1 Corinthians 1:30-31 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
In verse twenty-seven Paul begins a statement about God that ends in verse twenty-nine. God is the “him” that Paul is referencing again in verse thirty. We are in Christ of Him (God). The Greek word (ek) translated as “of,” according to Strong’s, denotes “origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds).” God is the origin of our being in Christ. He is the source of the action that places us in Christ.
The Greek word (apo) translated as “of” in the phrase “who of God” has a different connotation. According to Strong’s, this usage denotes “off” or “away.” Strong’s further clarifies this to include separation, departure, and completion. This does not denote that Christ is separated from God as though there was division or contention. The usage here in more closely related to our idea of departure as the place we started from.
Jesus’ point of departure is God the Father. The reason for that departure is what God has caused Him to be (made) unto us. He came to complete the purpose of the Father that we should have wisdom (of which the fear, or reverence, of God is the beginning – Psa 111:10). He is the completion of our righteousness (Jer 23:6). Seeing that our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isa 64:6), we should rejoice greatly in the imputed righteousness of Jesus.
By the will and wisdom of God, Jesus is made unto us our sanctification. It is because of Him that we are able to have any understanding or how we can be holy, as we are commanded (Lev 20:26). All who will inhabit eternal glory are washed in His blood, and we who are blessed to be the church are washed by the word (Eph 5:26).
Finally, God has caused Him to be our redemption. He has ransomed us in full (see Strong’s). He is our Savior eternally, and He is our Savior here, now, today. He has washed away our sins in His blood, and He has delivered us from the hand of the enemy as we walk here in His kingdom. He has completed all that the Father sent Him to do. He has fulfilled all the law and the prophets; He has saved His people from their sins; He is our faithful Husband and Friend; He is our all in all!
This did not happen by chance. He has done all that was written of Him. We have a marvelous and wonderful Savior and Lord to love and cling to. We have the liberty to declare Him to the whole world. I will glory (boast, rejoice) in my Lord, the lover of my soul, as it is written (Psa 105:3).
May we always see clearly how wonderfully our God loves us through Jesus Christ our Lord and glory in Him as it is written!