“Reasoning from Love"
Acts 18:1-23

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [1 Corinthians 1:21-24]

This is from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. Acts 18 records the church plant in Corinth, which was only fifty miles from Athens. The Athenians [in their wisdom] rejected [and even mocked] the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Corinth, however, they received the Gospel and a church was planted.

But while there was a church in Corinth, the philosophy in Athens was alive and well in Corinth, and so Paul wrote several letters of correction. Corinth was a church with many gifts, but many problems as well. While they had God’s Word, they continued to cling to philosophy. The two do not mix!

“Philosophy” is from the Greek phileo [love] and sophia [wisdom]. A philosopher is a “lover of wisdom.”  Sounds noble, but in reality, it is a lover of self. When you study ancient Greek culture and their multiple gods it becomes obvious. They loved [and indulged in] self. A lover of wisdom is contrary to a lover of God. That is why many Athenians [and Corinthians] rejected the Gospel.

“For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified.”  The Cross resonates love; it reverberates grace and mercy. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” [John 15:13] Then in just a few short hours Jesus went to the Cross to die for our sins. The Cross obliterates philosophy because the love of God is greater far than the wisdom of man.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” [1 Corinthians 13:4-8]

Love was the centerpiece of Paul’s Corinthian letters, and it was penned to a church surrounded by philosophy. We certainly can reason from the Scriptures and reason from Creation; however, the most powerful reasoning is from love.

“The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell.”  Our reasoning [our dialogue] must come from love.