"The Rock Was Christ": 1 Cor 10:4b-c as Pauline Challenge of the Corinthians’ Understanding of Wisdom (original) (raw)

2018, Korean Journal of Christian Studies 109

This paper argues 1 Cor 10:4b-c was written to counter the Corinthians’ understanding of wisdom by modifying the Alexandrian tradition that understood the rock as Wisdom to an understanding of the rock as Christ. In the Alexandrian tradition, the rock is associated with Wisdom as exemplified by Philo: “The flinty rock is the wisdom of God” (Philo, Leg. 2.86). Yet, in the Pauline amendment, the rock is typified as Christ: “and the rock was Christ” (1 Cor 10:4c). Realizing Paul’s modification of the Alexandrian tradition uncovers the implied message in the enigmatic phrase, “For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ” (v. 4b-c), in close affinity within the larger context of chapters 8-10 and 1 Cor as a whole. This thesis is supported by both traditio-historical and sociological perspectives. Regarding the traditio-historical perspective, Paul’s statement of v. 4b-c appears to presuppose the “well tradition” (v. 4b; cf. LAB 10.7; 11.15; Tg. Onq. Num. 21:16-20; cf. t. Sukkah 3.11) and the “rock tradition” (v. 4c; cf. Philo, Leg. 2.86; Wis 11:4), which are traditions in Jewish literature that mention Israel’s source of water in the wilderness. Paul was aware of both traditions and was able to integrate them into his writing. By using the Alexandrian rock tradition, mutually shared between Paul and the church of Corinth, Paul challenges the Corinthians’ understanding of wisdom. Paul’s hidden message can be discerned by simple syllogism: the rock is the wisdom of God (Philo), the rock was Christ (Paul), therefore, Christ is the (true) wisdom of God. From a sociological perspective, Paul’s challenge to the Corinthians’ understanding of wisdom was a critical message for those who were devoted to wisdom and believed themselves to be elevated above others; the wisdom and knowledge held by these Christians led them to provoke grave quarrels and divisions in the church (1 Cor 1:10-17; 3:1-23) and eat food offered to idols (8:4), which destroyed weak believers in the church (8:11). Paul’s statement in v. 4c, therefore, is a calling for these puffed-up Christians to put down their false wisdom. They are to follow the path of Christ, the personified Wisdom of God (1:24, 30) as revealed on the cross (1:18-25), represented as the love of one’s brothers and sisters and surrendering one’s right.