1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8:1

For whereas the Jews demand of the apostles, as they did of their Lord, more signs still, after all they have seen already; and the Greeks, or gentiles, seek wisdom - The depths of philosophy, and the charms of eloquence.

1 Corinthians 8:2

We go on to preach, in a plain and historical, not rhetorical or philosophical, manner, Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumblingblock - Just opposite to the “signs” they demand. And to the Greeks foolishness - A silly tale, just opposite to the wisdom they seek.

1 Corinthians 8:3

But to them that are called - And obey the heavenly calling. Christ - With his cross, his death, his life, his kingdom. And they experience, first, that he is the power, then, that he is the wisdom, of God.

1 Corinthians 8:4

Because the foolishness of God - The gospel scheme, which the world judge to be mere foolishness, is wiser than the wisdom of men; and, weak as they account it, stronger than all the strength of men.

1 Corinthians 8:5

Behold your calling - What manner of men they are whom God calls. That not many wise men after the flesh - In the account of the world. Not many mighty - Men of power and authority.

1 Corinthians 8:7

Things that are not - The Jews frequently called the gentiles, “Them that are not,” 2 Esdras vi. 56, 57. In so supreme contempt did they hold them. The things that are - In high esteem.

1 Corinthians 8:8

That no flesh - A fit appellation. Flesh is fair, but withering as grass. May glory before God - In God we ought to glory.

1 Corinthians 8:9

Of him - Out of his free grace and mercy. Are ye Engrafted into Christ Jesus, who is made unto us that believe wisdom, who were before utterly foolish and ignorant. Righteousness - The sole ground of our justification, who were before under the wrath and curse of God. Sanctification - A principle of universal holiness, whereas before we were altogether dead in sin. And redemption - That is, complete deliverance from all evil, and eternal bliss both of soul and body.

1 Corinthians 8:10

Let him glory in the Lord - Not in himself, not in the flesh, not in the world. Jeremiah 9:23,24

1 Corinthians 8:12

And I accordingly came to you, not with loftiness of speech or of wisdom - I did not affect either deep wisdom or eloquence. Declaring the testimony of God - What God gave me to testify concerning his Son.

1 Corinthians 8:13

I determined not to know anything - To wave all my other knowledge, and not to preach anything, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified - That is, what he did, suffered, taught. A part is put for the whole.