As
Paul the apostle continued to contrast the “spirit
of the world”
versus “the spirit of God”,
he told the Corinthians by knowing “God's
wisdom” he
and his companions knew “the things
that are freely given to”
them “of God”.
In chapter two and verse thirteen of First
Corinthians, Paul the apostle continued his letter by sharing how he
and his companions spoke “not in the
words which man's wisdom teaches...but in the Holy Ghost's”
where we read:
Which
things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches,
but
which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual.
The
verse begins, “Which
things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom
teaches,...” Paul
began with the words, “Which things”
which means
“that” “also”
or “even and indeed” “we speak”
which means “Paul and his companions uttered, emitted a sound,
told and disclosed”, “not in the
words”
which refers to “not in the speech or utterance which embodies a
conception or idea” “which man's”
or “human's” “wisdom” which
means “broad and full of intelligence, knowledge of very diverse
matters and skills in management of affairs” “teaches”
or “instructed teachings or precepts”. Paul and those with him
did not share concerning the “gospel” according to the “wisdom”
of “man's teaching”.
The
verse goes on to say, “...but
which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual.”. Paul
continued with the word, “but”
which is a
disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written
takes precedence over what was just stated “which
the Holy Ghost” which
refers to “the most Holy One who is the third person of the triune
God who is coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son”
“teaches”
or “instructed teachings or precepts” “comparing”
which means “joining fitly, compounding, combining and
interpreting” “spiritual things”
or “supernatural, regenerate and religious things” “with
spiritual”
which means “supernatural, regenerate and religious things”.
Rather than employing “man's wisdom” in teaching, Paul and his
companions spoke “spiritually”
through the “Holy Spirit”.
When
we think through these words from Paul, we understand how the
“wisdom” of man is limited, and therefore, he and his
companions shared from a “supernatural” standpoint. Jesus Christ
came to save people “spiritually”, “eternally” and
relationally, and without the work of the “Holy Ghost”,
the effort to save them is always inadequate. Man's “wisdom”
could never save him “eternally”, so Paul shared according to
that “which the Holy Ghost teaches”. We are wise to
remember, the “Holy Spirit” of God can do more in a few
seconds to bring a person to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
than we can do in years. Let us “compare” “spiritual things
with spiritual”, and let the “Holy Spirit” do what
He does best – convict people unto salvation.
Next
time Paul shares how the“natural
man receives not the things of the spirit of God”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment