Commentary on 1 Corinthians
Pelagius
By calling Sosthenes his brother, Paul is both demonstrating his own humility and pointing out that Sosthenes is a fellow worker in the gospel.
Paul is writing to those who have preserved their sanctity, not to those who have lost it. The former he honors with his letter; the latter he admonishes with his authority.
When the Corinthians came to faith in Christ they were blessed with all grace. But now that they were no longer living according to their faith, they had made void the grace which they had received.
Christ's second coming is described as a revelation, because now it is hidden from us.
Paul did not usurp the functions of the lower offices when he was able to exercise the higher ones. It would be as if nowadays a bishop or even a priest were to do the work of a deacon.
The Jews want signs, because that is what the prophets gave them, but even then they do not believe. The Greeks, on the other hand, want clever academic arguments.
Note that Paul does not say that the divinity of Christ is God's power and wisdom, but rather the pattern of the cross.
Human wisdom is temporal. The power of God is eternal.
See also
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