Tag: Corinthians

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 9

Posted on by Christy Petty

8:9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

 

These first few lines I think are linked to 8, remember this is all one letter, Paul is not writing chapter and verse, he is writing a letter.  9 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? Paul does not have to ‘abide’ to man rules or superstition, because he is ‘Free’ a believer, his salvation is not based on pleasing of man, he is making this point to say- I do ‘comply’ to the weakness of these people because it doesn’t matter, it is not a MY way versus THEIR way.  2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Here I wonder also if Paul is not answering another question from the Corinthians? 3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? I think now Paul is moving on to make some more points, using the previous as the way to approach.  6 Or is it only Barnabas and Iwho have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?  It sounds like Paul is defending their being able to receive pay, expenses, meals, gifts, on their mission. 

8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses,“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.”  Let the ox eat as he works, benefit from his efforts. Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. God did not tell us this in his word to make sure the ox were treated humanely, it was an analogy.  11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? The Corinthians should share, and allow the missionaries to receive. Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. Paul does not ask for pay, nor demand it, or set a fee. If they did then people may not hear, because they only see this as a business for Paul- i.e. televangelists.  13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, Priests and such ate the offerings given to temple and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. Paul deserves to benefit, but he does not take, so that it does not take away from the teaching of God, in people’s eyes. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! Paul preaches Gods word because GOD has him do it, the spirit leads him to, it is not because he wants the credit or pay.   17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. If Paul does his ministry for THE pay it no longer a ministry, but a job.  18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ[ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.  Paul is not saying don’t give to us, he already said others receive and God even says to give to the ‘ox’ , what he is saying he does not set a ‘price’ to his work, an hourly charge, he gives the gospel free, and IF someone should want to give to him that is to give to him, because he asked for it.9 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; Paul is not ’employed’ to anyone, nor slave to anyone. He does not HAVE to comply to any persons wishes, he chose to be a servant of God, and thus putting himself in the place to serve all mankind.  20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law,[c] that I might win those who are under the law; Paul takes on his ‘Jewishness’ in order to relate to Jew’s , to present the gospel so they may hear.  21 to those who are without law,  as without law Paul does NOT abide to Jewish law for the sake of the ‘Jews’, not a slave to it. He is not entangled by the law, so he can speak with those who are not ‘Jewish’.(not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), The law is still ‘obeyed’ because it is still what is desired by God, that we be ‘morally correct’. We obey the law not to be ‘saved’ but because we are saved. that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. This is what he spoke of before of those afraid to eat certain foods, ‘weak’ in faith, he does not lord over them, I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Paul ‘uses’ all the experiences, knowledge, God gave him so he can relate to those he presents the Gospel to  That I may save SOME, Paul does NOT say ALL.  23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.  Paul does this, gospel giving with no pay, because he wants salvation for all, not just himself. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Here in this world, only 1st place wins.  Run in such a way that you may obtain it. When you race you race to win 1st place, live your life as a believer, so you can reach, win, that 1st place.  25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.When a ‘runner’ in a race you are conditioned, you train, you eat correctly, you live ‘right’, in order to win Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown,In the world we get a trophy, it gets dusty and rusty and eventually sold in garage sale. but we for an imperishable crown. We believers are racing for a trophy that does not go away, ever.    26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Run, live your life with the certainty of knowing you will/have obtained that crown. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  Paul hits his mark, not a swing miss, he knows what he battles; sin, enemies of the gospel, evil27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. This is reasoning of why Paul strives to not cause others to stumble, to put his needs aside, to humble himself, to abide to the law (not for sake of law but Christ) so that those who he preaches gospel to, are not blinded by his ‘sins’ and they miss their mark, because of him.  Paul says ‘discipline my body’, Paul has to make himself do correctly, even Paul, an apostle, one so obviously ‘chosen’ by God to preach the word, he has to discipline himself to do, what he should. Paul is practicing what he just preached he is showing the weak he too is weak. 
Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 8

Posted on by Christy Petty

8 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.  My thought is Paul is going through the letter from the Corinthians, asking him what to do about these things happening with us…We don’t know what they said, nor the context, but it looks like from Paul’s response and reprimands previously those asking are trying to find fault in others within their body. They are using their ‘knowledge’ their prestige, what they are proud of in themselves as the reason to point out what others are doing wrong. Paul, I believe, begins this way, “Knowledge puffs up, love edifies’ because of this. This is a reprimand to their attitude behind the question.  Paul is letting them know if you are sure you know it all, above the others, then you are not doing for God, out of love. God knows who loves him, God knows what is truly the desires of the heart. 

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, Paul continues to answer the question, because it deserves a response even though they were asking for the wrong reason. we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. An idol is nothing, even if a man says it is, it still is nothing.  5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), man has made up a lot of things to worship wood ones and pretend Zeus, etc.  6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. For US, Paul and those he answers the question to KNOW there is only one God.

7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; some who are now believers for some, with consciousness of the idol, Those who in the past believed in this idol, who thought it to be important. Maybe like a catholic today who rubs their beads? until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. Some may not know any better, they are caught up in the past misconception.We do know that eating something or not, rubbing the beads or not, has nothing to do with our belief in God, nor his acceptance of us. 

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? You who ‘young’ believers look up to know that idol food is not a bad thing, but they still do. If they see you it causes them to wonder, to question your walk, your integrity, then theirs.  11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. You know this causes those younger, confusion, that they think idol offered food is evil, yet you do eat in front of them, maybe to taunt them? 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. Paul then says, go the extra mile basically, instead of causing turmoil for and with the weaker brother. 

If a friend is a recovered alcoholic you should not ask them to a wine tasting party, he could abstain, but how much fun will he have watching everyone else? . If your sister is gluten intolerant you would not plan her birthday at Johnny Corinos, even though they do have a couple of gluten free meals to offer, the bread will still be there. How is that a special treat for her, take her to Outback who even has a GF dessert to offer. If your neighbor believes that her prayers are heard by her praying with her prayer beads in her hands, or if she wears red shoes on her hands, you should not tell her differently, this could be how she ready’s her heart and mind for God,.  WE know he hears either way, but she needs know too!

Paul, I, all of us that believe;there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live, are WE. We believe that God’s word, the Bible from Genesis 1:1 through Revelations 22:21 is the Truth, every word, today, yesterday and tomorrow. If WE deviate from the Truth ANY at all, we cause someone to stumble. If we change the gospel to exclude anyone or to include everyone, we cause someone to stumble. If WE decide our interpretation of the word is more loving and more accepting, and fits this world better, than what God really said, we cause someone to stumble. If WE decide punishment/consequences/ for sins and disobedience is just to harsh, we cause someone to stumble. If WE decide we have more knowledge than God, we cause someone to stumble, and WE ALL FALL DOWN

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1Corinthians 5

Posted on by Christy Petty

4:14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

I feel like 4:14 -20 are the ‘pre’ of 5 as well as the post of before 4;14. Paul has been telling the Corinthians of their pride, their arrogance, their being immature. He says he is not telling them all of this to embarass or hurt them, but toI help as a father giving instruction to a child would. This whole letter is reprimand. I think Paul is working up to  5.

5 It is actually reported The puffed up may not of expected the news to reach Paul of this.   that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named[a]among the Gentiles Jewish peoples thought themselves better than the Gentiles, so this is a bit of an insult—that a man has his father’s wife! My assumption is this is a step mother, or I think Paul would have said ‘his mother‘.  2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. This person must be Jewish, probably of high standing, because of the previous pride talk. It seems because of prestige this person is above reproach.  3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. Paul judged this person wrong. Paul judged. We CAN judge wrong, and the person who does wrong and still be ‘Christian’. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Do not allow one to be in sin and condone it, tell a brother he is in sin, so he can repent. How many times do we over look a sin, an abomination in God’s eyes, because it easier, to be kind to the sinner, to be compassionate? Have you thought that that ‘turning a blind eye’ could actually condemn a person? That lying to someone about  The Truth could keep them from eternity with Christ?

6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened.  I see this as for an individual and as a group of believers. We can not have a ‘little’ sin in our lives, in our congregation. A little yeast makes the bread rise. A little wheat makes a gluten intolerant sick.  For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us I8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Paul is not just talking about adultery here, he is talking about any sin, all sin. He started this with their arrogance, their pride, their beleiving of something other than the one and only truth. This group of believers, this group of leaders and teachers have corrupt principles, Spiritual pride and teaching false doctrines. Their sin is opening the door for Satan and closing it on Christ. They are involving the whole church, ruining the whole batch with the bad yeast.

9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. Paul is explaining that he was not referring to the ‘bad’ people of the world to not associate with, because that is a given. Paul is telling them they must break fellowship with those doing ‘bad’ within their church. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.  Dont even eat with this person. Satan has come into our churches and our lives and has given us liberal concience when it comes to sinners within the church. If we call a sinning person a sinner we are condemning we are not being ‘Christian’ we are not having mercy, not showing grace, being too ‘black and white’, judging. Satan tricks us into thinking we are being ‘bad’ and accepting the sin. We ARE to judge sin, and those in sin, We are to confront those in sin. We are to remove ourselves from sin and those ‘practicing’ sin.Even with in the church.

 

12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. God judges the world, we don’t need to concern ourselves with keeping unbelievers in line, God will Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” The evil person IS on the inside, in the church, a believer, or wanting to be.  Paul is explaining the responsibility of believers to other believers is to hold them accountable for their sin. Believers know God, and know what God expects of us. We should. 

 

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 4

Posted on by Christy Petty

4 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. This is continuation of last statement. Paul and Apollos and Cephas, any ‘preaching’ the gospel, are, belong to, Christ. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. It is REQUIRED of a steward in Christ to be faithful.   3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.In fact, I do not even judge myself. Paul is now saying the same as before except applying to himself. They, man, may judge him to be faithful or NOT faithful, that is no concern of Paul’s, he does not even pass judgement on himself, because…. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. God WILL reveal the reasons behind why we do what we do.

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?  Paul lets them know he has used himself as an example, not because it is he in question, but they. He tells them do not speculate what the word means, ‘do not think beyond what is written”, . The puffed up, seems to be saying don’t think you are better than or understand more because you know differently than another, because what ever you know only comes from God anyway.  I think of these ‘new’ theologies that pop up, or reemerge. Someone thinks they ‘get it’ more than everyone else, write a book, on their epiphany and translate God’s Word into what they want, to match their theology, and WA LA” dissention. 

8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! I think Paul says, you don’t have to have people like us get you to heaven, you can get there yourself, with belief in Christ. 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!  Not sure if Paul is complimenting or being sarcastic. If you conclude this with “14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.” I think he is saying something like we are not the ‘in’ people because of all of the worldly shameful things we have gone through for Christ and you snobs would not have anything to do with us if you had found us on the street and not known us. 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.  These Corinthians have not suffered to be believers, to preach, to teach, being believers is easy for them, no one has gone to jail, they live well, yet they fight and fuss over something as minimal as who baptised whom. Their only true ‘job’ is to discipline themselves and yet they don’t. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Paul is their spiritual leader/father, the one who can and will instruct them with God’s word 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.  Do as I do. Abide my instructions. Timothy is there to teach you, I taught him.18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. Some of you don’t think I will show up to tell you , “you are screwing up.”. Those that think they are bigger and better, more powerful than Paul, and God  19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.Paul is letting them know that no matter how much they talk it up, try to lie about or manipulate. It does not matter how powerful they are in the church, they can not over throw God.  I think of those who are in places of power elders, deacons, preachers, who will work all things to their good. Who twist God’s word to fit their agenda. Who spin the truth and intimidate the sheep to get ahead. Those who benefit for their own personal gain from the church. Who think they have the power. God will show them what power is.  21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?   A Godly man,Paul, teaching The Word is giving believers opportunity to straighten up and repent on their own, or he will come and punish, discipline, admonish. So to discipline believers IS Godly.  To spare the rod is wrong. To confront those in sin is correct! It sounds as if Paul is saying there will be consequences for sins. It sounds like Paul holds these believers accountable for their actions. It sounds like Paul is not excusing this church and it’s leaders from sin just because he loves them.    We must be faithful to God’s commands not mans.

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1Corinthians3

Posted on by Christy Petty

3:1AND I brethren could not speak to you as to spiritual but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ  The ‘and’ is an addition to what Paul was speaking of earlier, he is adding to the list of admonishment to them, or a list of what he needs to present to them.  What ever it is, he is continuing on his lecture to the Corinthians.

Paul explains that he did not speak/teach the Gospel to them as if they already knew all about God, as if they were spiritually ‘in tune’. He says he spoke to them, taught them  as if they were not aware of Christ, nor understood the ways of Christ.  Because they did not.   I am reminded of Keith and his first class of Algebra in college. Somehow in his transfer back into Texas from Arkansas in his high school years,he never had to take an algebra class to graduate. (some people are sooooo lucky) That first day in  college algebra, and the professor begins writing out the problems on the board, Keith has absolutely no clue what it means. Keith is a smart guy, he just has never heard of any of the algebra stuff before.  My dad, who majored in math was able to speak to him as a ‘babe’ and introduce the basics and Keith was able to mature and understand the college class quickly. This is the Corinthians, they believe in Christ, they are taking the course, they just have no pre knowledge of Him.

Paul talks about when he first presented the gospel and taught of Christ to them, in the past. Then throws in “I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for until now you were not able to receive it and even now you are still not able.” – Paul is telling them they were immature, of course, when they first learned of Christ. The point here,  they had not ‘grown’ any. They were still immature, they were still being ‘childish’.  3:3 for you are still carnal (unknowing ‘mere men’ of the world, Satan’s world,  )  The example of being immature: envy strife, and divisions among you.  Paul is shaking his finger at the people of Corinth.

Paul goes back to the original ‘tale’ he has been told of them, that they are fighting over who is their favorite teacher- He or Apollos. – They are fighting over worldly,silly matters.  Later he is going to speak to them of the things they SHOULD divide over.

Paul tries to explain that he nor Apollo’s ‘did’ anything, it was  God. It is not what man does. Paul brought The Word, he presented, he planted. Apollo’s built on that, he provided further information, he taught, he gave them ‘water’ to grow. But it is actually God who provided both, and allows the growth.  3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers, you ar God’s field, you are God’s building.

Believers are built/planted on the foundation of Christ. 3:11 for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ.

Paul Continues:

3:12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver,precious stones, wood, hay, straw each ones work will become clear; for the DAY will declare it because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each ones work of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on endures he will receive a reward.  If anyones work is burned, he will suffer loss but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

I think Paul is going on a bit of a righteous rant here.  I think the building with precious jewels or straw is about the prestige these people are basing their ‘holiness’ on, that he spoke of earlier. Yet, I can see he may also be using this to say, it is not the importance of you but the ‘importance’ of the work you are doing for God, too. He is saying it may ‘look good’ to all the people and yourself, but on the Day, (judgement?) God who already knows, will reveal what your ‘work’ ( YOU) is all about.

This is the ‘refining’ we are told of often. Refine silver, burn away the worthless ugliness and you are left with pure silver. God will burn away all the worldly, self righteous, sinfulness of all we do, to expose the pureness of it/us. Hopefully, there will be something left, when He is done.

Remember, this talking to from Paul is to believers in the church of Corinth. These people are saved from eternal death, they will have eternal life with God, BUT, they will still have the chance of loosing EVERYTHING but their salvation, dependent on the ‘meaning’ behind their works for God.

3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?   Ok, Paul seems to have jumped from our judgement and refinement…. 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. for the temple of God is holy, which temple your are. Paul may have finished and started another paragraph. OR he could be that he is still talking to, those of us who chose to do wrongness to the point of having nothing but our salvation left. Those who have caused their own ‘destruction’.  This could be an ‘example’ : God destroys those who ‘defile’ a temple(building). So he has the ‘right’ to burn everything up from us, for our defiling our selves with our bad works.

3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness.: and again, : The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise ad they are futile'”.    Paul is repeating himself from 1:18. Don’t be proud of what you know. Your degree, your background, your position in life. That means nothing to God, it gets in the way of God.   God is pretty black and white about men who think they know it all. Who decide for themselves they are instruments of God because of their place in society and letters behind their names, or how many pats on the back they can achieve from man.

Proverbs 3:7Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. Ecclesiastes 7:16Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?Jeremiah 8:9
The wise men are ashamed, They are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD; So what wisdom do they have?Jeremiah 9:23Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;Romans 1:22Professing to be wise, they became fools, Romans 12:16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdomProverbs 16:18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Job 21:14Yet they say to God, ‘Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.

3:21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Chephas, or the world or life or death or things present or things to come  all are yours. And you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.

Don’t be worshiping, glorifying, paying homage to,idolizing seeing your salvation, in man. In teachers, in preachers, in elders, in what you consider leaders of your church. (And don’t be wanting this kind of attention either!) No man has wisdom or knowledge of God above any other.  God does not say: ‘Seek wise counsel from those who went to seminary and have PH.D’s’. God does not give access to The Word of God, the Holy Spirit to just those of prestige and money. God does not tell those who are teachers and preachers and elders that they are a chosen elite few,and they should lord over others. God emphasizes they are to be servants of the body of believers. AND they are accountable for teaching false doctrine. Matthew 186 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

God gave the Holy Spirit to all who BELIEVE, so that ALL can have knowledge of God and a relationship with God.

John 14:26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Acts 4:31And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness

The curtain was torn, and all have access to God. Mark 15:37,38 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.,  Hebrews 10:19–20 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

All is ours. Through Christ. We have all things because of Christ. Christ is in us, through us, for us, about us. Christ is in Paul, Apollos, Billy Graham, Charles Stanley, Christy , Yvonne, Keith, Lee, Fred, Evan, Ken, Peter ,Brian, Ashton, Chephas, Jackie, Martin Luther, Teri, Linda, Sandy, Jody, Meg, Tim, Juanita, Stephen, John…….

We who let our selves be fools ARE Christ’s and Christ is God’s