Emphasizing Jesus Christ

Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). Why did Paul place such an emphasis on teaching Jesus? He explains, "so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:5).

The Corinthians had a problem of following after men. This resulted in division, as some were saying, "'I am of Paul,' and 'I of Apollos,' and 'I of Cephas,' and 'I of Christ'" (1 Cor. 1:12). Paul later explained that when they claimed loyalty to these men, they were carnally minded and immature (1 Cor. 3:1-4).

The inspired apostle sought to correct this thinking so that they would focus on following Christ, and not men. This is the first problem he addressed in his letter (1 Cor. 1:10-17). But notice how he subtly makes this point before he explicitly states it.

{1} Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
{2} To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
{3} Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
{4} I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
{5} that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
{6} even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,
{7} so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
{8} who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
{9} God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
{10} Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

In the first ten verses of this letter, Paul mentions the name of Christ ten times. In doing so he references His deity, lordship (authority), gospel, and revelation in judgment. He also points out that in Him we have salvation, sanctification, grace, fellowship, and unity.

No man can compare with Christ. No one can offer us what Christ can. So let us do as Paul encouraged the Corinthians to do: be wholly devoted to Christ and serve Him faithfully.