Corinth was located in the midst of the Grecian world characterized by orators and philosophers. Rome had conquered the Grecian world, but its culture in some ways had not changed at all. This magnifies the importance of what Paul said in his first letter to this city. “I was determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). The power of the gospel to change the world is not determined by the skill of the messenger but in the truth of the message.
Dio Chrysostom lived from A.D. 40 until A.D. 110 and was a Greek historian and writer of the Roman world. Eighty of his discourses have been found and in one of them he describes the orators of his day. “They croak like frogs in a marsh; they are the most wretched of men, because, though ignorant, they think themselves wise; they are like peacocks, showing off their reputation and the number of their pupils as peacocks do their tails.”
his was the world into which Paul came to establish the kingdom of God in Corinth. He first entered the synagogue and “persuaded both Jews and Greeks…and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:4-5). His description of his preaching gives such insight into the importance of the message over the importance of the messenger. “My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:4-5). The results of this? “Many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8). His purpose was not to elevate any man above the cross, for no man had died for them nor had they been baptized in the name of any man (1 Cor. 1:13).
What happened when this humble apostle exalted Christ and Him crucified as he preached? While many of the Corinthians believed, most of them did not. How is it that some obeyed the gospel, but most did not? Look at how Paul described the Grecian world and its love for orators. “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). “Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:22-23).
Should the message be changed to convert more? Hear the words of Paul, “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise…not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise” (1 Cor. 1:26-27). The death of Jesus is foolishness to most, but to us it is the power of God. God help us to simply preach Christ and His message—not ours!
-Dan Jenkins
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