Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Boasting » Spiritual
But some of the branches [of a cultivated olive tree] were broken off [i.e., God's rejection of the Jews] and you [Gentiles], representing a wild olive tree [branch], were grafted into it. So then, you [Gentiles] were able to benefit from the roots and sap of the olive tree, along with the Jews. Therefore, you should not brag [about your superiority] over the [natural] branches [i.e., the rejected Jews]. But, if you must brag, it should not be over you [Gentiles] nourishing the roots [i.e., the Jews], but over the roots nourishing you. But you [Gentiles] will then say, "The branches were broken off so that we could be grafted in." read more.
True, but they [i.e., the Jews] were [really] broken off because they did not believe [in Christ], and you [Gentiles] remain [in God's favor] because you do believe [in Him]. So, do not become arrogant [about it], but be fearful. For if God did not spare the natural branches [i.e., the Jews], He will not spare you [Gentiles] either.
True, but they [i.e., the Jews] were [really] broken off because they did not believe [in Christ], and you [Gentiles] remain [in God's favor] because you do believe [in Him]. So, do not become arrogant [about it], but be fearful. For if God did not spare the natural branches [i.e., the Jews], He will not spare you [Gentiles] either.
For Christ did not send me to immerse people, but to preach the good news. [Note: Christ specifically commissioned Paul to preach; most of the immersing was done by his attendants]. It was not to be done with words of [human] wisdom, so that the [message of the] cross of Christ would not have its power taken away. For the message of [Christ dying on] the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing [i.e., in a lost state], but it is God's power to us who are being saved. For it is written [Isa. 29:14], "I [i.e., God] will destroy the wisdom of wise people, and will set aside [i.e., hinder] the understanding of intelligent people." read more.
Where is the wise person? And where is the expert in the law? [And] where is the debater of this world? For since, according to God's [true] wisdom, the world did not know about Him through its wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe [in Christ] through the "foolishness" of the message preached. Now Jews ask for [miraculous] signs and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] are looking for wisdom, but we [apostles] preach that Christ was crucified [for our sins]. This message is offensive to Jews and foolishness to [unconverted] Gentiles. But to those who are called [by God to be saved], both Jews and Gentiles, [the message of] Christ is the power of God [See 1:16] and the wisdom of God. [See 1:30]. For the "foolish things" of God are wiser than men's [wisdom], and the "weakness" of God is stronger than men's [strength]. 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. But God chose what the world considers foolish [i.e., people with little apparent ability], in order to shame the "wise people." And He chose what the world considers weak in order to shame what it considers strong. And He chose what the world considers insignificant and contemptible, and [even] what it considers "nothing," in order to nullify what appears to be something. This was all done so that no human being could boast in front of God. But God brought you into [fellowship with] Christ Jesus, who was made to be God's wisdom for us. Through Christ you have received a right relationship with God, [as well as] holiness and redemption [i.e., being bought back from Satan]. So, as it is written [Jer. 9:23f], "The person who [wants to] boast, let him boast about the Lord."
Where is the wise person? And where is the expert in the law? [And] where is the debater of this world? For since, according to God's [true] wisdom, the world did not know about Him through its wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe [in Christ] through the "foolishness" of the message preached. Now Jews ask for [miraculous] signs and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] are looking for wisdom, but we [apostles] preach that Christ was crucified [for our sins]. This message is offensive to Jews and foolishness to [unconverted] Gentiles. But to those who are called [by God to be saved], both Jews and Gentiles, [the message of] Christ is the power of God [See 1:16] and the wisdom of God. [See 1:30]. For the "foolish things" of God are wiser than men's [wisdom], and the "weakness" of God is stronger than men's [strength]. 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. But God chose what the world considers foolish [i.e., people with little apparent ability], in order to shame the "wise people." And He chose what the world considers weak in order to shame what it considers strong. And He chose what the world considers insignificant and contemptible, and [even] what it considers "nothing," in order to nullify what appears to be something. This was all done so that no human being could boast in front of God. But God brought you into [fellowship with] Christ Jesus, who was made to be God's wisdom for us. Through Christ you have received a right relationship with God, [as well as] holiness and redemption [i.e., being bought back from Satan]. So, as it is written [Jer. 9:23f], "The person who [wants to] boast, let him boast about the Lord."
Now I have applied these things, brothers, to myself and to Apollos as an illustration for your benefit, so that you might learn to "follow the written message." [Note: This is thought to have been a common way of referring, in that day, to the importance of adhering to Old Testament Scripture]. So, none of you should be more proud of one [leader] than of another. For who makes you different [from each other]? [i.e., with some being viewed as superior and others inferior]. And what do you have that you did not receive [from God]? But if you received it [from Him], then why do you boast as though you did not [receive it as a gift]?
For we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with certain people who commend themselves. People who measure their [spiritual] stature by what [they think] they are, and compare their [spiritual] status with their own set of standards, are foolish. But we will not boast beyond our proper boundaries [Note: This may mean that Paul was not attempting to exercise apostolic authority outside the parameters assigned to him by God], but will restrict our boasting to the area assigned to us by God as a field of service, which includes you people [there in Corinth]. Now we are not going too far in claiming you as part of our outreach, since we were the first ones to come to you with the Gospel of Christ. read more.
So, we will not go beyond our proper limits by boasting of work [already] done by others, but we hope that, as your faith increases, our field of service among you will [also] greatly expand. [This is] so we can proclaim the good news [about Christ] even to areas beyond you [Note: Perhaps Paul here alludes to such places as Italy and Spain], and [thereby] not boast over what has [already] been done in someone else's field of service. [Jer. 9:24 says], "But the person who boasts should boast about the Lord." For it is not the person who commends himself that is approved [by God], but the one whom the Lord commends.
So, we will not go beyond our proper limits by boasting of work [already] done by others, but we hope that, as your faith increases, our field of service among you will [also] greatly expand. [This is] so we can proclaim the good news [about Christ] even to areas beyond you [Note: Perhaps Paul here alludes to such places as Italy and Spain], and [thereby] not boast over what has [already] been done in someone else's field of service. [Jer. 9:24 says], "But the person who boasts should boast about the Lord." For it is not the person who commends himself that is approved [by God], but the one whom the Lord commends.
For you have been saved by God's unearned favor, through [your] faith, and that [salvation] was not the result of your own doing; it was the gift from God. It was not the result of your own [good] deeds [See Titus 3:5], so that no one could boast [about it].
Corruption » Physical decomposition » After death
because you [i.e., God] will not allow my soul [i.e., this is a reference to Jesus] to remain in Hades [i.e., the unseen place of the departed spirits], neither will you allow [the body of] your Holy One to decay.
Verse Concepts
Show 5 more verses
David, foreseeing this, spoke of Christ being raised from the dead. [He said Jesus' spirit] would not be left in the unseen place of departed spirits, nor would His body decay.
Verse Concepts
[Now] in regard to God raising Him up from the dead, never to decay, He said this about it [Isa. 55:3], "I will give you the sacred and certain blessings promised to David." God said in another Psalm [16:10], "You will not allow your Holy One to decay." For David died and was buried with his forefathers and [his body] decayed after he had served his generation according to the purpose of God. read more.
But Jesus, whom God raised up [from the dead], never did decay.
But Jesus, whom God raised up [from the dead], never did decay.
It is the same way with the resurrection of dead people. [A person's body] is buried [only] to decay; it is raised up never to decay again.
Verse Concepts
Now this is what I am saying, brothers; flesh and blood [i.e., physical bodies] cannot possess the kingdom of God [i.e., the heavenly realm]; neither can [bodies that] decay possess [a place] which does not decay.
Verse Concepts
Folly » What is folly
Riches » Cannot redeem the soul
You [should] know that you were bought back [from Satan], from your useless way of life, inherited from your forefathers, not with such perishable things as silver and gold,
Verse Concepts
Trust » Those that trust in wealth
Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I tell you, it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were utterly amazed, saying, "Who then can [possibly] be saved?" read more.
Jesus looked at them and said, "This would be impossible with men, but everything is possible with God."
Jesus looked at them and said, "This would be impossible with men, but everything is possible with God."
Then Jesus looked around Him and said to His disciples, "How difficult it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God " And His disciples were amazed at what He said. But Jesus spoke to them again and said, "How difficult it is [for anyone] to enter the kingdom of God It is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." read more.
And they were utterly amazed and said to Him, "Then who can [possibly] be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "This would be impossible with men, but not with God, for everything is possible with God."
And they were utterly amazed and said to Him, "Then who can [possibly] be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "This would be impossible with men, but not with God, for everything is possible with God."
Now Jesus looked at him and said, "How difficult [it is] for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 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." And those who heard this said, "Then who can [possibly] be saved?" read more.
Jesus answered, "The things that are impossible with people are [certainly] possible with God."
Jesus answered, "The things that are impossible with people are [certainly] possible with God."
Wealth » Those that trust in wealth
Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I tell you, it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were utterly amazed, saying, "Who then can [possibly] be saved?" read more.
Jesus looked at them and said, "This would be impossible with men, but everything is possible with God."
Jesus looked at them and said, "This would be impossible with men, but everything is possible with God."
Then Jesus looked around Him and said to His disciples, "How difficult it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God " And His disciples were amazed at what He said. But Jesus spoke to them again and said, "How difficult it is [for anyone] to enter the kingdom of God It is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." read more.
And they were utterly amazed and said to Him, "Then who can [possibly] be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "This would be impossible with men, but not with God, for everything is possible with God."
And they were utterly amazed and said to Him, "Then who can [possibly] be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "This would be impossible with men, but not with God, for everything is possible with God."
Now Jesus looked at him and said, "How difficult [it is] for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 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." And those who heard this said, "Then who can [possibly] be saved?" read more.
Jesus answered, "The things that are impossible with people are [certainly] possible with God."
Jesus answered, "The things that are impossible with people are [certainly] possible with God."
Wealth » What cannot be purchased with money
But Peter said to him, "You and your money will both be destroyed for thinking you could buy the gift from God with money.
Verse Concepts