Christ the Power and Wisdom of God to the Called

The apostle Paul establishes a principle of divine providence in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that governs the reception of the gospel: God ordains that His message shall always find welcome among those whom He has effectually called. This success operates on three grounds. First, God secures it for the accomplishment of His elect—those predestined to receive His truth. Second, He maintains it for the honour of His own truth and the doctrine itself which is delivered. Third, He ensures it for the encouragement of His servants and ministers who labour in preaching.

Paul's method demonstrates a critical principle for gospel ministry: a preacher must measure his doctrine's success not by its reception among the great, wise, and mighty of the world, but by its reception among those which are "called"—the godly and effectually called. These possess three advantages. First, they bring superior judgment and skill to discern truth from error. Second, they approach the Word freest from prejudice and carnal affection; the drunkard rejects the sermon on sobriety, the adulterer spurns the preacher of chastity. Third, the called are most intended in the work itself, making their entertainment of the doctrine paramount.

Herein lies Christ's dynamis (power) and sophia (wisdom) of Elohim—not measured by worldly approval, but by the conversion and confirmation of those sovereignly called to inherit eternal life.