THE DOWNWARD DIRECTION OF THE CROSS (1 OF 4)
by Tony Nester
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
This content is part of a series.
The Downward Direction of the Cross (1 of 4)
Series: The Four Directions of the Cross
Tony Nester
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When the Apostle Paul entered the Roman city of Corinth, he had to decide how to present the Gospel to people who saw themselves as modern, sophisticated, and knowledgeable in the world's latest trends.
Corinth was known for its cultural diversity. It's two famous harbors-one toward Asia and one toward Rome-made it a prosperous commercial hub and the crossroads for the latest ideas, fashions, and lifestyles.
Corinthian people judged themselves to be quite knowledgeable. The Apostle Paul comes close to calling them ''know it all's''. In 1 Corinthians 8:1 he warns them that their so-called knowledge is puffing them up while what they need is the kind of love that builds up.
Corinth was a city full of religion-the kind of religion that has popular appeal. The city had temples dedicated to the gods of the day, including Poseidon-god of the sea, Apollo-god of music and poetry, and Aphrodite, the goddess of sex and beauty. One of the issues Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians is how Christians should respond when offered food that has been dedicated to one of these idols (Chapter 8).
Corinth was also known for its wide range of sexual practices and advocacy of sexual freedom. Corinthian people liked to say that sex was natural and should be treated like any other bodily need. Paul will counter this kind of thinking in 1 Corinthians 6:13: You say, ''Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.'' The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
So how was Paul to present the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in such a city like Corinth? Should he talk their language? Should he show off his own knowledge? Might he impress them with how well he understood and appreciated the latest trends and fashions of the day? Not Paul!
He announces his strategy in ...
Series: The Four Directions of the Cross
Tony Nester
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When the Apostle Paul entered the Roman city of Corinth, he had to decide how to present the Gospel to people who saw themselves as modern, sophisticated, and knowledgeable in the world's latest trends.
Corinth was known for its cultural diversity. It's two famous harbors-one toward Asia and one toward Rome-made it a prosperous commercial hub and the crossroads for the latest ideas, fashions, and lifestyles.
Corinthian people judged themselves to be quite knowledgeable. The Apostle Paul comes close to calling them ''know it all's''. In 1 Corinthians 8:1 he warns them that their so-called knowledge is puffing them up while what they need is the kind of love that builds up.
Corinth was a city full of religion-the kind of religion that has popular appeal. The city had temples dedicated to the gods of the day, including Poseidon-god of the sea, Apollo-god of music and poetry, and Aphrodite, the goddess of sex and beauty. One of the issues Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians is how Christians should respond when offered food that has been dedicated to one of these idols (Chapter 8).
Corinth was also known for its wide range of sexual practices and advocacy of sexual freedom. Corinthian people liked to say that sex was natural and should be treated like any other bodily need. Paul will counter this kind of thinking in 1 Corinthians 6:13: You say, ''Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.'' The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
So how was Paul to present the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in such a city like Corinth? Should he talk their language? Should he show off his own knowledge? Might he impress them with how well he understood and appreciated the latest trends and fashions of the day? Not Paul!
He announces his strategy in ...
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