed the exact reason Paul refused to take money from them, “You said you would come, look at all we did for you, how dare you send this Timothy!”. Yeah, look at all you did, you considered the man of God weak, buffeted him, knew he had no certain dwelling place, but you had homes, made him labor, reviled him, persecuted him, defamed him, yes look at all you did to him. Their perception of their “goodness” was blinded by their carnal minds, what they perceived as “good”, was not good in God’s eyes.
They will have many instructors (Greek Paidagogos meaning A teacher of children), but they will not have many “fathers” (Greek Pater meaning father, the same word used in First John for the position of growing to become a father). They were “begotten” which is the Greek Gennao, the same word used in John chapter three for Born Again, not by Paul, but by the Holy Ghost. The position of the Holy Ghost is to plant the Seed, the purpose is for our souls to become Spiritual in nature, but it doesn’t mean the one with the Spirit is Spiritual, but it does mean they have the potential to be Spiritual; the change in natures is from flesh to Spirit.
Back in verse 14 Paul called them “sons”, by saying he was warning them, which is a duty within the Prophetic Office (Direction). The Office of Prophet does many things which differ from the manifestation to “prophesy” as Paul will point out. Here the Office is giving a warning, showing what God desires on one hand, and what the carnal road of destruction holds on the other, pertaining to Direction. The information will be presented, the choice will be clear, what the Corinthians do with it, is up to them. This also shows one person can hold more than one Office in the Lord’s Administration, but it still takes the Holy Ghost to say, “separate unto Me” (Acts 13:1-3).
Verse 18 shows how some of them were puffed up, it also shows not all the Corinthians were in this carnal condition, there were others who were Spiritual, thus Paul gives them encouragement. Nonetheless Paul did want to come to them, but by now they may be having second thoughts. This issue will pop up again in Second Corinthians, when Paul doesn’t show, again they will get puffed up. Would they rather see the man of God coming with the Rod of Correction? Or the staff of guidance? The power of edification? Or the meekness of love? What they do with the given Knowledge will tell the tale (v. 20-21).
I Cor 5:1-5
The Corinthians were judging Paul the man, so they could avoid his prophetic utterances, yet they had things going in their own midst considered an abomination in the world, much less the Body. They needed to judge their own selves. The correction of this man in order for him to be ministered to, would be one thing, allowing it to continue while giving the man’s actions glory and honor something quite different. What would be the worst of these? The latter of course, so why doesn’t Paul turn the entire body over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh? The source is the problem, thus if one cuts or removes the source, they stop the spread of leaven. Why doesn’t Paul tell them to minister to the man? They are carnal, what would they use? Formulas? Questionnaires? Natural Psychology?
This was not adultery, but fornication, a man having his father’s wife, this could mean the man’s mother or step-mother, since both are covered under the same aspect of the Law (Lev 18:8 & Deut 22:30). It could also mean his father died, now he was committing fornication with his mother. The simple excuse would be, “well brother Paul, we just walk in mercy, knowing the flesh is dead, we really didn’t want to cause this man to stumble”. The man not only stumbled, but was falling quickly into the grasp of hell. The man was honored by leadership, since they condoned his acts, yet they never attempted to save him from the result of his folly. This goes right back to them judging Paul, yet they failed to judge their own. This is the result of using the spirit of man, allowing the influences of the world would to guide the Corinthians by allowing this man to continue, assuming there is no difference, Grace is merely allowing sin, rather than getting rid of it. The leaven would soon spread to other bodies, causing more problems.
This is one of those interesting areas, Paul said, “It is reported commonly”, this is not a question, but something coming to his attention. What else did this tell Paul? The condition of the leadership was feeble, weak and unable to deal with the situation. They lacked the Wisdom of God to deal with the event in a Godly manner, they just ignored it.
If Paul allowed this act to continue with the knowledge of it, then others in other bodies would think it was condoned. We are never to hide or condone wrong doing, but it would seem in this case Paul is failing at ministry. Why not cast the devil out of the man? There was no devil, although the man was doing devilish matters. Since the leadership didn’t minister, it left Paul no choice, but to do, what he had to do (v. 2).
Verse 4 has several things to consider, one is how this letter is a “visit”, becoming the second time Paul is coming to them. Second Corinthians will be the second letter, but the third visit. These people were a thorn in the flesh, they were carnal, as they pushed at the flesh of Paul. This is a warfare, Paul had to remain Spiritual in the face of carnal attacking attitudes. It’s easy to retaliate in like manner, but it’s playing the devil’s game, hardly the position of an Apostle. Paul couldn’t write any of them off, the Lord’s Grace is always sufficient.
Paul was the father of this church, in the role he had the authority to take action according to the Holy Ghost, but not according to Paul’s personal conclusions. Several points have to be considered; was the man in sin? Were the leaders avoiding the situation? Did Paul have the authority to act? Did the Holy Ghost motivate Paul to act? Was it the man’s soul, or his flesh needing to be corrected? Was the man’s soul sick and using the flesh to vent the sickness? A little leaven was too much, it would move through the church like wildfire, thus was the man’s action hurting others? Turning someone over to Satan is not something done based on our own desires, surely not based in our anger. There are two considerations, is there harm being done to others in the Body? And is it the only course for the person to see their error? The method is taking the person off the altar of God, to place them in an unprotected state so they can feel the conviction as a heathen facing the Cross, rather than a protected saint with the Cross. This is the same as two or three, if the man refuses the efforts of restoration, he is to be treated as a heathen.
Paul knew exactly what to do, before he acted he applied Mercy by forgiving the man before turning him over. In Second Corinthians these same Corinthian leaders will attempt to exalt themselves by proclaiming they forgave, and restored the man, but Paul will show he forgave the man before turning him over to Satan, thus Paul’s action was really mercy based, done for the overall good of the Body. If Paul would have turned the man over to Satan based on his anger, then he would have turned himself over to Satan, he was not ignorant of Satan’s devices (II Cor 2:5-13).
This displays another point fitting it with Chapter 11 in the Authority of leadership, they were damaging their own position by not acting. They were placing a false carnal covering between them and Christ, a very dangerous move, especially when Paul will show it has serious effects on the Congregation. A congregation under carnal covering has to remain silent, their prayers in the gathering whether with the understanding or in tongues are useless, their prophecy in the gathering is tainted, all because of a little leaven reigning in the leadership.
I Cor 5:6-13
The glorying of the leaders regarding the man’s acts made the sin seem approved, thus the other members would soon engage in other acts of the flesh assuming they are condoned as well. This doesn’t mean we are suppose to get on the pulpit and preach against the person, it shows there is a means to Restore, without destroying. It’s one thing to know someone has a sin while encouraging them to join to the Spirit in order to see the flesh die, it’s another to encourage the flesh to reign. Whether we condone, or condemn, it makes no difference, both acts are soulish. Paul’s action served a two fold purpose, to allow the man to see his sin, while keeping the leaven from spreading.
All this goes back to verse 3:14, “if any man’s work abide”, surely the man was lead away by his own lust, his work would not abide. The Corinthian leadership ignored the obvious, the ship was sinking, yet they felt “all is well”. The leaven was spreading, first the man, then the leaders, then the entire church, three parts of leaven, yet these people were in the kingdom of heaven. Purging out the old leaven is not a act of mind power, but one of submission to the Spirit. Paul’s reference to “Christ our Passover” goes right to the Communion Table, explaining the term Unworthy. Knowing the purpose of Remembering is a sound reason to engage in Communion; however, if we think we’re so holy we create water, then we are unworthy. The unworthy state is not being in need, it’s thinking we don’t need the Table. The Table is the place where we bring our honest open hearts before the Lord, it’s our place to find the delivering power of Christ. Surely if the Corinthians are told to partake, we can. This bread issue will be the his first area of teaching on Communion, then the cup, but the Corinthians were holding the cup of devils, calling it the cup of the Lord. They were holding the leavened bread, calling it unleavened, yet they thought they were rich and in need of nothing. Carnal minds become cloudy in their self-deceived condition.
There is a division between the soiled bread and the holy bread (see below).
Each area Paul alluded to would be areas where the Corinthians failed to discern. Paul didn’t come to them with the intellect, or wisdom of man, he came to them as a simple man with a powerful message by the Holy Ghost. Where we think we are strong, we will not allow the Lord to work, but if we know we are weak, we will humble ourselves and allow the New Man to work through us.
If prophecy is comfort, edifying, and exhortation, don’t you think we would have examples here in this letter? Yes, in First Corinthians 14:24 we find prophecy will open the “secrets” of ones heart, so what is that? Exposure, far from a pat on the head, but edifying. In First Corinthians 1:9 Paul said, “God is faithful, by whom you were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord”, an example of Comfort. In First Corinthians 3:1-3 Paul told them they were so carnal he had to speak to them as babes, which is exposure, yet edifying. The sad part is they thought they were Spiritual and Paul was in error. Evidence, always look at the evidence. Who is fighting over baptism? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who is divided? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who has the manifestation of the Spirit? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who has the evidence of God’s Wisdom? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Clarity at times is so obvious you have to force yourself not to see it.
In First Corinthians 6:11 he said, “And such were some of you” but you are washed….”, this would be Exhortation calling them to continue in the washing to be sacrificed and justified in Jesus by the Spirit. He is not projecting some future event, but he is reaching to the future based on a past event. They stopped in the middle of the Jordan, failing to see the reason they entered was to get to the other side.
The word Prophecy is the Greek Prophetes which is a compound word meaning Before (Pro) and To declare or make known before (Phemi), but we also know Prophecy is God speaking through a person, thus speaking words of Grace would be a form of Prophecy. We tend to link Prophecy with someone saying “So saith the Lord”, although Prophecy is the Lord saying, the person doesn’t have to qualify it by saying, “So saith the Lord” each time they prophesy. In this letter Paul desires for them to speak continually from the Spirit, which of course they were not. The wisdom of man speaks words of division, strife, envy, pride and deception, the Wisdom of God speaks words of unity, Grace, Mercy, and faith. The wisdom of man seeks self-exaltation, the Wisdom of God exalts Jesus. The words determine the source, Paul points to Jesus, the Corinthians to their own importance. Where does the wisdom of man come from? And where does the Wisdom of God come from?
Paul displayed at least two elements when he was with them, words (Prophecy) and Power (Signs). Paul admits, although he was weak, in fear and trembling, the Spirit of God was in Demonstration and Power. The signs were there, now it was time for the signs to follow the Corinthians. The wording, “in demonstration of the Spirit” has a connection to the Manifestation of the Spirit defined in Chapter 12, but here Paul is taking it further as he includes the anointing on his office. The Wisdom and Power were already presented, Paul acted as a person in the Office, as the Office manifested. The Anointing spoke and acted, but what did they do with the presented evidence?
The Greek word Apodixis translated as Demonstration is only found here in 2:4, although it does mean To Manifest, there is more to it. Why didn’t Paul use the same Greek word here as he does for Manifestation of the Spirit? It would seem to fit, but here he is talking about preaching before the group, rather the Manifestation of the Spirit in Chapter 12 is used in a one on one situation. From the wording used here we know there is a difference between the Demonstration of the Spirit of God, and the Manifestation of the Spirit (New Man or Holy Spirit) in the one on one situation.
This is leading to a simple explanation regarding the Spirit the Corinthians received, this area shows the Spirit of God Identified (baptized) them into the Body, it was not their intellect, or wisdom. The purpose in receiving the Seed was to be Spiritual in order to understand the things of God. The reference to Spirit of God here shows the completeness of God, the entire Report called them into the Body. The Mercy of the Father, the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, with the Holy Ghost. Therefore, he doesn’t use the title Holy Ghost, rather he is pointing to how much God has invested in them, and how they have the keys regarding God’s investment.
In this case Paul tells them to remember how the Demonstration confirmed the Gospel, they received and were Sozo from the world, now it’s time to enter the Salvation of their souls. Verse 5 is a powerful verse showing direction, their faith “should not” stand in the wisdom of man, but in the Power of God. Even after we enter the Body we can fail to put our Faith in God. Here the Corinthians had theirs in the wisdom of man, yet it was the Power (Dunamis) of God sent to save them. Taking us back to verse 1:24, “Christ the power of God”, thus they needed to put their faith in Christ the Power of God, rather than man.
Verse 6 begins another division, “we speak wisdom among them who are perfect”, say What? Perfect? The arrogance of the man. No, not at all, perfection is within, this is merely Paul saying he is speaking to the Spiritually minded, or those who have the potential to be Spiritual. The division is the Wisdom of God on Paul’s side, not the wisdom of “this world”, nor of the princes of this world, which comes to nothing.
Verse 7 brings more clarity, Paul is speaking the Wisdom of God in a mystery, it centers around, “the Greeks seek after wisdom” (v. 1:22). However, he is showing them there are two types of wisdom, the one they were using is worldly in nature, the one he was using is Godly in nature. They were seeking wisdom, but the wrong kind, from the wrong source. They were speaking as the princes of this world, the same ones who put Jesus on the Cross.
The Greeks were very proud of their wisdom, some of the rotten baggage remained with the Corinthians. Like the acts of Pharaoh being carried by the children into the wilderness, the Corinthians brought the Greek wisdom of man by a spirit they should have rejected.
The Wisdom of God was long before there were any Greeks, even before world (v. 7). This Wisdom was “unto our glory”? Could it be right? Yes, our Glory is found in the New Man, Christ in us, the hope of Glory. The same Glory none of the “princes of the world” knew, for if they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory (v. 8). If these princes of the world, are of the world, what spirit do we think they would use? The spirit of man? Correct, the division is between the spirit of man being ignorant of the things of God, but the spirit of the world being opposed to the Spirit that is of God, meaning the spirit of the world did not come into existence until after Pentecost. This is clear when John tells us of the “he in the world” is antichrist in nature, thus the spirit of the world is overly concerned about the cares or fears of the world, causing them to bring terror and fear into the Body regarding what the world is doing. This in turn removes faith, causing a falling away from the faith. On the other hand the spirit of man is the spirit of disobedience, or spirit lusting to envy, a product of the Fall, it is ignorant regarding the spiritual things of God. We will find how the Spirit of God removed us from the realm of the spirit of man by bringing us into the kingdom. Therefore, the spirit of the world attempts to combat the purpose of the Spirit which is of God by mixing the cares of the world into a religious doctrine not conducive to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Paul also understands the Plan is the Plan, as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them who Love (Agape) Him. But God Has Revealed them unto Us by His Spirit, for which is Born of the Spirit is Spirit, and the Spirit searches all things, yea even the deep things of God, for deep still speaks to deep (vs. 9-10). The context here shows only the Spirit of God knows the things of God, yet the Spirit of Christ in us knows us, as well as the things of God. It also shows the Spirit that is of God is from God, but the New Man is not all God is.
As we did in Romans we are now looking at “us” and “you”, and the differences between the two. If the Corinthians were walking in the Spirit, none of the questions they presented would have come to their minds. The Spirit is not going to say, “who baptized you?”. The mere fact they had the Spirit proves the baptism was accepted. Often the question asked, and how it’s presented will tell us if the source is carnal, or Spiritual.
In verse 9 the wording “have entered” is the Greek Anabaino meaning to make entrance in one direction. The word Enter in reference to Entering the Kingdom of God (sheepfold) in John’s Account it’s the Greek Eiserchomai meaning Entry in either direction, it also entails the purpose of entry. Jesus said once we enter the sheepfold the training begins, then we can go in and out. The Corinthians were standing at the Door, really they were blocking the entrance. The Greek Eiserchomai was used to show one entering with a purpose, or making entry to reach a result, then being able to venture in and out by right.
Verses 11 and 12 are vital, the spirit of man knows the things of man, but doesn’t have a clue regarding the things of the Spirit of God. The spirit of man can be very intellectual, know the original languages, study what others say the Bible says, but still ignorant regarding spiritual matters. Only the Spirit of God knows the things of God, for no man knows the things of God. Here is the exposure, they had the Spirit, but they were using the spirit of the man to define spiritual matter. Their questions revolved around issues showing they didn’t know the Things of God, they were listening to the voice of the Stranger.
This also links to verses 9 and 10, it’s not separate from them, but showing the division in the body of the Corinth was merely a sign of the division in the people. In this case Paul tells them they are ignorant, but if they were set against the things regarding the Spirit that is of God, they would be antichrist in nature, more serious.
The division was evident by their words, the spirit of man is the fallen nature. They may say they are Christian, but they if they give man the glory they are using the spirit of man. Did the spirit of man control them? No, it’s the point, they had the Spirit of Christ, thus they had the power and authority to reject the spirit of man.
However in verse 12 we find a slight change, as the spirit of the world, not the spirit of man, but we also find “the Spirit which is of God”, rather than the “Spirit of God” as we found in verse 11. Why not use the title Holy Ghost in verse 11? Because Paul is speaking of the entire Report, God in fullness, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as God is Spirit. The Spirit of God called us into the Body, so we could have the Spirit which is of God. In essence Paul is telling the Corinthians he is not of “the spirit of the world” come to harm them, rather he is speaking from the Spirit which is of God. The natural mind cannot tell the difference between being discipled, or controlled, at times they simply don’t like anyone telling them what to do, thus they run to another body to become the invisible.
The spirit of the world is seen as the “he in the world”, it did not come into being until the Holy Ghost began to reprove the world, thus the spirit of the world is the Beast of the Sea, who holds the authority, power and seat of Satan, yet the Beast of the Earth is the he in the world, who uses the authority of the Beast of the Sea. The spirit of the world is opposed to the Spirit which is of God, as the Spirit which is of God is the Holy Spirit in us. The spirit of the world will use social pressure to make us reject the voice of the Holy Spirit for the voice of the world. However, we find the he of the world is run by the spirit of the world, through the authority of the world. Verse 13 confirms it, the Corinthians were ignorant, meaning they are more listening to the spirit of man, not the spirit of the world. In truth it was their hope, being ignorant is far cry from using the spirit of the world.
Those same deep things of God, are the things Paul speaks of, not by the wisdom of the Greeks (world), but the in the Wisdom of God. Now he speaks of the Holy Ghost, as the Holy Ghost teaches by comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual. Therefore, the Holy Ghost is spiritual, the New Man is spiritual, they compared matters, yet if we are carnal minded we won’t have a clue to what is being compared. Therefore, the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually Discerned (vs. 13-14). Having the Spirit isn’t the end of the race, our souls being formed into a spiritual nature is the goal. This above all else shows this is a Process, as we grow.
One of the vital verses in the concept of Spiritual abilities is found right here. Spiritually Discerned, it’s our safety net, our ability to see past the here and now, to the intent, as the cares of this world will not invade our thinking. The word Discerned is the Greek Anakrion meaning to examine, or investigate, but it depends on the word it’s attached to. Here it’s Spiritual, not carnal. The Corinthians were using the wisdom of man, which is earthly, sensual and devilish, they held the cup of devils up as their testing source.
These verses are perhaps the most rebuking of any Paul used toward members of the Body, they are stronger than the ones used toward the Romans. The Corinthians were in the most dangerous of all places, they had the Spirit giving them position to speak about the Cross and Resurrection, but they were using the wisdom of the world by the spirit of man as their teacher and guide. The same elements used by the princes of the world used in their reasoning for putting Jesus on the Cross.
Verse 15 uses the Greek Anakrion as the word “judge”, meaning to Discern, or Judge righteously. If we use the word Discern in place of Judge we could read this as, “but he who is Spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is not discerned of man (natural)”. This doesn’t mean the Spiritual person is not to judge their self, it means no carnal natural person can discern what God is doing with a Spiritual person, but the Spiritual person can always discern what is going on with the natural, carnal minded. How? By the Spirit. The Spirit hears words, by the words the person’s heart is discerned, then we address the intent of the heart. This is what Paul is doing here, he had their questions and from the questions he discerned their hearts. You don’t have to read someone’s mind to know their intent, you hear, discern, and respond.
If the Corinthians were in the Body, why were they acting this way? The Gospel has two areas, Mercy (Kingdom of Heaven) and Grace (Kingdom of God), the first part of this promise is the Living Soul condition, or Zao Psuchikos, but the second part is the Quickening Spirit or Zoopoieo Pneumatikos. As a Living Soul we have life, but it’s imputed, as a Quickening Spirit we have Imparted Life. Both conditions are important, but we can’t remain a living soul, when the call is to become a Quickening Spirit.
Paul quoted Isaiah 64:4, but Isaiah 64:5 shows God comes to those who Rejoice and work Righteousness, but He is wroth at those who sinned, unless they repent. If they repent, then they shall be saved, thus Paul is calling for repentance, the jack hammer to the stronghold of a carnal mind. The only way any of us will know what the predestined plan of God is for us, is when we have the Witness. Paul isn’t boasting, he is pleading, the Corinthians have all it takes, all they need do is submit by putting their faith in Christ.
The word Instruct in verse 16 is the Greek Sumbibazo meaning to uplift, we find Paul using Old Testament foundations to correct the New Testament carnal minded. However, he has to, since they are carnal minded and unable to understand Spiritual matters. He just said the Holy Ghost teaches by comparing Spiritual to Spiritual, but these people are not Spiritual, meaning Paul must use carnal reasoning. The Holy Ghost is instructing, but they consider it foolishness.
Jeremiah says, “For who has stood in the counsel (secret) of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His Word and heard it?” (Jere 23:18). Isaiah 40:12-13 says, “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor has taught Him?”. Both of these don’t answer the questions, they merely ask them. Who indeed, but we have the Mind of Christ through the New Birth; we are Instructed in the things of God, by the Mind of the Lord. We could see this is the Mind of the Lord by the Holy Ghost instructing us by the Mind of Christ which is the Spirit in us which is of God to our souls.
Godly division is a matter of separating the Precious from the Vile, but the Holy Ghost isn’t done yet, there is more to this hammer of truth.
I Cor 3:1-3
This is very interesting, since Paul just finished saying the natural mind can’t understand the things of God, he now separates the carnal from the Spiritual, but in so doing we find one can be in Christ, yet carnal, if carnal they are yet natural. In Romans we found one can be in Christ yet mind the things of the flesh, here we find one can be in Christ, yet remain carnal. On the same note, let us not forget we can be in Christ and Spiritual. This explains Romans 8:1 as well, both the Romans and Corinthians were in the Body, but hardly Spiritual, thus there are some in the Body who mind the flesh, but there are some who mind the Spirit. The Corinthians and Romans would be examples of those who “sleep in Jesus”, they have the Spirit, but their works of mercy will have to pass the fire, but those who are Spiritual have entered the Rest of God, ceasing from their own works.
We have three things noted here in verse 1, the Spiritual, the carnal and babes. Are there Babes in Christ? Yes, it’s why we call them “Babes in Christ”, rather than “Babes in Jesus”. Do we teach them as we would the “youngmen”? No, of course not. However, the Babes in Christ have the Spirit, yet they are seeking to be Spiritual, here we find something different. The Greek word for Babes is Nepios, meaning Natal, or in the womb, denoting the Corinthians were not Born Again, yet they had the Spirit. By Paul using Nepios it really is “edifying”, or building them up. It’s best to know you’re not there, rather then live in the deception thinking you’ve already made it. The Corinthians were living the illusion of thinking since they had the Spirit, thus they were Born Again, by Paul using the Greek Nepios the illusion is cut off at the roots. Their actions were carnal, their questions were carnal, their debates were carnal, yet they had the Spirit. Their ways tell the tale, they are still in the fetus stage, their faith was in the wrong area, causing their growth to cease.
These verses are examples of Discernment, Paul by the Spirit saw behind the questions to the problem. He is addressing the problem, and will do so for a number of chapters. He will answer their questions, but as they relate to the real problem, their carnal nature. They had power over the spirit of man, meaning they had the ability to say No, but they were using the spirit of man by using the wisdom of the world. Once we come to Jesus we have authority over the spirit of man, which is spirit lusting to envy.
In chapter two Paul made reference to the wisdom of the world six times, then he ended by saying, “We have the mind of Christ”. He begins chapter three with You, thus separating the one difference between We and You based on which wisdom one uses. In Romans it was “we” and “they”, here it gets more personal in nature, for good reason. The Romans were about to destroy themselves, here the Corinthians were about to destroy themselves and others.
The “sure sign” of being Born Again is Love, yet do the Corinthians show Love? Hardly, they are divided, in strife and envy, acting as natural men. If they act as “men” what spirit is driving them? The spirit of man. If they operate in envy what spirit are they using? The spirit lusting to envy. If they use the wisdom of the world, what spirit are they using there? The spirit of man, indicating they haven’t a clue to the things of God.
Because they are using their carnal minds, they are also ignoring the call to be Spiritual, meaning they could just barely handle Milk, much less Meat. Milk often pertains to the knowledge of the Gospel, or the basic matters understood by the natural mind, but Meat involves Spiritual discernment, or doing of the things of God. Paul will give them knowledge regarding Spiritual matters, but neither he or God will force them to walk in the Spirit.
The signs of the carnal mind are the displays of envy, strife and division. This same envy and strife leads to hate and bitterness. Wait a minute, didn’t this same Paul say even if someone preaches Jesus from envy and strife, at least Christ is preached? Yes, but in the context the reward is to those preached to, it doesn’t relate to the one preaching. Both James and John write how the signs of envy and strife in our lives as signs of still being in darkness. One can read Scripture aloud, if the hearer is willing to receive the Truth, they will; although the speaker is not holy, the words spoken are. In Mark we found even if one preaches, yet doesn’t believe, there may be a hearer who will (Mark 16:16-18).
When Paul was in Corinth, Apollos was in Ephesus, yet all Apollos knew at the time was the baptism of John, explaining why some Greeks were baptized under John’s baptism (Acts 18:24 & 19:2). This explains the phrase “Name of Jesus only”, since some were being baptized under John’s baptism. John was not a member of the ministry of Jesus, thus John’s baptism after the Cross really availed nothing. As Apollos was preaching in Ephesus a husband and wife team of Aquila and Priscilla explained the Way of God, which would include the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. When Paul was in Ephesus, Apollos was in Corinth. Apollos was an eloquent speaker, mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24). The Corinthians considered Paul weak, but Apollos mighty, thus they were bragging in who baptized them, or under what Name was the real baptism. Carnal minds hurt many people, simply because they haven’t a clue regarding Spiritual matters.
The Greek word for Envying is Zelos, but it also means one who is Zealous for God. The difference? In the case of Envying it’s coupled with the old man, in the case of being Zealous for God it’s coupled with the New Man. It’s not the same word James uses for envy in the phrase spirit lusting to envy, the word for Envy means completely in capable of doing good. Here Paul uses Zelos for good reason, they had the Spirit, they could put their faith in Christ to be Zelos for God, or they could continue to listen to the spirit of man, ending Zelos for religion, but not Spiritual.
The Greek word for Strife is Eris meaning one who loves strife, or one who causes strife, contention or wrangling. In this case it means one who starts things, or the one who causes the fight. Questions and opinions used to belittle or trap someone are methods of Strife. There are some who plan out strife, they speak to people about others just to get them all worked up into some soulish tornado. The result is removing Peace, exactly what the Corinthians were doing among their own, and others.
The word Divisions is the Greek Dichostasia meaning one who separates by dissension. Seditions or divisions are works of the flesh, in Romans Paul warned us to stay away from those who cause such things (Rom 16:17). If it’s the case, what is he doing here? Adding fuel to the fire? No, correction, these people are still his children in the Lord; they may have many teachers, but not many fathers: the phrase means one who began the local church, Paul is still teaching them as a parent would a child.
If the carnal mind doesn’t like the people or event, it will divide through strife. If it can’t have it, it will destroy it, discredit it, deny it, or discard it. The carnal mind seeks to be the center of attention, if the attention is not on them, envy enters their heart, causing them to attack. Later Paul will show certain things affront the unlearned and the unbeliever; the purpose demonstrates how the Corinthians were the unlearned in Spiritual matters.
I Cor 3:4-23
Verse 4 defines the carnal mind, an exposure we must all keep in mind. “For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?”. Division into groups to exalt ourselves is carnal, in this case they divided themselves based on who they felt were more Godly. “I’m of this denomination”, or “we’re non-denominational”, “I was baptized in this name”, “I’m better I was baptized under this name”. Carnal minds seek to be superior over the rest of the Body, to have a special something making them better than the rest of us. A title they feel exalts them, or something else placing them above the others, sadly it’s based on envy, the lust to be better than the total. The evidence is here, one says they are better because Paul baptized them, another says they are better because Apollos baptized them. The Body is divided based on envy, yet the Church is never divided.
Paul tells them they are carnal, he already said they were unable to understand the Spiritual, yet he says they are of the Body, even the Temple of God, they even have the Spirit, making them a potential Tabernacle (vs. 3:1-3 & 3:16-17). “Wow, the Temple, must be great”. Could be, if one keeps it in context, but remember when the disciples told Jesus how great they thought the Temple was, He said it would be destroyed. Being the Temple of the Spirit doesn’t mean the flesh is holy, or we as individuals are “the Temple of the Spirit”, since before we could gain the Spirit we had to impute the flesh dead. The temple is the structure, wherein the people go, but we find another place outside of the temple as well. If we are the Temple of the Spirit, yet the flesh is dead, then Paul must be talking about another element, rather than the flesh of man. The Temple must be “holy”, but can the flesh be holy? Not hardly, what then is this “body” he is talking about? The Temple Paul is talking about is the Body of Christ, which is Holy, it becomes our Flesh after we imputed the old flesh dead. Will the Body be broken? Yes, in a few chapters Paul will make the point using the night of betrayal as an example of someone defiling the Temple. If it’s dangerous for a Novice to teach, think of the danger of having carnal minded leadership.
What two things caused the Temple to be destroyed? The iniquity of failing to make it a house of prayer, plus the sin of selling the dove. Ahh, the Building process, only here Paul uses the metaphors of man’s treasure to show it’s far better to use gold, sliver and precious stones, than wood, hay and stubble. Gold points to purity, silver to redemption, and precious stones to the attributes of the Spirit. Wood refers to the things of man, including man’s wisdom; hay to the works of man’s hands, stubble to the knowledge of man. The foundation Paul laid was firm, it was the building materials the Corinthians were using producing the problems.
The word for Temple is the Greek Naos, generally was used to refer to the inner parts, or most sacred part of the temple. Often Naos pointed to the holiest place in the Temple, which would fit the context better. The Spirit is the Mercy Seat of Grace within us, our souls akin to the holy place, but all of us are in the Temple (Body of Christ), yet remove the Spirit and we have a defiled, broken temple. However, it’s getting ahead of the context.
Paul didn’t cause the increase, neither did Apollos, but they both worked together for the benefit of the Corinthians (v. 8). It’s always God who brings the increase, we can try all the programs we want, but if we are serious about this, we leave the Increase to God, we take care of the planting and watering (v. 5-6). It had nothing to do with induction into the Body, the Corinthians were in the Body, it was up to them to do some building, so God could bring the increase. Unless they join to the building, God will not increase. If the seed is planted, yet never grows, what good is it? If one waters the ground, yet there is no seed, or increase, what good is it? It’s the increase producing the product, if Paul hadn’t planted, God would have sent someone else; if Apollos hadn’t watered, God would have sent someone else, but only God can bring the increase (v. 7). The Corinthians were putting the importance on men, rather than God. Carnal minds seem to pick their favorite person of God, assuming the anointing is a result of the person, rather than God who anointed the person.
The foundation is Christ, they have the Spirit, but what are they using for building materials? Spiritual? Or carnal? Back in verse 10 Paul shows the foundation is the result of God’s Grace, yet Grace is not carnal. The foundation is sound, but the Corinthians were attempting to make the building carnal. Jesus said we should not attempt to build on sand, here the foundation was correct, the building materials faulty.
Now the hard part, Paul knows his “reward” is according to his labor, but he tells the Corinthians their “work” will be revealed by fire. The word for Labor in verse 8 is the Greek Kopos meaning To cause one trouble, or a troublesome type of labor, usually associated with a beating of the chest in sorrow. This shows his labor toward the Corinthians was related to the sorrow of seeing his labor treated in a carnal manner.
The word for Laborers (together) in verse 9 is the Greek Sunergos meaning Fellow-laborer, or companion in work, it holds the thought of one helping the other. The word for Work in verse 13 is the Greek Ergon which is the suffix to Sunergos, Ergon is often used for “works”, business, type of work, or deed. Putting it all together we find a rebuke to the Corinthians, Paul and Apollos worked together, there was no division between them, their goal was hard, and troublesome, the foundation being laid in the “camp of the carnal” is always difficult, but more hurtful was seeing what the Corinthians were doing to the foundation. The foundation was correct, the water was correct, but the building process was no longer in the hands of Paul or Apollos. Yet, if God brings the increase, what is so wrong here? God wasn’t being allowed to bring the increase, they stopped short of the place where God could bring the increase. They were attempting to use carnal endeavors to build a Spiritual house, the result would be defiling the Temple, not establishing it.
Verses 14 and 15 would appear to be at the Judgment, except for the word “saved”, which is the Greek Sozo, not Soteria, but it would be the case if they were saved from the world, yet not able to enter the First Resurrection. They would fit those who Sleep in Jesus through the Night, then stood up on the last day. If Paul would have used the Greek Soteria it would reflect on them making the First Resurrection. We have to put this with First Thessalonians 5:5-6, there are those who Sleep in Jesus, but the warning is let us not Sleep, not be with the drunken who go into the Night, but rather let us become Spiritual to become children of the Day.
The wording “every man” has to be taken into context as to time and position. Both Jew and Gentile have to find their name in the Book of Life, thus no matter who you are, you must come through Jesus. For those in the First Resurrection they enter the Door by having Jesus in them of a truth, which means they are Spiritual in nature, or at least trying to be so, meaning their names are in the Book of Life.
We have two areas to consider in these verses helping us understand the Temple – Tabernacle principle. We are God’s “husbandry”, His “building”, two things not one. The word Husbandry points to a field, it comes from two Greek words, one means A cultivated field, the other means A farmer, we are not the Farmer, but we are the field, the same field in which God planted the Seed. Then comes the Building, which is the Greek Oikodome meaning a Building in the process of construction, or an edifice, generally it means edification, or building up, it doesn’t mean the completed building, rather it points to one in construction, giving us Process. The same Greek word is used in First Corinthians 14:26-31 telling us to let all things be done for the edifying of the Body, showing the connection. This also shows the “temple of the Holy Ghost” is not our fleshly bodies, but the Spirit securing us in the Body of Christ. The temple of the Holy Ghost is in us, yet what is in us connecting to the Holy Ghost? The Spirit, thus this has nothing to do with the fleshly body, it relates to the Spirit and soul. The Corinthians needed to submit to the building process to become Spiritual in nature.
Of course we could look at the word “man” as the New Man, keeping this in context we can see the “Spirit” will be saved, but the soul lost. This is confirmed by Jude’s comment, “having not the Spirit”, which could also read, “Not able to hold unto the Spirit” (Jude 19). Surely the spirit of man is not going to be saved, the only Spirit this could refer to is the New Man, the New Man being the Holy Spirit will go home in the Rapture.
The word Defile is the Greek Phtheiro meaning to make corrupt, or to cause to be destroyed. Surely they will not cause the entire Body to be destroyed, but we do know the Body will be broken. In their case the Temple is the place within, connecting them to the Body. This goes right with, “let no man deceive himself” (v. 18). The word Deceive is the Greek Exapatao meaning Beguiled or deceived; the word Beguiled means To distract ones attention from one thing to another. The evidence of this was of course the dispute over baptism. In the case of the baptism controversy it was, “who baptized me?”, rather than “why was I baptized?”.
Verse 19 goes right back to the “wisdom of this world”, showing the source of the foolishness, thus to the carnal mind Spiritual things are foolishness. Again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, yet Paul just said the spirit of man doesn’t know the things of God. The spirit of man knows man so well, it can take the deep things of man, and beat man stupid, while man thinks he is superior. The thoughts of the wise of this world are vain, attempting to impress people with their knowledge, yet their knowledge lacks Truth.
The phrase “He takes the wise in their own craftiness” is interesting, the word Craftiness is the Greek Panourgia meaning A false wisdom or Subtle, going right to the methods of the beasts of the field (Gen 3:1). The problem with the carnal mind, or the natural mind, is the use of manipulation and subtle methods based in the nature, yet the person is blinded to their folly. Discernment looks past the mask to the source, just as Paul is doing here. This is made clear in verse 20, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and they are vain”, which goes right back to, “Who has known the Mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him, but we have the Mind of Christ” (v. 2:16). The word Vain is the Greek Mataios meaning Devoid of truth, or of no purpose.
Verse 21 goes back to 1:31, “let him glory in the Lord”. The spirit of man glories in man, the spirit of the world in the things of the world, the Spirit of Christ in God. This was another area where Paul discerned the carnal nature, their debates over baptism was an attempt to place the glory on man.
Verse 22 shows the authority, whatever was given to the Corinthians by Paul, who planted, by Apollos who watered, as Cephas who assisted, unto life found in the Spirit which is of God, or things in the present, or things yet to come, are all theirs, they have the ability in hand. They can use the spirit of man, or submit to the Holy Spirit. They are not trapped into using the wisdom of the world, or the spirit of man, none of them rule them. They are a people of Authority, they just forgot they were under Authority as well.
Verse 23 becomes important later, they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. The head of the man is Christ, the head of Christ is God. There was no reason whatsoever to be carnal, they had the Spirit, they had Authority. All they had to do was make the decision, then submit to the Spirit.
The Corinthian stronghold was self-deception based in the confusion they created, they needed some Light to see themselves as Paul did. This stronghold is different from the religious conceit held by the Romans, yet both entailed self-deception; however, history shows the Romans received the Word, remaining firm until 315 AD. Whereas the Corinthians had to hear again from Paul, then later from the church fathers, yet they still refused to accept the Truth, finally faded into nothing. They never got the idea, they were so self-deceived the generations thereafter followed suit. They taught the next generation the same foolishness they retained, causing it to continue on, until the spirit of man overcame them. If this were not a serious issue, we wouldn’t have it written for our sakes. We learn, so we can discern, so we won’t burn.
I Cor 4:1-5
Paul is a Minister of Christ, a Steward of the mysteries of God, going back to “but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery”. The word Minister is the Greek Huperetes meaning anyone who serves with hands, it was used to describe those who rowed ships in unison. One might think Paul is saying he is a minister to Jesus, but it’s not the case, he is a minister to the Body of Christ by Jesus. This is made clearer by the word Stewards which is the Greek Oikonomos meaning the manager of a household, not the master of the house. A manager is one who manages the affairs, they do not create the affairs they manage, thereby showing the difference. The Corinthians were attempting to be master and manager, which is out of order. This Greek word was also used to show the position of a treasurer, such as one who holds the wealth of another. Paul isn’t boasting, but he does remind them, “you came to me for answers, but here is what the Lord has to say”. If they didn’t like the answer, don’t ask the question.
Verse 2 shows Responsibility, Paul also had the power to deliver, or not to deliver, he could just answer the questions, ignoring their carnal minds; however his duty as a Master of the Household was to bring these matters to light, thus he did as the Lord directed. The purpose? To belittle the Corinthians? No, to build them, but the exposure had to come before the building.
Verse 3 explains how the Corinthians were asking on one hand, but judging Paul on the other. Which is another sign of the carnal mind, if Paul agreed with them, then they would refer to him as a “anointed”, if not, they had their judging to fall back on, allowing them to reject Paul’s words. They would be wrong, but it’s nonetheless a method of the carnal mind. It often comes down to, “Oh yeah, well you…”. Camel swallowing contests are useless endeavors of the flesh.
Verses 3 and 4 use the word Judge in one form or another four times, the word Judge in the phrase “judged of you” is the Greek AnaKrino which is a compound word from the emphatic Ana (On or Upon), and Krino (to judge). The Greek Krino is a root word from which we get the English word Hypocrite. A Hypocrite is one who judges others under them, or judges to make themselves feel superior, yet they are doing the same as they are judging; yet in many cases they are so self-deceived they don’t think they are doing the same. It’s why we come to the Table of the Lord as we allow the Spirit to examine us, of course one must have the Spirit.
The word Judgment in verses 3 and 4 is the Greek Hemera meaning Day, in fact the TR renders this “or by a man’s day”, which doesn’t make a whole bunch of sense, unless we know this is the Day, coupled with the reference is to “man’s judgment”. During the day natural man still judges based on disobedience. The metaphoric context is man judging man by man’s rules and concepts, which is still being a hypocrite.
In all this we learn there are several words for “Judge”, and “Judgment”, this is good place to view them up. In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus told us, “Judge not, so you won’t be judged. For with the same Judgment you judge, you shall be judged”. Put it with Paul’s statement about judging ourselves, and we go “tilt”. In Matthew the Greek word is Krima meaning To place one in damnation, or condemnation of wrong. This is an attitude of seeking fault, it’s not merely judging, rather it’s the mindset of finding fault by judging. Jesus went about doing good, yet when fault appeared He would deal with it in a Godly manner. How do we know? Simple, He told the Pharisees their faults, He told Peter, “Get thee behind Me Satan”, yet in each case He also provided an escape. The difference is dependent on what one is seeking, the Pharisees were spending all their time seeking fault, Jesus was spending His doing good, yet He didn’t ignore fault when it appeared.
Here in verse 4 in the phrase “He that judges me” refers to the Lord doing the judging, the word Judges is the Greek AnaKrino again, thus it’s not the judging, but who is doing it. Man judges to exalt himself, the Lord judges so we won’t be condemned with the world. In essence Paul is tell the Corinthians go ahead and judge me, I will discern, you can’t help me or hurt me, but the Lord through me is reaching out to help you.
Verse 4 tells us why Paul wouldn’t Judge himself through himself, he had noting from which to compare of his own. He had the Declaration of Justification, but if he was Justified, there would be no need to Judge him. He was in the process of being Justified by Christ, as he was Judged of the Lord, thus what he thought was something in him, maybe something leaving him. What he thought may be the cause of the problem, may be the fruit. It’s impossible for any of us to use the soul to judge ourselves, we must allow the Lord to judge by the Spirit. Therefore in order to “judge ourselves” we must have a standard, the standard is the New Man, not other people. Therefore, when we judge ourselves, lest we be judged it has nothing to do with using our natural mind or soul to judge ourselves, it’s a matter of the New Man judging us by comparing Spiritual to Spiritual; meaning the Holy Ghost who is Spiritual teaches to the New Man who is Spiritual, the New Man teaches us, but if we are carnal, we won’t understand any of the teaching, or we will twist it to carnal.
If we continue looking at the word Judge we have to jump ahead for a moment to First Corinthians 6:2, where we again find two different Greek words; the phrase “shall judge” is the Greek Krino (the root word to Anakrino above) meaning To separate, or discriminate between good and evil. Above we had the addition of Ana, meaning upon, thus the Corinthians were laying Judgment on Paul, but their intent and purpose was evil in nature. In answering them on the question Paul was right, he didn’t judge himself in like manner; however, in this case we find Paul did judge himself in a Godly manner. In each case we find the word “judge”, but with completely different intents, and purposes.
Paul never used the old man as his guide or judge, whether the judging came from others, or toward others, but he did allow the New Man to judge and discern. The fine line between judging a person, and judging things is the issue. If we can put a face on what we judge, we are judging people.
In First Corinthians 6:2 the phrase “unworthy to judge” gives us the Greek Kritherion for the word Judge. The Greek Kritherion means A lawsuit, relating to the one who does the judging, or the one who has the authority to judge, becoming a very important issue. The Corinthians were using a carnal source from the spirit of man to judge a saint of God. Paul on the other hand was allowing the Holy Ghost to judge the Corinthians, as the New Man judged him.
The old man has no authority whatsoever to judge anything or anyone. Will he? In a heartbeat, but lacking authority makes the judgment hypocritical, and illegal. Since the old man is a waster by nature, he judges to get us under judgment. Once we figure it out, we stop judging people, by allowing the New Man to discern. The paradox is how the old man judges people to place them in a lower class, making the one who is judging think they are better, but in Romans we found it produces the opposite. What one judges, they are doing. It’s not the same as correction, in order to bring correction one must have the proper authority and position. Paul as the teacher of these people had right standing to correct them, they did not have right standing to judge him.
We are the only ones on this earth who have this opportunity to be judged of God before the Judgment, so we won’t be condemned “with the world”. If one uses the spirit of man in a religious manner, they will be condemned with the world. Paul’s plea is for the Corinthians to enter the Spiritual, in order for their souls to become Spiritual. He shows them how they were using the spirit of man, if they remained carnal, they would need a Law based in carnal ordinances, the only one open to them was the Law of Moses, yet it’s purpose is to hunt out sin, convict and proclaim the punishment. Perhaps it’s for this reason we find Paul making references to the Law of Moses as he applies it to these carnal people.
This will take us to First Corinthians 11:31 where we find one more Greek word, coupled with those we have already talked about. In the phrase, “For if we would judge ourselves” we find the wording “would judge” is the Greek Diakrino, this word uses the same root word of Krino, but now we have the addition of Dia. We may recall the word DiaMerismos meaning to completely separate, but Merismos means to open up in order to discern. Jesus said He came to “diamerismos“, but the Word in us will Merismos. The concept in DiaKrino is to Separate (Dia) from the world (what is judged), we do so by knowing we are the Bread as the Body given by the Lord. The baptism was their token of being separated, yet they were using it for some social importance.
The Corinthians were using the ways of the world to judge Paul, but Paul tells us to judge and determine if we are Separated from the ways of the world by allowing the New Man to judge us. In the phrase “should not be judged” the Greek word for Judged is Krino the root word for DiaKrino. If we Separate ourselves (Judge), we will not be judged (joined to the world). The method is words and actions, are we using the spirit of man? We will be judged with the world, but the Spirit that is of God will be saved.
All this connects to the difference between Godly principles applied by the Spiritually minded, or by the carnal minded. Same principle, but different sources for the application, ending in different results. The carnal mind uses natural reasoning and carnal intellect, the Spiritually minded submit to the New Man using Godly Knowledge and Wisdom. The only Judge is Jesus, the New Man being created after God’s True Holiness and Righteousness has the authority to judge us individually.
Many of us find ourselves waiting for our day in the Sun, yet for some when it comes we get all haughty, or full of pride, we failed to DiaKrino, yet we are being Krino. When we’re down in the valley, we begin to look for the fault in others so we can feel better, it’s a failure to DiaKrino, yet we’re being Krino. Are we doing what the Lord wants us to do? Or are we doing what we want? These are Discerning questions only the New Man can answer.
Paul didn’t fall for the deception of allowing the old man to judge him, nor did he use his opinions, fears, or any emotion to judge him, but he did allow the New Man to judge him. The separation between man’s judgment and God’s judgment is vast in many areas, but can almost appear the same to others. The fine line is still a line between Light and darkness. The Corinthians thought they were being Spiritual, thus they felt they were judging Paul as “saints”, but they weren’t even close. Paul on the other hand was able to deal with their carnal attacks through Mercy, Love, and God’s Wisdom. It comes down to intent, purpose and motive, all of them play a part in the judging process.
First Corinthians 4:5 shows three areas, “will bring to light”, “will make manifest” and the “counsels” of man, all showing how all things will be made manifest in due time; however, for some it will be too late. It’s far better to stand naked and open before Him we have to do with now, rather than later (Heb 4:12-13). The word Counsels is the Greek Boule meaning the intent; we know the Word in us discerns the intent before the intent can form words (Heb 4:12). Far better to have the Word in us discerning, then Jesus judging us on the last day.
I Cor 4:6-21
Paul explains the relationship he and Apollos had as an example of how two men of God work together, yet neither thinks of their self above the other. The phrase, “have in a figure transfigured” is the Greek Metaschematizo meaning A change in condition, it was used in Second Corinthians 11:13-15 in reference to the self-transformed. So does it mean Paul is saying Apollos is self-transformed? No, it shows how he and Apollos discussed the Corinthian problem, seeking God to deal with it to benefit the Corinthians. Metashematizo could best be described as a change in the outward structure, as one would change an English garden into a Dutch garden. It’s still a Garden, the difference is the outward structure. The word would not fit if we took the garden and made it a soccer field, it would then be Metamorphoo, thus Satan can Metashematizo but he cannot Metamorphoo. Why use this word? Paul and Apollos had to discuss the problem, so were they judging? Or discerning? They addressed the problem by seeking a solution, they were Open, yet the Corinthians were applying pollution by deception. We must seek the solution, we never exalt the pollution; our example is what Paul and Apollos were doing, the opposite is what the Corinthians were doing.
Some of us are troubled over events, yet we think we can’t discuss them or we would be “judging”. The key to judging or discerning is intent, if we are seeking a way to deal with the event or problem in a Godly manner, it’s different than using the event to exalt ourselves. The Corinthians were bragging in their position, they lacked Spiritual discernment, the only reason they judged was to exalt themselves. Their position was fine, it was Christ based, but they presumed the race was over. Anything the Corinthians received they received by God through the men of God based on God’s goodness, not their goodness; however, they took the same Precious information, filtered it through their carnal strongholds, turning it into the carnal intellect, or the natural reasoning of man. The exact reverse of the intent of God, we have the Keys.
Verse 7 is a classic identifier of a carnal mind, wanting to be the special of the special, smarter than the smartest, to be elevated above others. “My baptism is better than yours, my man of God is more anointed than yours, my mom can beat up your mom”. Childish behavior, thus Paul said it would be difficult to speak to them, it would be like teaching the fetus the third year of college.
The Corinthians were very wealthy, they had many things, but they felt those things came by the power of their own hands, thus they felt all things came by the power of their own hands. Paul asks an important question, “For who makes you to differ from another? (v. 7)”. The wording “makes to differ” is the Greek Diakrino again, meaning a Separation to make a distinction or difference, in this case it means to separate based on ones own natural reasoning. The carnal mind simply can’t understand Spiritual matters, to the carnal mind there is no difference between “the faith of Jesus”, and “faith in Jesus”, yet the two differ considerably.
The Corinthian mindset forms little clicks, little groups of separation for the purpose of self-enhancement, which was displayed in, “I am baptized of Paul”, “I am baptized of Apollos”, all carnal conclusions, none of which came from Paul or Apollos. Paul never said, “Yeah I know what Apollos said, but Remember thou were baptized by me”, rather he shows baptism was a commandment, but connected to teaching. The Corinthians forgot the teaching, rather they used baptism as a means to exalt the self, or to judge others by. There are some who exalt water baptism above measure, thus they turn a Godly event into an idol by exalting it higher than God has. Whenever we use an attribute of God, whether it’s water baptism, the anointing, or the office to exalt ourselves we have made a golden calf. Water baptism is important, but the Corinthians took it beyond the intended purpose, producing error. They used it to exalt their self, making it an idol. Who gives us the right to baptize anyone? Jesus, who baptizes us with the Holy Ghost? Jesus, thus without Jesus we are nothing.
The Corinthians were kings, as kings they had the power to accept or reject, but they were accepting the wrong “visitors” into their kingdom realm, while rejecting the true Ambassador of Christ (v. 8). Who made them kings? Rome? The stock market? Nay, Jesus has made us kings and priests (Rev 1:6). As kings they could band the wisdom of man, yet receive the Wisdom of God with open arms. As kings they could band the spirit of man by walking with the New Man (Spirit which is of God).
Here in verse 9 Paul shows God set the Apostles last, yet in I Corinthians 12:28 he says the Apostles are first. The word Last means last in time or place, whereas the word First means first established, thus the Apostles were the first group established, but became last in reference to the honor given the other members of the Body. The Offices are gifts given to the Body, to assist the Body. Paul understood the calling, yes they were to give him honor, but he made himself servant in order to minister to them. If we think we are better than the people we minister to, we have yet to learn what ministry is.
Paul is simply saying he had gone through many things based on his calling, so the Corinthians and others could be established. The Corinthians thought of themselves as kings who are not subject to authority, but they should act like servants in order to reign as the called kings.
We can also see Paul suffered many things, but the Corinthians either did them or caused them, it should not be. They forced Paul to work with his hands, they were using their knowledge of Grace in an ungodly manner, thus their knowledge puffed them up. It’s not simply knowledge puffing up, we all have knowledge of something. It’s knowledge used to belittle others, or exalt ourselves becoming the problem.
He also shows us this knowledge is specific, rather than knowledge in general. His reference is to Liberty, thus one can be knowledgeable of Liberty, yet use it in an ungodly manner. The Corinthians knew they were free, yet absent Love they used their knowledge to belittle those who were weak in the faith. The same can be true regardless of the knowledge, they could have knowledge of a language, yet use it to belittle others, while exalting their selves. Paul told the Romans, if you keep the day, or not, keep it between you and the Lord. It does connect, the knowledge of being free of the Law of Moses means we can eat, or not.
Surely this can’t mean simply because we have knowledge we are puffed up, since information is knowledge. “Well brother the Bible says knowledge puffs up”, “oh, man, where did you get that?”, “From my knowledge of the Bible”. Oops. An example of the principle, using knowledge in an ungodly manner ends puffing up. What is the distinction? Paul and the Corinthians, they were using knowledge to impress themselves, Paul was using it to save the Corinthians; both were using knowledge, but for two completely different reasons.
On the other hand, if Paul would have held the same type of love these Corinthians had, this letter would be about three sentences long, nor were there be a Second Corinthians. We would read something like, “You are carnal minded idiots, see you around, have a nice day, I never knew you, love Paul”. No, the man was reaching out to them like a father to his son, yet they became a thorn in his flesh, they mocked him, sent messages from the wrong source, yet they were a people God loved, whom God loves, Paul loves.
Paul isn’t writing to shame the Corinthians, but to warn and persuade them to seek the Spiritual nature of the Lord. He is not calling them into the Body, they were already there, he is not calling them to receive the Spirit, they had the Spirit, rather it’s to move forward to become Spiritual in nature.
Their attitude toward Paul was a disgrace, they failed to give honor where honor was due, moving deeper into a carnal mindset. Paul thought of himself as a servant, but disciples should honor their teacher, yet there is a difference between giving honor, and seeking it (vs. 10-14).
Verses 15 through 17 don’t mean Paul is violating “call no man father, but your Father in heaven”, since the context means Lordship, rather he is talking about the Apostle function of beginning a new body in an area where there is none. The metaphor “father” refers to someone who begins something. Abraham is known as the “father of circumcision”, since circumcision as it relates to a Covenant began with him. Therefore, we find will have many teachers, perhaps many prophets, or pastors, but we won’t find many who started us on our path of Grace unto Salvation. It’s true the Holy Ghost called us, but He did so through a person. How can they believe unless they hear, how can they hear unless someone is sent.
Paul is their father in the Lord, he sent another son to them, thus it was as if Paul himself were there. The Corinthians displayed the exact reason Paul refused to take money from them, “You said you would come, look at all we did for you, how dare you send this Timothy!”. Yeah, look at all you did, you considered the man of God weak, buffeted him, knew he had no certain dwelling place, but you had homes, made him labor, reviled him, persecuted him, defamed him, yes look at all you did to him. Their perception of their “goodness” was blinded by their carnal minds, what they perceived as “good”, was not good in God’s eyes.
They will have many instructors (Greek Paidagogos meaning A teacher of children), but they will not have many “fathers” (Greek Pater meaning father, the same word used in First John for the position of growing to become a father). They were “begotten” which is the Greek Gennao, the same word used in John chapter three for Born Again, not by Paul, but by the Holy Ghost. The position of the Holy Ghost is to plant the Seed, the purpose is for our souls to become Spiritual in nature, but it doesn’t mean the one with the Spirit is Spiritual, but it does mean they have the potential to be Spiritual; the change in natures is from flesh to Spirit.
Back in verse 14 Paul called them “sons”, by saying he was warning them, which is a duty within the Prophetic Office (Direction). The Office of Prophet does many things which differ from the manifestation to “prophesy” as Paul will point out. Here the Office is giving a warning, showing what God desires on one hand, and what the carnal road of destruction holds on the other, pertaining to Direction. The information will be presented, the choice will be clear, what the Corinthians do with it, is up to them. This also shows one person can hold more than one Office in the Lord’s Administration, but it still takes the Holy Ghost to say, “separate unto Me” (Acts 13:1-3).
Verse 18 shows how some of them were puffed up, it also shows not all the Corinthians were in this carnal condition, there were others who were Spiritual, thus Paul gives them encouragement. Nonetheless Paul did want to come to them, but by now they may be having second thoughts. This issue will pop up again in Second Corinthians, when Paul doesn’t show, again they will get puffed up. Would they rather see the man of God coming with the Rod of Correction? Or the staff of guidance? The power of edification? Or the meekness of love? What they do with the given Knowledge will tell the tale (v. 20-21).
I Cor 5:1-5
The Corinthians were judging Paul the man, so they could avoid his prophetic utterances, yet they had things going in their own midst considered an abomination in the world, much less the Body. They needed to judge their own selves. The correction of this man in order for him to be ministered to, would be one thing, allowing it to continue while giving the man’s actions glory and honor something quite different. What would be the worst of these? The latter of course, so why doesn’t Paul turn the entire body over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh? The source is the problem, thus if one cuts or removes the source, they stop the spread of leaven. Why doesn’t Paul tell them to minister to the man? They are carnal, what would they use? Formulas? Questionnaires? Natural Psychology?
This was not adultery, but fornication, a man having his father’s wife, this could mean the man’s mother or step-mother, since both are covered under the same aspect of the Law (Lev 18:8 & Deut 22:30). It could also mean his father died, now he was committing fornication with his mother. The simple excuse would be, “well brother Paul, we just walk in mercy, knowing the flesh is dead, we really didn’t want to cause this man to stumble”. The man not only stumbled, but was falling quickly into the grasp of hell. The man was honored by leadership, since they condoned his acts, yet they never attempted to save him from the result of his folly. This goes right back to them judging Paul, yet they failed to judge their own. This is the result of using the spirit of man, allowing the influences of the world would to guide the Corinthians by allowing this man to continue, assuming there is no difference, Grace is merely allowing sin, rather than getting rid of it. The leaven would soon spread to other bodies, causing more problems.
This is one of those interesting areas, Paul said, “It is reported commonly”, this is not a question, but something coming to his attention. What else did this tell Paul? The condition of the leadership was feeble, weak and unable to deal with the situation. They lacked the Wisdom of God to deal with the event in a Godly manner, they just ignored it.
If Paul allowed this act to continue with the knowledge of it, then others in other bodies would think it was condoned. We are never to hide or condone wrong doing, but it would seem in this case Paul is failing at ministry. Why not cast the devil out of the man? There was no devil, although the man was doing devilish matters. Since the leadership didn’t minister, it left Paul no choice, but to do, what he had to do (v. 2).
Verse 4 has several things to consider, one is how this letter is a “visit”, becoming the second time Paul is coming to them. Second Corinthians will be the second letter, but the third visit. These people were a thorn in the flesh, they were carnal, as they pushed at the flesh of Paul. This is a warfare, Paul had to remain Spiritual in the face of carnal attacking attitudes. It’s easy to retaliate in like manner, but it’s playing the devil’s game, hardly the position of an Apostle. Paul couldn’t write any of them off, the Lord’s Grace is always sufficient.
Paul was the father of this church, in the role he had the authority to take action according to the Holy Ghost, but not according to Paul’s personal conclusions. Several points have to be considered; was the man in sin? Were the leaders avoiding the situation? Did Paul have the authority to act? Did the Holy Ghost motivate Paul to act? Was it the man’s soul, or his flesh needing to be corrected? Was the man’s soul sick and using the flesh to vent the sickness? A little leaven was too much, it would move through the church like wildfire, thus was the man’s action hurting others? Turning someone over to Satan is not something done based on our own desires, surely not based in our anger. There are two considerations, is there harm being done to others in the Body? And is it the only course for the person to see their error? The method is taking the person off the altar of God, to place them in an unprotected state so they can feel the conviction as a heathen facing the Cross, rather than a protected saint with the Cross. This is the same as two or three, if the man refuses the efforts of restoration, he is to be treated as a heathen.
Paul knew exactly what to do, before he acted he applied Mercy by forgiving the man before turning him over. In Second Corinthians these same Corinthian leaders will attempt to exalt themselves by proclaiming they forgave, and restored the man, but Paul will show he forgave the man before turning him over to Satan, thus Paul’s action was really mercy based, done for the overall good of the Body. If Paul would have turned the man over to Satan based on his anger, then he would have turned himself over to Satan, he was not ignorant of Satan’s devices (II Cor 2:5-13).
This displays another point fitting it with Chapter 11 in the Authority of leadership, they were damaging their own position by not acting. They were placing a false carnal covering between them and Christ, a very dangerous move, especially when Paul will show it has serious effects on the Congregation. A congregation under carnal covering has to remain silent, their prayers in the gathering whether with the understanding or in tongues are useless, their prophecy in the gathering is tainted, all because of a little leaven reigning in the leadership.
I Cor 5:6-13
The glorying of the leaders regarding the man’s acts made the sin seem approved, thus the other members would soon engage in other acts of the flesh assuming they are condoned as well. This doesn’t mean we are suppose to get on the pulpit and preach against the person, it shows there is a means to Restore, without destroying. It’s one thing to know someone has a sin while encouraging them to join to the Spirit in order to see the flesh die, it’s another to encourage the flesh to reign. Whether we condone, or condemn, it makes no difference, both acts are soulish. Paul’s action served a two fold purpose, to allow the man to see his sin, while keeping the leaven from spreading.
All this goes back to verse 3:14, “if any man’s work abide”, surely the man was lead away by his own lust, his work would not abide. The Corinthian leadership ignored the obvious, the ship was sinking, yet they felt “all is well”. The leaven was spreading, first the man, then the leaders, then the entire church, three parts of leaven, yet these people were in the kingdom of heaven. Purging out the old leaven is not a act of mind power, but one of submission to the Spirit. Paul’s reference to “Christ our Passover” goes right to the Communion Table, explaining the term Unworthy. Knowing the purpose of Remembering is a sound reason to engage in Communion; however, if we think we’re so holy we create water, then we are unworthy. The unworthy state is not being in need, it’s thinking we don’t need the Table. The Table is the place where we bring our honest open hearts before the Lord, it’s our place to find the delivering power of Christ. Surely if the Corinthians are told to partake, we can. This bread issue will be the his first area of teaching on Communion, then the cup, but the Corinthians were holding the cup of devils, calling it the cup of the Lord. They were holding the leavened bread, calling it unleavened, yet they thought they were rich and in need of nothing. Carnal minds become cloudy in their self-deceived condition.
There is a division between the soiled bread and the holy bread (see below).
Each area Paul alluded to would be areas where the Corinthians failed to discern. Paul didn’t come to them with the intellect, or wisdom of man, he came to them as a simple man with a powerful message by the Holy Ghost. Where we think we are strong, we will not allow the Lord to work, but if we know we are weak, we will humble ourselves and allow the New Man to work through us.
If prophecy is comfort, edifying, and exhortation, don’t you think we would have examples here in this letter? Yes, in First Corinthians 14:24 we find prophecy will open the “secrets” of ones heart, so what is that? Exposure, far from a pat on the head, but edifying. In First Corinthians 1:9 Paul said, “God is faithful, by whom you were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord”, an example of Comfort. In First Corinthians 3:1-3 Paul told them they were so carnal he had to speak to them as babes, which is exposure, yet edifying. The sad part is they thought they were Spiritual and Paul was in error. Evidence, always look at the evidence. Who is fighting over baptism? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who is divided? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who has the manifestation of the Spirit? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Who has the evidence of God’s Wisdom? Paul? Or the Corinthians? Clarity at times is so obvious you have to force yourself not to see it.
In First Corinthians 6:11 he said, “And such were some of you” but you are washed….”, this would be Exhortation calling them to continue in the washing to be sacrificed and justified in Jesus by the Spirit. He is not projecting some future event, but he is reaching to the future based on a past event. They stopped in the middle of the Jordan, failing to see the reason they entered was to get to the other side.
The word Prophecy is the Greek Prophetes which is a compound word meaning Before (Pro) and To declare or make known before (Phemi), but we also know Prophecy is God speaking through a person, thus speaking words of Grace would be a form of Prophecy. We tend to link Prophecy with someone saying “So saith the Lord”, although Prophecy is the Lord saying, the person doesn’t have to qualify it by saying, “So saith the Lord” each time they prophesy. In this letter Paul desires for them to speak continually from the Spirit, which of course they were not. The wisdom of man speaks words of division, strife, envy, pride and deception, the Wisdom of God speaks words of unity, Grace, Mercy, and faith. The wisdom of man seeks self-exaltation, the Wisdom of God exalts Jesus. The words determine the source, Paul points to Jesus, the Corinthians to their own importance. Where does the wisdom of man come from? And where does the Wisdom of God come from?
Paul displayed at least two elements when he was with them, words (Prophecy) and Power (Signs). Paul admits, although he was weak, in fear and trembling, the Spirit of God was in Demonstration and Power. The signs were there, now it was time for the signs to follow the Corinthians. The wording, “in demonstration of the Spirit” has a connection to the Manifestation of the Spirit defined in Chapter 12, but here Paul is taking it further as he includes the anointing on his office. The Wisdom and Power were already presented, Paul acted as a person in the Office, as the Office manifested. The Anointing spoke and acted, but what did they do with the presented evidence?
The Greek word Apodixis translated as Demonstration is only found here in 2:4, although it does mean To Manifest, there is more to it. Why didn’t Paul use the same Greek word here as he does for Manifestation of the Spirit? It would seem to fit, but here he is talking about preaching before the group, rather the Manifestation of the Spirit in Chapter 12 is used in a one on one situation. From the wording used here we know there is a difference between the Demonstration of the Spirit of God, and the Manifestation of the Spirit (New Man or Holy Spirit) in the one on one situation.
This is leading to a simple explanation regarding the Spirit the Corinthians received, this area shows the Spirit of God Identified (baptized) them into the Body, it was not their intellect, or wisdom. The purpose in receiving the Seed was to be Spiritual in order to understand the things of God. The reference to Spirit of God here shows the completeness of God, the entire Report called them into the Body. The Mercy of the Father, the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, with the Holy Ghost. Therefore, he doesn’t use the title Holy Ghost, rather he is pointing to how much God has invested in them, and how they have the keys regarding God’s investment.
In this case Paul tells them to remember how the Demonstration confirmed the Gospel, they received and were Sozo from the world, now it’s time to enter the Salvation of their souls. Verse 5 is a powerful verse showing direction, their faith “should not” stand in the wisdom of man, but in the Power of God. Even after we enter the Body we can fail to put our Faith in God. Here the Corinthians had theirs in the wisdom of man, yet it was the Power (Dunamis) of God sent to save them. Taking us back to verse 1:24, “Christ the power of God”, thus they needed to put their faith in Christ the Power of God, rather than man.
Verse 6 begins another division, “we speak wisdom among them who are perfect”, say What? Perfect? The arrogance of the man. No, not at all, perfection is within, this is merely Paul saying he is speaking to the Spiritually minded, or those who have the potential to be Spiritual. The division is the Wisdom of God on Paul’s side, not the wisdom of “this world”, nor of the princes of this world, which comes to nothing.
Verse 7 brings more clarity, Paul is speaking the Wisdom of God in a mystery, it centers around, “the Greeks seek after wisdom” (v. 1:22). However, he is showing them there are two types of wisdom, the one they were using is worldly in nature, the one he was using is Godly in nature. They were seeking wisdom, but the wrong kind, from the wrong source. They were speaking as the princes of this world, the same ones who put Jesus on the Cross.
The Greeks were very proud of their wisdom, some of the rotten baggage remained with the Corinthians. Like the acts of Pharaoh being carried by the children into the wilderness, the Corinthians brought the Greek wisdom of man by a spirit they should have rejected.
The Wisdom of God was long before there were any Greeks, even before world (v. 7). This Wisdom was “unto our glory”? Could it be right? Yes, our Glory is found in the New Man, Christ in us, the hope of Glory. The same Glory none of the “princes of the world” knew, for if they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory (v. 8). If these princes of the world, are of the world, what spirit do we think they would use? The spirit of man? Correct, the division is between the spirit of man being ignorant of the things of God, but the spirit of the world being opposed to the Spirit that is of God, meaning the spirit of the world did not come into existence until after Pentecost. This is clear when John tells us of the “he in the world” is antichrist in nature, thus the spirit of the world is overly concerned about the cares or fears of the world, causing them to bring terror and fear into the Body regarding what the world is doing. This in turn removes faith, causing a falling away from the faith. On the other hand the spirit of man is the spirit of disobedience, or spirit lusting to envy, a product of the Fall, it is ignorant regarding the spiritual things of God. We will find how the Spirit of God removed us from the realm of the spirit of man by bringing us into the kingdom. Therefore, the spirit of the world attempts to combat the purpose of the Spirit which is of God by mixing the cares of the world into a religious doctrine not conducive to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Paul also understands the Plan is the Plan, as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them who Love (Agape) Him. But God Has Revealed them unto Us by His Spirit, for which is Born of the Spirit is Spirit, and the Spirit searches all things, yea even the deep things of God, for deep still speaks to deep (vs. 9-10). The context here shows only the Spirit of God knows the things of God, yet the Spirit of Christ in us knows us, as well as the things of God. It also shows the Spirit that is of God is from God, but the New Man is not all God is.
As we did in Romans we are now looking at “us” and “you”, and the differences between the two. If the Corinthians were walking in the Spirit, none of the questions they presented would have come to their minds. The Spirit is not going to say, “who baptized you?”. The mere fact they had the Spirit proves the baptism was accepted. Often the question asked, and how it’s presented will tell us if the source is carnal, or Spiritual.
In verse 9 the wording “have entered” is the Greek Anabaino meaning to make entrance in one direction. The word Enter in reference to Entering the Kingdom of God (sheepfold) in John’s Account it’s the Greek Eiserchomai meaning Entry in either direction, it also entails the purpose of entry. Jesus said once we enter the sheepfold the training begins, then we can go in and out. The Corinthians were standing at the Door, really they were blocking the entrance. The Greek Eiserchomai was used to show one entering with a purpose, or making entry to reach a result, then being able to venture in and out by right.
Verses 11 and 12 are vital, the spirit of man knows the things of man, but doesn’t have a clue regarding the things of the Spirit of God. The spirit of man can be very intellectual, know the original languages, study what others say the Bible says, but still ignorant regarding spiritual matters. Only the Spirit of God knows the things of God, for no man knows the things of God. Here is the exposure, they had the Spirit, but they were using the spirit of the man to define spiritual matter. Their questions revolved around issues showing they didn’t know the Things of God, they were listening to the voice of the Stranger.
This also links to verses 9 and 10, it’s not separate from them, but showing the division in the body of the Corinth was merely a sign of the division in the people. In this case Paul tells them they are ignorant, but if they were set against the things regarding the Spirit that is of God, they would be antichrist in nature, more serious.
The division was evident by their words, the spirit of man is the fallen nature. They may say they are Christian, but they if they give man the glory they are using the spirit of man. Did the spirit of man control them? No, it’s the point, they had the Spirit of Christ, thus they had the power and authority to reject the spirit of man.
However in verse 12 we find a slight change, as the spirit of the world, not the spirit of man, but we also find “the Spirit which is of God”, rather than the “Spirit of God” as we found in verse 11. Why not use the title Holy Ghost in verse 11? Because Paul is speaking of the entire Report, God in fullness, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as God is Spirit. The Spirit of God called us into the Body, so we could have the Spirit which is of God. In essence Paul is telling the Corinthians he is not of “the spirit of the world” come to harm them, rather he is speaking from the Spirit which is of God. The natural mind cannot tell the difference between being discipled, or controlled, at times they simply don’t like anyone telling them what to do, thus they run to another body to become the invisible.
The spirit of the world is seen as the “he in the world”, it did not come into being until the Holy Ghost began to reprove the world, thus the spirit of the world is the Beast of the Sea, who holds the authority, power and seat of Satan, yet the Beast of the Earth is the he in the world, who uses the authority of the Beast of the Sea. The spirit of the world is opposed to the Spirit which is of God, as the Spirit which is of God is the Holy Spirit in us. The spirit of the world will use social pressure to make us reject the voice of the Holy Spirit for the voice of the world. However, we find the he of the world is run by the spirit of the world, through the authority of the world. Verse 13 confirms it, the Corinthians were ignorant, meaning they are more listening to the spirit of man, not the spirit of the world. In truth it was their hope, being ignorant is far cry from using the spirit of the world.
Those same deep things of God, are the things Paul speaks of, not by the wisdom of the Greeks (world), but the in the Wisdom of God. Now he speaks of the Holy Ghost, as the Holy Ghost teaches by comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual. Therefore, the Holy Ghost is spiritual, the New Man is spiritual, they compared matters, yet if we are carnal minded we won’t have a clue to what is being compared. Therefore, the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually Discerned (vs. 13-14). Having the Spirit isn’t the end of the race, our souls being formed into a spiritual nature is the goal. This above all else shows this is a Process, as we grow.
One of the vital verses in the concept of Spiritual abilities is found right here. Spiritually Discerned, it’s our safety net, our ability to see past the here and now, to the intent, as the cares of this world will not invade our thinking. The word Discerned is the Greek Anakrion meaning to examine, or investigate, but it depends on the word it’s attached to. Here it’s Spiritual, not carnal. The Corinthians were using the wisdom of man, which is earthly, sensual and devilish, they held the cup of devils up as their testing source.
These verses are perhaps the most rebuking of any Paul used toward members of the Body, they are stronger than the ones used toward the Romans. The Corinthians were in the most dangerous of all places, they had the Spirit giving them position to speak about the Cross and Resurrection, but they were using the wisdom of the world by the spirit of man as their teacher and guide. The same elements used by the princes of the world used in their reasoning for putting Jesus on the Cross.
Verse 15 uses the Greek Anakrion as the word “judge”, meaning to Discern, or Judge righteously. If we use the word Discern in place of Judge we could read this as, “but he who is Spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is not discerned of man (natural)”. This doesn’t mean the Spiritual person is not to judge their self, it means no carnal natural person can discern what God is doing with a Spiritual person, but the Spiritual person can always discern what is going on with the natural, carnal minded. How? By the Spirit. The Spirit hears words, by the words the person’s heart is discerned, then we address the intent of the heart. This is what Paul is doing here, he had their questions and from the questions he discerned their hearts. You don’t have to read someone’s mind to know their intent, you hear, discern, and respond.
If the Corinthians were in the Body, why were they acting this way? The Gospel has two areas, Mercy (Kingdom of Heaven) and Grace (Kingdom of God), the first part of this promise is the Living Soul condition, or Zao Psuchikos, but the second part is the Quickening Spirit or Zoopoieo Pneumatikos. As a Living Soul we have life, but it’s imputed, as a Quickening Spirit we have Imparted Life. Both conditions are important, but we can’t remain a living soul, when the call is to become a Quickening Spirit.
Paul quoted Isaiah 64:4, but Isaiah 64:5 shows God comes to those who Rejoice and work Righteousness, but He is wroth at those who sinned, unless they repent. If they repent, then they shall be saved, thus Paul is calling for repentance, the jack hammer to the stronghold of a carnal mind. The only way any of us will know what the predestined plan of God is for us, is when we have the Witness. Paul isn’t boasting, he is pleading, the Corinthians have all it takes, all they need do is submit by putting their faith in Christ.
The word Instruct in verse 16 is the Greek Sumbibazo meaning to uplift, we find Paul using Old Testament foundations to correct the New Testament carnal minded. However, he has to, since they are carnal minded and unable to understand Spiritual matters. He just said the Holy Ghost teaches by comparing Spiritual to Spiritual, but these people are not Spiritual, meaning Paul must use carnal reasoning. The Holy Ghost is instructing, but they consider it foolishness.
Jeremiah says, “For who has stood in the counsel (secret) of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His Word and heard it?” (Jere 23:18). Isaiah 40:12-13 says, “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor has taught Him?”. Both of these don’t answer the questions, they merely ask them. Who indeed, but we have the Mind of Christ through the New Birth; we are Instructed in the things of God, by the Mind of the Lord. We could see this is the Mind of the Lord by the Holy Ghost instructing us by the Mind of Christ which is the Spirit in us which is of God to our souls.
Godly division is a matter of separating the Precious from the Vile, but the Holy Ghost isn’t done yet, there is more to this hammer of truth.
I Cor 3:1-3
This is very interesting, since Paul just finished saying the natural mind can’t understand the things of God, he now separates the carnal from the Spiritual, but in so doing we find one can be in Christ, yet carnal, if carnal they are yet natural. In Romans we found one can be in Christ yet mind the things of the flesh, here we find one can be in Christ, yet remain carnal. On the same note, let us not forget we can be in Christ and Spiritual. This explains Romans 8:1 as well, both the Romans and Corinthians were in the Body, but hardly Spiritual, thus there are some in the Body who mind the flesh, but there are some who mind the Spirit. The Corinthians and Romans would be examples of those who “sleep in Jesus”, they have the Spirit, but their works of mercy will have to pass the fire, but those who are Spiritual have entered the Rest of God, ceasing from their own works.
We have three things noted here in verse 1, the Spiritual, the carnal and babes. Are there Babes in Christ? Yes, it’s why we call them “Babes in Christ”, rather than “Babes in Jesus”. Do we teach them as we would the “youngmen”? No, of course not. However, the Babes in Christ have the Spirit, yet they are seeking to be Spiritual, here we find something different. The Greek word for Babes is Nepios, meaning Natal, or in the womb, denoting the Corinthians were not Born Again, yet they had the Spirit. By Paul using Nepios it really is “edifying”, or building them up. It’s best to know you’re not there, rather then live in the deception thinking you’ve already made it. The Corinthians were living the illusion of thinking since they had the Spirit, thus they were Born Again, by Paul using the Greek Nepios the illusion is cut off at the roots. Their actions were carnal, their questions were carnal, their debates were carnal, yet they had the Spirit. Their ways tell the tale, they are still in the fetus stage, their faith was in the wrong area, causing their growth to cease.
These verses are examples of Discernment, Paul by the Spirit saw behind the questions to the problem. He is addressing the problem, and will do so for a number of chapters. He will answer their questions, but as they relate to the real problem, their carnal nature. They had power over the spirit of man, meaning they had the ability to say No, but they were using the spirit of man by using the wisdom of the world. Once we come to Jesus we have authority over the spirit of man, which is spirit lusting to envy.
In chapter two Paul made reference to the wisdom of the world six times, then he ended by saying, “We have the mind of Christ”. He begins chapter three with You, thus separating the one difference between We and You based on which wisdom one uses. In Romans it was “we” and “they”, here it gets more personal in nature, for good reason. The Romans were about to destroy themselves, here the Corinthians were about to destroy themselves and others.
The “sure sign” of being Born Again is Love, yet do the Corinthians show Love? Hardly, they are divided, in strife and envy, acting as natural men. If they act as “men” what spirit is driving them? The spirit of man. If they operate in envy what spirit are they using? The spirit lusting to envy. If they use the wisdom of the world, what spirit are they using there? The spirit of man, indicating they haven’t a clue to the things of God.
Because they are using their carnal minds, they are also ignoring the call to be Spiritual, meaning they could just barely handle Milk, much less Meat. Milk often pertains to the knowledge of the Gospel, or the basic matters understood by the natural mind, but Meat involves Spiritual discernment, or doing of the things of God. Paul will give them knowledge regarding Spiritual matters, but neither he or God will force them to walk in the Spirit.
The signs of the carnal mind are the displays of envy, strife and division. This same envy and strife leads to hate and bitterness. Wait a minute, didn’t this same Paul say even if someone preaches Jesus from envy and strife, at least Christ is preached? Yes, but in the context the reward is to those preached to, it doesn’t relate to the one preaching. Both James and John write how the signs of envy and strife in our lives as signs of still being in darkness. One can read Scripture aloud, if the hearer is willing to receive the Truth, they will; although the speaker is not holy, the words spoken are. In Mark we found even if one preaches, yet doesn’t believe, there may be a hearer who will (Mark 16:16-18).
When Paul was in Corinth, Apollos was in Ephesus, yet all Apollos knew at the time was the baptism of John, explaining why some Greeks were baptized under John’s baptism (Acts 18:24 & 19:2). This explains the phrase “Name of Jesus only”, since some were being baptized under John’s baptism. John was not a member of the ministry of Jesus, thus John’s baptism after the Cross really availed nothing. As Apollos was preaching in Ephesus a husband and wife team of Aquila and Priscilla explained the Way of God, which would include the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. When Paul was in Ephesus, Apollos was in Corinth. Apollos was an eloquent speaker, mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24). The Corinthians considered Paul weak, but Apollos mighty, thus they were bragging in who baptized them, or under what Name was the real baptism. Carnal minds hurt many people, simply because they haven’t a clue regarding Spiritual matters.
The Greek word for Envying is Zelos, but it also means one who is Zealous for God. The difference? In the case of Envying it’s coupled with the old man, in the case of being Zealous for God it’s coupled with the New Man. It’s not the same word James uses for envy in the phrase spirit lusting to envy, the word for Envy means completely in capable of doing good. Here Paul uses Zelos for good reason, they had the Spirit, they could put their faith in Christ to be Zelos for God, or they could continue to listen to the spirit of man, ending Zelos for religion, but not Spiritual.
The Greek word for Strife is Eris meaning one who loves strife, or one who causes strife, contention or wrangling. In this case it means one who starts things, or the one who causes the fight. Questions and opinions used to belittle or trap someone are methods of Strife. There are some who plan out strife, they speak to people about others just to get them all worked up into some soulish tornado. The result is removing Peace, exactly what the Corinthians were doing among their own, and others.
The word Divisions is the Greek Dichostasia meaning one who separates by dissension. Seditions or divisions are works of the flesh, in Romans Paul warned us to stay away from those who cause such things (Rom 16:17). If it’s the case, what is he doing here? Adding fuel to the fire? No, correction, these people are still his children in the Lord; they may have many teachers, but not many fathers: the phrase means one who began the local church, Paul is still teaching them as a parent would a child.
If the carnal mind doesn’t like the people or event, it will divide through strife. If it can’t have it, it will destroy it, discredit it, deny it, or discard it. The carnal mind seeks to be the center of attention, if the attention is not on them, envy enters their heart, causing them to attack. Later Paul will show certain things affront the unlearned and the unbeliever; the purpose demonstrates how the Corinthians were the unlearned in Spiritual matters.
I Cor 3:4-23
Verse 4 defines the carnal mind, an exposure we must all keep in mind. “For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?”. Division into groups to exalt ourselves is carnal, in this case they divided themselves based on who they felt were more Godly. “I’m of this denomination”, or “we’re non-denominational”, “I was baptized in this name”, “I’m better I was baptized under this name”. Carnal minds seek to be superior over the rest of the Body, to have a special something making them better than the rest of us. A title they feel exalts them, or something else placing them above the others, sadly it’s based on envy, the lust to be better than the total. The evidence is here, one says they are better because Paul baptized them, another says they are better because Apollos baptized them. The Body is divided based on envy, yet the Church is never divided.
Paul tells them they are carnal, he already said they were unable to understand the Spiritual, yet he says they are of the Body, even the Temple of God, they even have the Spirit, making them a potential Tabernacle (vs. 3:1-3 & 3:16-17). “Wow, the Temple, must be great”. Could be, if one keeps it in context, but remember when the disciples told Jesus how great they thought the Temple was, He said it would be destroyed. Being the Temple of the Spirit doesn’t mean the flesh is holy, or we as individuals are “the Temple of the Spirit”, since before we could gain the Spirit we had to impute the flesh dead. The temple is the structure, wherein the people go, but we find another place outside of the temple as well. If we are the Temple of the Spirit, yet the flesh is dead, then Paul must be talking about another element, rather than the flesh of man. The Temple must be “holy”, but can the flesh be holy? Not hardly, what then is this “body” he is talking about? The Temple Paul is talking about is the Body of Christ, which is Holy, it becomes our Flesh after we imputed the old flesh dead. Will the Body be broken? Yes, in a few chapters Paul will make the point using the night of betrayal as an example of someone defiling the Temple. If it’s dangerous for a Novice to teach, think of the danger of having carnal minded leadership.
What two things caused the Temple to be destroyed? The iniquity of failing to make it a house of prayer, plus the sin of selling the dove. Ahh, the Building process, only here Paul uses the metaphors of man’s treasure to show it’s far better to use gold, sliver and precious stones, than wood, hay and stubble. Gold points to purity, silver to redemption, and precious stones to the attributes of the Spirit. Wood refers to the things of man, including man’s wisdom; hay to the works of man’s hands, stubble to the knowledge of man. The foundation Paul laid was firm, it was the building materials the Corinthians were using producing the problems.
The word for Temple is the Greek Naos, generally was used to refer to the inner parts, or most sacred part of the temple. Often Naos pointed to the holiest place in the Temple, which would fit the context better. The Spirit is the Mercy Seat of Grace within us, our souls akin to the holy place, but all of us are in the Temple (Body of Christ), yet remove the Spirit and we have a defiled, broken temple. However, it’s getting ahead of the context.
Paul didn’t cause the increase, neither did Apollos, but they both worked together for the benefit of the Corinthians (v. 8). It’s always God who brings the increase, we can try all the programs we want, but if we are serious about this, we leave the Increase to God, we take care of the planting and watering (v. 5-6). It had nothing to do with induction into the Body, the Corinthians were in the Body, it was up to them to do some building, so God could bring the increase. Unless they join to the building, God will not increase. If the seed is planted, yet never grows, what good is it? If one waters the ground, yet there is no seed, or increase, what good is it? It’s the increase producing the product, if Paul hadn’t planted, God would have sent someone else; if Apollos hadn’t watered, God would have sent someone else, but only God can bring the increase (v. 7). The Corinthians were putting the importance on men, rather than God. Carnal minds seem to pick their favorite person of God, assuming the anointing is a result of the person, rather than God who anointed the person.
The foundation is Christ, they have the Spirit, but what are they using for building materials? Spiritual? Or carnal? Back in verse 10 Paul shows the foundation is the result of God’s Grace, yet Grace is not carnal. The foundation is sound, but the Corinthians were attempting to make the building carnal. Jesus said we should not attempt to build on sand, here the foundation was correct, the building materials faulty.
Now the hard part, Paul knows his “reward” is according to his labor, but he tells the Corinthians their “work” will be revealed by fire. The word for Labor in verse 8 is the Greek Kopos meaning To cause one trouble, or a troublesome type of labor, usually associated with a beating of the chest in sorrow. This shows his labor toward the Corinthians was related to the sorrow of seeing his labor treated in a carnal manner.
The word for Laborers (together) in verse 9 is the Greek Sunergos meaning Fellow-laborer, or companion in work, it holds the thought of one helping the other. The word for Work in verse 13 is the Greek Ergon which is the suffix to Sunergos, Ergon is often used for “works”, business, type of work, or deed. Putting it all together we find a rebuke to the Corinthians, Paul and Apollos worked together, there was no division between them, their goal was hard, and troublesome, the foundation being laid in the “camp of the carnal” is always difficult, but more hurtful was seeing what the Corinthians were doing to the foundation. The foundation was correct, the water was correct, but the building process was no longer in the hands of Paul or Apollos. Yet, if God brings the increase, what is so wrong here? God wasn’t being allowed to bring the increase, they stopped short of the place where God could bring the increase. They were attempting to use carnal endeavors to build a Spiritual house, the result would be defiling the Temple, not establishing it.
Verses 14 and 15 would appear to be at the Judgment, except for the word “saved”, which is the Greek Sozo, not Soteria, but it would be the case if they were saved from the world, yet not able to enter the First Resurrection. They would fit those who Sleep in Jesus through the Night, then stood up on the last day. If Paul would have used the Greek Soteria it would reflect on them making the First Resurrection. We have to put this with First Thessalonians 5:5-6, there are those who Sleep in Jesus, but the warning is let us not Sleep, not be with the drunken who go into the Night, but rather let us become Spiritual to become children of the Day.
The wording “every man” has to be taken into context as to time and position. Both Jew and Gentile have to find their name in the Book of Life, thus no matter who you are, you must come through Jesus. For those in the First Resurrection they enter the Door by having Jesus in them of a truth, which means they are Spiritual in nature, or at least trying to be so, meaning their names are in the Book of Life.
We have two areas to consider in these verses helping us understand the Temple – Tabernacle principle. We are God’s “husbandry”, His “building”, two things not one. The word Husbandry points to a field, it comes from two Greek words, one means A cultivated field, the other means A farmer, we are not the Farmer, but we are the field, the same field in which God planted the Seed. Then comes the Building, which is the Greek Oikodome meaning a Building in the process of construction, or an edifice, generally it means edification, or building up, it doesn’t mean the completed building, rather it points to one in construction, giving us Process. The same Greek word is used in First Corinthians 14:26-31 telling us to let all things be done for the edifying of the Body, showing the connection. This also shows the “temple of the Holy Ghost” is not our fleshly bodies, but the Spirit securing us in the Body of Christ. The temple of the Holy Ghost is in us, yet what is in us connecting to the Holy Ghost? The Spirit, thus this has nothing to do with the fleshly body, it relates to the Spirit and soul. The Corinthians needed to submit to the building process to become Spiritual in nature.
Of course we could look at the word “man” as the New Man, keeping this in context we can see the “Spirit” will be saved, but the soul lost. This is confirmed by Jude’s comment, “having not the Spirit”, which could also read, “Not able to hold unto the Spirit” (Jude 19). Surely the spirit of man is not going to be saved, the only Spirit this could refer to is the New Man, the New Man being the Holy Spirit will go home in the Rapture.
The word Defile is the Greek Phtheiro meaning to make corrupt, or to cause to be destroyed. Surely they will not cause the entire Body to be destroyed, but we do know the Body will be broken. In their case the Temple is the place within, connecting them to the Body. This goes right with, “let no man deceive himself” (v. 18). The word Deceive is the Greek Exapatao meaning Beguiled or deceived; the word Beguiled means To distract ones attention from one thing to another. The evidence of this was of course the dispute over baptism. In the case of the baptism controversy it was, “who baptized me?”, rather than “why was I baptized?”.
Verse 19 goes right back to the “wisdom of this world”, showing the source of the foolishness, thus to the carnal mind Spiritual things are foolishness. Again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, yet Paul just said the spirit of man doesn’t know the things of God. The spirit of man knows man so well, it can take the deep things of man, and beat man stupid, while man thinks he is superior. The thoughts of the wise of this world are vain, attempting to impress people with their knowledge, yet their knowledge lacks Truth.
The phrase “He takes the wise in their own craftiness” is interesting, the word Craftiness is the Greek Panourgia meaning A false wisdom or Subtle, going right to the methods of the beasts of the field (Gen 3:1). The problem with the carnal mind, or the natural mind, is the use of manipulation and subtle methods based in the nature, yet the person is blinded to their folly. Discernment looks past the mask to the source, just as Paul is doing here. This is made clear in verse 20, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and they are vain”, which goes right back to, “Who has known the Mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him, but we have the Mind of Christ” (v. 2:16). The word Vain is the Greek Mataios meaning Devoid of truth, or of no purpose.
Verse 21 goes back to 1:31, “let him glory in the Lord”. The spirit of man glories in man, the spirit of the world in the things of the world, the Spirit of Christ in God. This was another area where Paul discerned the carnal nature, their debates over baptism was an attempt to place the glory on man.
Verse 22 shows the authority, whatever was given to the Corinthians by Paul, who planted, by Apollos who watered, as Cephas who assisted, unto life found in the Spirit which is of God, or things in the present, or things yet to come, are all theirs, they have the ability in hand. They can use the spirit of man, or submit to the Holy Spirit. They are not trapped into using the wisdom of the world, or the spirit of man, none of them rule them. They are a people of Authority, they just forgot they were under Authority as well.
Verse 23 becomes important later, they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. The head of the man is Christ, the head of Christ is God. There was no reason whatsoever to be carnal, they had the Spirit, they had Authority. All they had to do was make the decision, then submit to the Spirit.
The Corinthian stronghold was self-deception based in the confusion they created, they needed some Light to see themselves as Paul did. This stronghold is different from the religious conceit held by the Romans, yet both entailed self-deception; however, history shows the Romans received the Word, remaining firm until 315 AD. Whereas the Corinthians had to hear again from Paul, then later from the church fathers, yet they still refused to accept the Truth, finally faded into nothing. They never got the idea, they were so self-deceived the generations thereafter followed suit. They taught the next generation the same foolishness they retained, causing it to continue on, until the spirit of man overcame them. If this were not a serious issue, we wouldn’t have it written for our sakes. We learn, so we can discern, so we won’t burn.
I Cor 4:1-5
Paul is a Minister of Christ, a Steward of the mysteries of God, going back to “but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery”. The word Minister is the Greek Huperetes meaning anyone who serves with hands, it was used to describe those who rowed ships in unison. One might think Paul is saying he is a minister to Jesus, but it’s not the case, he is a minister to the Body of Christ by Jesus. This is made clearer by the word Stewards which is the Greek Oikonomos meaning the manager of a household, not the master of the house. A manager is one who manages the affairs, they do not create the affairs they manage, thereby showing the difference. The Corinthians were attempting to be master and manager, which is out of order. This Greek word was also used to show the position of a treasurer, such as one who holds the wealth of another. Paul isn’t boasting, but he does remind them, “you came to me for answers, but here is what the Lord has to say”. If they didn’t like the answer, don’t ask the question.
Verse 2 shows Responsibility, Paul also had the power to deliver, or not to deliver, he could just answer the questions, ignoring their carnal minds; however his duty as a Master of the Household was to bring these matters to light, thus he did as the Lord directed. The purpose? To belittle the Corinthians? No, to build them, but the exposure had to come before the building.
Verse 3 explains how the Corinthians were asking on one hand, but judging Paul on the other. Which is another sign of the carnal mind, if Paul agreed with them, then they would refer to him as a “anointed”, if not, they had their judging to fall back on, allowing them to reject Paul’s words. They would be wrong, but it’s nonetheless a method of the carnal mind. It often comes down to, “Oh yeah, well you…”. Camel swallowing contests are useless endeavors of the flesh.
Verses 3 and 4 use the word Judge in one form or another four times, the word Judge in the phrase “judged of you” is the Greek AnaKrino which is a compound word from the emphatic Ana (On or Upon), and Krino (to judge). The Greek Krino is a root word from which we get the English word Hypocrite. A Hypocrite is one who judges others under them, or judges to make themselves feel superior, yet they are doing the same as they are judging; yet in many cases they are so self-deceived they don’t think they are doing the same. It’s why we come to the Table of the Lord as we allow the Spirit to examine us, of course one must have the Spirit.
The word Judgment in verses 3 and 4 is the Greek Hemera meaning Day, in fact the TR renders this “or by a man’s day”, which doesn’t make a whole bunch of sense, unless we know this is the Day, coupled with the reference is to “man’s judgment”. During the day natural man still judges based on disobedience. The metaphoric context is man judging man by man’s rules and concepts, which is still being a hypocrite.
In all this we learn there are several words for “Judge”, and “Judgment”, this is good place to view them up. In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus told us, “Judge not, so you won’t be judged. For with the same Judgment you judge, you shall be judged”. Put it with Paul’s statement about judging ourselves, and we go “tilt”. In Matthew the Greek word is Krima meaning To place one in damnation, or condemnation of wrong. This is an attitude of seeking fault, it’s not merely judging, rather it’s the mindset of finding fault by judging. Jesus went about doing good, yet when fault appeared He would deal with it in a Godly manner. How do we know? Simple, He told the Pharisees their faults, He told Peter, “Get thee behind Me Satan”, yet in each case He also provided an escape. The difference is dependent on what one is seeking, the Pharisees were spending all their time seeking fault, Jesus was spending His doing good, yet He didn’t ignore fault when it appeared.
Here in verse 4 in the phrase “He that judges me” refers to the Lord doing the judging, the word Judges is the Greek AnaKrino again, thus it’s not the judging, but who is doing it. Man judges to exalt himself, the Lord judges so we won’t be condemned with the world. In essence Paul is tell the Corinthians go ahead and judge me, I will discern, you can’t help me or hurt me, but the Lord through me is reaching out to help you.
Verse 4 tells us why Paul wouldn’t Judge himself through himself, he had noting from which to compare of his own. He had the Declaration of Justification, but if he was Justified, there would be no need to Judge him. He was in the process of being Justified by Christ, as he was Judged of the Lord, thus what he thought was something in him, maybe something leaving him. What he thought may be the cause of the problem, may be the fruit. It’s impossible for any of us to use the soul to judge ourselves, we must allow the Lord to judge by the Spirit. Therefore in order to “judge ourselves” we must have a standard, the standard is the New Man, not other people. Therefore, when we judge ourselves, lest we be judged it has nothing to do with using our natural mind or soul to judge ourselves, it’s a matter of the New Man judging us by comparing Spiritual to Spiritual; meaning the Holy Ghost who is Spiritual teaches to the New Man who is Spiritual, the New Man teaches us, but if we are carnal, we won’t understand any of the teaching, or we will twist it to carnal.
If we continue looking at the word Judge we have to jump ahead for a moment to First Corinthians 6:2, where we again find two different Greek words; the phrase “shall judge” is the Greek Krino (the root word to Anakrino above) meaning To separate, or discriminate between good and evil. Above we had the addition of Ana, meaning upon, thus the Corinthians were laying Judgment on Paul, but their intent and purpose was evil in nature. In answering them on the question Paul was right, he didn’t judge himself in like manner; however, in this case we find Paul did judge himself in a Godly manner. In each case we find the word “judge”, but with completely different intents, and purposes.
Paul never used the old man as his guide or judge, whether the judging came from others, or toward others, but he did allow the New Man to judge and discern. The fine line between judging a person, and judging things is the issue. If we can put a face on what we judge, we are judging people.
In First Corinthians 6:2 the phrase “unworthy to judge” gives us the Greek Kritherion for the word Judge. The Greek Kritherion means A lawsuit, relating to the one who does the judging, or the one who has the authority to judge, becoming a very important issue. The Corinthians were using a carnal source from the spirit of man to judge a saint of God. Paul on the other hand was allowing the Holy Ghost to judge the Corinthians, as the New Man judged him.
The old man has no authority whatsoever to judge anything or anyone. Will he? In a heartbeat, but lacking authority makes the judgment hypocritical, and illegal. Since the old man is a waster by nature, he judges to get us under judgment. Once we figure it out, we stop judging people, by allowing the New Man to discern. The paradox is how the old man judges people to place them in a lower class, making the one who is judging think they are better, but in Romans we found it produces the opposite. What one judges, they are doing. It’s not the same as correction, in order to bring correction one must have the proper authority and position. Paul as the teacher of these people had right standing to correct them, they did not have right standing to judge him.
We are the only ones on this earth who have this opportunity to be judged of God before the Judgment, so we won’t be condemned “with the world”. If one uses the spirit of man in a religious manner, they will be condemned with the world. Paul’s plea is for the Corinthians to enter the Spiritual, in order for their souls to become Spiritual. He shows them how they were using the spirit of man, if they remained carnal, they would need a Law based in carnal ordinances, the only one open to them was the Law of Moses, yet it’s purpose is to hunt out sin, convict and proclaim the punishment. Perhaps it’s for this reason we find Paul making references to the Law of Moses as he applies it to these carnal people.
This will take us to First Corinthians 11:31 where we find one more Greek word, coupled with those we have already talked about. In the phrase, “For if we would judge ourselves” we find the wording “would judge” is the Greek Diakrino, this word uses the same root word of Krino, but now we have the addition of Dia. We may recall the word DiaMerismos meaning to completely separate, but Merismos means to open up in order to discern. Jesus said He came to “diamerismos“, but the Word in us will Merismos. The concept in DiaKrino is to Separate (Dia) from the world (what is judged), we do so by knowing we are the Bread as the Body given by the Lord. The baptism was their token of being separated, yet they were using it for some social importance.
The Corinthians were using the ways of the world to judge Paul, but Paul tells us to judge and determine if we are Separated from the ways of the world by allowing the New Man to judge us. In the phrase “should not be judged” the Greek word for Judged is Krino the root word for DiaKrino. If we Separate ourselves (Judge), we will not be judged (joined to the world). The method is words and actions, are we using the spirit of man? We will be judged with the world, but the Spirit that is of God will be saved.
All this connects to the difference between Godly principles applied by the Spiritually minded, or by the carnal minded. Same principle, but different sources for the application, ending in different results. The carnal mind uses natural reasoning and carnal intellect, the Spiritually minded submit to the New Man using Godly Knowledge and Wisdom. The only Judge is Jesus, the New Man being created after God’s True Holiness and Righteousness has the authority to judge us individually.
Many of us find ourselves waiting for our day in the Sun, yet for some when it comes we get all haughty, or full of pride, we failed to DiaKrino, yet we are being Krino. When we’re down in the valley, we begin to look for the fault in others so we can feel better, it’s a failure to DiaKrino, yet we’re being Krino. Are we doing what the Lord wants us to do? Or are we doing what we want? These are Discerning questions only the New Man can answer.
Paul didn’t fall for the deception of allowing the old man to judge him, nor did he use his opinions, fears, or any emotion to judge him, but he did allow the New Man to judge him. The separation between man’s judgment and God’s judgment is vast in many areas, but can almost appear the same to others. The fine line is still a line between Light and darkness. The Corinthians thought they were being Spiritual, thus they felt they were judging Paul as “saints”, but they weren’t even close. Paul on the other hand was able to deal with their carnal attacks through Mercy, Love, and God’s Wisdom. It comes down to intent, purpose and motive, all of them play a part in the judging process.
First Corinthians 4:5 shows three areas, “will bring to light”, “will make manifest” and the “counsels” of man, all showing how all things will be made manifest in due time; however, for some it will be too late. It’s far better to stand naked and open before Him we have to do with now, rather than later (Heb 4:12-13). The word Counsels is the Greek Boule meaning the intent; we know the Word in us discerns the intent before the intent can form words (Heb 4:12). Far better to have the Word in us discerning, then Jesus judging us on the last day.
I Cor 4:6-21
Paul explains the relationship he and Apollos had as an example of how two men of God work together, yet neither thinks of their self above the other. The phrase, “have in a figure transfigured” is the Greek Metaschematizo meaning A change in condition, it was used in Second Corinthians 11:13-15 in reference to the self-transformed. So does it mean Paul is saying Apollos is self-transformed? No, it shows how he and Apollos discussed the Corinthian problem, seeking God to deal with it to benefit the Corinthians. Metashematizo could best be described as a change in the outward structure, as one would change an English garden into a Dutch garden. It’s still a Garden, the difference is the outward structure. The word would not fit if we took the garden and made it a soccer field, it would then be Metamorphoo, thus Satan can Metashematizo but he cannot Metamorphoo. Why use this word? Paul and Apollos had to discuss the problem, so were they judging? Or discerning? They addressed the problem by seeking a solution, they were Open, yet the Corinthians were applying pollution by deception. We must seek the solution, we never exalt the pollution; our example is what Paul and Apollos were doing, the opposite is what the Corinthians were doing.
Some of us are troubled over events, yet we think we can’t discuss them or we would be “judging”. The key to judging or discerning is intent, if we are seeking a way to deal with the event or problem in a Godly manner, it’s different than using the event to exalt ourselves. The Corinthians were bragging in their position, they lacked Spiritual discernment, the only reason they judged was to exalt themselves. Their position was fine, it was Christ based, but they presumed the race was over. Anything the Corinthians received they received by God through the men of God based on God’s goodness, not their goodness; however, they took the same Precious information, filtered it through their carnal strongholds, turning it into the carnal intellect, or the natural reasoning of man. The exact reverse of the intent of God, we have the Keys.
Verse 7 is a classic identifier of a carnal mind, wanting to be the special of the special, smarter than the smartest, to be elevated above others. “My baptism is better than yours, my man of God is more anointed than yours, my mom can beat up your mom”. Childish behavior, thus Paul said it would be difficult to speak to them, it would be like teaching the fetus the third year of college.
The Corinthians were very wealthy, they had many things, but they felt those things came by the power of their own hands, thus they felt all things came by the power of their own hands. Paul asks an important question, “For who makes you to differ from another? (v. 7)”. The wording “makes to differ” is the Greek Diakrino again, meaning a Separation to make a distinction or difference, in this case it means to separate based on ones own natural reasoning. The carnal mind simply can’t understand Spiritual matters, to the carnal mind there is no difference between “the faith of Jesus”, and “faith in Jesus”, yet the two differ considerably.
The Corinthian mindset forms little clicks, little groups of separation for the purpose of self-enhancement, which was displayed in, “I am baptized of Paul”, “I am baptized of Apollos”, all carnal conclusions, none of which came from Paul or Apollos. Paul never said, “Yeah I know what Apollos said, but Remember thou were baptized by me”, rather he shows baptism was a commandment, but connected to teaching. The Corinthians forgot the teaching, rather they used baptism as a means to exalt the self, or to judge others by. There are some who exalt water baptism above measure, thus they turn a Godly event into an idol by exalting it higher than God has. Whenever we use an attribute of God, whether it’s water baptism, the anointing, or the office to exalt ourselves we have made a golden calf. Water baptism is important, but the Corinthians took it beyond the intended purpose, producing error. They used it to exalt their self, making it an idol. Who gives us the right to baptize anyone? Jesus, who baptizes us with the Holy Ghost? Jesus, thus without Jesus we are nothing.
The Corinthians were kings, as kings they had the power to accept or reject, but they were accepting the wrong “visitors” into their kingdom realm, while rejecting the true Ambassador of Christ (v. 8). Who made them kings? Rome? The stock market? Nay, Jesus has made us kings and priests (Rev 1:6). As kings they could band the wisdom of man, yet receive the Wisdom of God with open arms. As kings they could band the spirit of man by walking with the New Man (Spirit which is of God).
Here in verse 9 Paul shows God set the Apostles last, yet in I Corinthians 12:28 he says the Apostles are first. The word Last means last in time or place, whereas the word First means first established, thus the Apostles were the first group established, but became last in reference to the honor given the other members of the Body. The Offices are gifts given to the Body, to assist the Body. Paul understood the calling, yes they were to give him honor, but he made himself servant in order to minister to them. If we think we are better than the people we minister to, we have yet to learn what ministry is.
Paul is simply saying he had gone through many things based on his calling, so the Corinthians and others could be established. The Corinthians thought of themselves as kings who are not subject to authority, but they should act like servants in order to reign as the called kings.
We can also see Paul suffered many things, but the Corinthians either did them or caused them, it should not be. They forced Paul to work with his hands, they were using their knowledge of Grace in an ungodly manner, thus their knowledge puffed them up. It’s not simply knowledge puffing up, we all have knowledge of something. It’s knowledge used to belittle others, or exalt ourselves becoming the problem.
He also shows us this knowledge is specific, rather than knowledge in general. His reference is to Liberty, thus one can be knowledgeable of Liberty, yet use it in an ungodly manner. The Corinthians knew they were free, yet absent Love they used their knowledge to belittle those who were weak in the faith. The same can be true regardless of the knowledge, they could have knowledge of a language, yet use it to belittle others, while exalting their selves. Paul told the Romans, if you keep the day, or not, keep it between you and the Lord. It does connect, the knowledge of being free of the Law of Moses means we can eat, or not.
Surely this can’t mean simply because we have knowledge we are puffed up, since information is knowledge. “Well brother the Bible says knowledge puffs up”, “oh, man, where did you get that?”, “From my knowledge of the Bible”. Oops. An example of the principle, using knowledge in an ungodly manner ends puffing up. What is the distinction? Paul and the Corinthians, they were using knowledge to impress themselves, Paul was using it to save the Corinthians; both were using knowledge, but for two completely different reasons.
On the other hand, if Paul would have held the same type of love these Corinthians had, this letter would be about three sentences long, nor were there be a Second Corinthians. We would read something like, “You are carnal minded idiots, see you around, have a nice day, I never knew you, love Paul”. No, the man was reaching out to them like a father to his son, yet they became a thorn in his flesh, they mocked him, sent messages from the wrong source, yet they were a people God loved, whom God loves, Paul loves.
Paul isn’t writing to shame the Corinthians, but to warn and persuade them to seek the Spiritual nature of the Lord. He is not calling them into the Body, they were already there, he is not calling them to receive the Spirit, they had the Spirit, rather it’s to move forward to become Spiritual in nature.
Their attitude toward Paul was a disgrace, they failed to give honor where honor was due, moving deeper into a carnal mindset. Paul thought of himself as a servant, but disciples should honor their teacher, yet there is a difference between giving honor, and seeking it (vs. 10-14).
Verses 15 through 17 don’t mean Paul is violating “call no man father, but your Father in heaven”, since the context means Lordship, rather he is talking about the Apostle function of beginning a new body in an area where there is none. The metaphor “father” refers to someone who begins something. Abraham is known as the “father of circumcision”, since circumcision as it relates to a Covenant began with him. Therefore, we find will have many teachers, perhaps many prophets, or pastors, but we won’t find many who started us on our path of Grace unto Salvation. It’s true the Holy Ghost called us, but He did so through a person. How can they believe unless they hear, how can they hear unless someone is sent.
Paul is their father in the Lord, he sent another son to them, thus it was as if Paul himself were there. The Corinthians displayed the exact reason Paul refused to take money from them, “You said you would come, look at all we did for you, how dare you send this Timothy!”. Yeah, look at all you did, you considered the man of God weak, buffeted him, knew he had no certain dwelling place, but you had homes, made him labor, reviled him, persecuted him, defamed him, yes look at all you did to him. Their perception of their “goodness” was blinded by their carnal minds, what they perceived as “good”, was not good in God’s eyes.
They will have many instructors (Greek Paidagogos meaning A teacher of children), but they will not have many “fathers” (Greek Pater meaning father, the same word used in First John for the position of growing to become a father). They were “begotten” which is the Greek Gennao, the same word used in John chapter three for Born Again, not by Paul, but by the Holy Ghost. The position of the Holy Ghost is to plant the Seed, the purpose is for our souls to become Spiritual in nature, but it doesn’t mean the one with the Spirit is Spiritual, but it does mean they have the potential to be Spiritual; the change in natures is from flesh to Spirit.
Back in verse 14 Paul called them “sons”, by saying he was warning them, which is a duty within the Prophetic Office (Direction). The Office of Prophet does many things which differ from the manifestation to “prophesy” as Paul will point out. Here the Office is giving a warning, showing what God desires on one hand, and what the carnal road of destruction holds on the other, pertaining to Direction. The information will be presented, the choice will be clear, what the Corinthians do with it, is up to them. This also shows one person can hold more than one Office in the Lord’s Administration, but it still takes the Holy Ghost to say, “separate unto Me” (Acts 13:1-3).
Verse 18 shows how some of them were puffed up, it also shows not all the Corinthians were in this carnal condition, there were others who were Spiritual, thus Paul gives them encouragement. Nonetheless Paul did want to come to them, but by now they may be having second thoughts. This issue will pop up again in Second Corinthians, when Paul doesn’t show, again they will get puffed up. Would they rather see the man of God coming with the Rod of Correction? Or the staff of guidance? The power of edification? Or the meekness of love? What they do with the given Knowledge will tell the tale (v. 20-21).
I Cor 5:1-5
The Corinthians were judging Paul the man, so they could avoid his prophetic utterances, yet they had things going in their own midst considered an abomination in the world, much less the Body. They needed to judge their own selves. The correction of this man in order for him to be ministered to, would be one thing, allowing it to continue while giving the man’s actions glory and honor something quite different. What would be the worst of these? The latter of course, so why doesn’t Paul turn the entire body over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh? The source is the problem, thus if one cuts or removes the source, they stop the spread of leaven. Why doesn’t Paul tell them to minister to the man? They are carnal, what would they use? Formulas? Questionnaires? Natural Psychology?
This was not adultery, but fornication, a man having his father’s wife, this could mean the man’s mother or step-mother, since both are covered under the same aspect of the Law (Lev 18:8 & Deut 22:30). It could also mean his father died, now he was committing fornication with his mother. The simple excuse would be, “well brother Paul, we just walk in mercy, knowing the flesh is dead, we really didn’t want to cause this man to stumble”. The man not only stumbled, but was falling quickly into the grasp of hell. The man was honored by leadership, since they condoned his acts, yet they never attempted to save him from the result of his folly. This goes right back to them judging Paul, yet they failed to judge their own. This is the result of using the spirit of man, allowing the influences of the world would to guide the Corinthians by allowing this man to continue, assuming there is no difference, Grace is merely allowing sin, rather than getting rid of it. The leaven would soon spread to other bodies, causing more problems.
This is one of those interesting areas, Paul said, “It is reported commonly”, this is not a question, but something coming to his attention. What else did this tell Paul? The condition of the leadership was feeble, weak and unable to deal with the situation. They lacked the Wisdom of God to deal with the event in a Godly manner, they just ignored it.
If Paul allowed this act to continue with the knowledge of it, then others in other bodies would think it was condoned. We are never to hide or condone wrong doing, but it would seem in this case Paul is failing at ministry. Why not cast the devil out of the man? There was no devil, although the man was doing devilish matters. Since the leadership didn’t minister, it left Paul no choice, but to do, what he had to do (v. 2).
Verse 4 has several things to consider, one is how this letter is a “visit”, becoming the second time Paul is coming to them. Second Corinthians will be the second letter, but the third visit. These people were a thorn in the flesh, they were carnal, as they pushed at the flesh of Paul. This is a warfare, Paul had to remain Spiritual in the face of carnal attacking attitudes. It’s easy to retaliate in like manner, but it’s playing the devil’s game, hardly the position of an Apostle. Paul couldn’t write any of them off, the Lord’s Grace is always sufficient.
Paul was the father of this church, in the role he had the authority to take action according to the Holy Ghost, but not according to Paul’s personal conclusions. Several points have to be considered; was the man in sin? Were the leaders avoiding the situation? Did Paul have the authority to act? Did the Holy Ghost motivate Paul to act? Was it the man’s soul, or his flesh needing to be corrected? Was the man’s soul sick and using the flesh to vent the sickness? A little leaven was too much, it would move through the church like wildfire, thus was the man’s action hurting others? Turning someone over to Satan is not something done based on our own desires, surely not based in our anger. There are two considerations, is there harm being done to others in the Body? And is it the only course for the person to see their error? The method is taking the person off the altar of God, to place them in an unprotected state so they can feel the conviction as a heathen facing the Cross, rather than a protected saint with the Cross. This is the same as two or three, if the man refuses the efforts of restoration, he is to be treated as a heathen.
Paul knew exactly what to do, before he acted he applied Mercy by forgiving the man before turning him over. In Second Corinthians these same Corinthian leaders will attempt to exalt themselves by proclaiming they forgave, and restored the man, but Paul will show he forgave the man before turning him over to Satan, thus Paul’s action was really mercy based, done for the overall good of the Body. If Paul would have turned the man over to Satan based on his anger, then he would have turned himself over to Satan, he was not ignorant of Satan’s devices (II Cor 2:5-13).
This displays another point fitting it with Chapter 11 in the Authority of leadership, they were damaging their own position by not acting. They were placing a false carnal covering between them and Christ, a very dangerous move, especially when Paul will show it has serious effects on the Congregation. A congregation under carnal covering has to remain silent, their prayers in the gathering whether with the understanding or in tongues are useless, their prophecy in the gathering is tainted, all because of a little leaven reigning in the leadership.
I Cor 5:6-13
The glorying of the leaders regarding the man’s acts made the sin seem approved, thus the other members would soon engage in other acts of the flesh assuming they are condoned as well. This doesn’t mean we are suppose to get on the pulpit and preach against the person, it shows there is a means to Restore, without destroying. It’s one thing to know someone has a sin while encouraging them to join to the Spirit in order to see the flesh die, it’s another to encourage the flesh to reign. Whether we condone, or condemn, it makes no difference, both acts are soulish. Paul’s action served a two fold purpose, to allow the man to see his sin, while keeping the leaven from spreading.
All this goes back to verse 3:14, “if any man’s work abide”, surely the man was lead away by his own lust, his work would not abide. The Corinthian leadership ignored the obvious, the ship was sinking, yet they felt “all is well”. The leaven was spreading, first the man, then the leaders, then the entire church, three parts of leaven, yet these people were in the kingdom of heaven. Purging out the old leaven is not a act of mind power, but one of submission to the Spirit. Paul’s reference to “Christ our Passover” goes right to the Communion Table, explaining the term Unworthy. Knowing the purpose of Remembering is a sound reason to engage in Communion; however, if we think we’re so holy we create water, then we are unworthy. The unworthy state is not being in need, it’s thinking we don’t need the Table. The Table is the place where we bring our honest open hearts before the Lord, it’s our place to find the delivering power of Christ. Surely if the Corinthians are told to partake, we can. This bread issue will be the his first area of teaching on Communion, then the cup, but the Corinthians were holding the cup of devils, calling it the cup of the Lord. They were holding the leavened bread, calling it unleavened, yet they thought they were rich and in need of nothing. Carnal minds become cloudy in their self-deceived condition.
There is a division between the soiled bread and the holy bread (see below).
Soiled Holy Leavened Unleavened Malice Sincerity Wickedness Truth Prior Paul told them not to associate, the wording means to intimately gather together, it doesn’t mean to shut them out completely. The wording shows we don’t “pal around” with those of the world. It would include using the wisdom of the world by the spirit of man. They were walking in the things of the spirit of man, yet calling themselves Spiritual. When we seek the pleasure of men, we will either condone their sin, thereby become a partaker, or we will condemn them to please other men.The letter Paul refers to in verse 9 as the “epistle”, is the same one referred to in Acts 15:20. The letter said, “to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication”, here we find the question of eating those things sacrificed to idols, the man in fornication was a violation of the letter. The clues show the Corinthians refused to eat things sacrificed to idols, presuming they were doing what the letter called for, but Paul is showing they are also allowing fornication, they were ignoring the leaven, but it was growing nonetheless.They were the Bread, whether it was the unleavened, or the leaven, yet the leaven will be tossed out.
We go among the world to bring Light, we don’t go among the world to be the world. Paul was a Jew to the Jews, a Greek to the Greek, but he was both Jew and Greek, he never said he was a sinner to the sinners. The context of “I’m all things to all men”, means he was a Jew and Gentile, it’s not saying he was a plumber, carpenter, or candlestick maker.
We can tell Paul is talking about intimately association by the use of “not to eat” in verse 11. This has nothing to do with the work place, it has to do with treating them as “family”, or being partakers of their folly by condoning their activity. If we go to the bar to witness Jesus, yet buy the boys a round of drinks, we are self-deceived. If we go there to yell and scream at them, we are taking pleasure in them who do such things. Their sin is making us feel superior, but we are doing nothing to pull them from the fire.
There are several things noted here, the word Fornicator is the Greek Pornos meaning to sell ones self, or one who prostitutes their self, or one who has relations with someone they are not married to. The word Covetous is the Greek Pleonekets meaning A defrauder for self gain, it connects to Envy. The word Idolater means one who worships, gives honor, trusts, or has faith in anything, or anyone who is a creation. The Corinthians, like us are betrothed to Christ, we cannot forsake our vow to the Lord in order to appease the nature of the world.
In verse 11 the word Railer is the Greek Loidoros, it means one who makes fun of another, or who jests at the costs of another, or one who uses others in a discouraging manner. Making jokes about others so we can feel popular, or superior over them would make us Loidoros. This alone has to show Paul was not belittling women in chapter 11, or in 14, or in Timothy, it would be a violation of his teaching here. Making fun of ones mate would fall into this area, when we belittle someone close to us, just to get a laugh, we are yet carnal.
The word Drunkard is the Greek Methusos meaning a drinker of wine who drinks continually to excess. The word Extortioner is the Greek Harpax meaning Rapacious, or one who is given to rapacity, which means one who is greedy. This would seem out of place, since the problem was within. Until we read verse 12 where we find Paul’s concern is for those things to remain without, yet some have gained entry. The evidence here is of course the Corinthians saying they would give, yet over a year later they still haven’t. Later Paul will talk about things sacrificed unto idols, noting how some of the Corinthians have taken the cups of devils. They had no excuse, the history of Israel was written for them. The children did raise up to play, a to be made by Paul.
Did the Corinthians feel what they were doing was acceptable? Yes, if not, they would have hidden it. How could anyone be so blind? Carnal thinking, all of us should desire for God to expose those areas in our lives, in order for us to be corrected, in order for us to be healed, so we can be made perfect by the perfection of Christ in us. God will use people with position and authority to expose those things in us. God will use sources to help us, children, a person down the block, just as He will use people to encourage us.
We don’t judge them who are in the world, they are already judged, we judge ourselves to the Body and Blood as we seek the Spirit for correction, perfection and guidance. It’s not a matter of using mind power, but one of facing Jesus by the Spirit as we are honest, seeking the exposure and cleaning by submitting to the Spirit.
Not only was the man turned over to Satan, but he was suppose to be put away from fellowship, not only fellowship with the Corinthians, but fellowship with the Father and Son as well, he was suppose to be treated as one without, not within. Why? He was using the power of darkness, the leaders were condoning it, thus the Babes would see the condoning, then assume they could do the same.
In verse 13 Paul calls this man a “wicked” person by using the Greek Ponenos meaning an evil person who will corrupt others. The same Greek word was used to define the sons of perdition (II Thess 3:2). This was not a good thing going on, the leaven was moving into other areas. This helps us define the term Wickedness, showing the man was within, he was allowing darkness to rule him, his actions were corrupting others who were within, but he really didn’t care what harm he caused. The last issue is the key, the man could care less, thus the leaders didn’t know how to handle him.
I Cor 6:1-20
Judging those on the outside, or allowing those on the outside to judge us brings the same evil result. Were they bringing actions against one another? Verse 6 says so, but this also goes back to “it is commonly reported” (I Cor 5:1), thus showing the actions of the Corinthians were known by others. They left themselves open to be judged by the world, since they failed to judge themselves. “Who are those people telling us to repent? They are doing evil things we wouldn’t allow”. When we use the wisdom of the world, we are still connected to the world.
This doesn’t include areas where the Holy Ghost has instructed someone to do something; however, one better know it was directed by the Holy Ghost, and not an act from the spirit of man. Back in 2:12 Paul told us how the spirit of the world is an enemy to the Spirit which is of God, thus if we use the spirit of the world, we are antichrist in nature, we will come against the spiritual things of Christ in the Body.
The saints judge the world by their prayers of mercy and grace, they judge the angels by their actions. The angels noted here are not the winged angels in heaven, but the called messengers of God. The failure to judge the man who was living with his father’s wife was taking effect, the Corinthians were judging each other in courts of law, then accepting the verdict of the heathen, but refusing to judge their own righteously.
The carnal Christian is still under the Law of Moses, they can’t hear God, thus they still need written carnal rules and ordinances. The fact of this man being accepted in his present state was evidence enough to show the leaders of Corinth needed the ABC’s of sin spelled out for them, Paul’s comments all point it out.
The real exposure to their pride is found in verse 4, let the least esteemed in the church judge. Would pride allow this? No, it would make peace at any cost to avoid being judged by some underling. Verse 5 explains this, “I speak to your shame”, they thought they were mature, yet the evidence shows they were still in the fetus stage. It would be better for the Babes in Christ to judge, than a carnal minded person who doesn’t know a thing about Christ. The Corinthians were so carnal, they were trusting in the intellect and judgment of natural man, which is the same as allowing the spirit of man to judge the Body.
Paul again makes reference to the Law of Moses, showing how the Corinthians have placed themselves in their own predicament by their own folly, it wasn’t God who brought this evil, it was God who was exposing it. Of course we know when Paul says, “set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church” it must be taken with, “I speak to your shame. Is it so, is there not a wise man among you” (vs. 4-5). If the wisest among them is the least esteemed, they are in sad shape, and should be ashamed.
Verse 6 shows they were using the Greek and Roman civil authority to judge their matters, the same Roman civil authority who condoned putting Jesus on the Cross. If the princes of this world didn’t know the outcome of the Cross, how could they judge the affairs of Body? The Corinthians would listen to the opinions of the Unbelievers, but rejected the voice of God. Dumb? Carnal minded people do those things. Solution? Don’t be carnal minded. It’s so typical, a carnal mind will hold the intellect of natural reasoning over Spiritual discernment.
Verse 7 is the basis for their warfare; why seek “justice”? Why not take the wrong? They are being “defrauded” by going to the world to get what they presumed was theirs. They have robbed God, not in tithes, but in how they trust in the world to meet their need. This is a pattern, they trusted in the spirit of man to judge them, opening the door for the spirit of the world to guide them by intruding false apostles.
Verse 8 lays it out, “Nay, you do wrong, and defraud, and that your brother”. Even if the brother stole, cheated, or tricked them, take the wrong, count the loss a gift to another. It’s unrighteous to defraud, although they had the Spirit, if they become unrighteous, they will not inherit the Kingdom of God (v. 9). Didn’t he say “he himself shall be saved”? Now, we see how the verse doesn’t not apply to someone who is carnal, or who refuses to be Spiritual. They were righteous by the Spirit, but they also had the ability to make their righteousness, unrighteousness, which is iniquity.
Paul lists several fruits of the worldly minded, then says, “and such were some of you” (V. 11). Isn’t it the truth, such were some of us, but the key word is “were”. The Corinthians “were”, but now they have the Spirit, the ability to win was in hand, it wasn’t something out of reach.
The violations of the church of Corinth were noted in the Law of Moses, Paul makes reference to the Law of Moses several times, showing these people were not Spiritual. They had no idea what the Law of the Spirit said, neither would they in their present state; therefore, Paul is directing them to a Law sent to the carnal minded. If they didn’t like it, they had the choice to become Spiritual. This also shows the word Sanctified doesn’t mean they were holy, rather they were set apart. They had the potential and opportunity to be holy through the Spirit. By applying the Law it also shows they have not picked up their cross, they were still at the Cross where the Law of Moses was nailed.
It’s amazing how someone can stand in the Law of Moses, using the excuse, “well Corinth used the Law”, the evidence shows the leaders in Corinth couldn’t understand Spiritual matters. The leaders had a veil a mile thick between Christ and God, they put the Yoke back around the Neck of Christ, bruised the Shoulder of government, failed to discern the Body, were being rebuked to the bone by the Apostle. Never do what a carnal body does, then use it as our excuse to continue to be carnal. It’s the same as using words of unbelievers to justify our unbelief.
All things are lawful to those who walk in the Spirit, but not all things are profitable to God. It was possible for the Father to take the cup from Jesus, but not profitable. Faith is not having what we want, faith is pleasing God. Although all things are lawful, not all things please God. It’s far better to be a blessing to God, as we thank Him for all He has done, than run around self-based demanding a blessing from God.
Verse 14 has two different Greek words for the phrases, “raised up”, the first is the Greek Egeiro meaning To rise from a sleep, the next is the Greek Exegeiro meaning To wake out of a sleep. It would appear they mean the same, but they don’t. The first was used in reference to Jesus coming out of the grave, relating to a power within. Exegeiro in the second usage of the phrase “raised up” means to raise or exist, it was used in reference to Pharaoh being raised for a purpose, or a power from without, or something outside the person causing them to be raised. In the case of Jesus being raised from the dead, it’s akin to each of us getting up out of bed, it’s based on a power within, but the second usage is different, it shows those who are raised on the Last Day are raised by a power without, which would be like someone lifting us out of bed. We also have to keep in mind to whom Paul was speaking, these are carnal people, if things continued as they were, they would not be partakers of the First Resurrection, but they would be raised on the last day.
Neither does this reference mean our flesh is holy, rather it makes the connection between each of us as the Body of Christ. If the Body is holy, so are those who make up the Body, since all are under the Unction. Were the Corinthians holy? Were the children in the wilderness holy? The children in the wilderness were holy by association; God was dealing with them as children, in our case it’s by association within the Body. The Body of Christ is holy, but it has nothing to do personally holiness. Our personal holiness is found in the New Man, who is created (formed same word) after God’s True Holiness (Eph 4:24). By the Unction over the Body we find there is a Power granted the Body based on God’s Mercy, meaning there is also a Holiness upon the Body because it is the Body, but they are general in nature, when the Body goes, so goes the Unction, Power and Holiness. This helps us define what happened to the man who was turned over to Satan, or better, he was removed from the Unction. The Corinthians were operating under the General Unction, but they needed to see the separation and differences between being Covered, and following the Greater He within.
Verses 16 through 20 have little to do with our body of flesh, this is found in the phrase, “But he who is joined to the Lord is One Spirit” (I Cor 6:17). The word “Spirit” is in reference to the New Man, coupled with the Unity of the Spirit. However, he doesn’t indicate they are Born Again, merely they have the Spirit. This explains how the kingdom of heaven has a Unction, the Kingdom of God is within. The Corinthians thought they were the Kingdom of God, but the Kingdom of God is Spiritual, since God is Spirit and Spiritual. The kingdom of heaven is a place, referring to the Body, it’s were the Corinthians were, yet the purpose for having the Spirit was to become Spiritual.
The phrase “Body of the Temple” goes back to verses 4:16-17, thus the Temple is the Body of Christ. The Gift of (or from) the Holy Ghost is the New Man making the inward parts the temple, this is not the flesh, since we imputed the flesh dead. To assume this is referring to our flesh, twists the concept, placing our minds on the flesh, hardly the case after reading Romans. From this we find why Paul called them the Temple, rather than the Tabernacle. The Temple is always in need of cleaning, it’s the place where man desired God to dwell, but it was the place where man was in charge. The Tabernacle was the place God desired to dwell, there were never any idols in the Tabernacle, it was the place where God was in charge. “Oh yeah, what about the golden calf?”, it wasn’t in the Tabernacle, it was in the wilderness before the Tabernacle was built. We can see the Body as the Temple, the Church as the Tabernacle, thus God desires for us to Tabernacle with Him.
All in the Body are all bought with a price we can’t pay, but nonetheless we owe a debt, we glorify God in the Body which belongs to God. These verse exposes the “double-mind” as one attempts to use the Mind of Christ, yet retain the carnal thinking of the old man, thus the “fornication” is an outward sign of an inward condition and position. Okay, which “body”? We glorify God in the their own local bodies, something these Corinthians were not doing, their folly was about to spread to the Body. This is the same context as Hebrews 10:38-39, the Just know Jesus paid the price, thus He has made sure we have the Spirit so our souls can be saved and “redeemed”.
I Cor 7:1-5
It took this much time to reach a point where Paul could answer the questions of the Corinthians; his introduction shows their actions and ways were carnal based, thus their questions were also carnal. So, why doesn’t Paul just say, “Your questions are carnal, and I refuse to answer them”? Because the response would have been carnal, no matter how carnal the question, the teacher must give an answer, even if the answer is a rebuke; yet not get involved in a theological debate.
The evidence? Yes, why be concerned over a wife and husband if they allow some man to have his father’s wife? The phrase, “let every man have his own wife” is another reference to the man who had his father’s wife. This shows the man’s disrespect for the Body, the condoning attitude of the leaders showed their disrespect for the Body as well. The two being one goes further than two people living together for fifty years, it goes to having a like mind while holding like desires in the Lord. There is no way a husband and wife can be one, if they remain independent.
The wife can’t use her body as hers, it belongs to the husband. However, the husband belongs to the wife as examples of how we belong to Christ, as the Body of Christ belongs to us, something the Corinthians were remaining ignorant of. Paul isn’t speaking only on marriage, he is making a metaphoric point.
The phrase “husband has not power” in verse 4 also means “the husband is not master of his own body”. This would seem completely out of order if the husband is the head of the wife, unless he is making two completely separate points.
This is a difficult area, the husband is not his own, he gave himself to his wife, thus the phrase, “shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife”, yet the wife is not her own, she gave herself to her husband, this mystery is akin to Christ and the Church, it can only be accomplished by the Spirit. However, this in no way means a husband can abuse his wife, rather it means treat the other as we would like to be treated.
Prior Paul showed how the Corinthians were defrauding one another (vs. 6:7), now the same attitude was drifting into their marriages, a little leaven was causing the whole lump to be leavened. This also connects to leadership, the congregation does not belong to the leaders, it’s God’s property. The leaders are not the congregations property, they belong to God. Carnal marriages and carnal bodies have all the same traits, division, envy, self-based desires, belittling one another, demanding others meet their expectations, while they refuse to meet Lord’s, judging one another, while refusing to be judged, using deception, manipulation, or other carnal means to get their own way. If the marriage matches the actions of the Corinthians it’s time to put away the old man, and walk in the New.
It doesn’t take much leaven, yet Hidden leaven causes more problems, than obvious leaven. One key word here is “benevolence”, which is the Greek Eunoia meaning Good will, or favor. This clears up the issue by removing it from someone who would say, “the Bible says your body is mine”. It’s not only a carnal statement, but it shows there is no Good will in the person. One must show Favor to the person by the Spirit, before they can fit these verses.
I Cor 7:6-11
Paul now tells us matters by permission, they are not commandments, but by permission granted to him by the Lord, yet still instructional in nature. We also have to take into considering who he is talking to, in some cases it’s far better not to marry, but he is not telling us “to abstain from marriage”. We also have to keep this in the proper context, these are carnal minded people who must be taught as little children. These areas are not instructional in order to become a leader, they are suggestions depending on the person and circumstance. If these are qualifications to become a leader, it would mean Peter was self-appointed, since Peter and others had wives, even Paul says he was free to have a wife. Peter tells us to be content with what we have, in some cases the Lord is impressing on us to be married; however, if we filter the desire through a lust we grab a cage, then start looking for anyone. The Lord is fully able to bring a mate to us, or lead us to the one just right for us, but on the same note we must be willing to wait, or willing to accept the result. Knowing about someone, and knowing them are far different, God knows who is best for us.
One thing is for sure in these verses, the Lord will not match an unbeliever with a believer. Paul said he was a Pharisee of Pharisees, which means he had to be a member of the Sanhedrin, yet to be a member of the Sanhedrin one had to be married. So, where is his wife? He will tell us.
In verse 10 it changes from teaching to a commandment, in respect to those who are married. Let not the wife depart, means just that; however, this is also in reference to both husband and wife being Believers. Metaphorically it connects to the Body of Christ, pointing to the body at Corinth, the wife (congregation) is not to depart because the leadership is carnal. God has a plan, thus we stay put, discern, grow in Wisdom, and be a guide to the blind.
This does connect with the teaching of Jesus in this area, to commit fornication, yet be married, means the person rejects the vows, or acts as if they are not married.
The most interesting part of this is how the wife has the authority to leave, in the Jewish culture it was the man who had the power of “divorce”, not the woman. This has to be more metaphoric than a simple teaching; thus we can’t look at the local body as “corrupt”, then depart from the Body, yet claim to be the Wife. If she must depart, let her not marry another, but seek instead to be Reconciled to her husband. The husband in this case is not “dead”, as we saw in Romans, so we are getting another type of lesson. For these people it was the carnal leadership, don’t leave, but on the same note we have to recognize this was the “only show in town”. They didn’t have another church down the street, this was it for the Corinthians. Paul does not address this letter to “the First Holiness Church of Corinth”, it’s to “the Corinthians”.
This is also a reference to backsliders, if they depart, let them not marry the world again, rather we pray for them to be reconciled to the Lord. On the same note, let not the husband put away his wife. The same mystery as we find in the Church, the Husband is to love his Wife, the Wife submits to Her Husband. However, the husband forcing the wife to submit, or the wife forcing the husband to love is not the context, each considers their role, asking God to form them into the role. Forcing submission usually ends in slavery, yet submission is not slavery, rather it’s refraining from debate, control, argument, and strife.
I Cor 7:12-16
This is not by permission or commandment, but by experience; stemming from Paul’s knowledge regarding his own experience, as the Lord handled it in his life. However, we also know his experience involved God, thus he is giving us information regarding a lesson God gave him.
Prior the husband and wife were believers, here we find if the unbelieving desire to no longer live with us, let them go, we are not under bondage in such cases; however, it doesn’t mean we can shove them out the door then claim, “they departed”. If they have a desire to see the Believing engage in Christian activities, then the desire will soon pull them to the Cross. If the unbelieving depart, the Believing mate is Not under bondage to the marriage or the person, or the Law. It’s important since it condones divorce under certain circumstances, clearly if we’re not under Bondage to the marriage, we are free.
As long as the unbelieving mate remains, they are sanctified (set apart and protected to become holy), if they leave they are no longer sanctified. The children of the believing mate are always considered holy, regardless. God honors many things we forget about, some we don’t even consider. If a one mate beats the other, they are an unbeliever, in essence they have already departed. Abusive and unbelieving are different.
If the unbelieving mate remains, the potential for salvation is always there, how do we know what seeds are being planted? Or who is planting them? Someday God could bring the increase making the “jerk”, a “jewel”.
In reference to the Body of Christ we find the unbelieving will leave, yet the Body is not under Bondage in such cases. John said the antichrist ones were not of us, but they came from us, they went out so they may be manifest, or known (I Jn 2:19). John’s teaching connects here, the antichrist were of us, yet unbelieving, they left, we are not under bondage in such cases. Simply, if the unbelieving desire to leave, let them, we are not under bondage in such cases (got it?).
If this is by experience we know Paul had to be married to be a Pharisee of Pharisees, yet he also makes it clear if the unbelieving go, we are not under bondage, yet he also said he was free to marry. Not a license, but nonetheless a teaching.
I Cor 7:17-24
Paul told the Romans to work within the gift and calling, the same is true in marriage as well. If God desires for us to be married, then allow Him to furnish the perfect mate as He sees fit, not the mate we deem fit. Since we really don’t know what mate is best for us, or we for them. “Well, man I love her”, perhaps, and perhaps it’s flesh based, and will soon fade. “Well, I prayed and know this guy is for me, and I’m going to get him”, huh oh, the spirit of man desiring what it wants. Praying is only half the equation, hearing what God has to say is the other half.
If God has given us the gift to remain unmarried, then do so in the Lord, not in the flesh. Again this is like Romans, we do not make it doctrine, nor a qualification. Whether married or not, there is no greater glory in either, it’s obedience bringing the glory.
If one is called a Jew, let him not become a Gentile, for the sake of obedience, if a Gentile, let him not be a Jew, for the sake of obedience, both for the sake of the Lord. This verse tells us we can’t become something God has not desired for us, if we are suppose to be married, yet remain single we will be miserable. If we are Gentile, don’t become a Jew for the sake of appearance; if we are Jew, don’t become a Gentile for the sake of appearance. There is no greatness in being a Jew, nor being a Gentile, but the doing of the Commandments of God, which includes accepting His Son. We are all called to be servants unto the Lord, yet in service we are made free.
Paul was born a Jew and a Gentile, his mother was a Jew, making him a Jew, his father a Roman making him a Roman (Gentile), thus he could claim both. Before he came to Jesus he was also a sinner, but we don’t see him being a “sinner to the sinners”.
Again we see, we are bought with a price, just as a slave is purchased from one owner to another, thus the Lord paid the price placing us in the kingdom so we could be saved.
I Cor 7:25-40
The reference to virgins could be confusing, if one assumes this means a female as a piece of property belonging to another person, they missed the point. The Greek shows this is talking about a person’s own virginity, if they can maintain it fine, if not, then it’s okay to get married. This goes back to one who wants to remain unmarried, it has nothing to do with owning a virgin, it points to the person retaining their own virginity. In the Old English usage it means the person’s virginity, but today it may appear as if they owned virgins, not so, this goes right back to remaining single, or married.
Paul begins this by talking about the difference between the unmarried and the virgin (v. 34), then moves into the aspect of virginity, thus in the Greek this reads “this has judged in the heart of him, to keep of himself the virginity, well he does. So both the giving in marriage well does he, and not giving in marriage better does”. This has nothing to do with being a leader, since Peter, and many others were married, rather it points to one who wants to remain unmarried, or one who wants to marry, they settle it in their own hearts, neither is a requirement for service. Leaders are expected to be the mate of one mate, but it’s not the issue here.
The Law of Moses is noted again, but from the questions being posed to Paul it’s obvious the Corinthians are carnal, and under the Law. Those who walk by the Spirit have no problems in these areas, they know the Gift of God, the calling of God, as well as the call of God to love and submit, with all the rewards involved.
Although he speaks this of himself, Paul also knows he has the Spirit, he also speaks by the Holy Ghost. We can receive or reject, but only those who receive gain the reward. Paul knew if he was not speaking as the Lord desired, the Lord would quicken him, or stop his words, but he also knows by the questions asked, the Corinthians failed to understand the Spiritual, since all their questions were flesh based, or carnally related.
Here a Righteous man as a Prophet came in his own name (authority granted), but will they receive him to receive the reward? They were looking for excuses to reject the man by their natural reasoning. Did Paul tell them the Truth? Yes, were they responsible? Yes, even if they reject it, they are still responsible. Running from it, refusing to show up to hear it when it’s presented, or making excuses after we’ve heard it never takes the responsibility away. Using words of unbelievers to excuse our own unbelief never negates our unbelief. The same is true here, if God told us to go and listen, yet we refuse to receive, it doesn’t negate us from the responsibility. If we ask the question and the Holy Ghost responds, we can’t ignore the response. Just as Jesus expected the disciples to be on the other side of the lake, the Lord will treat us as if we heard and received. God presented the Truth to the people in the Old Testament, at times they rejected it, so were they not responsible? Babylon became the place for them to figure it out; when they rejected the Word, then ended in captivity.
I Cor 8:1-13
It’s not knowledge puffing up, but knowledge without love. Also it’s not general knowledge, but knowledge of a specific matter. Paul shows he also has knowledge in the phrase, “we all have knowledge”. This shows how the carnal mind trusts in their natural intellectualism, but lack love. If it was knowledge alone, Paul would be double puffed up, since he said he had it, plus he is giving it. Simply saying “knowledge puffs up” is not the quoting the context of these verses, it’s knowledge of Grace absence love puffing up. It’s amazing how the carnal mind proves the point, a carnal minded person will hear knowledge or exposure from someone, then retort with “knowledge puffs up”. How did they know? By knowledge, thus they are also puffed up, in truth they have no idea what the verse means. Let’s examine this area so we won’t go about telling everyone, “knowledge puffs up”.
Clearly Paul says we of Grace have the knowledge of Grace, we know the meat is nothing, the idol is nothing. However, there are those who don’t know, if they see us playing with the food of idols, they will presume it’s okay. There are some things meaning nothing to us, but are great hindrances to others. Reverence is also seen here, we can have knowledge of Liberty, yet belittle someone who is weak in the faith only showing we lack knowledge with love. In Romans it was between the person and the Lord, here Paul shows there are some who use their Liberty as a weapon to exalt their own self, while belittling others, they have the knowledge, but lack the love.
It’s better to hunger after God, then after the things of God. Of course we know this Knowledge is specific in nature, it’s same context as Peter alludes to in the concept of using our Liberty as a cloke of maliciousness (I Pet 2:16). This is an important area, since many chase the things of God, yet they don’t hunger after God.
We can have knowledge of Grace as well as the Liberty coupled to it, yet without Love we will use the knowledge as a weapon. An example was the virgin aspect we just read about, we know now if we want to remain unmarried it’s between us and the Lord, yet we can make it a requirement, showing we have knowledge, yet lack reverence for others.
There is only one God and one Lord, God must be the point of concern and worship, not the idols. If we center our mind on the Lord, we won’t chase after idols. If we center on the fear of idol worship, we will fall into idol worship. The meat or the idol can’t condemn us, we condemn ourselves through fear. Paul exposes the fear, not the idol; he even goes so far as to tell the Corinthians if someone puts meat before them it’s better to eat, then offend. The Corinthian fear made them subject to the meat, thus fear always makes us subject to what we fear. Every one is drawn away by their own lust, it’s not the “thing”, it’s what we do with it.
Verse 6 has some interesting statements; we see, “the Father of Whom are all things”, then we see, “one Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things”. Now wait, is he saying the Father and Jesus are one in the same? In reference to the Father we read, “and we in Him”, but in reference to the Son we read, “and we by Him”. Putting these together we find the correlating differences (see below).
“The Father of Whom are all things” …. “and we in Him” – (Holy Ghost)
“One Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things” … “and we by Him” – (Holy Spirit)
Clearly we see a difference, the word “by” could also read, “through” in reference to Jesus, it’s the same Greek word as “by” in the phrase “by Him”. It’s the connection of the Father and Son, not saying they are one in the same, yet in truth they are One. This would also connect back to 2:11-12 to the Spirit of God, and the Spirit which is of God. The Father relating to Mercy, the Son to Grace. We can have knowledge of Grace, yet lack Mercy, rather than set people free, we go about putting them in bondage as we lord over them with our Liberty. On the other hand we can have Grace operating within, the Mercy of the Father being displayed outwardly as a saint of the Most High God.
We have two different Greek words for “of” and “in” in the phrases, “of Whom” and “in Him”. The word “in” could also read “for”, but in either case the mystery is found in the Greek. In reference to the Father we find the Greek word for “of” in the phrase “of Whom” is Ek, a common Greek word, but it has several meanings, with the primary meaning of “out of”, it refers to objects which were before in another. The Greek word for “in” in the phrase “in Him” is Eis which has the primary idea of motion, or direction. The Greek word for the word “by” in the phrases “by Whom”, and “by Him” is Dia meaning through a place. Both seem to indicate a motion, or pointing to coming out of something, the other pointing to coming through a place. The Holy Ghost came from the Father based on the efforts of the Son. The Holy Ghost planted the Seed, which is Christ in us. As we find in First John, the Record is the Father, Word and Holy Ghost, the Witness is the Water, Blood and Spirit (I Jn 5:7-8).
The context of all this is eating something sacrificed unto idols, as strange as it seems, not only did they buy those things sacrificed unto idols, but the temples used the money for more idols. It was kind of a restaurant for idols, pay the check and you are supporting the idols. Verse 10 points this out, in the Received Text (TR) it reads, “For if anyone sees you, the (one) having knowledge, in an idol temple sitting”, which clearly points to being seen in the idol temple sitting, or involved in the activities, which is the same context as one knowingly sitting down to eat something sacrificed unto idols. Is this Knowledge? Yes, they know the idol is nothing, yet love makes them aware of their surroundings, or how their actions effect others. It’s the point, they wanted to know if it was okay to eat meat sacrificed unto idols, but why? Some of the better animals were used, thus the better meat. However, Paul in answering points to those who would see them involved in buying, or eating meat sacrificed unto idols. What would be their witness? The idol was nothing? Or Christians were involved in idols? We don’t allow our Liberty to become a stumbling block to others (v. 8).
We can’t presume the test won’t come either; the weaker one is the victim. When we condone the activity the Babe considers “why not? Come on? Who cares?”; however, if we simply say, “no thank you”, we show our witness is not to offend. We also know, or have seen the weaker in the faith read labels, or ask “what’s in this?”, but for those of the Faith they know, “don’t ask, just eat”. Without love we would see “pork” on the label, then make sure the weaker knew it, we would then eat it in front of them, just to belittle them, knowledge, absent love. Pride will use knowledge to belittle another, so it can exalt itself, yet love takes into consideration the effects on the other person.
It settles the meat issue, what about beer, or something else? Yes, it’s the same premise, moderation is fine, but if the moderation will cause another to fall we apply love by refraining. The danger is not in us falling, rather it’s we may cause one who is weak in the faith to fall. Therein lays the Love, being fully aware we are at Liberty to do, also means we’re at Liberty not to do as well (v. 9).
The key to all this is “make my brother to offend”, which was not the question asked by the Corinthians, rather they wanted an excuse, or permission to do as they wanted, whether it offended or not. Paul went to the heart of the matter, the question was Is it okay to eat? Paul said, yes it’s okay, but don’t forget knowledge must be used with a love for the brethren, especially the weaker ones (v 13).
I Cor 9:1-27
There are some who assume this is “Paul’s self-justification”; however it would be using carnal weapons against carnal weapons. We prefer to see this as the prophet setting the record straight, while expanding on the questions asked. The Corinthians wanted to know if they could eat things sacrificed unto idols, but Paul wants to know where the heart of the question lays. The question should have been, “Do you think it would cause someone to stumble if we ate things sacrificed unto idols?”. Is there is a difference? Yes.
Paul has the Knowledge of Grace, he has the power to eat, or drink without condemnation, he even has the power to wed if he so desires. Was Paul correct in partaking of the Corinthians sources? Yes, they are his vineyard, the place where he planted seed. Were they the type to “muzzle the ox”? Yes, it was a problem (v. 9). Rather than attacking Paul for giving them answers, they should think back on how he gave to them, as they took and took.
Verse 11 is a double meaning verse, if Paul sowed Spiritual things, was not he entitled to their things as well? Yes, but this goes further, since Paul did plow and plant Spiritual things, should he be subject to their “carnal things”? The phrase “carnal things” is the Greek word Sarkikos meaning carnal, or pertaining to the flesh, thus it could mean things for the physical substance of Paul, or it could point to their attitude toward him, or both. Verse 12 narrows it down to the physical substance, but doesn’t negate the metaphoric meaning as a rebuke. If others have taken from them, should not Paul as well? However, knowing the Corinthians as Paul did, it was better to work with his hands, lest the taking from the carnal would hinder the Gospel.
Verse 13 shows Paul’s position as a minister, he is not taking up a collection, or asking for their money, rather he is showing why he didn’t take their money. Not because it was commanded for him not to, or some rite of being an Apostle, rather he shows he had the Freedom to take, or not to. He was not their slave, or employee (vs. 14-15). The position of Paul was not a job, it was not some employment from heaven, it was a calling and commitment based on his appreciation for what Jesus did for him. As leaders we must know we are under the hand of the Holy Ghost, we are not employees of a local church, it’s a calling, not a job.
The real test of freedom comes when we release something for the sake of others, although Paul was free, he made himself servant to all for the sake of the Gospel. To the Jew he was a Jew, but he was never a sinner to the sinner (vs. 19-23).
Verse 24 is another rebuke, there are many ways to run a race, but the real winner runs it lawfully. Verse 25 is not restrictive, it means one is Temperate, or content. Verse 26 is a comparison between the false who run the race unlawfully, as compared to Paul and other Spiritual runners who run it lawfully. The false run for a corruptible crown of self-importance, we run for the incorruptible crown of life. We run because we know the goal, they run so people will look at them.
Verse 27 shows Paul is free, but what he does, he does for the Babes, as well as not to hinder the weak in the faith, lest they misunderstand his freedom. It would be better for him to do not, then to do causing a Babe to stumble.
I Cor 10:1-12
Paul will now address the questions, their excuses seem to stem from the phrase, “it was the Old Testament, it doesn’t count”, or, “we’re saved, we’re not subject”, as well as the opposite, “We must do the Law and Commandments”. Paul shows God did deliver the people, but like Jude, Paul also points out how the Lord having saved the people, destroyed those who failed to believe (Jude 5). There was more to their salvation than being delivered from the world, to assume they were saved by being once saved from the world was not Scriptural, nor was it sound Doctrine, rather it bordered on the doctrine of men. There will be several areas Paul will cover, all of which relate to the children in the wilderness. The point being they were saved from Egypt, but held to their unbelief, causing them to miss God, and the Reward; what makes the Corinthians think then can continue in the same errors, and not lose?
The Corinthians were Gentiles not Jews, yet verse 1 begins with “our fathers”. They may have been Paul’s fathers, but the Corinthians? Wait, the connection is through the nation God picked, thus it points to people God is working with. God delivered the children, just as He delivered the Corinthians. The children in the wilderness were “under” the cloud, but “passed through” the sea, so where is the Fire? Was not the Fire and the Cloud like bread and butter, one with the other? Wait, the Cloud was for the Day, the Fire for the Night. A separation is being made; Paul is only addressing those of the Day. The Book of Hebrews says they crossed the Red Sea by faith (Heb 11:29). However, faith was not seen again until walls of Jericho fell (Heb 11:30). The lesson in the Red Sea crossing was faith based in desperation, behind was death by Pharaoh, ahead was dry land, perhaps safety, nonetheless a route of escape. The point Paul makes is true with any of us, we escaped the pollutions of the world, but it didn’t end the race.
Next we see a strange thought, the children were baptized? Wait, it’s not “by” Moses, but “unto” Moses, this is an area where the verb is important. This was not “in water”, or “with the Holy Ghost”, or “Fire”, or sand, it was “unto Moses”, which means they identified with Moses through the Law, or joined the Body (Law) of Moses. If we think Moses went around baptizing we missed the point, since this is “unto”, just as we accepted water baptism Unto the Body. The connection is how the Corinthians joined the Body by their token of water baptism, yet it’s clear God destroyed those in the wilderness who believed not, how then do these Corinthians think they shall escape?
How did the children get into the Wilderness? A train? No it was the Spirit of God guiding them by using Moses, yet Moses was not Born Again neither did he have the Spirit, rather he was guided by the Spirit of God. Paul will make another reference showing the Spirit of God called us to identify with the Body. If we accepted the Body, we were also accepted by the Body as “family”, which would mean Paul and the Corinthians are of the same family, one based on Love.
The first two verses lay out the foundation, the Corinthians like the children in the wilderness were protected by God, delivered from Egypt by God, they were identified unto the Body, just as the children were identified unto Moses. What then? The children did eat “the same Spiritual meat”, they did “drink the Spiritual drink”? Oh man, what does this mean? Did the children have Communion, where is it written brother Paul? The word “meat” is the Greek Broma, it has several meanings, it can mean the food allowed by the Law of Moses, or the food not allowed by the Law of Moses, or food in general, it was also used in First Corinthians 3:2 in the phrase, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat”, What “meat” did the children eat? The direction of God, plus God gave the children manna, Jesus gave us His Body, we are the Bread. Jesus also said He was not the manna, thus Paul is giving teaching references as metaphors to show how God delivered the children, but did they appreciate it?
The “drink” here is not Wine, but Water, in the wilderness the Water came from a rock, the children were not the Rock, they were not the Water, they did partake of the Water from the Rock. Paul calls it “the Rock”, then defines the Rock as “Christ” (vs. 3-4). In a few verses he will show the head of the husband is Christ, as the head of Christ is God. Christ in this reference is still the Rock, Jesus said He would build His Church on The Rock, here the term Rock is defined for us as “Christ”, as in “The Body of Christ”, but it’s the water from the Rock becoming the issue. What did the Water represent? Mercy, the Corinthians were failing at being Spiritual, but they were also void of love and mercy. They were looking at a piece of the Rock displaying mercy while they were condemning it.
Paul will cover several areas, the Bread, Mercy, and the Cup, here it’s the Living Water which comes from the Christ nature within us (Jn 7:37-39). Being Spiritual in nature does allow the Living Water to come forth, thus Paul is pointing out the iniquities of the Corinthians, they did things, but they were unbalanced. The Water and Living Water are connected but different. The Water represents Mercy, but the Living part points to the Life in the Spirit, coupling the Mercy with Grace to bring forth Living Water.
Verse 5 is the eye opener, the children were protected by the cloud, they crossed the sea, they were identified with the man God picked, they had a Law of their own, they had the manna, something no other people on earth had before, or since, they had God’s mercy poured out on them, yet God was not well pleased with many of them. God was not displeased with all of them, but many is bad enough. The Corinthians were in the same boat, they thought Grace covered all things, they could do as they pleased, after all God hasn’t struck them down as He did Sodom. They must be right with God: Wrong, the evidence Paul is about to present will prove the point.
What was the cause of the failure of the children in the wilderness? Not mixing the Word with faith? The Bible says they did fail, but it’s not the cause, although it was a sign of the cause. They could not enter in because of unbelief, their foundation was wood, hay and stubble. Their lack of belief, removed any foundation for faith, thus they failed to mix the words spoken with belief to enter faith to reach the other side. Even when they found “peace” they were not happy with the manner in which God was training them, so they rebelled. The Corinthians crossed as well, they had faith to enter, but they were failing in the belief area. The failure to believe caused the children to attack the man of God; sound familiar Corinthians? (v. 6).
In all this Paul will give five areas of God’s protection, as he shows areas of the children’s response to God’s Mercy:
Protection Children’s Response
Cloud Fornication
Passed through Sea Murmuring
Identified with Moses Tempted Christ
Eat Spiritual meat Idols
Drink Spiritual drink Murmuring-Complaining
The Water from the Rock was a product of God, but the unbelief of the children was twisting the good into evil, yet God gave them many blessings. Being under the Protection of God is not a free license to hold unbelief, it must be repented of, or paid for at some point, after all belief is a choice.
There is another point in all this, the Rock and Moses’ downfall. Paul is taking the warning, rather than strike the Body in Corinth he ran to Jesus and found Grace sufficient, Moses got mad, then allowed his anger to guide his actions. Both Moses and Paul were humans, but Paul had the advantage of having the Grace of God. The “example” was well taken by Paul, this letter proves it, but will the Corinthians learn from the example? This is one of those areas where a group says they want Truth, but do they? Why did Moses strike the Rock, was he mad at God? No, he was mad at the people. When he stuck the Rock it was an outward sign of him striking the children. Wait, didn’t God strike a bunch of them dead? Yes, it was God, not Moses. Moses was told to “give” to the children, but he took his anger out on the Rock. The Rock still brought forth Water (Mercy), although Moses was lacking at the time. His position called for him to put away his anger by walking in Mercy. Our position is no different, we put away lying, and walk by faith, yet faith also entails walking in Mercy and Grace.
The connection between “idols”, the meat and drink is found in verse 7 where the children played with the golden calf one day, but hurried to keep the sabbath, then the day after the sabbath they played, drank and did eat. Each area will have something correlating with the Corinthians, even the golden calf. Does it mean they had a golden calf hidden in the basement of their church. Yikes, Come out! No, the golden calf began in the minds of the children as a replacement for the man God gave them as a leader. Don’t forget the children who played these games never left the wilderness, yet the wilderness is a metaphor for the kingdom of heaven, not the Kingdom of God.
The reference Paul addresses for the idol worshipping error of the children is found in Exodus 32, Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, just as Paul was delayed in coming to the Corinthians. The children then took all the gold earrings they obtained from Egypt then made the golden calf. The golden calf was not to take the place of God, it was to take the place of Moses (Ex 32:1). Ahh it sounds like “I’m of Paul”, “I’m of Apollos”, golden calf makers. Exactly, it’s the exposure, the very reason Paul uses the Law of Moses in reference to the Corinthians, carnal ordinances for carnal minds.
Even Aaron got involved in the evil, he made an altar before the golden calf (Ex 32:5). However, the next day was a feast day, thus they cut their idol worshipping short so they could keep “the feast to the Lord” (Ex 32:5). One day is was serving the devil, the next was to wake up like nothing happened, so they could feast Unto the Lord. What was Moses doing? He was up on the mount getting the Ten Commandments from the Lord (Ex 32:15). What were the children doing? Breaking every one of them. Although mentor worship is idol worship, the carnal mind sees nothing wrong with holding a little hero worship, but Exodus 32:10 shows God’s wrath was waxing hot.
The next area is fornication, the reference is Numbers 25:1-9, but in order to understand why, we must go back to the time when Balaam taught Balak how to make the children fall into idol worship. Balak accepted the “doctrine of Balaam”, then sent women of Moab to the men of Israel. Balaam was also from Moab, he knew what it would take to cause the children to fall. Israel joined unto Baal-peor; and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel (Numb 25:1-3). Granted everyone is draw away by their own lust, thus the children were still natural, still under the fall nature, but the Corinthians on the other had the Spirit; the point being, what excuse could the Corinthians have? None.
It started when the prophet Balaam wanted to gain monetary gain from his position; although he could not prophesy against the children, he did step out of his office to “teach” Balak. The result was the sons of God mixing with the daughters of men, they committed whoredom (Ex 25:1), then came the idol worship. A little leaven, leavened the whole lump. In Exodus 25:9 we find there was a plague where “twenty and four thousand” (24,000) died, but Paul says it was “three and twenty thousand” (23,000), so what gives? A mystery. Right after the “three and twenty thousand” were killed there was another census, the second one. In Exodus 26:62 we find the mystery number of twenty and three thousand, referring to the males of Israel. So? In Exodus 26:65 we see how they will all die in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb. The point? Those who made it past the plague still paid for their folly, if the Corinthians think they are getting away with their folly, they better think again.
Okay what then was the fornication? The act of ignoring the vows the nation made to God, they were in the wilderness, entry into the wilderness was akin to the Corinthians entering the Body, thus it was “Israel” who committed fornication, not “the children”. Once the vow is made it’s made, yet if one acts as if the vow was never made by engaging in intimate acts with another, they have committed fornication. Adultery is when one considers their self still married, yet they have an affair with one not their mate. This will be the issue in chapter 11, if the leadership has separated itself from it’s Head (Christ), yet still considers itself married, it has committed adultery by using the old man (carnal) in place of the anointing of Christ.
The next area is in reference with the “serpents” in the wilderness; the event is found in Numbers 21:4-9 and 32:7-9, it again connects to the children not being satisfied or content with the manner of training. The children were discouraged, some of us think discouragement is not a sin, it very well can be. “No way, it’s Old Testament”. True, but we were taken here by a New Testament teaching, as Paul makes the correlation by telling us not to be like some of them.
The word Discouraged in Numbers is the Hebrew Qatsar, opening the teaching, since the meaning points to “harvest” connected to sowing and reaping, it’s translated as “cut down”, “to dock off”, “reaper”, and “mourn”, all of which are a type of cutting, or falling down, showing when we are discouraged we feel “cut down”. The Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon shows this word in Job 4:8 as “those who sow wickedness reap the same”, relating it to “short of arm”, or coming short of something, or failing to all presented. Discouragement derails faith, forgets the hope, in most cases causes others to be discouraged, therein lays the sin. All this is important, but we also find in John 3:14 Jesus said, “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up”. Here is a connection we can’t deny, the error in Corinth was coming against the Cross of Jesus without outwardly doing so, indicating how the purpose was for them to be Spiritual, but they were remaining carnal. Their actions were opposed to the Purpose of the Cross, yet they accepted the Cross, and the Spirit. Going back to Numbers we find the Intercession of Moses brought about the deliverance (Numb 21:7), here Paul is pleading as he intercedes for the Corinthians to look at the benefit of the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. They could say they love the Lord, they could say they respect the Lord, but actions talk louder than words. We become discouraged when we fail to “remember” what Jesus did for us.
Did the serpent experience correct the children in the wilderness? Not at all, yet the next experience was one wherein we gained the gospel song, “Spring up oh well” (Numb 21:17). They had blessings in hand, plus victory in battle (Numb 21:24), then another victory (Numb 21:35). All these signs of God’s mercy, power and ability, then comes Balaam causing the children to commit whoredom (Numb 25:1). It’s obvious the children were blessed, Balaam knew he could not curse what God has blessed, so how could the children end cursed? “Oh they weren’t”, not so when they took on the idols of Moab, they also took on the curse of idol worship. “Ahh, no one could curse them, but they could curse themselves”. Right, it’s Paul’s point, the Corinthians had it all in hand, they were Christ’s, they held the presented Gift, all they had to do was submit to it. Their use of the carnal wisdom of the world was the same as playing with idols, since the same wisdom is connected to the spirit of man.
Paul isn’t against the Corinthians, he is opposed to their carnal thinking. Of course they were assuming Paul was against them, so they attacked him. He spoke the truth in Love, they murmured in their tents, which brings us to the last area. Murmuring was something the children in the wilderness did often, but Paul uses the experience to expose the division, strife and envy of the Corinthians. The first time we find the children in their murmuring state was three days into the wilderness (Ex 15:24). In all we find some 22 times wherein the word Murmur is used in some fashion regarding the children (murmur – Ex 16:7, 16:8, Numb 14:27 [twice], 14:36, 16:11 & 17:5: murmured – Ex 15:24, 16:2, 17:3, Numb 14:2, 14:29, 16:41 & Deut 1:27: murmurings – Ex 16:7, 16:8 [twice] 16:9, 16:12, Numb 14:27, 17:5 & 17:10). Of course some of these are repeats, but the one we’re looking for when the “destroyer” came on the people, and how it happened. It’s fairly clear Paul is showing the destroyer came, but it was not the purpose or will of God, rather God knew, nonetheless the cause was based in the actions of the people. They gave place to the destroyer, the Corinthians were giving place to the old man (spirit of man). Can’t very well blame God, not even when it’s His own people who cause the problems.
In Numbers 16 there was Korah, a subject used in Jude’s letter as an example of the Wicked. This man was a Levite, a man of the clothe, whose family order cared for the things of the Tabernacle, yet the man was not happy with his appointed position, thus he launched an attack against Moses. What was the intent based on? Envy, Korah wanted to remove Moses from leadership, which is termed by some as the “spirit of Korah”, or the attempt to remove someone from an office, so we can have it. Korah used deception coupled with reasoning to entice some of the people to his side. When the time came, God did a new thing, Korah and his followers died as the earth opened and consumed them (Numb 16:30). It didn’t stop there, a fire consumed those who offered strange incense (Numb 16:35). The people then entered more foolishness by blaming Moses for the death of Korah (Numb 16:41). The people “murmured against Moses and Aaron” (Numb 16:41), we know the Corinthians were murmuring against Paul, thus the connection. It came to pass when the congregation was gathered against Moses and Aaron the Cloud covered the Tabernacle. Instead of attacking the people, Moses and Aaron went to the Tabernacle to hear from God (Numb 16:42-45). What they heard was, “Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment”. Did Moses say, “well I tell you what, it’s about time”? No, both Moses and Aaron fell down and prayed for those who persecuted them. These men, who didn’t have the Spirit were acting more like Children of God, then the Corinthians who did have the Spirit. Was God the destroyer? No, it was the people who destroyed their own selves by their murmuring and complaining, it’s Paul’s point; the Corinthian carnal attitude was eroding their foundation.
All this is leading up to Communion, Paul knew the Corinthians were taking Communion, but they were doing so in an unworthy manner. Some of us have tortured ourselves by holding a false concept of being “unworthy, we think unworthy means we have sinned in some way, or we’re so bad we can’t partake of the Bread or Cup. The Table of the Lord is a place to be free of sin, but one is unworthy when they mock, reject or ignore the purpose, or if they attack members of the Body of Christ as a matter of habit. On the other side of the coin, if we respect the Table shows we’re worthy.
Paul ends this section by showing how the children in the wilderness felt they were perfect in the sight of God, after all they were the ones who built the Tabernacle, they made the Ark of the Covenant, they made the golden candlestick, the Law of Moses came to them, they saw the Cloud and Fire, they were partakers of God’s delivering, saving power; oh yeah they made the golden calf, they murmured, complained, and attacked the anointed leader, they were Unbalanced and Unequal. However, then we read, “Wherefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (v. 12). Standing in faith, and standing in pride calling it faith are miles apart. The Corinthians being carnal, as well as being arrogant with false confidence, using their faith for self-pleasure, found wanton.
I Cor 10:13-33
The context of verse 12 begins with the concept we are already standing, yet the questions from a prideful attitude of some who presumed they are standing, really exposes they were sitting. This points back to the discouragement, as it gives way to depression, depression forgets the hope, without hope we will put our faith in ourselves. However, they had the Spirit, the Holy Ghost would not have granted them the Spirit if the potential for victory was not there; thus Paul preached to the potential.
No temptation comes to us is some strange thing, it doesn’t matter if it comes from God or not, the truth remains, God has a way for us to get out of it. “Well, you don’t know what I’m going through”, perhaps not, but God does. “Well this is some strange thing, no one has ever been through”, there is no temptation taken you, which is not common to man. The truth of this for the Corinthians is seen in how they were tempting Paul without success, but since the temptation is coming from them, they are the ones in temptation. There is an escape, God has a way for them to turn this around. How do we know? The examples given prior, what was used to free the people of the serpents? A brass serpent provided by God. What was in the hands of Korah to save him? The Ark of the Covenant. What about the idols? Flee from idolatry. God gave us feet to walk by, but there are times when running isn’t a bad idea.
On the same note, James tells us God cannot tempt us with evil, it’s our own lust tempting us. There are several areas to consider, temptation comes from someone who has a lust, if the temptation takes root in another, then the temptation has completed itself; however, there must be a lust in the one being tempted, before it is complete. God can also send us a good gift, we can then filter it through a lust making the good evil (Jude 4). We can use the measure of faith in any number of ways, we can have faith in our self-ability, or must anything, thus the commandment is “have faith in God”. The Corinthians evidenced their temptations in their questions, since the questions were carnal in nature, attempting to pull Paul to one side or the other. They became a thorn in the flesh, a “thorn” is a pressure point, something irritating us. The thorn would be the tempting us to use the flesh, something Paul is fighting against by remaining Spiritual in nature.
The exposure was before them, exposure leaves us with two things we can do, we can ignore it thereby falling headlong into the pit. Or we can see it as something in us which has to go, if so, we received the purpose, the Word in us will bring us into the perfect place of cleaning unto perfection.
If we fell for the temptation, then we have a lust which needs to go. If we discerned the temptation, yet didn’t fall, we were tested, making our faith stronger. If the temptation overtook us, God will still make a way of escape for us by using the same temptation. This is not saying God brought it, rather by the temptation we learn how to overcome further temptations. It doesn’t mean we complete the temptation thinking we won, it means we can learn as we are cleaned from the lust.
Using a lust to our advantage is not the goal of God, rather the desire of the enemy is for us use to the lust, while ignoring the exposure. It’s also a trick of the enemy to bring condemnation, causing us to enter self-guilt, again attempting to get us to ignore the exposure. Pushing the lust back down isn’t freedom, submitting to the Blood to be cleaned is always victory.
One of the temptations enticing the Corinthians was idol worship, their means of escape was “flee from it”. What idols? I’m of Paul, I’m of Apollos. Paul didn’t bring the idol worship, but it’s clear the Corinthians had the lust. Whether it was idols of stone, or flesh and blood didn’t matter it was still the same lust. All they did was transfer the lust from one thing to another; there are some who do the same with anger, they forgive the person, but hold unforgiveness against others for allowing the hurtful event to take place. In truth they haven’t forgiven, just transferred the anger.
Another clue to their lustful desires is their over concern about “eating things sacrificed unto idols”. Where do you think one could purchase meat sacrificed unto idols? At the local synagogue? Hardly, at the local idol temple. The Corinthians were carnal, they were caught with meat sacrificed unto idols on their faces. Their question gave them away, in their attempt to look holy before Paul with the question, the question itself became the evidence of their folly. They were tempting Paul in the matter of Liberty, all things were theirs. Where they? Yes, but he also taught them not all things are profitable.
The purpose for Communion is to Remember, the Corinthians needed to remember why the Cross was presented to them. The Greek has four words which relate to the word Communion, the one used here is Koinonia which points to the concept of Fellowship, the subject of First John. If we say we have Fellowship, yet use the means of darkness, we lie and the truth is not in us. Fellowship with the Father can only be accomplished when we treat the people of God, as God does, by walking in the Light, since God is Light. It’s why we take the Bread first, the Cup points to our relationship with Jesus, but the Bread refers to Mercy and the Body. We don’t take the Cup first, Jesus never taught us so. The Bread must be the first issue, have we treated the people of God as God does? Have we attempted to fleece the sheep? Have we abused the sheep? Have we attacked leadership? Have we prayed our wills into the lives of others to get them to do what we want? The Bread has many members, but it’s still the Bread, meaning One in purpose and Unity. There is the Unity of the Faith, and the Unity of the Spirit, thus through the Spirit we are in the Faith, bringing the Unity of the brethren. Having like theology is not Unity, it’s merely a joining of the minds.
Fellowship means intimacy, a joint interest or feeling, how can we fellowship with God if we are yet carnal, or think as the world? God seeks those who are Spirit and Truth by nature, not those who are carnal, self-based, or using the spirit of man.
The other three words for Fellowship in the Greek are Dialaleo meaning To Announce, then Homileo meaning To converse one to another, but doesn’t hold the concept of intimate fellowship. Then Sullaleo meaning To talk, or speak in a close friendly manner. This points to a common problem, failing to discern the carnal minded person from the Spiritual, ending in “sharing” something Spiritual, yet having the carnal mind view it as foolishness. At times it’s far better to keep things to yourself.
God cannot enter close Communion with the carnal minded, neither can the carnal minded enter close Communion with God. This is not the same as the Communion Service, although it does little good to partake without knowing why. Even if we are carnal, the Table is the place to seek the Spiritual order to enter close Communion with God. The table is not restricted to the “holy of the most holy people”, it’s for anyone in the Body who seeks the face of Christ. It’s for those who want to tell the Lord they do remember what He did. They may not be doing all they think they should, but they do appreciate what the Lord has done. The Corinthians were told to “eat” at home, since they were so carnal they had no respect for the Table, to them it was “eat”, yet for the saint it’s a form of worship.
Paul uses the Cup in the first place, or before the Bread, which as we know, is not the order of Communion, but the proper order in reference to his teaching here. The Corinthians were out of order, this shows they needed to reverse their position, in order to have a healed condition. They were carnal, they needed the Blood of the New Covenant to become Spiritual in nature in order to treat the members of Body with respect.
Before the Blood of Jesus enters the Cup, the Cup must be cleaned, it’s the Blood of Jesus making the cup holy, not the cup making the Blood holy. How do we clean the cup? Water, pointing to Mercy, if we attempt to take the Cup, yet refuse Mercy, we have polluted the cup before we begin. We are cleaned (scrubbed) by the washing of the water by the word. We are not cleaned by the washing of water alone, the Word (Rhema) must be the cleaning agent, thus to presume water baptism cleaned the inside is error, it ‘s our token, it didn’t complete the effort. We didn’t drink the water, we entered it.
The cup represents “love the Lord with all your heart” the Bread represents the second commandment, “love your neighbor as yourself”; neither represent “love yourself over God”, or “love thyself, and forget thy neighbor”. There are some who think the golden rule is, “do unto them, before they have a chance to do it to you”. Twisting it, doesn’t make it so.
We are the Body (Soma) of Christ on this earth, thus we find two areas, Jesus gave us His Body, so we could impute our flesh dead by the Cross, but we don’t impute the Body of Christ dead, thus we exchange body for Body. They we place our bodies into service, but our flesh (Sarx) is imputed as dead. Since we are of the Body, then the Body is of us, no man defiles his own body, why then would we attack a brother or sister in the Lord, if they are of our Body (Soma)?
Israel after the flesh (Sarx not Soma) took of the things sacrificed as a type and shadow of what was to come. Is the idol anything? No, but playing with it is. The Corinthians presumed taking of the meat sacrificed unto idols was the same as the Hebrew priests taking of the things they sacrificed. Carnal minds twist meanings to fit a wanton desire to fill a lust. We should not have fellowship with devils, or those who play with them. The Corinthians were so carnal they allowed false apostles into their group, in so doing they were playing with devils.
This exposure by the Holy Ghost is how He brings these hindering elements to our face. The Corinthians wrote a letter to Paul asking questions, thus they wanted answers, yet they wanted their answers, what they got were answers from the Throne of God as the Word exposed the intent of their hearts showing where their problems came from. Paul wasn’t twisting their words, he was answering the intent, it was up to them to receive.
This area of Communion doesn’t stop, it picks up again after Paul talks about the covering. This merely shows us a viewing of the Table, then comes the manner in which to “escape” the temptation. The biggest problem in Corinth was the out of order covering, their covering was not gaining any respect from the members, so they refused to give respect to the head (authority) over them. It’s not the manner of escape, it was the way into deeper entrapment. If everything produces after it’s own kind, how is Christ the head didn’t make the husband Christ Like? The Yoke of carnal activity, they had the Keys, yet they put the Yoke of bondage back on the Neck, separating Christ from the shoulder (government). Once the separation was in place, the concept of everything producing after its own kind continued, but from the carnal leadership down.
Paul refers to two cups, the cup of the Lord has the Blood of the Lord, the cup of devils belongs to the spirit of the world. The table of the Lord is a place to fellowship with God, the table of the old man is the place to fellowship with devils. Paul is in a tight position, if Grace was freedom why couldn’t they be as the Gentiles to win the Gentiles? Because their intent was evil, it wasn’t to win the Gentile, it was to engage with the devils of the Gentiles. All things were lawful, but not all things are profitable, the purpose must be to benefit Mercy and Grace in God. Freedom is great, but misused it becomes more bondage than the bondage of the world. Since we have freedom, we can refrain just as easy as we can do. We don’t hang out with the “boys” anymore, because we don’t want to, not because we “can’t”. We don’t steal anymore, because we don’t want to, not because there is a Commandment telling us not to. We don’t do many things, not because there are Commandments telling us not to, but because we simply don’t want to. We also do many Godly things we would not have done before, not because we force ourselves to, but because it’s our nature to do them.
Did Paul have a valid concern? Yes, not only for this bunch, but we are the Bread, what happens to the Body, happens to all (v. 17). If they take of the meat, are they not also partakers of the altar? (v. 18). Good point, if we take of what was offered, are we not also included to the one offering? Yes, the very basis for Communion, yet if they take of the idols altar, are they not of idols? Rather than partake of the devil’s table of idol worship, Paul is calling them to partake of the Lord’s Table.
We partake of Communion as a review of the Contract and Covenant, but we also are involving ourselves into the very Sacrifice of the Lord. If the Body is the Body of Christ, and we are members, then we are part of the Sacrifice. We are all priests, each of us are told to present ourselves, as priests we have priestly duties. Therefore, if we partake of idols. or the things of idols, are we not becoming the sacrifice as well? Yes, thus Paul is pointing out the danger of equating the world to the kingdom, or using the things of the world when they benefit us, but using the things of the kingdom when they benefit us. Which hand has which cup? If we have to look, we’re in trouble.
Having “fellowship” with devils, is the same as having communion with them, not real smart. Some of us are under demonic attack for this very reason. The “unworthy” state would include compromise, one wherein we take the cups of devils, while at the same time holding the Cup of the Lord. The golden calf one day, the cup of the Lord the next. The word “partaker” is the Greek Metacho from Meta and Echo, meaning to Join to others by association. In this case the error would be attempting to mix the Spirit that is of God (New Man), with the spirit of man; going right back to “not to company with fornicators” (I Cor 5:9).
Now the situation changes to the “meat market”, which is another clue showing Paul understood more than these Corinthians wanted him to. The man was a prophet, as such he was able to discern (v. 25). This really does separate the prior verses, showing someone who just so happens to pick up something at the meat market, as compared to seeking out or buying meat from an idol temple. These people knew when someone offered an animal to the Delphi temple it was the best they could buy or raise. Making the meat somewhat desirable, thus the question was not “should we?”, but “can we?”. “Can we get drunk with the boys, if we think of Jesus once or twice?”. “Can we hang around the old gang, if we go to church on Sunday?”. Carnal minds look for the loophole so they can do what is forbidden to do, their source is the spirit of man.
We know Delphi had a big idol temple, with many sacrifices, and they sold the meat out of the temple. We also know Corinth was across the bay from Delphi, and we know the people of Corinth did business in Delphi. What about the products we pick up at the local market? We ask no question for “conscience sake”, not ours, but theirs. “Does this have pork in it? I don’t eat pork”, it puts conviction on the other person by belittling them. If we don’t like it don’t eat it, but the eating, or not eating has nothing to do with holiness.
Some who are weak in the faith will not eat, or even touch pork for religious sake. It’s fine for them, but when they dig through your trash to see if you are feeding them pork, they have fallen into error. Even if they ask, “is there any pork in this?”, it’s error. Why? “For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (v. 26). Well, why not eat the meat sacrificed unto idols? Because of appearance, but appearance in the reverse is belittling someone because we want to enhance our supposed appearance.
However, there can be a trap in this, another key is “if any of them believe not bid you to a feast” (v. 27). Clearly it’s the unbeliever doing the asking, not the believer. The trap comes if they tell you, “by the way, this was given unto idols” (v. 28). Especially after you have a mouth full. Why even tell you? Why bring it up? If someone knew we don’t eat things sacrificed unto idols, yet they serve us some, then say, “oh by the way, the meat in your mouth”. If they didn’t know, they wouldn’t say a thing, thus they are tempting us, to see what we will do. Only those setting the trap would pull this, if they do, for their sake we eat not (v. 28). Why? To show we have power, we can eat, or eat not, but we will not submit to a temptation. We eat when we can give thanksgiving, if not we don’t partake.
Why should our Liberty be judged of another person’s conscience (v. 29). What has it to do with this? They told us it was sacrificed (or whatever), so they knew it was wrong. Don’t give them cause to do it to another, it was their conscience bringing it up, let the power work on them unto conviction, but not unto condemnation.
Judging our liberty by what someone else does, is not liberty. Neither is allowing someone else to judge our Liberty. Do all things unto the Lord by faith, for anything not done is faith is sin. At times we have to think, “what would Jesus do?”, other times we know exactly what He would do.
From this point on Paul will begin to speak about Spiritual matters, some of the most detailed information we have on the subject is written to a carnal church, so what does it mean? The teaching is milk, the doing is meat. We can read all this information, yet use it to attack the Spirituals, but in the process we are showing we are yet carnal, and afraid of the Spirit. On the other hand we can learn of the great potential we have in the Spiritual area based in our perfect Law of Liberty.
Let’s move on to Part 2.
By Rev. G. E. Newmyer – s.b.i.les23rev9/© 2003
