1 Corinthians 02

Cast mentioned in the chapter. Choose one or two and explain their role in the chapter.

Discussion Questions

Verses 1-4

1. Didn’t Paul debate and argue? See Acts 15:2-3, 18-19. 2 Timothy 4:2.
2. Is Paul’s approach his way of avoiding the subject? Being pig-headed? Closed minded?
3. What was his only topic? Shouldn’t he consider options and opinions? What might he miss out on?
4. How does Paul's approach to preaching challenge the way the gospel is sometimes presented today? Why is the message of the Cross seen as foolishness to those who are perishing?
5. How can you be determined yet in weakness, in fear and in much trembling? Was his weakness, in fear, and in much trembling because of illness, his thorn in the flesh, poor self-confidence, fear of persecution? Or the significance of his message?

Verses 6-8

6. What are the two kinds of wisdom? Can you give examples? Where do you get these forms of wisdom? Which kind does Paul want to share? How can we recognize and reject the wisdom of this age?
7. Reflect on the contrast between the spiritual and natural person. Where do you see these two types in your life? How can we ensure that our faith does not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God?
8. How does understanding spiritual truths affect our everyday decision-making?
9. What does it mean that the wisdom of God was hidden and predestined for our glory before time began? Had it been revealed? If so, when was it revealed?
10. What does he mean by the mature in Verse 8? See Ephesians 4:13. 1 Corinthians14:20. Philippians 3:15.

Verses 9-11

11. How do you share the wisdom described in verse 9? How does it get communicated?
12. 12.Where did the message of the Bible come from? Why is it superior to any other religion? See Isaiah 64:4.
13. 13.So how did it happen that you have this wisdom? Why you? See John 14:26. Ephesians 3:5. Romans 11:33-36.
14. 14.Who knows you best? Who knows God best? How does anyone come to know God? How well can you know God?
15. 15.How was the Spirit’s power demonstrated in Corinth — and in you?
16. 16.Is this revelation of wisdom meant for this life or only for heaven?

Verses 12-14

17. 17.What has God given you now you have the Spirit who is from God? 
18. 18.What is special about the wisdom God has given you? Is this what Paul was preaching?
19. 19.Why is it hard to explain your faith to non-Christians? How do they respond to the gospel? See 1 Corinthians 1:18. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.
20. 20.What do they need in order to understand the gospel? How does this affect your prayers? See Colossians 1:9. How can we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God's wisdom to us?
21. 21.What does this chapter teach about the role of the Holy Spirit in understanding Scripture and God's will. How can we rely more on the Spirit's power and less on human wisdom in our personal life?

Verses 15-16

22. 22.Do these verses apply to you? How might they apply to you? Have you put them into practice? See John 16:13-16. John 15:15. Isaiah 40:13.
23. 23.What does it mean and what’s it like to have the mind of Christ.?

Other questions

24. How does this chapter challenge the world's understanding of wisdom and power?
25. How can we cultivate spiritual discernment?
26. How can the wisdom from the Spirit help us navigate current societal issues?
27. How can we apply the lessons of this chapter to our interactions with non-believers?
28. How can believers stand firm in God's wisdom amidst a culture that values human wisdom?
29. How does this chapter enrich your understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the deep things of God?

Cross references.

Verse 1:

1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 2:13
And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

1 John 5:11-13
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Verse 2:

Galatians 6:14

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

1 Corinthians 1:22-25
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Verse 3:

2 Corinthians 13:4
For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

1 Corinthians 4:10-13
We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum

Verse 4:

Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

2 Peter 1:16
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Verse 5:

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Verse 6:

James 3:15
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Verse 7:

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

Verse 8:

Acts 13:27
For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.

Verse10:

John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Verse 11:

Romans 11:33-34
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

Verse12:

1 John 2:27
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Verse 14:

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:5-8
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Verse 15:

Ephesians 1:13-14
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 6:1-3
If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 

1 Kings 3:9-11
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself

Verse 16:

John 16:13-16
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”