Foolishness and Impotence Unveiled

 I Corinthians 1:13-25 is a grand text, one of the great statements of the theology of the Cross to be found in Paul's writing.  It is appointed as the Second Reading for the 3rd Sunday in Lent in the Year of Mark, matched with the Johannine account of Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem.  It is clearly a Law and Gospel text, albeit the Law is more evident. The preacher will need to provide a clear word of both in the proclamation.

(The following questions are meant to get at a fundamental concern for Law and Gospel preachers, i.e. how is the Word functioning in the text?  This is important to establish since the sermon preached must reflect this intent.  These questions are part of a larger method which can be accessed in my brief guide to Law and Gospel preaching, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)

1.  How does the Word function in the text?  From the verses immediately preceding this text we see that disunity is a huge issue in Corinth and Paul is trying to address this.  Apparently there are Jewish believers who are insisting that signs of power are essential to faith, and Gentile believers who are insisting that worldly wisdom is essential.  To both, Paul says, "Stop!  We proclaim Christ Crucified."  The Word functions, then, primarily as Law, announcing the need for repentance.

2.  How is the Word not functioning in the text?  The Word is not functioning as Gospel in a robust way here, although there is a mention of it twice.  In the opening line we hear, "The message about the cross...is the power of God [to us who are being saved]."  Similarly in verse 24 we hear that Christ is "the power of God and the wisdom of God [to those who are called]."  So amidst the overall call to repentance we have this brief announcement of the promise of God through Christ Crucified.

3.  With whom are you identifying in the text?  We do well to identify with those who have been seduced by signs and wisdom.  The 21st century and the first century have much in common here since we are just as likely as the residents of Corinth to continue to believe that finally what matters to God is power and wisdom, not taking up the Cross of Christ.

4.  What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text?  This text is a pure call to faith, a call to reject voices other than that of the Crucified One.  This is not the call to obedience.  Exodus 20:1-17, the First Reading appointed for today, in which we hear the 10 Commandments, is an excellent example of a call to obedience.

5.   What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text?  There are number of couplets which come right out of this text.  They are:  foolishness/wisdom; perishing/being saved; weakness/strength.

6.  Exegetical work:  In Luther's short preface to this letter he makes clear what is creating the disunity in the congregation at Corinth: "The desire to be wise and the pretense of cleverness in the gospel are the very things that really give offense and hinder the knowledge of Christ and God, and create disturbances and contentions.  This clever wisdom and reason can well serve to make for nothing but mad saints and wild Christians.  Yet such people can never know our Lord Christ, unless they first become fools again and humbly let themselves be taught and led by the simple word of God."  (Luther's Works, vol. 35, p. 382).  4th century commentator, Ambrosiaster, gives us a summary of how Christ can function in the life of the believer:  "When Jews believe in Christ, they understand that he is the power of God. When Greeks believe in him, they understand that he is the wisdom of God.  He is God's power because the Father does everything through him.  He is God's wisdom because God is known through him."  (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, vol. VII, p. 15).  Similarly, St. Chrysostom, also writing in the 4th century, said, "The gospel produces the exact opposite of what people want and expect, but it is the very fact which persuades them to accept it in the end." (Ibid.).  An extensive commentary on this passage can be found in Kittel's discussion of 'sophia' in his theological dictionary.  Here is an excerpt:  "Even though the Corinthians laid wordy emphasis on the fact that it was God's wisdom which had made them wise, Paul deflates the catch-word of his opponents by calling it worldly wisdom and he dismisses the spirituality which they claimed as a 'carnal' existence.  For who God is and what He has done, God Himself has revealed only in the event of the cross, which to the Gnostic self-understanding can seem only folly and weakness (1:23)." (Theological Dictionary of the NT, vol. VII, p. 520).  I would recommend Kittel's entire article on Paul's understanding of 'sophia'. (p. 517-522).

7.  How does the Crossings Community model work with this text?  An analysis by James Squire entitled "God's Foolishness Trumps Human Wisdom" hits the nail on the head.  In this succinct analysis Paul's use of the Law is clear in its calling out false wisdom and power.  Similarly the analysis shows how Christ is the power and wisdom of God.  Go to crossings.org/text-study to see the entire analysis archived under its reference.

Blessings on your proclamation!