Paul knew Jesus reigns from a cross

Paul wrote today’s verses to two early Christian audiences different places facing different ideas about how to live as Christians. False teachers were urging the Galatians to adopt circumcision as a “must” for salvation. Corinthian Christians lived in a wildly immoral city. To both groups, Paul said the central truth to remember was Jesus’ crucifixion (and in both he used the regal title “Christ”–Greek for “anointed one.”) As a gifted communicator Paul shaped many parts of each letter to the specific audience. But the king on the cross was a vital center point for both messages.

• People in Paul’s day knew all too much about crucifixion. “Crucifixion was regarded in the ancient world as so horrible… that you didn’t mention it in polite society.” * Paul mentioned it: “I didn’t come preaching… like I was an expert in speech or wisdom,” and the cross was important “so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1, 5). Wow—God’s power worked even through crucifixion! In what areas of life could you trust God’s power to defeat evil?
• Paul grew up in a Jewish tradition that strongly stressed “works of the Law” (behaviors, rituals, actions) to please God. Paul’s Galatian audience was hearing that old traditions were crucial to salvation. Paul refocused them by reminding them, “Jesus Christ was put on display as crucified before your eyes!” (Galatians 3:1). What are you focused on— “works of the law” or God’s power? How can you rely on God’s power as shown on the cross instead of your own personal effort?