The Spirit's Wisdom

 I Corinthians 2:1-12, the Second Reading for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany in the Year of Mark, is a continuation of last week's reading when St. Paul lays out his argument that true wisdom comes through knowing the crucified Christ.  This week that theme continues, but with the inclusion of the Spirit.  This theological text will be a challenge for the preacher, but with the Spirit's help, the good news can be heard.

(The following questions have been developed to lift up the function of the Word in the text, a fundamental concern of Law and Gospel preachers.  These questions are best used with other sets of questions available to exegetes which have other concerns.  For more on this particular method or on Law and Gospel preaching in general, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)

1.  How does the Word function in the text?  We notice immediately that the Apostle Paul is telling about his practice of proclamation.  By the middle of the text, however, the subject is God, and we learn of God's intent to reveal to God's people "secret and hidden" wisdom by means of the Spirit. This is the Word functioning as Gospel, assuring us of God's good work on our behalf.

2.  How is the Word not functioning in the text?  The Word does not function in this text directly as Law. That is to say, there is no call to repentance, or a  lifting up of the hearers' need for a Savior.  What is lifted up is the utter ignorance of the "rulers of this age" who crucified the Lord of glory.

3.  With whom are you identifying in the text?  We rightly identify with those to whom the Word is spoken, in this case, those who have received the Spirit of God.  It might be prudent, however, to also consider how like the "rulers of this age" we are prone to be.

4.  What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text?  There is not an explicit call to obedience here but an implied one:  in your proclamation, do not depend on human wisdom, but on the power of God.

5.  What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text?  We can take a number of terms from this text and construct couplets that might prove helpful in our sermon strategy.  Some suggestions:  perishable wisdom/lasting wisdom; hidden/revealed; spirit of the world/Spirit of God.

6.  Exegetical work:  Richard Hays, in his fine commentary, lifts up the irony that Paul begins by talking about how human wisdom is of no help in knowing the ways of God, and then in verse 6 says that "among the mature we do speak wisdom."  Hays argues that Paul is writing this way in response to criticism that he was "not much of a teacher, because he did not instruct them in the niceties of wisdom.  He responds  that, as a matter of fact, he actually does teach wisdom among the mature.  The Corinthians can draw their own conclusions."  This is a rhetorical trap, says Hays. (Interpretation series, First Corinthians, pp. 41-47).

7.  How does the Crossings Community model work with this text?  Michael Hoy, in his analysis, lifts up the trap of following worldly wisdom, in contrast to the life-giving nature of following the Crucified Christ.  Worldly wisdom and Spirit-led wisdom form the Law/Gospel couplet.  See the entire analysis at crossings.org/text-study.

Blessings on your proclamation!