“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” 1Cor3v18-20 KJV Is Paul condemning science in this passage? Science is sometimes criticized as the wisdom of men and therefore inferior to the wisdom of God as revealed in the Bible. However I suggest this is an unnatural reading which doesnt fit int the context of Pauls point. What is the context? The Corinthians were falling sway to “big name leaders” and being impressed by the credentials of individuals per 1Cor3v3-4. In doing so they were actually exalting themselves and forgetting that Paul, Apollos, whoever, were actually slaves of Christ. The issue and challenge was the work done in the service of God on the foundation of Christ. This is a work which we are all called to participate in, knowing God gives the increase but the quality of our labour will be examined. The Corinthians though were exalting human wisdom and stature in spiritual things. In this context Paul calls them recognize human attempts to take in others would fail and men’s thinking is folly. [1] & [2] That the context is about spiritual foolishness (self exaltation really!) is brought home by the Pauls conclusion V21 “Therefore let no man glory in men.” The men being the big names previously identified (and repeated) rather than in the science of the day. V22 “For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;” Paul points out the names they boasted in were actually slaves of the whole ecclesia – not a badge of honour for an individual member. V23 “And ye are Christs; and Christ is Gods.” The final nail in the argument for the Corinthians. It is not about our position, we all belong to Christ and He to the Father. Although sometimes used to condemn the science of the world or application of the science, Paul is talking instead about our tendency to self-promote via association with various human leaders. Rather we should see serving brethren as slaves of the ecclesia and ourselves as bound to work in building the temple of Christ. ______________________________________________________ Further reading [1] D. A. Carson et al., eds., New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition (4th ed.; Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1167. [2] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993)
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 04:33:00 +0000
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