Apostle Paul was well educated and knew how to use the intricacies of rhetoric and the figures of speech of his day to drive the primary theme of his messages. Here’s an example:
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
(1 Corinthians 2:2)
His statement could be reduced to knowing just five words: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Taken to an extreme through reason beyond the bounds of Scripture, a literal interpretation might conclude that all other Scripture can safely be ignored.[1] Furthermore, a bizarro world interpretation might conclude these words are akin to a sorcerer’s incantation, even when spoken in an unknown tongue.
Even if the five words themselves are generally comprehensible, their meaning is opaque unless one understands the Law and the nature of sin, who Jesus Christ is, His significance to all creation, the uniqueness of His crucifixion, why He suffered it, and its redeeming outcome. This level of understanding[3] requires knowing what Scripture reveals and recognizing that its salvific prophecies culminate in the blessed event on the cross.[4]
When examined in a broader context it is clear that Paul used this statement to punctuate the primary theme of his preaching. Indeed, it is the theme of all Holy Scripture, a matter that is simple yet incomprehensible by human wisdom. It is the same theme directly prophesied through God’s chosen Prophets and indirectly written into ancient life-stories through type and shadow. (Consider David and his defeat of Goliath and the story’s parallel to Christ defeating sin, death, and the devil, and his five smooth stones echoing his trust in God with the five books of Moses.)
Paul was saying that regardless of all his teaching, preaching, and mission travels, the primary point of it all was the cross of Christ. If they forgot everything else he taught them, it was imperative they remembered the cross, because He was born and lived for the cross, and through the cross as our Bridegroom He performed His work of redemption to gather the Church for His bride.
Are these five words all we really need to know? Yes, but the foundation of these words is the entirety of creation and of Scripture,[5] none of which can be safely ignored and indeed are enlightened though His gift of faith[6] through the Holy Spirit.
[1] This interpretation has been heard frequently in Church[2] sermons, implying that Scripture reading should be discouraged and instructions can safely be ignored.
[2] Finnish Independent Apostolic Lutheran Congregations. (I.A.L.C.)
[3] “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it.” (Matthew 13:23)
[4] This concept is similar to the proper distinction between Law and Gospel, whereby the sweetness of the Gospel can not be fully understood unless the wrath of the Law is fully appreciated.
[5] This means we also honor and preserve the sacraments (Holy Communion and Holy Baptism) that He Himself instituted, in the way He instituted, as He said, “do this”. (Luke 22:19)
[6] Simply having knowledge does not save, but faith is necessary. See James 2:19.