“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
My Notes
What Does 1 Corinthians 1:30 Mean?
Paul explains that believers are in Christ Jesus not by their own doing but by God's initiative — "of him are ye." God placed you there. And once in Christ, Jesus becomes four things for you: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
These four cover every dimension of the spiritual life. Wisdom — you know how to live. Righteousness — you are right with God. Sanctification — you are being made holy. Redemption — you are fully liberated. Christ is all of it.
The order may be significant: wisdom first (correcting the Corinthians' obsession with human wisdom), followed by the three aspects of salvation — being declared righteous, being transformed, and being finally freed.
"That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" — the purpose is to eliminate all boasting. If Christ is your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, you have nothing to boast about except him. Every spiritual asset you have came from outside you.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Which of the four — wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption — do you most need Christ to be for you right now?
- 2.How does knowing these come from God's initiative rather than your effort change your posture?
- 3.What does it mean to 'glory in the Lord' rather than in your own spiritual achievements?
- 4.Where have you been looking for wisdom or righteousness outside of Christ?
Devotional
Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom. When you do not know what to do — when the path is unclear and your own understanding fails — Christ is your wisdom. Not just a source of wisdom. He is wisdom.
And righteousness. Your standing before God is not built on your performance. It is built on Christ being your righteousness. You are not trying to be righteous enough. You have a righteousness that is not yours, and it is more than enough.
And sanctification. The process of becoming holy is not your project. Christ is your sanctification. He is both the standard and the means. The holiness is his, worked in you, not generated by you.
And redemption. The freedom is complete. Bought and paid for. You are not partially free, not provisionally free. Redeemed. Fully. Because Christ is your redemption.
Four things you need. One person who provides all of them. If you have been shopping for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, or redemption in any other store — Paul says: there is only one source. And you are already in him.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
But of him - That is, by his agency and power. It is not by philosophy; not from ourselves; but by his mercy. The…
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus - Even the good which you possess is granted by God, for it is by and through him that…
We have here,
I. The manner in which Paul preached the gospel, and the cross of Christ: Not with the wisdom of words…
of him are ye in Christ Jesus Humanity is nothing in the sight of God, except it be created anew in Christ Jesus. By…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture