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knowledge as highly desirable, but he was writing about the grace of God given them
through Jesus Christ. He thanks God on behalf of the Corinthians for the grace of God
which he says:
"... is given you by Jesus Christ; that in everything ye are enriched by Him, in all
utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you"
(I Cor. 1: 4-6).
In chapter 8: there are five references to knowledge in connection with eating
things offered to idols. Some believers did not have the same knowledge as the members
of the church at Corinth. In verse 7 he says, "Howbeit there is not in every man that
knowledge". Paul opens chapter 8: with the remark, referring to things offered to
idols, "we know that we all have the knowledge" but he immediately adds the warning,
"Knowledge puffeth up, but charity (love) edifieth". This warning is repeated in that
wonderful chapter 13:, which we should always bear in mind:
"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all
knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not
charity (love), I am nothing" (I Cor. 13: 2).
"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there
be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away" (13: 8).
We should remember that it is the knowledge of the Lord that is vital, for if we get to
know Him our whole personality is affected. Paul described this as a "sweet savour of
Christ":
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh
manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet
savour of Christ ..." (II Cor. 2: 14, 15).
The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that he did not preach himself, but Christ Jesus
the Lord. God, Who caused light to shine out of darkness "hath shined in our hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (4: 5, 6).
Paul was prepared to count everything he had as loss in order that he might gain the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. He wanted to "win Christ" and he desired
to "know Him" (read Phil. 3: 4-14).
Another statement that is precious is found in Colossians, "In Whom (Christ) are hid
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2: 3).
Finally, we come to the prayer in Eph. 3:, where Paul prays that we may be
strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our
hearts by faith. Again we have an emphasis on love (charity). May we also be rooted
and grounded in love, and comprehend what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and
height, and
"to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the
fullness of God" (see Eph. 3: 16-21).