1 Corinthians - session 1
Chapters 1 - 3
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Reading my Study Bible, I learned that Paul worked and supporting himself in Corinth for well over a year. "The church he founded became one of the largest in the first century" [The Student Bible, NIV translation, Zondervan, page 1193]. The city of Corinth was known for the life-style of most of it's inhabitants. Their style was WILD!! Drunkenness and prostitution was rampant. Paul said he came to Corinth "in weakness and fear with much trembling" (1 Cor. 2:3). This city was in a strategic location on a vital trade route. Establishing a Christian Community there was risky, but Paul knew God intended for this to happen.
This letter opens with Paul's thankfulness for the Grace of God "given you in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. 1:4). This grace had enriched them and kept them "in community" in spite of the environment in which they lived. Can't you imagine how many made fun of them, or insulted them? Yet, Paul had heard of the divisions, amounting to arguments, within their own church.
The first three chapters are well worth your reading time! This is an age old question: What holds a church together? "God's secret wisdom" (I Cor. 2:9-16)
Even Isaiah prophesied this:
This letter opens with Paul's thankfulness for the Grace of God "given you in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. 1:4). This grace had enriched them and kept them "in community" in spite of the environment in which they lived. Can't you imagine how many made fun of them, or insulted them? Yet, Paul had heard of the divisions, amounting to arguments, within their own church.
The first three chapters are well worth your reading time! This is an age old question: What holds a church together? "God's secret wisdom" (I Cor. 2:9-16)
Even Isaiah prophesied this:
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived all that God has prepared for those who love Him, who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed. (Isaiah 64:4 & 1 Cor. 2:9, The Amplified Bible)
Paul went on to explain to his readers how God reveals this "by His Spirit . . . The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." Who knows "the thoughts of God, except the Spirit of God . . . We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God." -- We speak "in words taught by the Spirit expressing Spiritual truths in Spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things of God . . . he cannot understand them, because they are Spiritually discerned."
For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may reveal it? but we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:9-16)
In chapter three, Paul admits that his words may not be convincing to "mere infants in Christ . . . I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready . . . there is jealously and quarreling among you" (1 Cor. 3:1.2). These were baptized Christians, part of the "fold", yet they did not have the "secret wisdom" of God through the Holy Spirit. It's interesting to read how Paul, in love and concern, chastised them in order to help them mature in the Spirit. "Don't you not know that you yourselves are God's temple and the God's Spirit lives within you?" (1 Cor. 3:16)
Some of them were divided over the opinions of men in the church. His directions were:
Some of them were divided over the opinions of men in the church. His directions were:
No more boasting about men. All things are yours and you are of Christ and Christ is of God.
(1 Cor. 3:2)
Christian understanding, especially in a church situation, can be difficult for all concerned . . . not just the pastor or priest. Reading these words of Paul--actually reading them out loud--can give a vital message to all involved in a disruptive discussion. Thanks be to God that He used the mind, the heart, the voice of Paul to reveal to us His very own will within and without the Christian Church!