Worldly Knowledge or Spiritual Wisdom (Wednesday, July 31)

The Word of the Day is "knowledge."  In our scripture study of 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:8, St. Paul responds to a report about troubling divisions in the church at Corinth over contending claims of superior knowledge. Members of the "household of Chloe" have informed him of contentious divisions in the congregation (1 Cor. 1-11). The Corinthians are splitting up into factions: one following St. Paul; others following St. Paul's successor in Corinth, a brilliant preacher named Apollos; and others claiming to follow Christ (1 Cor. 1:12). These reports are upsetting to Paul, who sees himself as the "father," that is, the founder and pastor, of the fellowship

A CONGREGATION DIVIDED

The root of the conflict lies in the belief that each faction possesses superior spiritual knowledge imparted by their chosen teacher. Paul, in his letter, initially praised the Corinthians for being 'enriched in everything by Him [Christ] in all utterance and knowledge' (1 Cor. 1:5). However, he now challenges their behavior, suggesting that they are not living up to the profound understanding they claim to have.

THOSE THE PASSIONS RULE ARE NOT SPIRITUALLY ENLIGHTENED

What is higher knowledge? Paul argues that it would be the knowledge of the heart and mind of the God. But who has it? Paul says that no one can know the inner life of other people except their own spirit. We might say that no one can know the "heart" and "mind" of another except the person. So it is with God. Only the Spirit of God knows what is in God's hidden heart and mind. 

But here is the crux:  God has revealed his heart "through the Spirit" given to us (1 Cor. 2:10-12). Furthermore, God has made His mind known to us by giving us the "mind of Christ" (1 Cor: 2:16). Therefore, Paul contrasts the "spiritual man" who has the Spirit and mind of Christ with the "natural man" who does not. The "spiritual man" has genuine knowledge of spiritual things. The "natural man" thinks that spiritual knowledge is foolishness. Earthly passions rule him, and therefore, he is not spiritually enlightened.

WHAT KIND OF KNOWLEDGE ARE THE CORINTHIANS BRAGGING ABOUT?

Paul poses a question meant to bring the Corinthians to realize what they are arguing about. He asks what kind of knowledge are you quarreling about, spiritual" or "carnal," that is,  "worldly" (NIV)? The apostle writes, For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men (OSB 3:3)?

 Undoubtedly, the spirit of envy, strife, and division does not manifest the Spirit of God nor the spiritual knowledge that He gives. But "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness," these manifest the Spirit because they are "fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22). These fruits demonstrate that those who produce them have the knowledge of the Spirit.

It's clear that none of the warring factions are demonstrating the knowledge that comes from the Spirit. Therefore, Paul urges the Corinthians to abandon their claims of worldly knowledge and instead pursue the wisdom of the Spirit and its fruits. This is not just a suggestion but a call to action for the Corinthians to set aside worldly disputes and seek spiritual growth.

FOR REFLECTION

We might reflect on the question of which kind of knowledge guides our lives. Are we living by the spirit of the "natural man" ruled by the passions or by the Spirit of God, who gives us spiritual knowledge? If we live by the "natural man," then we might look to the Philokalia to learn how we might turn from the passions of the "natural man" to the wisdom of the Spirit.

ST. MAXIMUS: THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT ILLUMINES THE INTELLECT

In this manual of Orthodox spirituality, St. Maximus the Confessor writes, "Just as it is for the eye to perceive sensible objects without the light of the sun, so the human intellect cannot engage in spiritual contemplation without the light of the Spirit. For physical light naturally illuminates the senses so that they may perceive physical bodies; while spiritual light illuminates the intellect so that it can engage in contemplation and best grasp what lies beyond the senses" (G.E.H. Palmer 1981, 239).

Let us pray for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit today that we might attain the spiritual knowledge of the wisdom of God.

WORKS CITED

G.E.H. Palmer, et. al. Trans. 1981. The Philokalia: The Complete Text Vol. 3. New York: Farber and Farber.