1 Cor 2 explains that it is not by man's intellect, but only through the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit that man gains spiritual wisdom and maturity in the spiritual truths of God. Even the message of the gospel is received as foolishness if given only by the fancy persuasive eloquence of human wisdom. Paul says he preaches the gospel very simply and plainly and rests on the work of the Holy Spirit. God's truths are "revealed to us by His Spirit, and ...His Spirit shows us even God's deep secrets" (v.10). "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us" (v12). Nobody can know what the Lord is thinking , but we can have some insight into His thoughts by the illumination from the indwelling Holy Spirit. "We have the mind of Christ" (v.16). I'm guessing that this doesn't just happen passively (ie. while we are sleeping), but requires regular time of fellowship with God in His word, and talking and listening to Him.

In 1 Cor 1 , Paul addresses some struggles within the Corinthian church, including divisiveness and understanding the wisdom of God. In his introduction, Paul says he is writing to those "who have been called by God to be his own holy people" (v.2), since he is about discuss their need for spiritual unity and Christlike character. He says that just like all believers everywhere, they share the same privilege of being made holy by means of Jesus Christ. Paul then gives thanks to God for them and affirms their spiritual gifts and their standing before God. He encourages them, explaining that God will preserve them and "keep them strong right up to the end", and will "keep them free from all blame" on the great day when Jesus returns (v 8). Paul reminds them again that God is the one who called them into fellowship with His Son Jesus, and He is faithful and will surely preserve them, "for He always does just what He says" (v.9). Once under grace, always under grace. As Paul addresses the issue of unity, he mentions Christ over and over (10 times in v. 1-10) to emphasize that believers are all in allegiance to the same Christ Jesus. He says , "dear brothers", emphasizing the family of God in his appeal to them to stop arguing and to be "united in thought and purpose". Next, Paul addresses their misunderstandings about human wisdom and God's wisdom. He explains that nobody can find God through human wisdom alone, since the message of the cross sounds foolish to those who are not called by God to salvation. "Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God" (v.24). Paul reminds again that "God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus" (v.30) and therefore "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord"(v31).

Romans 16 is composed primarily of a list of greetings to 26 of Paul's dear friends. There is also some final instructions from Paul in v. 17-20, where he urges believers to watch out for false teachers whose aim is to cause divisions and upset people's faith. He encourages the believers to remain obedient to the Lord and to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. How can we do as Paul says? Fellowship in God's word daily and ask God to reveal His truth and listen and obey to the guidance and wisdom given in grace through illumination by His Spirit.

Romans 14 teaches us not to be critical or cause there to be any stumbling blocks in a weaker brother's way. We are not to condemn another servant of God due to a disagreement, but allow God to show them what is right. We can trust that "the Lord is able to make them stand" (v.4). Paul says, "So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another" (v.19). Romans 15 teaches then, to help bear the weaknesses of a brother, for his edification. Accept one another, for the united purpose of bringing praise and glory to God for His grace and mercy. Paul says to boast together only in Christ's work in you, and strive together in prayer , that God might "fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".

In Romans 13, Paul teaches us to respect and obey ruling government authorities, since God has appointed them for the purpose of punishing wrongdoing. He gives three reasons for living rightly and in subjection : 1) to avoid punishment from the authorities, 2) to keep a clear conscience, and 3) time is running out for Christ's return. Paul says to give to all men their dues, whether taxes, fear, or honor, being in debt for nothing, except to love one another as yourself. Paul concludes by saying, "Let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you and don't think of ways to indulge your evil desires".

Romans 12 is about recognizing and engaging our purpose in Christ. Paul says we should respond to God's amazing mercy and grace by presenting ourselves to God as an act of worship. In this way, He transforms our thinking and allows us to know his good and perfect will. We will then be able to see ourselves from God's eternal perspective and understand the basis of our self-worth--- our identity in Christ. Each of us has been given the ability to do certain things well "in accordance with the measure of faith" given by grace from God. Paul says we are to use these abilities "in proportion to our faith", in devotion to one another in love, and in service to the Lord. Paul concludes the chapter by encouraging us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, living in harmony and peace with everyone.

Romans 10 and 11 are about the "remnant of Israel". As clarified in chapter 9, "Israel" , "Jews" , "children of God" seem to refer to the "children of the promise" or "those of the faith of Abraham" , rather than the biological descendants of Abraham. Here, Paul speaks about how he longs for Israel to stop clinging to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. He longs for them to believe in what Christ has already accomplished in making them right with God. Paul asks a rhetorical question, "How can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him?" (v.14). Paul says that not everyone who hears welcomes the message of the Good News. He explains, with quotes from Isaiah, that Israel not only heard, but understood the message. However, they rejected the message and kept disobeying and arguing against it. Paul says, though, that "not all the Jews have turned away from God", but a few are being saved as a result of God's grace in choosing them. "So this is the situation, that most of the Jews have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have---the ones God has chosen-- but the rest were made unresponsive" (v. 11:7). The "Jews" are God's chosen people and are the objects of His promises to Abraham, for God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn (v.29). Paul then says to the gentiles, "you ,too, were once rebels against God, but when the Jews refused his mercy, God was merciful to you instead. And now, in the same way, the Jews are the rebels, and God's mercy has come to you. But someday they , too, will share in God's mercy (v.31)". There is much to cause confusion in all of this, but that's ok. "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (v.33)" Maybe it is impossible for us to understand all the details, but it's enough just to know that "everything exists by his power and is intended for His glory" (v.36).