True Knowledge (1 Cor 8:2-3)
- Robert Simon
- Feb 13, 2023
- 2 min read
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. - 1 Cor 8:1-3
The common theme emanating all the wisdom traditions of the world is the idea that those who think themselves wise are fools.
This sentiment was stressed repeatedly by King Solomon in Israel, Socrates in Greece, Lau Tzu in China as well as by many other great names in the history of philosophy.
Jesus did not claim to be wise. He claimed to be the incarnation of Truth (Wisdom) itself - a claim that renders Him nothing short of either a lunatic or God Himself. Therefore as Christians, we recognize that all true knowledge comes from Christ and not ourselves. If we know Christ and nothing else, we know all that we need. If we have all the wisdom under the sun but do not know Jesus, we know nothing
I believe this is the sentiment Paul is embodying earlier in his letter to the Corinthians when he states "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." ( 1 Cor 2:1-2)
Wisdom that does not lead to love is no wisdom at all. Though Jesus was certainly the wisest man to ever live, He was not merely a wise teacher. He laid his life down as an act of sacrificial love. He obeyed His Father all the way to the cross to demonstrate what true love looks like.
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. - Matt 11:25
Love this: But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. - 1 Cor 8:1-3
I was moved by the thought that knowledge of Christ is the same as love Following Christ is the way to love others and make loving choices
"Knowledge puffs up," There was a time in my life where I would read history books and anything that I can add to my "knowledge" for the sake of sounding smart to other people. I would try to remember facts just in case I can bring them up at parties. What a sinner I was! Now most of my reading is in the Bible so that I can better understand God and spend time in relationship with him. Way more useful and impactful on my life!
I really love this chap. in 1 Cor., the whole of it is HUGE! "4and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." For us to see the "demonstration of the Spirit" and know "the power of God" also enables us to be His witnesses. When WE have witnessed His manifest presence and seen His power, we cannot help but tell the amazing truth of what we know. And then there is this; "7But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the age…