section :
1:10-1:17
problem :
factionalism/divisions
solution :
1:10 : 'you all agree', 'there be no divisions', 'be of the same mind and
the same judgement'
section :
1:18 - 2:16
problem :
preferring the wisdom and status of the world to that of god
solution :
1:25 : god is smarter then men (wisdom)
1:27,27 : remember that you don't have any worldly status anyways...
2:7,8 : understand the foolishness of men
2:10 - 2:16 : recognizing the true wisdom they have in god,
status is also dealt with more directly in 4 (humility section)
section :
3:1 - 3:23
problem :
warnings to 'leaders'
v.13 "the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work" -
he then declares that the result will be tested...
v.16,17 "if any man destroys the temple of god, god will destroy him" -
comparison to the temple shows the seriousness of the church
v.18 "if any man...thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish"
direct warnings against pride...indicates the presence of pride...
solution :
1. recognize that god is responsible for growth within the church
v.7 "god who causes the growth"
2. warnings about the temple in 16,17 should make us work with fear
3. "if any thinks he is wise, let him become foolish so that he may become wise"
renouce the wisdom of this world in favor of god's wisdom (where they conflict)
section :
4:1 - 4:5
problem :
accusation of bad motive's (against paul)
v.3 speaks of being accused by them, v.5 commands them to forgo passing
judgement (without evidence)
solution :
v.5 - "therefore do not go on passing judgement before the time.." (no evidence)
section :
4:18 - 4:21
problem :
arrogance -> rejecting leadership; flat out rebellion
solution :
fix it or else
(working backwards...)
humility
after paul's list of responses to hardship/persecution, he exhorts them
to "imitate me" (v.16)
when reviled, bless
when persecuted, endure
when slandered, try to conciliate
we posses and must align ourselves with the wisdom of god
3:18 "if any man thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may
become wise"
2:12 "now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from god,
that we might know the things freely given to us by god"
1:30 "by his doing you are in christ jesus, who became to us wisdom from god"
(and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption)
"sanctified", "called", etc...
v.2 "to those who have been sanctified"
v.2 "saints by calling"
v.4 - 8