1 Corinthians 1:26 Cross References - AUV

²⁶ Now consider how you were when you were called, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were from prominent families.

²⁵ About that time Jesus said [in prayer], “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things [i.e., the significance of Jesus’ words and works] from those who [thought they] were wise and intelligent and have [instead] revealed them to people who are child-like. ²⁶ Yes Father, you did this because it was very pleasing to you.

³ I have thoroughly investigated the entire series of events [myself], I felt it would be good for me also to write you an orderly account of them.

²¹ At that very time Jesus rejoiced in [the power of] the Holy Spirit, and said [in prayer], “I praise you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you concealed these things [i.e., His divine revelations] from those [claiming to be] wise and intelligent and have revealed them to babies [i.e., to simple, sincere, common people]. Yes, Father, this was pleasing to you.

²⁴ Now Jesus looked at him and said, “How difficult [it is] for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God.”

⁴⁶ Then Jesus returned again to Cana, in Galilee, where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official there whose son was sick at Capernaum [Note: Capernaum was about 20 miles away from Cana]. ⁴⁷ When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and begged Him to come down [to Capernaum] and heal his son who was about to die. ⁴⁸ So, Jesus said to him, “None of you people will believe [in me] unless you see [miraculous] signs and wonders, [will you?].” ⁴⁹ The government official replied, “Sir, [please] come down [to Capernaum] before my child dies.” ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Go on [home]; your son will live.” And the man believed what Jesus said to him and went [home]. ⁵¹ While he was going along, his slaves met him and told him that his son was [still] alive. ⁵² Then he asked them what the [exact] time was when his son began to get better. They said to him, “[It was] yesterday at seven o’clock in the morning that the fever left him.” [Note: This would have been 1 PM, if Jewish time were meant]. ⁵³ So [then], the father realized that it was at that [exact] hour that Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So, he and his entire family believed [in Jesus].

⁴⁷ The Pharisees replied, “Are you being led astray, too? ⁴⁸ Have any of the authorities or Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹ But this crowd, which does not know the law of Moses, [and especially its oral traditions], is cursed [by God].”

³⁸ After this happened, one of Jesus’ disciples (but secretly, for fear of the Jews), named Joseph from Arimathaea, asked Pilate if he could remove Jesus’ body [from the cross]. Pilate granted him permission, so he went and removed the body from the cross. ³⁹ Nicodemus, the man who first came to Jesus one night, also went with him [i.e., to claim Jesus’ body]. He brought about a seventy-five pound mixture of myrrh and aloes [i.e., aromatic spices used for embalming].

⁷ He was with a very intelligent magistrate, [a Roman official named] Sergius Paulus. This man called for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the message of God.

¹² When the magistrate saw this miracle performed, he became a believer [in Christ] and was [continually] amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

³⁴ But certain men continued to listen to him and became believers [in Jesus]. Among them was Dionysius, [an official] of the Areopagus, a woman named Damaris and others with them.

²⁰ Where is the wise person? And where is the expert in the law? [And] where is the debater of this world?

³ And I was weak, apprehensive and fearful when I was [there] with you. [Note: This probably refers to Paul’s sense of inadequacy in view of the task before him]. ⁴ And I did not use persuasive words of [human] wisdom in my message and preaching, but they were [accompanied by] a demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power [from God]. [Note: This “demonstration” could have included the evidence of miraculous spiritual gifts which Paul utilized while there in Corinth. See 14:18]. ⁵ This was so that your faith would not [have to] depend on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. ⁶ However, we speak [divine] wisdom among people who are [spiritually] mature, yet it is not a wisdom of this current age, nor of [its] current rulers, who are coming to nothing.

⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew about this [divine] wisdom, for if they had [known it], they would not have crucified the glorious Lord [i.e., Jesus].

¹³ These also are the things we [apostles] speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but [in words] taught by the Holy Spirit. We use [or, combine] Spirit-taught words to express [or, with] Spirit-given truth.

¹⁸ No one should fool himself. If any person among you thinks he is smart, by human standards, he should become a “fool,” so that he can become [really] wise. ¹⁹ For this world’s “wisdom” is foolishness to God. For it is written [Job 5:13], “He [i.e., God] catches wise people in their cleverness.” ²⁰ And again, it says [Psa. 94:11], “The Lord knows that the thoughts of ‘wise people’ are worthless.”

²² All the saints [here with me] send you their greetings, especially those belonging to [Emperor] Caesar’s household.

⁹ But the person [who must live] in humble circumstances should be happy over being lifted up [spiritually by God]. ¹⁰ And the wealthy person [should be happy] that he is humbled [by God], because he will pass away like a flower [blossoming] from grass. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass [so that] its flower [blossoms] fall off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the wealthy person will fade away as he goes about his business [affairs].

⁵ Listen, my dearly loved brothers; did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be wealthy in faith and to inherit the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

¹³ Who [then] is the wise and understanding person among you? He should show by his good conduct [that he has] deeds of gentleness [stemming] from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you people have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, do not be arrogant [over it] and deny the truth. ¹⁵ This “wisdom” is not the kind that comes from [God] above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic [i.e., it is motivated by an evil spirit and not the Holy Spirit]. ¹⁶ For when jealousy and rivalry exist, there is [also] disorder and every [kind of] evil practice. ¹⁷ But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere.

¹ [This is being written by] the elder to the lady chosen [by God], and to her children [Note: The terms “lady” and “children” here refer to a congregation and the Christians who belong to it. See I Peter 5:13; II John 13], whom I love in the truth. [Note: Perhaps this phrase means “whom I truly love”]. And I am not the only one [to love you], but all those [other congregations] who know the truth [of God], also love you.