Speech without Enticing Words 1 Corinthians 2:4

Paul the apostle “determined not to know any thing among” the Corinthians “save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”, and he “was with” them “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling”. In chapter two and verse four of First Corinthians, Paul continued his letter by sharing how his “speech and preaching was not with enticing words” where we read:

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom,

but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

The verse begins, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom,...” Paul began with the words, “And my speech” which means “Paul's utterance, decree and mandate that embodied a conception or idea” “and my preaching” or “Paul's proclamation, herald and cry” “was not with enticing” which means “wasn't with persuasive” “words” or “speech, utterance, decree and mandate that embodied a conception or idea” “of man's wisdom” which refers to “broad and full of intelligence, knowledge of very diverse matters and skill in management of affairs” which are common to human beings or mankind. Paul did not use “persuasive” language or “proclamation” to convince the people in Corinth concerning the “gospel of Jesus Christ”.

The verse goes on to say, “... but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”. 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 “in demonstration” or “in making manifest, showing and proof” “of the Spirit” or “of the the third person of the triune God who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “and of power” which means “of strength and ability for performing miracles”. Rather than Paul's “persuasive” words in “speech and preaching”, the Holy Spirit of God “showed and proved” the “gospel” about which Paul spoke.

When we think through these words from Paul, we notice the source of the “real power” of sharing the “gospel of Jesus Christ” is “the Holy Spirit”. Zechariah chapter four and verse six says, “This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”, and God always backs His “good news” with His “power” rather than “man's” convincing words. When we share the “gospel of Jesus Christ” we should remember, God's “power” through His Holy Spirit, is the greatest “persuader” of all, and nothing we add or take away will be more effective than He. Charles Spurgeon concerning the scripture said, “his aim was simply to “unleash the lion”, and when we share the “gospel” with others who do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit of God will be “demonstrating with power” the authenticity of the message.

Next time Paul shares how he desired for the church members' “faith” not to “stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power 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.

Paul in Weakness, Fear and Trembling 1 Corinthians 2:3

When Paul the apostle came to Corinth, he “determined not to know any thing among” them, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”, and in chapter two and verse three of First Corinthians, Paul the apostle continued his letter by sharing how he was among the Corinthians “in weakness, fear and trembling” where we read:

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

The verse begins, “And I was with you in weakness,...” Paul began with the words, “And I” which means “and Paul the apostle” “was with you” which means “Paul was near and among the Corinthians” “in weakness” or “in want of strength, infirmity and frailty”. Paul did not enter Corinth in “strength or power” but in “infirmity and frailty”.

The verse continues, “... and in fear, and in much trembling.”. Paul added the words, “and in fear” or “and in exceeding dread, terror and reverence” “and in much” which means “and in plenteous and abundant” “trembling” which means “quaking with fear”. In addition to being with the Corinthians in “weakness”, Paul also entered among them with “exceeding reverence” and “quaking”.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we may be able to imagine how “humbly” Paul entered to share with the Corinthians. Rather than exercising his “power and authority” as an “apostle of Jesus Christ”, Paul came to the Corinthians with “infirmity, reverence and quaking”. We might wonder why? Paul desired for the people of Corinth to exalt Jesus Christ and not himself. God Almighty and Jesus Christ were to receive the “glory” for the plan of Salvation, not Paul, and when he approached them with “Christ crucified” he did so in a manner that should be emulated by all who share the “good news” of Jesus Christ.

Next time Paul shares how his“speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”, 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.

Jesus Christ and Him Crucified 1 Corinthians 2:2

As Paul the apostle continued his letter to the Corinthian church, he told them when he came to Corinth he did not come to them “with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto” them “the testimony of God.” In chapter two and verse two of First Corinthians, Paul the apostle continued his letter by sharing how he “determined not to know anything” among the Corinthians except “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” where we read:

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

The verse begins, “For I determined not to know any thing among you,...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “I determined” which means “Paul chose, esteemed, resolved and decreed” “not to know” or “not to see, perceive, notice, discern or discover” “any thing” which means “any certain one” “among you” or “by or with the Corinthian church members”. There was one “certain thing” Paul “resolved” to “perceive and discover” among the church members.

The verse goes on to say, “... save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”. Paul continued with the word, “save” or “but or except” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” or “the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of God”, “and him” which refers to “Jesus Christ” “crucified” or “driven down with stakes and palisade”. Paul purposed not to share anything other than “Jesus Christ crucified” with the people of Corinth.

When we consider these words from Paul, we realize how he determined not to share anything other than the “simple” “gospel” of Jesus Christ with the Corinthians. Jesus Christ came to the earth, live sinless as a man, was crucified for man's sins and rose again on the third day after His death. Now all a person has to do to obtain “eternal salvation” is to believe, which means “to rely upon, trust in and cling to”, Jesus Christ. Paul knew this to be the truth, and this was the message of salvation he shared from God. Perhaps we should learn from Paul when we share with others concerning the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, and allow the power of the “gospel” to penetrate their hearts and minds.

Next time Paul shares how he appeared before the Corinthian church in “weakness, fear and trembling”, 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.

Not with Excellency of Speech 1 Corinthians 2:1

The church in Corinth was divided between people who were relying upon their favorite teachers such as “Paul, Cephas and Apollos” rather than Jesus Christ. Paul the apostle shared with the Corinthian church members how they were to “glory in the Lord” for His provision for their salvation and not in “wisdom, strength and position” within the world. In chapter two and verse one of First Corinthians, Paul the apostle continued his letter by sharing how he “came not with excellency of speech” as he “declared the testimony of God” where we read:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

The verse begins, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom,...” Paul began with the words, “And I” which means “and Paul the apostle”, “brethren” which refers to “fellow believers who are united to one another by the bond of affection” “when I came” which means “when Paul arose, showed forth and made his public appearance” “to you” or to the Corinthian church, “came not” which means “did not appear and arise” “with excellency” or “with elevated, preeminent and superior” “of speech” which means “utterance,decree, mandate or order which embodies a conception or idea” “or of wisdom” which means “broad and full of intelligence, knowledge of very diverse matters and skill in management of affairs”. When Paul came to Corinth to share the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, he did not use “elevated” or “sophisticated” words or “intellectual knowledge”.

The verse continues, “... declaring unto you the testimony of God.”. Paul added the word, “declaring” or “announcing, promulgating, proclaiming publicly, publishing and reporting” “unto you” which means “the Corinthian church members” “the testimony” or “evidential witness” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit. When Paul came to Corinth, he “publicly proclaimed” the “evidential witness” of Almighty God.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see how he desired to remind the Corinthians of the way he came to them. He did not use “elevated words” or worldly “wisdom” when he declared the “witness” “of God”. The “gospel of Jesus Christ” is meant to be simple and available to everyone, and the “witness of God” shared by Paul to the Corinthians should be an example of the way we should share about Jesus with others. Let us learn from Paul, and simply share the “gospel” simply.

Next time Paul shares how his sole message before the Corinthian church was “Jesus Christ, and him crucified”, 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.

Glory in the Lord 1 Corinthians 1:31

As Paul the apostle continued to share how the church in Corinth should be unified rather than divided, he showed the superiority of Jesus Christ who was the “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption” of God. God's idea was to use the “foolish, weak, base and despised things of the world to confound the mighty and bring to nothing the things that are”. This was so “no flesh should glory” in God's “presence”, and in chapter one and verse thirty-one of First Corinthians, Paul continued his letter by quoting scripture where it says, “He that glories, let him glory in the Lord” where we read:

That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.

The verse begins, “That, according as it is written, ...” Paul began with the word, “That” which means “In order and so that”, “according as” which means “just as, in proportion, in degree, when and after that” “as it is written” which means “what Paul is about to declare is expressed in written characters for those things which stand in the sacred books of the Old Testament”. Paul refers to the Old Testament scriptures as he begins to make his concluding statement about God's provision in Jesus Christ.

The verse goes on to say, “... He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.”. Paul continued with the words, “He that glories” which is the Greek word “kauchaomai” or “the person who vaunts, boasts, joys and rejoices”“let him glory” which again is the Greek word “kauchaomai”which means “vaunt, boast, joy and rejoice” “in the Lord” which means “in he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Paul referred to Jeremiah chapter nine and verses twenty-three thru twenty-four as he exhorted the Corinthian church members to give “glory” or “honor, praise and worship” to “the Lord” for His awesome salvation plan for man.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see where we should place our “glory” as well. “The Lord” deserves all “glory”, honor, praise and adulation for His great plan to save us. Jesus Christ, and His crucifixion, was “foolish” in the world's eyes, but it was used by God to provide forgiveness of sins and eternal life for all who believe. Let us give “praise and honor” to God Almighty and Jesus Christ His Son for their marvelous work of salvation provided for all mankind.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Paul tell the Corinthian church he “came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto” the people in Corinth “the testimony 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.

The Spectators

While journey south I cast my eyes

toward upward glance in gray filled skies

when all at once a random scene

twas tower full of black bird wings

Those crows of height were looking down

their skel'tal perch on traffic sound

the cars the trucks sped quickly by

so far beneath the foul wing high

When overheard their screeching sounds

with much critique they did abound

with views did they begin to say

their judgment now upon display

Why drive like that they questioned there

Why did they turn we're unaware

Why drive so fast they had to know

Why drive that junk so very slow

That ugly car they laughed in glee

the hot rod known for all its speed

the sporty ride made all to stand

the soccer mom in Caravan

And one by one their statements made

cast each black bird a prideful spade

for spectators doth only be

judges of speech completely free

Till one observed with introspect

not one of us doth have respect

we not but one doth drive a car

we only watch from distant far

With much excuse they made their cry

for plenty be the reasons why

they not involved in traffic way

most anyone would know their sway

So quiet 'pon their perch they sat

for moment thought 'bout this and that

deciding then they liked their spot

returned to screeching from their lot

In Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 1:30

God, according to the apostle Paul, chose “foolish, weak, base and despised things of the world” not only to “confound the things that are mighty” but also to “bring to nothing things that are”. God gave opportunity for “no flesh to glory in his presence”, and in chapter one and verse thirty of First Corinthians, Paul the apostle continued his letter by declaring, “of him are you in Christ Jesus” where we read:

But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,

and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

The verse begins, “But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,...” Paul began with the word, “But” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “of him” which refers to “from and by God” “are you” which refers to “the church members in Corinth” “in Christ” or “with and under the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of God” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “who of God” which means “that by the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “is made” or “has become, happened and come to pass” “unto us wisdom” which means “toward Paul and the Corinthian church members broad and full of intelligence and having knowledge in very diverse matters”. God Almighty made it possible for the church members to be “in Christ Jesus” who was shown to be the “wisdom” of God.

The verse goes on to say, “...and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”. Paul continued with the words, “and righteousness” or “and the state of him who is as he ought to be and the condition which is acceptable to God”, “and sanctification” which means “and consecration and purification”, “and redemption” or “deliverance and liberation procured by the payment of a ransom”. Jesus has been demonstrated the “condition acceptable to God, purification and liberation procured by the payment of a ransom” which was His blood. Not only was Jesus the “wisdom” of God, but He also demonstrated the “condition”, “purification” and “liberation” which is acceptable to God.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how Jesus has become everything we need in order to relate to God. Jesus became “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption” for all who belong to “Christ Jesus”, and this way is available to everyone who believes in Jesus' death and resurrection for their sins. Man's conventional way of thinking is dismissed because it is inadequate, so Jesus came to be what man could never be on his own. Let us realize that Jesus has become all we will ever need to have a personal relationship with God.

Next time Paul quotes the phrase, “He that glories, let him glory in the Lord”, 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.