1 Corinthians 1: Who Gets the Glory?

What This Teaching Is About

“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV

This teaching examines the wisdom, power, calling, and sovereignty of God through 1 Corinthians 1.

Paul repeatedly turns our attention away from man’s wisdom, strength, status, accomplishments, and ability and directs it back to God. God chooses what the world considers foolish, weak, base, and despised so that “no flesh should glory in his presence.”

Throughout this teaching, we follow one central question:

Who gets the glory?

We will consider what it means for Jesus Christ to be both Lord and Savior, what it means for God to be sovereign, how Scripture describes God’s calling and choosing, the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in redemption, God’s mercy and redemptive love, and why salvation leaves no room for human boasting.

The teaching concludes by applying this same truth to the Lord’s Supper, where our attention is brought away from self and back to Jesus Christ, His body, His blood, His death, His resurrection, and His coming again.

Why This Teaching Is Important

The message begins with a serious statement:

“21st century man seeks a God who serves them, not a God who governs.”

Scripture presents God very differently.

The LORD reigns.

He is King. He is Judge. He is sovereign.

And Jesus Christ is not only Savior. He is Lord.

A person may desire the salvation Christ gives while resisting the authority of the Christ who gives it. But Scripture does not separate the two. Jesus saves His people from their sins, and Jesus has authority and rule over those who belong to Him.

This teaching also confronts one of man’s oldest idols:

SELF.

Who determines what is true?

Whose wisdom governs?

Who sits on the throne?

Who receives the glory?

Paul answers:

“That no flesh should glory in his presence.” — 1 Corinthians 1:29 KJV

And:

“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV

Understanding this changes how we think about salvation, obedience, God’s sovereignty, the cross, worship, communion, and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

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What You Can Expect

In this interactive Bible study, you will walk carefully through the central truths of

1 Corinthians 1 while comparing them with supporting Scriptures throughout the Bible.

You will examine:

God’s wisdom versus the wisdom of this world, including James 3 and the difference between wisdom from above and wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish.

Jesus as Lord and Savior, including what each title means and why we cannot desire His saving work while rejecting His authority.

God’s sovereign calling, using the relatable picture of an official summons to help us understand the authority of the King who calls.

Salvation belonging to the LORD, including Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened, and the thief on the cross whom Jesus received.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in redemption, examining how the Father gives and draws, the Son receives and redeems, and the Holy Spirit seals and is the earnest of our inheritance.

God’s goodness and redemptive love, including the distinction between His goodness displayed throughout creation and His saving purpose toward His chosen people.

Spiritual death, mercy, and God’s action in salvation, asking again why no flesh can glory before Him.

The danger of self-rule, examining whether Jesus truly governs our lives as Lord.

The cross as the power of God, a marvelous work that destroys man’s boasting and displays God’s wisdom.

The Lord’s Supper, including a careful explanation of unworthy versus unworthily, what the bread and cup represent, why Paul commands self-examination, and how communion proclaims Christ’s death and resurrection as we await His return.

Throughout the study you will also find comprehension questions, Scripture comparisons, heart-examination prompts, and journaling space designed to help you slow down, understand what you are reading, and examine your response to God’s Word.

Scriptures Referenced

1 Corinthians 1:18–31; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:20–30; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; James 3:13–17; Luke 6:46; Luke 23:42–43; Matthew 1:21; Matthew 5:45; Matthew 24:4; John 6:37–44; John 10:27–29; John 17:21; Acts 4:12; Acts 14:17; Acts 16:14; Romans 6:23; Romans 9:15–16; Ephesians 1:4–7, 13–14; Ephesians 2:1–5; Colossians 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Peter 3:18; Deuteronomy 7:7–8; Psalm 96:3, 6, 9–10; Psalm 97:12; Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35; Isaiah 29:14; Isaiah 42:8; and Leviticus 10:3.

Central Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:29–31 KJV

“That no flesh should glory in his presence.

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”