1 Corinthians 1:18-31
I Corinthians 1:18-25
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Nazareth Presbyterian Church,
Moore, South
Carolina
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- "Poverty of Conceptual Learning," Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit.
- Chapter XIII of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
- Chapter XVIII, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110).
- Chapter IV, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer Version - 4th cent interpolation)
- I.III.5, II.XIX.7, III.XVIII.2, III.XX.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter X, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
- Chapter II, On Baptism, Tertullian (c. 198)
- I.6, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- I.2, I.3, I.18, I.20, I.26, V.1, VI.6, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- II.8, To His Wife, Tertullian (c. 206)
- II.2, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
- Chapter IX, On Idolatry, Tertullian (c. 211)
- Chapter IV, On the Flesh of Christ, Tertullian (c. 211)
- Chapter III, Chapter LVII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Tertullian (c. 211)
- V.5, V.19, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
- Concerning Flight in Persecution (paragraph 2) Tertullian (c. 212)
- Chapter X, Chapter XIX, Against Praxeas, Tertullian (c. 213)
- Chapter IX, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
- I.II.1, 9, III.I.12, III.IV.2, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
- I.XIII, III.XLVII, III.XLVIII, III.LXXIII, V.XVI, V.XXXIX, VI.IV, VI.XIV, VI.XLIV, VII.XLIV, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
- Part 15, On the Incarnation of the Word, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- "You that spend all your time in seeking out the secret things of this world, and in expounding all hard questions: and thus he triumphs against all the men of this world, for there was not one of them that could so much as dream of this secret and hidden mystery."
- From
Matthew Henry's
Commentary.
- "Not that there is foolishness or weakness in God, but what men consider as such, overcomes all their admired wisdom and strength."
- Christ, the
Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption (1 Cor
1:30): sermon by George Whitefield.
- "Of all the verses in the book of God, this which I have now read to you, is, I believe, one of the most comprehensive: what glad tidings does it bring to believers!"
- God Glorified in Man's
Dependence (1 Cor 1:29-31). Sermon by Jonathan Edwards.
- "God hath made man's emptiness and misery, his low, lost, and ruined state, into which he sunk by the fall, an occasion of the greater advancement of his own glory, as in other ways, so particularly in this, that there is now much more universal and apparent dependence of man on God."
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
- "The gospel scheme, which the world judge to be mere foolishness, is wiser than the wisdom of men; and, weak as they account it, stronger than all the strength of men."
- From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "of this world--rather, "dispensation (or age) . . . world"; the Greek words are distinct. The former is here this age or worldly order of things in a moral point of view, as opposed to the Christian dispensation or order of things. The latter is the world viewed externally and cosmically."
- From The
People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "Worldly wisdom did not search out the true God. Intellectual speculation had done its utmost, and failed."
- "Christ the
Wisdom of God," Henry Barclay Swete, The Expository Times 15
(1903) 58-62.
- "I plead, then, for an attitude on the part of the clergy towards the culture and knowledge of our time which shall be neither indifferent or hostile on the one hand, nor weakly concessive on the other. We are bound to resist all demands for the practical abandonment of any article of the faith...But we are also bound, as disciples of the Word, as ministers of the Light of men, to welcome all fresh truth, physical, historical, or of whatever kind, not only as truth, but as making in the end for the victory of the Truth itself."
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- "Paul," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
- "And how long was the whole great circus to last? Paul said, why, until we all become human beings at last, until we all 'come to maturity,' as he put it; and then, since there had been only one really human being since the world began, until we all make it to where we're like him, he said - 'to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ' (Ephesians 4:13). Christs to each other, Christs to God. All of us. Finally. It was just as easy, and just as hard, as that."
- "Foolishness," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
- "The message that a convicted felon was the bearer of God's forgiving and transforming love was hard enough for anybody to swallow and for some especially so. For hellenized sophisticates-the Greeks, as Paul puts it - it could only seem absurd."
- "Emmanuel," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
- "What keeps the wild hope of Christmas alive year after year in a world notorious for dashing all hopes is the haunting dream that the child who was born that day may yet be born again even in us and our own snowbound, snowblind longing for him."
- Commentary, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Daniel G. Deffenbaugh,
Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
- "But dishonor in the present age is honor in the Kingdom, a reality inaugurated by the death and resurrection of Christ. It was the values of this latter age that the faithful at Corinth were being called to uphold."
- Commentary,
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (Epiphany 4A), J.R. Daniel Kirk, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
- "In this week's passage, he shows how the particular divisions plaguing Corinth can be given the same diagnosis. And here is where things might start to get a little more personal."
- "First
Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary:
Epiphany 4," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in
Australia.
- "If there is anything to get excited about and to be engaged in, let it be in God's life and the success of God's life reaching into us and passing through us (1:31)."
- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified": Epiphany Texts from First Corinthians, Terrance L. Dinovo, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1995.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Proper 4A: Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "To Us Who Are Being Saved," Paul Bellan-Boyer, City Called Heaven, 2011.
- "...This is why Paul, while he may not be able to change his "stripes," his Jewishness, his personality, his zealousness, he can change his location, his orientation."
- Commentary,
1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Richard Carlson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
- "In this text Paul is not seeking to answer age old questions regarding how we humans come to know God."
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Lent 3B: Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
-
"First
Thoughts on Passages on Year B Epistle Passages in the Lectionary,"
Lent 3, William
Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "Our structures and stances are usually not cruciform but elevations of the high and mighty, partly because we are bent on giving and receiving honours and rewards according to a value system which ultimately crucified Jesus. Lent is a long road!"
- "1
Corinthians 1:18-25," David Schnasa Jacobsen, Waterloo
Theological Seminary, Preaching Apocalyptic Texts: Year A, Resources
for Pastors Who Want to 'Preach in the New Creation'.
- "How is the message of Christ crucified apocalyptic? To the perishing (reading Paul apocalyptically, one might say those of "this present age") Christ crucified talk is foolishness and weakness. Yet to us who are "being saved" (again, apocalyptically, those of "the age to come"), it's the power and wisdom of God."
- "We Preach Christ Crucified," "God Chooses the Weak," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- "Prophetic Mysticism," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Mysticism," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005.
-
"God the Other Who Acts Otherwise: An Exegetical Essay on 1 Cor 1:26-31,"
Leander E. Keck, Volume XVI, Number 4, Word & World,
Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1996.
- "Paul challenges the Corinthians' reliance on prevailing human wisdom by showing that what happened in the case of Jesus, what happens when the gospel is believed, what has happened in Paul's own apostleship are all of a piece because God who is Other consistently acted otherwise in each case."
-
"Looking Like Fools," William Willimon, The
Christian Century, 1982. At Religion Online.
- "One of the dangers of being in church as often as I am is that it all starts to make sense. I speak of the Christian faith so casually and effortlessly that I begin to think, 'Fine thing, this Christianity. Makes good sense.' And then I find myself believing all sorts of things in church that I wouldn?t let anyone put over on me in the real world."
-
"Proud to be Humble," Ronald Goetz, The
Christian Century, 1979. At Religion Online.
- "A prideful Christian is perhaps the world?s most dangerous citizen. We are God?s people. Without humility, this statement- which ought to fill us with awe before the wonder of God becomes the basis for the most unspeakable arrogance before God and ultimately before our neighbor."
-
"Journey
to the Cross," Stanley S. Harakas, The Christian Century,
1997. At Religion Online.
- "Lent is a journey. It leads from recognition of the weakness and powerlessness before the forces of evil and sin to victory over those forces through the cross and empty tomb."
- 1
Corinthians 1:18-25, in Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary's An
Exegetical Study of the Common Lectionary, coordinated by Prof.
John E. Alsup, features rough translation, disposition, immediate
context, broader context, hermeneutical bridge, and contemporary
address.
- "In Greek culture "moros" is the one who is dull-witted, though the term is used in a variety of contexts from animal husbandry to the preparation of food. As regards the human condition the closest parallels concern the deficiency of intellect or spiritual capacity or the impossibility for some to follow another in reasoning and understanding. The intersection of primitive Christianity, Old Testament theology, and Hellenistic anthropology in the reflections of Paul over sophia/word of the cross christology provides a fertile area for further discussion in light of this pericope.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, Holy Cross: Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "Paul," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
- Articles & Background:
-
"Aging from the Perspective of the Cross," Stephen Sapp, The Center
for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
- "The discipleship of the cross recognizes that the cross Jesus Christ bids his followers to take up includes the ordinary, everyday sufferings of human life?including those associated with aging?that are borne as Jesus bore his sufferings."
-
"Epideictic Rhetoric in
Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1 - 4," Joop F.M. Smit,
Biblica 2003.
- "In this article an overview is given of the main characteristics of the epideictic genre and in the light of this it is argued that in 1 Cor 1?4 Paul presents the four types of this genre..."
-
"Hearers
of the Call (1 Corinthians 1:1-2, 9, 26a)," John C. Purdy.
Chapter 1 of Returning God's Call: The Challenge of Christian Living.
At Religion Online.
- "If we had to select one and only one way of picturing the life of the Christian, it would be the image of one who has heard and keeps hearing a persistent summons to belief and action."
-
"Apocalyptic Transformation in Paul's Discourse on the Cross," Alexandra
R. Brown, Volume XVI, Number 4, Word & World,
Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1996.
- "Paul's discourse on the cross works as an apocalyptic 'speech-act,' the agent of a perceptual shift that transfers the believer from a false reality to the authentic reality characterized by having the 'mind of Christ'."
-
"Aging from the Perspective of the Cross," Stephen Sapp, The Center
for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Brueggemann, Walter,
"Bragging about the Right Stuff," Journal for Preachers, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Brown, Alexandra R., "Apocalyptic
Transformation in Paul's Discourse on the Cross," Word & World,
1996.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Cousar, Charles B.,
"Paul and the Death of Jesus," Interpretation, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Dinovo, Terrance L., "'Jesus Christ and Him
Crucified': Epiphany Texts from First Corinthians," Word & World,
1995.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Duggan, Fr. Michael, "The Cross and
the Holy Spirit in Paul: Implications for Baptism in the Holy Spirit,"
Pneuma, 1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Fiore, Benjamin, S.J., "'Covert Allusion' in 1
Corinthians 1-4," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Goetz, Ronald, "Proud to Be Humble,"
The Christian Century, 1979.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Green, Donald E., "The Folly of the
Cross," Master's Seminary Journal, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hamerton-Kelly, Robert G., "A Girardian
Interpretation of Paul: Rivalry, mimesis and Victimage in the Corinthian
Correspondence," Semeia, 1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Harakas, Stanley S., "Journey to the
Cross," The Christian Century, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Keck, Leander E., "God the Other Who
Acts Otherwise: An Exegetical Essay on 1 Cor 1:26-31," Word & World,
1996.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Ker, Donald P.,
"Paul and Apollos--Colleagues or Rivals," Journal for the Study of
the New Testament, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Lampe, Peter, "Theological Wisdom and
the 'Word about the Cross,'" Interpretation, 1990.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Marshall, I. Howard,
"Living in the 'Flesh'," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Marshall, Molly T., "Forsaking a
Theology of Glory: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31," Ex Auditu, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - O'Day, Gail R., "Jeremiah 9:22-23 and
1 Corinthians 1:26-31: A Study in Intertextuality," Journal of
Biblical Literature, 1990.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Polhill, John B.,
"The Wisdom of God and Factionalism: 1 Corinthians 1-4," Review and
Expositor, 1983.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Smit, Joop F.M.,
"'What Is Apollos? What Is Paul?' In Search for the Coherence of First
Corinthians 1:10-4:21," Novum Testamentum, 2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Trotti, John B.,
"Expository Article: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31," Interpretation,
1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Tucker, J. Brian, "The Role of Civic Identity on the
Pauline Mission in Corinth," Didaskalia, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Tupper, E. Frank, "The Self-Limitation of God,"
Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Welborn, L.L., "On the Discord in Corinth: 1
Corinthians 1-4 and Ancient Politics," Journal of Biblical Literature,
1987.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Willimon, William, "Looking Like Fools," The
Christian Century, 1982.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Brueggemann, Walter,
"Bragging about the Right Stuff," Journal for Preachers, 2003.
- Sermons:
- "Foolish Wisdom," the Rev. Canon Brian Cole, Day 1, 2012.
- "Things that Change and Things that Don't," the Rev. Dr. Thomas Lane Butts, Day 1, 2002.
- Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle:
- Reviews:
- Welborn, L.L., Paul, The Fool of Christ: A Study of 1 Corinthians 1-4 in the Comic-Philosophic Tradition. T&T Clark, 2005. Review by Russell Morton, Review of Biblical Literature, 2007.
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Lent 3B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," March 11, 2012, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech.
- "What We Are Called to Be," Frances Woodruff, On the Chancel Steps, 2012.
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," Jan 30, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2011. Connections: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau.
- "God Chooses the Foolish to Put the Wise to Shame," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "God's Call - That No Flesh Should Glory," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- Drama:
- "The Old Wisdom Shop," Trevor Fletcher, dramatix.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art, 1 Corinthians 1:31, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: 1 Corinthians 1:18. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of 1 Corinthians
