Bible Study Series on 1 Corinthians

Sectarianism

Introduction:
In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul continues addressing a problem he introduced in the first chapter—division within the church. Some brethren in Corinth were rallying around different men, forming parties based on personalities rather than truth. This mindset led to sectarianism—elevating men above the message of Christ. Paul responds by focusing the Corinthians on the wisdom that comes from God and the power of the gospel message. He teaches that salvation is not rooted in presentation, education, or the approval of men, but in the divine truth delivered through the Spirit.

Paul Did Not Preach With Man’s Wisdom
Paul tells the Corinthians that when he came to them, he did not present himself with lofty speech or philosophical brilliance (1 Corinthians 2:1). Though well educated, Paul chose a different approach because what the people truly needed was the testimony of God. In Corinthian society, persuasive oratory and worldly wisdom were highly admired, yet Paul’s aim was to communicate divine truth with clarity and sincerity.

Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than man’s. Paul understood that distinction. Rather than relying on admired human methods, he presented what God had revealed. Psalm 19:7 affirms the effectiveness of this approach: “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul.” Paul’s preaching came from conviction in the power of that word.

The Message Was Focused on Christ Crucified
Paul’s goal was to keep the message centered on Jesus—His life, teachings, death, resurrection, and the salvation offered through Him (1 Corinthians 2:2). To preach Christ crucified includes proclaiming the entire gospel—His virgin birth, His parables, His atoning death, and His victorious resurrection. All of it is essential, and it is this message that leads people to salvation (Romans 1:16).

Paul recalls coming to Corinth in weakness, fear, and trembling (1 Corinthians 2:3). He was deeply aware of the weight of his responsibility. Acts 18:9–10 shows that God encouraged Paul to continue preaching boldly in Corinth. Even with apostolic authority, Paul approached the work with humility. He knew the message had eternal consequences.

The Gospel Was Confirmed by the Spirit’s Power
Paul’s preaching was not based on persuasive arguments or rhetorical tricks. Instead, it came in demonstration of the Spirit and power (1 Corinthians 2:4). The miracles confirmed that his words were from God and gave his audience confidence in the message. These demonstrations were necessary during the time of revelation, before the New Testament had been completed. The miracles were never about personal attention—they were about confirming truth.

Paul was committed to delivering the gospel message plainly and faithfully. He avoided any methods that would shift focus to himself or make the message dependent on emotional manipulation. His goal was for their faith to rest on the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5), not the talent of a speaker or the logic of philosophers.

God’s Wisdom Is For the Willing
Paul explains that he did teach wisdom, but it was shared among those who were spiritually prepared to receive it (1 Corinthians 2:6). God’s wisdom isn’t based on worldly trends or philosophical systems. It is enduring and eternal. The wisdom of the rulers of that age did not lead to truth—it ultimately faded, while the gospel remained.

Paul refers to the gospel as the “wisdom of God in a mystery” (1 Corinthians 2:7). This doesn’t mean it was unknowable. It means it had not yet been fully revealed until the first century. Romans 16:25–26 and Ephesians 3:3–5 explain that the gospel was hidden in past generations but revealed through the apostles and prophets in the Christian age. What had once been concealed was now being opened and proclaimed to all nations.

This Revelation Was Meant for Us
Jesus said in Matthew 13:17 that many prophets and righteous men longed to see and hear what the disciples experienced. 1 Peter 1:10–12 echoes this idea—the Old Testament prophets predicted the coming grace but did not fully understand it. In Paul’s day, the mystery was revealed through inspired men, and by the end of the first century, the complete message had been made available. That revelation was for our benefit—so we could know the way of salvation.

Why So Many Rejected It
Paul states that the rulers of the age did not understand this wisdom, and as a result, they crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8). Acts 3:17 explains they acted in ignorance. They had the prophecies, but their hearts were not prepared to receive the kind of Messiah that God had promised. They wanted a different kind of leader—one that fit their expectations—and chose to reject Jesus. The scriptures had given them what they needed to identify Him, but they refused to listen. While many individuals recognized Jesus as the Messiah, most rejected Him and demanded His death.

Sectarianism Rejects God's Wisdom
The root of division in Corinth was the elevation of human leaders. Some preferred Paul, others Apollos or Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul reminds them that true unity is grounded in God's message, not in human personalities. Loyalty to men fractures the body of Christ and opens the door to sectarianism. The only safeguard is a return to God’s wisdom—the revealed word.

Sectarianism Sermon Outline:

• I. Paul Did Not Preach With Man’s Wisdom

  • 1 Corinthians 2:1; Isaiah 55:8–9 – God’s ways are higher

  • Psalm 19:7 – God’s word restores the soul

• II. Paul Preached Christ Crucified

  • 1 Corinthians 2:2; Romans 1:16 – The gospel is the power of God

  • Acts 18:9–10 – God reassured Paul in his mission

• III. The Gospel Was Confirmed by Power

  • 1 Corinthians 2:4–5; Mark 16:20 – Miracles confirmed the message

  • Paul delivered truth without showmanship

• IV. God’s Wisdom Is For the Willing

  • 1 Corinthians 2:6–7; Romans 16:25–26; Ephesians 3:3–5 – The mystery revealed

  • Only hearts open to truth received it

• V. Many Rejected the Message

  • 1 Corinthians 2:8; Acts 3:17; Matthew 13:17; 1 Peter 1:10–12 – They had the truth, but rejected it

• VI. The Danger of Sectarianism

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10–13; 3:4–7 – Elevating men over Christ divides the church

Call to Action:
Let us renew our focus on the revealed wisdom of God. Sectarianism grows when human personalities are exalted above divine truth. The apostles delivered the full message of salvation—not as performers, but as faithful messengers. If we are to be united, we must follow the same gospel and hold fast to the same authority. Let us turn to God’s word, heed it with sincerity, and cast off every form of division rooted in human pride.

Key Takeaways:

• Paul’s preaching avoided worldly techniques and focused on God’s message (1 Corinthians 2:1–2)

• Salvation is rooted in the gospel, which contains the full message of Christ (Romans 1:16)

• Miracles confirmed the truth until revelation was complete (Mark 16:20)

• The gospel was once hidden but is now fully revealed (Ephesians 3:5)

• Many reject the gospel because it does not align with their expectations (Acts 3:17)

• Division arises when we place men above the message (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4–7)

Scripture Reference List:

• 1 Corinthians 2:1–8 – Paul’s approach to preaching

• Isaiah 55:8–9; Psalm 19:7 – God's wisdom and perfect law

• Romans 1:16; Romans 16:25–26 – The gospel’s power and revelation

• Acts 18:9–10; Acts 3:17 – Paul’s assurance and the rulers' ignorance

• Ephesians 3:3–5; Matthew 13:17; 1 Peter 1:10–12 – The mystery now revealed

• 1 Corinthians 1:10–13; 3:4–7 – Sectarianism addressed

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO