1:18 - 2:16 the cross vs. man's "wisdom"
1:18 - 1:25 foolishness of the message
1:26 - 1:31 humble status of the believers
2:1 - 2:5 paul's weakness and humility when he was among them
2:6 - 2:16 the true wisdom of god
intro : elements/vocabulary pulled from 'mystery' religions and gnosticism
I - god's wisdom; a hidden surprise
A. the reality of god's wisdom
1. after decrying "man's wisdom", paul identifies true wisdom
2. compare human wisdom with god's wisdom
B. the wisdom as hidden and not understood by men/rulers (those with status)
1. god's wisdom must be revealed (it can't be found)
C. the wisdom as better than imaginable
D. christ as the center of wisdom
1. what is the wisdom? christ, and him crucified
2. who are the rulers? demons or humans?
II - god's wisdom; revealed to us through the spirit
A. the wisdom is only known by the spirit
B. the wisdom is only revealed by the spirit
C. the wisdom is shared by men
III - god's wisdom; denied by natural man
A. natural man denies the spirit
B. spiritual man is subject to the spirit