The Church that divides is the Church that has missed the wonder of it all.

Paul is addressing the division of the church.

The reason for division is because we think we are right, wise and we have the whole truth. The reason for division is this, we are right and everyone else is wrong.

If Paul was alive today he would be writing to us and probably quoting Isaiah as he does here.

“For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Corinthians 1 v 19)

So why quote from the prophet Isaiah? The verse in full is this:-

“Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” (Isaiah 29:14)

He does so because:-

• The prophet is speaking to the people of Judah during a time when they have become complacent and their discipleship has weakened. The Corinthians are in a similar situation. The divisions have weakened their discipleship. It still does.
• God declares He will astound them with wonder upon wonder. The Corinthians thought they were clever: their wisdom, intelligence and philosophy were added to their preaching for better effect. We still do that and we throw in other aspects of entertainment to marvel the crowds or try to create them to listen to our preaching. Yet when did the message of the cross ever need such help? The cross is the wonder upon wonder that diminishes all attempts from the wisdom and intelligence of man,
• The arguments of who they ‘follow’ that have caused the division in the Church at Corinth will come to nothing; they will in fact be destroyed. They are futile arguments because they are not in alignment with the wisdom of God. Today’s arguments and divisions are the same.
• The call that Paul brings springing from prophet Isaiah is still calling to us today. We have to live our lives differently to this. Instead of mere intellectual knowledge we must cultivate a spiritual wisdom; instead of pride we must walk in humility; instead of knowing it all we must acknowledge that we don’t hold that trait for we serve a God who moves in unexpected ways.