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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, |
An apostle – The Lord had his own choice for the one who would take the place of Judas, and this one already had been undergoing special training and discipline "from his mother's womb." (Gal. 1:15) R2823:2
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| 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: |
Sanctified in Christ – Paul was not addressing his words to the world; but to the true Church. R3174:6, 4660:2; OV188:3
"Members of the body of Christ"--prospective members of the Church Triumphant. CR80:1
By making a full consecration of themselves, to live as nearly as perfect as they may be able. R2987:5, 4660:2
Reckoned new creatures. The sanctifying power, or spirit in us, is the spirit of truth. R375:1, 442:5; E243
The complete sanctification in Christ constitutes the perfection and unity of the church. R69:2*
Called to be saints – The word saint stands for one who is holy. R5856:3, 2987:3
Called unto the fellowship of his Son, (vs. 9) to be holy ones, partakers of the divine nature, etc. F87
Those who cannot think of themselves as saints cannot apply to themselves the precious promises of these epistles. R2987:4; OV123:4
Let us not be ashamed of this name, "saints"; if it present before our minds saintship, holiness, separateness from the world, that is just the very thought which should be there continually. R2987:5
Every place – Words of warning in this epistle apply to the entire probationary membership of the Gospel Church down to the end of the Age. R1898:3
Theirs and ours – The word "theirs" refers evidently to Jews. Paul was a Jew, but he styles himself "the Apostle to the Gentiles," (Rom. 11:13), so in harmony with the lp of both Jews and Gentiles. R179:3*
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| 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. |
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| 4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; |
On your behalf – This was written subsequent to Paul's stay in Corinth recorded in Acts 18:11. R2192:4
Grace – The Gospel age is one of superior favor. R643:5
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| 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; |
Enriched – The Apostle refers to the value of knowledge to the Church. NS506:2
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| 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: |
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| 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ: |
Waiting for – The Lord's people will need to keep active, watching and waiting for the manifestation of the Lord; but if watchers, they shall be made aware of his presence and the work of "harvest" beforehand, and shall share in the revealment. R2979:3
The coming – Greek: apokalupsis, uncovering, revealment. R2979:2
Revelation. R69:2*
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| 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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| 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. |
God is faithful – Faithfulness on our part is also required. We must show our appreciation of his love by faithfulness. R1211:2*
Of his Son – This implies an association, oneness. F87
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| 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. |
Speak the same thing – The early Church had a grand unity of sentiment. R1421:1
All who are speaking and teaching should speak and teach the same things. We should all mind the same things. (Phil. 3:16) R4446:2
The ideal condition for which we should strive--the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 11:19 shows the actual working of it. Q723:2
Should the temptation ever come to you, to seek to show your wisdom by magnifying a minor difference between yourself and another of the Lord's servants, reject the thought as a temptation from the devil, and minimize differences. R1537:4
Only those who take heed to the Lord's Word and cultivate its spirit, and recognize the Master, and his providential leadings and care, and the feeding of the flock, will be able to bring forth much fruit, and gain the kingdom. R4447:1
No divisions – Sects, or schisms. R1571:2, 1540:5, 4375:5, 1130:5*
The entire foundation of divided Christianity would disappear and the true church of Christ be speedily manifest, if true catholicity were acknowledged. HG736:1; SM460:3
Every sect is a sin and every division a proof of disobedience. R1130:5*
Perfectly joined – The oneness of thought, mind and action required of the Church of God. R1130:5*
The remedy is one we have sought to present in all of the Society's publications, namely, the ascertainment of the mind of Christ, the spirit of the truth, by the acceptance of the entire Word of God. R4446:3
If we ever conclude to have only the one human channel of instruction our decision will be to stick firmly to the one God has used and blessed to our enlightenment. R4447:1
The same mind – This is possible if the same spirit (the spirit of God) dwell in us--if the one mind enters and animates these bodies in which the human mind and will are dead. R309:3*
So accustomed have we become to difference of opinion that many of God's children have come to feel that if there is perfect unity of thought, of mind, it must betoken a subserviency. Paul is criticizing such a sentiment. R4446:2
Same judgment – Sentiment. R69:4*
There is one line of judgment which should govern all who have the Lord's Word and spirit, viz., the letter and spirit of the truth. R2386:1
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| 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. |
Contentions – The congregation of Corinth had not made the proper progress in spiritual development, and hence was greatly in danger of losing the truths received but never properly put into practice. R1593:6
It is not strange that the adversary was able to stir up some little sectarianism even in the primitive church, but all such partisan spirit the Apostle rebuked. R5941:3
Two centuries of the Gospel age had not passed when the worldly spirit called out for more organization--the partisan spirit whereby the people in various parts sought headship for their bishops. R4199:6
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| 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. |
I am of Paul – The idol of sectarianism. R5298:5, 868:3, 81:2*
Each of these teachers had his peculiarities of manner in teaching, which caused some to esteem one, and others another, most highly. R1571:2
Contrary to the spirit of Christianity. R81:2*
While ye say I am of Luther, I of Calvin, I of Wesley, is it not a sign of carnality? And worse than this, is there not danger of worshiping the human institutions which bear these human names? R5298:5, 918:6
I of Christ – They were dividing into Paulites, Apollosites and Peterites, while a few rightly clung to the name Christian. R1571:2, 1540:5
As only Christ died for us all, he alone must be recognized as our Savior. SM121:1
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| 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? |
Is Christ divided – Are ye not carnal? Is not this sectarian spirit an evidence that you are not in the proper relationship to the Lord? Your Redeemer is the only Head which should be recognized. R4199:6, 1571:3; SM460:3
All should have recognized that Christ is not divided, and that his Gospel is not discordant, but that it is one glorious, harmonious message of divine revelation. R4446:2
Paul wrote against the spirit of sectarianism, already manifest in his day. SM460:3; R1571:6, 4446:2; HG736:1; NS374:4
Paul's warning was evidently heeded at the time at least, for no great sects of Paulites or Apollosites developed. R1571:6
The Spirit of Christ, which would have preserved the unity of the body, in the bonds of peace, was neglected and a spirit of "independence" was fostered until the result is--Babylon, confusion. R4446:2, 1571:6, 693:3
Ye should recognize no divisions, and call yourselves by no name but Christ. R81:2*, 5941:3
The Church of Christ should be united in the one faith once delivered to the saints; not federated, still holding to its own creed. OV417:4
Undoubtedly, the Adversary had much to do with the organization of the various denominations of the Reformation which nowhere have authority in the Bible. R5742:4
Was Paul crucified – It is not strange that the Adversary was able to stir up some little sectarianism even in the primitive church, but all such partisan sentiment the Apostle rebuked, reminding them that not one of these teachers had died for them. R5941:3
Paul did not die for you; neither did Peter; neither did Apollos. Though they may be appreciated, they are nothing more than the Lord's mouthpieces and rep resentatives. R4199:6
Repeatedly we have reminded the Lord's faithful of the experience of John when he fell down before the angel to worship him. The angel rebuked him, saying, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant,...worship God." (Rev. 19:10) R4199:6
Baptized – The form of words used by the apostles and early church is not given. Baptism "into Christ" into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ was the thought; and that it was expressed in words. R1544:4
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| 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; |
I thank God – Paul was glad he had in no way aided sectarianism, and was glad he could say, I never authorized you to call yourselves by my name. R1540:5; F449
Baptized – Greek: baptizo, to dip, immerse or cover. R1541:1
Baptism was not a feature of the Law Covenant. R1540:1
None of you – Probably because of imperfect sight. F448; R1540:4
But Crispus and Gaius – The few whom Paul baptized probably received this service at his hands because no one else suitable to perform it was conveniently at hand. F448
The book of Romans was sent from Corinth. It was dictated by Paul and written by Tertius, at the house of Gaius. (Rom. 16:22,23) R1582:2
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| 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. |
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| 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. |
And I baptized – Showing that he considered the ordinance important. F448; NS54:4
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| 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. |
Preach the gospel – This message was so great, so different from anything else in the world, that the Apostle concluded that he had no time for the discussion of any other topic. R5126:4, 5125:6
We are to discuss the truth rather than the error. If we should have occasion to mention the error, it should be only as a side-light to illuminate the truth by contrast. R5126:5
Paul determined to preach nothing but Christ, and not to mix in the doctrines of Plato, to gain an audience. R5126:1
Glossing over of truth is what is done today in all of the great pulpits of Christendom. If our Lord's death is mentioned at all, it is done apologetically. R5126:4
Those consecrated ones who have permitted other themes to engross time and attention are in great danger of being led astray. R5126:5
Wisdom of words – To be a minister in the nominal Church of today, one must bring with him a plentiful store of that which Paul despised and left behind, namely, human wisdom. R505:3*
Many of Paul's hearers would have been glad to learn about Christ and to admit that his philosophy was good, but he had not borne a good reputation. R5126:2
The Greeks, the learned of the world, would become followers of Christ, had the plan of salvation been more consistent with their worldly wisdom. R863:1
The cross of Christ – A weaker man than Paul might have covered up Christ's crucifixion. He might have said that the Jews did not appreciate what Christ was doing, that Christ was the Son of God, and then he might have glossed over his death on the cross. R5126:2, 4
Under the terms of the Law Covenant, Christ must die on the cross in order to redeem Israel from the curse of the Law. (Gal. 3:13) R5126:4; NS622:2
The shame, ignominy, ordeal pictured by the cross, were foreordained picture-lessons, of self-denial and sacrifice not only for Messiah, but his "Bride" class. NS622:3
It is because the doctrine of the ransom has been held, and that as the foundation of faith, that even in the dark ages, and in the midst of great corruption, the nominal church has been recognized of God at all. R1452:3
Of none effect – Of no value. R1452:3
If Christ's death in itself does nothing, then it is of no effect. The cross must refer to the death and not to the after life. R483:4*, 43:3*
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| 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. |
Preaching of the cross – Preaching the necessity for Jesus' death as the redemption-price for the sins of the world. R5919:2
That Christ's death as our ransom is the basis of our hope of the resurrection to life. R1259:2; HG361:1
No wonder the Apostle makes the cross of Christ the center of his preaching, declaring; "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins!" (Heb. 9:22) R5919:6
The preaching of the cross of Christ is dying out. Those who still preach it give the impression that at most it means renouncement of sin and the incidental self-denials. R5919:2
It is remarkable that, by divine providence, the cross, which symbolized the most ignominious form of capital punishment under the laws of the Roman Empire, should be the symbol of Christianity. NS622:2
The mystery of the cross is that it is the divine purpose that the Lord Jesus should be the chief priest and, during this Gospel age, God would draw out from the world an under-priesthood. NS625:2
Foolishness – In their day our Lord and his prophets and apostles were all accounted "fools" and "cranks;" and the same worldly estimate will continue to the end of this age. R1873:1
We cannot expect sympathy from Churchianity and the world. R2616:3
Is it not a foolish waste of time to preach the cross of Christ and faith and obedience, under the present adverse conditions? Do not the results of these eighteen centuries of preaching show the folly of this procedure? NS624:1
Us which are saved – It has pleased the Father to select the "jewel" class during this Gospel age by means which the world would think foolish--by means of the preaching of the good tidings. SM439:1
We who have come into relationship with the Father through faith in the precious blood and have come to an understanding of the divine plan of salvation. NS624:2
It is the power of God – The message of the cross has been a transforming one, which, as we have come to appreciate it, has been changing our characters and lives. NS624:2
So far from the preaching of the cross being a failure it is a great success. It has served to attract the loyal-hearted and to repel all others. NS625:1
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| 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. |
It is written – The divine prophecy briefly quoted that the worldly-wise would not appreciate the divine plan and especially the center of that plan--the cross of Christ. R5920:1
Wisdom of the wise – Of this world; the simplicity of the gospel is foolishness to them. R350:4*, 1043:2*
The truth is not intended for the proud or the dishonest. God hides his truth from the worldly wise and prudent, and reveals it unto babes. (Luke 10:21) R2026:5
"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Rom. 1:22) R1643:5
Bring to nothing – Doctrines of Evolution and the wonderful progress of our race will speedily come to naught, and prove the wisdom of the world's wise men to be foolishness. OV86:3
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| 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this age? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? |
Where is the wise – A man who considers himself wise does not realize how transient are his treasures, how unsatisfactory they will prove in the end, what snares are in them, nor how great is the value of the heavenly treasure which he has missed. R1919:3
"The wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." (Isa. 29:14) R1920:4; HG518:2
Where is the scribe – Who boasts of his wisdom. R1955:2
Where is the disputer – A "Thus saith the Lord" must be the end of all controversy when human reasonings come in conflict with divine wisdom. R1919:6
Wisdom of this world – That arrays itself in opposition to the heavenly wisdom. R1919:6
Tends to self-exaltation and pride. R1919:3
It was in Abraham's day and thus it is still--the Lord does not honor the world, nor the worldly wise, with a knowledge of his secret purposes. R1617:6
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| 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. |
World by wisdom – The world by its wisdom knows not God. (Revised Verseion) R5717:2
Whom the god of this world hath blinded with the brilliancy of their own earthly learning and with their love of honor of men. R1418:3
Those of the "Higher Criticism" have reached the conclusion that man's fall has been upward, and he needs no redemption with the precious blood of Christ. R1782:3, 5919:3, 2220:2
Knows little of his plan; understands little of the language of his Word--it is a different language from that to which they are accustomed. R3189:4
Jehovah does not purpose that any shall know him save in his own appointed way. The wisdom of man cannot find him out. R5717:2
Knew not God – The truth-searching of geologists, astronomers, chemists, physicians, statesmen, etc., as a rule, leads away from sanctification, from "Thy truth." F138
Scientists as a class admit that there must be some kind of God,, but, looking in the wrong direction, they fail to see the real God, fail to discern his real character and plan. R2834:5
We are not to study along the lines of worldly wisdom, but along the lines of "that wisdom that cometh from above"--the inspired Scriptures. We must study! Whoever will not study will not know! NS816:2
The worldly-wise have rejected the Bible, and do not trust it as a revelation from God. SM792:1; R3189:4
The world sees to some extent that great blessings are coming; but just what these are and how they are to come, mankind know not. SM792:1; R6013:5
By the foolishness – By that which the world considers foolishness. R3279:2, 3580:2, 5534:6
To the unbelieving, the proclaiming of the gospel message is foolish, a waste of valuable time, an evidence of unsoundness of mind; a weak and unsatisfactory method dealing. R5534:3, 3305:2
The message of God's grace is the noblest, the grandest, the most wonderful, but from the worldly standpoint it seems foolish on God's part to address the world when he himself declares that the vast majority are deaf. SM53:2
To the worldly-minded the preaching of forgiveness on account of faith in the crucified Jesus did not seem the wise course. R3279:1, 2220:3, 858:4
The world would say, "If God has all power why does he not enforce his commands and send forth judgments to compel obedience rather than send forth a message of love and an invitation to obedience?" SM53:2; R3279:1; HG615:6; NS364:2
Seemingly slow and unsuccessful method. R790:6; NS601:1
There is a wide difference between foolish preaching and "the foolishness of preaching." HG614:3
Of preaching – Teaching; declaring. R790:6
The preaching of this foolishness. R1955:2
God appeals to our hearts, heads and consciences, but not to fears. R3305:2
Thus God has manifested the humble ones who will receive his message by any means which he is pleased to use. R3521:6, 5534:6
It looked very foolish for Jesus to go about Palestine with twelve disciples, performing some miracles and inviting chiefly the poor to become his followers, leaving business and other pursuits. HG615:5[HG615:6]
That which Christian people sometimes attempt to do in prayer should be done in preaching. It has not pleased God to save by prayer those who believe, but by public speaking, private proclamation of the truth and the printed page. R5834:1, 790:6
Preaching which seems to be so weak, to be the poorest way the Lord could have possibly chosen to make known the riches of his grace--a way so open to hindrance through the weaknesses and imperfections of the human channels used. R3521:3
The preaching tongue has been practically the only instrument which the Lord has used in connection with his great work of calling out and sanctifying. R2820:4
It pleased God to adopt this method of declaring the truth respecting his redemptive plan, and to accept and justify those who would believe and accept this testimony. R2990:1
All of God's people are preachers. The begetting influence of the Holy Spirit is the only ordination necessary. Preaching in its broad sense, means to declare, to make known. HG617:4[HG617:3]
To save them – We have passed from death into life, because we have come into relationship with the great Life-giver. R5920:1
Not the belief of anything or everything is saving, but merely of that which is preached by divine authority. R3521:6
The true theory of reconciliation through the death of his Son to reconcile and save them which believe. R735:3
That believe – Implies that those who do not believe are not saved. R3521:6
The world thinks it strange that believers should be saved on account of their belief, rather than from the standpoint of works. R3580:2
To select a special class for a very special purpose. R5534:6
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| 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: |
Require a sign – The Jews, claiming to be God's children, would have walked by sight if God had forced the matter upon their attention in a manner not requiring faith. R863:1
Seek after wisdom – The Greeks, the learned of the world, would have become followers of Christ, had the plan of salvation been more consistent with their worldly wisdom. R863:1
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| 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; |
But we preach – The changes were to be so radical and revolutionary, and so different from all human expectations among either Jews or Gentiles. R1647:2
Christ crucified – That Christ's death as our ransom is the basis of our hope of the resurrection to life. R1259:2; SM183:T
The fact that our Lord died on a cross is not doubted. The test with the Jews was whether or not they would accept the sacrifice there finished as the ransom-sacrifice which paid the penalty of their sins and justified the believer. R1452:3
Do not search the Scriptures to find anything about Brother Russell, but search to find things about the glorious One whom we all reverence. Q77:3
Unto the Jews – And the nominal Christians. R684:2
The philosophers and upper classes, including the Scribes and Pharisees, the thought of their own unworthiness was repugnant. Were they not the teachers of the common people, and therefore better certainly than the general herd? NS40:3
A stumbling block – Because the Jew could not realize that that which they had for centuries been trying to accomplish for themselves, by an attempted keeping of the law, should now be handed to them as a free gift. R863:1, 6:4
As the fleshly house stumbled over the cross, so the spiritual house is to stumble over the same obstacle--the cross. We see this taking place in Higher Criticism and Evolution. R3298:4
The butt of contempt. R75:2*
Unto the Greeks – The worldly-wise. R2106:2, 1235:3, 684:2, 323:2
Foolishness – The preaching of the cross is to the perishing world foolishness. R863:1, 75:2*
Christ and the glorious message of his Word has always brought opposition and persecution from the Adversary and from all who are under his blinding influence. SM183:T
The great "falling away" from the faith predicted of the close of this age would come along this line--the denial of the need and the fact of the ransom. R2106:3, 1452:3
As the god of this world blinded Israel, so he blinds the vast majorities of other nations. D567
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| 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. |
Which are called – Not all are called. F88
Under the blinding influence of the prince of this world, to the few only--the meek and humbled-minded ones in Israel--would this power and wisdom be manifest. R1647:2
Not those who believe without evidence, but who believe on the strongest kind of evidence, the harmony of God's Word. R323:2
The power – The sinner, justified, is reckoned holy or godly, having secured "the gift of (attributed) righteousness." (Rom. 5:17) Therefore Jesus' death is R1350:3
The wisdom – To us the great Redeemer is the wisdom of God personified, and that wisdom is shown in the Master's course in sacrifice. R5920:4
Found only in the Bible, and in proportion as we are enabled by His grace to rightly divide it, to understand it. HG471:2
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| 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. |
Foolishness of God – The plan which God has adopted for dealing with sin and with sinners seems to the worldly mind to be a very foolish, a very unwise plan. R5534:2
Wiser than men – Knowledge may be viewed from two standpoints. Worldly knowledge does not commend anyone to God. We sharply discriminate between earthly knowledge and heavenly knowledge. NS809:3
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| 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: |
Your calling – Now to suffer with Christ for righteousness' sake, to cultivate his spirit, to bear much fruit, and thus be fitted for a place in the glorious temple. R2414:6
Ye know the object of the call, ye know the method, ye know the conditions of the call. CR34:4
Not many – The Lord intimates that not all are called, not all are drawn. R5719:2; NS372:1
"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7) God looked for the same chhis age he calls to be anointed for the kingdom. R1901:2
"Ye are not of the world, even as I am not of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (John 15:19) "The light shineth in dar--"the darkness hateth the light." NS385:1
We need make no mistake--the Lord knoweth them that are his, even though they be but a small minority and very insignificant in the world's affairs. NS388:6
Wise – According to their own estimation. E255
The Lord is seeking only the meek, the humble-minded, those who will be willing to learn of him and to have their minds transformed and conformed to the pattern most pleasing to the Lord. SM13:2, 176:3; R5737:5
These in the eyes of the world, are foolish; but in the eyes of the Lord, they are wise. R5920:1
Not that God objects to those having many talents serving his cause, but not many of these accept his call. R4659:6, 2728:6
Success in life leads to more or less of self-confidence, self-esteem, self-will; such are self-confident and not sufficiently reliant on the Lord. R4969:3, 5605:2, 5920:1; SM13:2; HG746:3; NS67:3
The number of wise, learned people, who are willing to become fools for Christ's sake, is exceedingly small now, as ever. R2948:3, 1102:6, 921:4
Those who came to the Master and those who have been interested in his message ever since, have not in any large proportion, been the rich, etc., but chiefly the poor. SM176:3
There are compensations in the divine arrangement, and in some respects poverty is a blessing in disguise. Hence the assurance of the Word that not many rich would be among the chosen of the Lord or receive positions in the bride class. R5840:1; NS67:3
"Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith." (James 2:5) R2702:5, 5692:2, 5676:4, 5415:5, 4969:3, 4158:2, 4082:5, 3952:3, 3797:6, 742:1; OV215:3
The message of God's grace often lays hold upon the lower, meaner and more degraded members of the human family. R5737:5, 3054:5
There are comparatively few five-talent servants amongst the Lord's people; the majority being of the one and two talent classes. R2764:5
Not many mighty – Not many great, not many learned. R5840:1, 5692:2
Like their Master, of "no reputation" or influence. D516
In the apostles days, as in ours, the wealthy and learned were regarded as the special representatives of religion. NS270:2
Not many noble – If the nobility is in the heart, that is what God is looking for. CR335:2; SM391:1; R2322:1
If all the characters of the Scriptures were notable, the majority of us would feel ourselves so commonplace as to excite our fears that the Lord would have no place for us amongst his elect. R3952:3
It is the spirit of Christ, of righteousness from the Word of the Lord, which is the civilizing, enlightening and ennobling influence which has wrought the marvelous changes of this Christian era and especially of this last century. R2321:4
The son of noble Christian parents who has inherited a more noble mind, may maintain it, but eventually selfishness will undermine nobility, and we may expect a degradation in posterity who do not receive Christ. R2320:6
"The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Psa. 19:7-14) It would be impossible od and honest hearts, without being uplifted by them, made more Godlike. R2321:3
Gratitude not only is a fragrant flower, but is indigenous to the soul of every true and noble heart. Accepting this standard, we are bound to conclude that comparatively few of the human family are noble in this respect. R4200:4
Their riches and their nobility are not of the flesh, but of the spirit, of the heart. SM391:1
Proportionately a larger number of the world's nobleminded children reject the Gospel of Christ, and a larger proportion of the world's ignoble children accept it. He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. R2319:3, 2320:1
The noble and the great usually trust too much in themselves and are unready to accept forgiveness through the only name. Hence the seeing of unmanliness and unwomanliness must not hinder our love for all whom the Lord has called. R4121:6, 4082:3
Are called – When the lists shall be proclaimed, the names of many who have been greatly honored of men and who expected to be honored of the Lord may be found missing. R3054:5, 5415:5, 2246:2, 2122:5
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| 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; |
But God – Because he wishes to show the power of his truth in the transforming of character. F88
Hath chosen – With their Lord, they are to receive glory, honor, and immortality; and be his instruments to bless the remainder of mankind. R5711:1, 5534:6
"Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith." (James 2:5) D516; R2520:2, 3720:5, 3707:6, 3218:5, 3054:5, 2860:3, 2761:2
The foolish things – Those who are not noted for worldly wisdom or influence or wealth. R1920:3
To confound – The wise are being confounded today by the power of the truth in the hands of the humblest of God's children. Systems of error are put to confusion and are tottering before it and the sages of all the sects are troubled by it. R1920:4
Wise men whose wisdom would become a trap and a snare unto them, so that "the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid (obscured)." (Isa. 29:14) R2492:6
The wise – The worldly-wise, in our day, are usually to be found in the most respectable and aristocratic congregations of professed Christians. R2262:6
The weak things – This was true in times past when the weak ones of the world espoused the cause of Christ. And the same thing is still true of the same class. E250
"When I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Cor. 12:10) E250
Because poverty of purse and intellect are much more favorable to the development of humility than are riches of any kind; and humility is a prime essential to an inheritance with the saints in light. R2580:1
Those who accept the Lord's arrangement are usually poor, the unlearned, etc., who realize their lack of wisdom and seek it from the Fountain of wisdom and through the channel of wisdom--the Bible. R5920:1
It is marvelous in our sight that so much has been done with a comparatively small amount of money. R5566:3
The Lord's use of even the weakest instruments, of those having even a small measure of talent for his service, sometimes proves an exaltation too great, and that which was a blessing becomes a curse through pride and vain glory. R1920:5
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| 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: |
Base things – The humble poor. R1920:3
We are very thankful that God would accept what he tells us are the mean things of this world. The thought behind the expression is that which the world would consider mean. CR334:1; R4200:4, 1206:2
There may be some real mean Christians come into the Truth. Christianity was not the cause of their being mean, but they were naturally mean. CR334:2; Q439
The twelve apostles were all plain men, mostly fishermen; and so also the whole Gospel Church--not the Church nominal, but the true ones written in heaven. R1921:4
Which are not – Things that are not of value, and to uplift these. E261
Not esteemed amongst men. R3226:5
Nought – Greek: katargeo, "to render powerless," used in the sense of utter destruction. R2001:5
Things that are – That are esteemed by men. R3226:5
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| 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. |
No flesh should glory – God has arranged his plans thus that he might hinder human pride and vainglory; the very thing so many are disposed to cultivate. R1047:3
That no man should be able to boast that he had in any sense or degree merited the great blessings conferred. F88
If by the grace of God we have in any degree been used by him in serving present harvest truths, we rejoice in the service, but as for vanity on this account, we see no room or reason for it. R3595:6
The exaltation will come in due time to the faithful. R1921:4
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| 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
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Who of God – Christ is the sufficiency which God has provided for us in all respects. R5507:2
Is made unto us – The New Creation only. F123; R3280:3
God has made Jesus to be all these things to the Church; they are to be attained by the Church through Jesus. Q123:4
The particular thought of the text seems to be that of a progressive order. R5105:3; Q65:2
We long to be perfectly obedient, and but for our realizing Christ's provision, the sense of our shortcomings would be unbearable. R1151:5*
A comparison may be drawn between these four steps, which begin with the first tendencies toward the Lord and culminate in the "redemption of the body," and the four positions of the tabernacle--Camp, Court, Holy, Holy of Holies. R4245:1*
Wisdom – After the Father has drawn, the wisdom comes from Christ, who instructs us how to come to the Father. R5105:5; Q65:3
Through learning of his sacrificial work on our behalf. R5507:2
Jesus gives us the necessary knowledge to come to God. Q123:5
Since God's dealings with his creatures recognize their wills, the first step in his dealings with them is to give them knowledge, or "wisdom." It is for this reason that preaching was the first command of the Gospel age. R3279:1, 5507:2, 493:2*; F97
Knowledge of the greatness and absolute justice of God; knowledge of man's fallen, sinful condition, and need of a Savior; of the penalty, "the wages of sin is death" and that the death of our Redeemer paid the penalty. R3279:2; F98
This wisdom came to us through Christ; because, had it not been for the plan of salvation of which he and his cross are the center, it would have been useless to preach. R3279:3
In that we are to accept his will and thus have the spirit of a sound mind, and "walk in wisdom." E435
Jesus was our wisdom before he became our justifier and sanctifier. "No man cometh to the Father but by" our Lord. (John 14:6) R5105:3; Q65:2, 123:4; F98
"Wisdom is the principal thing." (Prov. 4:7) Wisdom is necessary at the F96; R2262:2
"The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (Jas. 3:17) F98; R2263:5
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Prov. 9:10) Wisdom is reasonableness, the right course. R4245:1*, 2262:3
Those who would take the wisest course should promptly admit their own unwisdom and seek for divine direction, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not." (Jas. 1:5) R2262:3
Some of the world, typified by the Camp, began feeling after God, and the call went forth from the Gate of the Court. R4245:1*
After the Father has drawn, the wisdom comes from Christ, who instructs us how to come to the Father. R5105:5; Q65:3
This comes also through Christ's exhibition of the graces of the Spirit and of obedience to the Father; through the apostles teachings, and all those daily let their light shine. F100
This knowledge was prepared for by the Mosaic Law, which was a schoolmaster, or pedagogue, to lead men to Christ. R3279:2
And righteousness – Justification. R3279:3, 5105:3, 5507:2, 2262:5; Q123:6, 65:1; F100
The primary thought in the word Justification is (1) justice, or a standard of right; (2) that something is out of accord with that stand; (3) the bringing of the person or thing that is deficient up to the proper or just standard. F101; Q124:1
Justification signifies to make right, or whole, or just. R3280:2
Faith-justification does not cease when the next step of sanctification is taken. It continues with us as New Creatures. F103
Though all men are to be saved in the sense of being brought to the knowledge and opportunity of salvation, none have Christ as their justification, the covering of their imperfections, imputing his righteousness to them, except "us." R3280:1
In that, as our representative, he gave himself a ransom for all, and now in his righteousness represents all those who come unto the Father by him. E435
The principle of justice, the very foundation of divine government, must somehow have been fully satisfied in all of its claims. R3279:4; F103
Implies that we are unjust, or unrighteous in the sight of God, and unworthy of his favor. R3279:3, 2262:5; E435
But this does not imply that Christ's righteousness covers every sinner, so that God now views every sinner as though he were righteous, and treats all as his children. R3279:3
Christ covers our sins; he imputes to us the merit of his own sacrifice, which brings us to a condition of reckoned righteousness, or "justification by faith." R5507:3, 5105:6, 3279:5; Q123:6; F103
The justified individual, compared to the Court, is able to have access by faith into the additional grace of presenting him body a living sacrifice. R4245:2*
Moses taught righteousness, and taught it by sanctions. He imparted righteous words and righteous motives; in addition to these, the Righteous One imparts righteous life--the power which embodies righteous words in righteous deeds. R1323:1*
The priests were obliged to wash themselves and put on new, clean linen garments before consecration to their office, representing justification. R3280:3
And sanctification – The term sanctification means set apart, consecrated or marked out for a holy use or purpose. God through Christ sets apart for a special share in his great plan "us"--the Church. R3280:3, 5507:4; E241; F121
By assisting in everything necessary to sanctification. They have the will to do, and as they have this will, so now Christ works in them a sanctified character in life. R5105:6; Q66:3
In that, through his merit, we are accepted as (reckonedly perfect) living sacrifices. E435
He is our teacher. We enter the school of Christ as pupils and need sanctification. Q124:2
Christ by God is made unto us sanctification--in that we could have no call and could experience no work of grace under the divine plan, except for Christ and the work he did for us. R3281:6
True sanctification of the heart to the Lord will mean diligence in his service, in declaring good news to others, in building up one another, in doing good to all men; increasing love to the Lord, to the brethren, to our families and to the world. F137
Our devotion should be as that of a maid to her mistress, or of soldiers to their officers, or of a dutiful child toward a beloved parent; swift to hear, quick to obey, not seeking our own wills, but the will of our Father in heaven. R3281:2
No one can be sanctified in God's sight, and in the Scriptural sense, unless he has first been justified or cleansed from all sin. R3280:3; F121
Many make the serious mistake of supposing that God is sanctifying the world, sanctifying sinners. R3280:3, 69:2*
Symbolized in the type by the consecration of Aaron and his sons in the priestly office--a consecration to sacrifice. F124
The sign of consecration or sanctification was the anointing with the holy oil, which symbolized the holy Spirit. R3280:4; F124
In the condition of the Holy of the Tabernacle, the Lord agrees to make all the experiences of the honest Christian to work in a way that they will have a sanctifying effect upon him. R4245:2*
And redemption – Greek: apolutrosis, deliverance, in that he will in due time deliver us; a setting free, "a loosing away." E435; R2262:5
In that the fact that he lives, who bought us with his precious blood, is the guarantee that we shall live also; that he will deliver his Church from the bondage of corruption, death. E435
Signifies the deliverance from sin or setting free of that which was acquired by the payment of a price--in the first resurrection. R3281:6, 3279:4, 5507:4, 5105:6; Q66:4
He who redeemed us with the sacrifice of his own life, gives us, as our Prophet or Teacher, wisdom, by his Gospel; as our Priest, he first justifies us and then sanctifies us; and finally, as King, he will fully deliver the faithful. R3281:6
Jesus is the one who calls all the saints from the sleep of death. (John 5:28) Q124:4
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| 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. |
Glorieth – Boasts. R1768:6*
Glory in the Lord – "Let him glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me." (Jer. 9:24) "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) R1919:6, 1920:1
This is the knowledge that does not puff up, the wisdom that cometh from above. The beginning of this wisdom is indeed the reverence of the Lord. R1919:6
If you have an eloquent tongue or other such gift, be sure to use it zealously. R1047:3
We have not the opportunity of even glorying in our faith--it is the gift of God. R5446:5
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