I have never posted before so please forgive my blundering.
I am currently engaged in a study of 1 Corinthians 1:26-3, where
Paul concludes, to an extent, his opening remarks. In so doing I
came across a few things that gave rise to the following questions
and observations. Bear in mind this is sermon research and not
exegesis, so I have not yet plumb the depths, and these represent
some ad. hoc. observations. Most center around comparing similar
terms.
1. (By way of introduction) Paul does not speak against wisdom per
se, but only against the kind of wisdom that seems to be puffing up
the minds of the Corinthians themselves, "wisdom according to the
flesh" (KATA SARKA). There is an apparent contrast between the
wisdom of God and of the flesh, even though to the flesh God's
wisdom is foolishness and a stumbling block to the Jews. This is
further born out by the APO THEOU when speaking of Christ as Wisdom,
and seems to draw deliberate contrast with respect to KATA SARKA.
2. Then there are the obvious comparisons between the wise (SOPHOI)
and foolish (MWRA), the weak (ASTHENH) and the strong (HISCHURA), the
base (AGENH)and the despised (EXOUTHENOMETHA) andthe noble
(EUGENEIS), things that are (TA ONTA) and things that are not (TA MH
ONTA)
3. In this general melieu how do you read the apparent
similarities...
a. Between the uses of HINA and HOPWS? It seems to me that
HOPWS, functioning as a conj. expresses the anticipated outcome of
God's foreordination, whereas HINA expresses purpose of deliberate
intent on God's part.
b. Do you think that the use of the synonyms KATAISCHUNHi and
KATARGHSHi has a similarity in meaning because their proxmity in the
context, so that to "shame" the wise and strong means more in the
order of "to frustrate" or "disappoint" them, especially since
KATARGHSHi seems to mean "to render useless"?
c. Realising that in the apostles train of thought the three nouns
used to describe the sufficiency of Christ are linked to one another,
in you opinions is there a more tangible link between the nouns
DIKIAOSUNH and HAYIOSMOS expressed by the enclitic particle TE?
If so, does that at the same time express a link in the concepts of
righteousness and holiness; of course they naturally compliment
one another, it seems to me.
What is the distinction between them? The concept of righteousness in
OT, indeed in the Bible as whole, has more attached to it than the purely
forensic. Holiness or sanctification, it would seem, implies legal
justification before God as well as moral purity ("Without holiness no
man shall see God..." Heb. 12:14)
4. The NIV seems to indicate that the three nouns used to describe
the nature of Christ's sufficiency are, for want of a better and
more technical way to put it, a further explanation of Christ as the
Wisdom of God. In other words, if I read correctly, that Christ
being made the Wisdom of God to us invloves righteousness,
sanctification and redemption. The text seems to bear this out by
the apparent subordination of the HOS EGENHTHH SOPHIA... to EN
CHRISTWi IHSOU, followed by the three nouns. Would this not tend to
confirm my earlier observ. that one of Paul's major points is to
compare the wisdom that was so attractive to the Corinthians and the
true, necessary, efficacious and sufficient wisdom of God, which as
it turns out, is personified in Christ, and to which we have access
because we are in Christ? If they are to receive wisdom, let them
find true wisdom there! What do you think of the NIV's construction
here?
It has just struck me as I was writing that the TE may provide a
loose link of the three nouns to wisdom and may not in fact have anything to
do with a link between righteousness and sanctification...
Now I recognise that I am out of my depth and drowning! How about
throwing out a flotation device!
Paul F. Evans
Pastor
Thunder Swamp P. H. Church
North Carolina
evans@mail.gld.com
(Endeavouring to make use of NT Greek in a real live ministry!)
Paul F. Evans
Pastor
Thunder Swamp P. H. Church
North Carolina
evans@mail.gld.com
(Endeavouring to make use of NT Greek in a real live ministry!)