1 Corinthians 2:1-16
Thursday, 27 April 2023
“… But we have the mind of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 2:16
Apostle Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church has all the elements of the practice of Christianity amid constant problems and challenges one faces in personal, church and community life. Though Paul had spent about eighteen months after the inception of the church trying to build it on the foundation of Christ, several troubles brewed up after his leaving. The church was divided on many issues and Paul addressed them one by one in his letters.
Paul here exhorts the believers at Corinth and believers everywhere to model Jesus Christ whose life was one of humility and self-giving. Our key verse today summarizes it all, for the believer – have the mind of Christ! ‘Mind’ refers to the faculty of mental perception and of conscious life. Paul while exposing the folly of Gnostics (a group of false religious teachers who claimed some secret knowledge for special people), he reminds believers that those who belong to the Lord, have the mind of Christ. Christian life should be without pretense—both approachable and practical for common man. Paul in this portion is breaking the wall of religiosity and speaking about the pure and plain Christian character which has the distinct mark of humility. Paul’s life itself reflected the mind of Christ as we look at it from today’s reading:
◦ Spirit-filled message: Paul’s message and preaching was by the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power (Vs.4). He did not choose to impress people with persuasive speeches but impart to them Christ crucified whom he had experienced.
◦ Faith in the power of God: Paul’s faith rested not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (V.5). The basis of our faith is in the power of GOD! Our faith is in who He is and what He can do. Hebrews 11: 6 says, “…for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
◦ Speaking God’s wisdom revealed by the Spirit: Paul spoke the wisdom of God which was revealed to him by the Spirit of God working within him (Vs.6-12). That wisdom was Christ-the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor.1:24). Anyone who believes there is some mysterious wisdom to be searched and sought after (like the Gnostics) should understand what it says in Colossians 1:26-27: “the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
◦ Discernment through the Spirit: Paul being spiritual was able to discern/understand/judge all things (Vs.13-15)- this is spiritual discernment given by the Holy Spirit. Only a mind given to the Spirit of God can have such discernment while living in this world.
However, it is impossible for a person of the world to attain this humility! It is attained only by having the mind of Christ! 2 Peter 1:4 says we who are in Christ become “partakers of the divine nature.” The divine nature, which is the reflection of the “mind of Christ” is not acquired rather it is imparted and we partake in it. This is possible only if a person becomes one with Christ and maintains that position. Brothers and Sisters let us endeavor to have the mind of Christ! That’s the key to a successful Christian life!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, impart to me the mind of Christ that I may live a life pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.