◄ What Does 1 Corinthians 3:21 Mean? ►

Paul was the apostle appointed by God to reveal many mysteries to the Church that had been hidden from man's understanding and which the former prophets of old longed to look into. Paul is a teacher who builds up the theme of his teaching in a logical progression which has its ultimate focus on the face of the lovely Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel of grace.

Having reiterated the principal that God is the source of all wisdom and believers are the privileged recipients of His illumination, we are reminded that no teacher of the good news should have pretentious claims to personal wisdom, for all are all are servants of God, all are equally equipped from above, and all should be wholly united in humbly proclaiming the wonderful wisdom of God, by grace through faith in Christ, to all who believe.

We are all called to minister, but no minister of God, no matter how distinguished his position or humble his calling, can glory in his own cleverness, nor should those who learn from the ministry of others, elevate the importance of one believer above another, for we are all one in Christ and we all have the same common benefits of being in Christ – we are all declaring God's established gospel, all are proclaiming the faith common to all believers.

But how easy it is to glory in one's own achievements, gifts, and efforts. How easy it is to give the praise and adoration to ourselves, patting each other on the back for a job well done, extolling how wise and clever we are. But as Paul writes: "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile. So then, no more boasting about men!"

The Lord knew us before we were born, formed us in our mother's womb, and has numbered our days. John records Jesus' words: "Apart from Me, you can do nothing," and Paul reiterates the supremacy of Christ in Colossians: "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the Body, the Church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy." Paul's great desire was to glorify God in all he did, and to encourage all believers to die to self and live for Christ, to the glory of God.

Like Paul, we should all desire to be bond-servants of Jesus so that He alone is lifted up. Let all His servants glory in the LORD and the truth of His wonderful Word, for in Christ we have been given all things richly to enjoy, for we are all in Christ and Christ is in God.

Loving Father, how I thank You that I have been given all spiritual riches to richly enjoy. Thank You for equipping me in the ministry that You have given to me. May my eyes look to Jesus and not to the one that has instructed me about Jesus, for He alone is worthy of praise. In Jesus' name, AMEN.