Paul spends the majority of this chapter having to justify himself against the humanistic theories and worldly intelligences that were causing divisions within the church. He was called by the will of God to be a shepherd to the Gentile nations so that all could be brought to the foot of the cross and be redeemed. Instead he has to waste precious time and soothe the bruised egos of professional Christians who do not mind if the world slaps them , just don't let the man of God speak one word of truth!
Everything old is new again. Mankind is still hooked on the drug of "me" and refuses to give the scepter back to the King so He can rule with divine grace and justice.
For myself , verse three is key as it states the frame of mind we need in order to perceive the salvation of Jesus Christ properly. "But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." The satanic hiss of, " Ye shall not surely die ", spoken in Genesis 3:4, still echos it's lie in the world today as we witness the emerging church taking it's place on the pinnacle for all to see.
Luke 18:17 : Jesus said, " Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."
We have not grown too smart for God and the plan of salvation is joyously simple!
Robert MacPhee Jr
