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1 corinthians overview
In Acts 18:1-5 we read a brief history of how Paul came to Corinth. Leaving Athens he went there and met Pricilla and Aquila, tent makers. He stayed there and weekly went and reasoned in the synagogue. But I like what it says Paul did the moment Timothy and Silas came, Paul devoted his efforts exclusively to preaching. No more reasoning, no more persuading, no more careful placement of his words. I think there comes a point in every preachers life, every Christians life, when they turn a corner. A time when the “reasoning” stops. A time when the “bartering” stops, when the old life and the new life in Christ cease to do battle on a regular basis.
For Paul here in Corinth, when his protégé showed up, when he realized that his pupils were there, he got down to business. He began to narrow down and hone in the reason he was there, Jesus Christ and the Gospel. But it was a defining moment for him at that time. This book will offer some of us a chance to turn that corner. To lay aside some weights and entanglements that have held you up for far too long. If you will let it, 1 Corinthians can educate you, encourage you and edify you.
Corinth was located on the Peloponnesian peninsula. It was important for merchant ships to travel over rather than go around in vulnerability of the Mediterranean. Corinth was as great and important as any city that time. Geographically and financially speaking it was as high as you could go. However, morally speaking it was as low as you could go.
It was equal to any large city in the USA. There they worshipped sex, the goddess Aphrodite. The temple had 10,000 prostitutes at any given time. There lewd acts were committed in the streets and people would walk by and not even bat at eyelash. Corinth was also home to many other gods, Greek gods, atlas, Poseidon, and Achilles to name a few.
We should always remember that whatever corruption or moral decay we are experiencing, it is not new or original. Heinous acts of immorality have been going on since Cain and Sodom. With the exception of the conduits for sin today (ie: internet, modern tech etc), the sins of moral and social wickedness are nothing new to the depravity of mankind.
The golden age of philosophy was born in this city. Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were born of this area. They loved to gather and debate. They were a people given over to the love of wisdom and philosophy. So we have the pride of human knowledge and understanding coupled with sexual lust. A recipe for a people that only Christ could save.
In the book of Acts, we read of Paul who spent about 2 years in Corinth and he, along with Aquila and Pricilla, also tent makers, started a church in their home. Many came to the knowledge of Jesus. Paul, having been driven out of Thessalonica, by his own people, comes to this place by what has to be described as a divine encounter. He meets this couple and they start a three person church as Paul converts them and begins preaching. The church began to grow. It was large, flourishing, making a difference.
Why? Because one man, in obedience, following the Holy Spirit, started talking about Jesus. Countless mighty movements of Christ began with one obedient servant sharing Jesus with someone else. Point is, you have no idea the foundations you can shake, the darkness you can expose, or kingdom difference a little boldness and obedience can make.
As this church grew in the midst of a carnal world and depraved city, problems began to rise in the church. This church became the biggest problem church in the New Testament. Living together as Christ’s followers has always been a challenge.
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.
"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."
"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus.
Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"
Unity is achieved through all members or components being focused upon a common thing.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.”
What makes us united as a body is a collective gaze upon a higher standard.
Bear in mind this letter was written 5 years after the church began. It is at a stage where, let’s say, the honeymoon is over. It is in these instructions that we can heed so much valuable correction and direction from his words. Some of what we will cover in this book are as follows…
Like many churches, it had its share of problems but also its share of good things. That is where Paul begins his letter, talking about the good things first. Its only 9 verses, but hey it’s a start.
The whole book is broken down into two sections. Chapters 1-11 deal with what might
be called the carnalities and chapters 12-16 Paul deals with the Spiritualities.
1 Corinthians chapter 1:1-9. It is a standard opening to a Pauline letter. But it is anything but standard in its depth, meaning and power. Paul is writing this from Ephesus 5 years later in response to reports brought to him. In the first three verses Paul solidifies a few things.
"Christians are like deep-sea divers encased in suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely forth to pull plugs out of bathtubs!"
So it may only be 9 verses but it should give you the push and confidence you need to step out of the bathtub and into the ocean.
Be Blessed
For Paul here in Corinth, when his protégé showed up, when he realized that his pupils were there, he got down to business. He began to narrow down and hone in the reason he was there, Jesus Christ and the Gospel. But it was a defining moment for him at that time. This book will offer some of us a chance to turn that corner. To lay aside some weights and entanglements that have held you up for far too long. If you will let it, 1 Corinthians can educate you, encourage you and edify you.
Corinth was located on the Peloponnesian peninsula. It was important for merchant ships to travel over rather than go around in vulnerability of the Mediterranean. Corinth was as great and important as any city that time. Geographically and financially speaking it was as high as you could go. However, morally speaking it was as low as you could go.
It was equal to any large city in the USA. There they worshipped sex, the goddess Aphrodite. The temple had 10,000 prostitutes at any given time. There lewd acts were committed in the streets and people would walk by and not even bat at eyelash. Corinth was also home to many other gods, Greek gods, atlas, Poseidon, and Achilles to name a few.
We should always remember that whatever corruption or moral decay we are experiencing, it is not new or original. Heinous acts of immorality have been going on since Cain and Sodom. With the exception of the conduits for sin today (ie: internet, modern tech etc), the sins of moral and social wickedness are nothing new to the depravity of mankind.
The golden age of philosophy was born in this city. Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were born of this area. They loved to gather and debate. They were a people given over to the love of wisdom and philosophy. So we have the pride of human knowledge and understanding coupled with sexual lust. A recipe for a people that only Christ could save.
In the book of Acts, we read of Paul who spent about 2 years in Corinth and he, along with Aquila and Pricilla, also tent makers, started a church in their home. Many came to the knowledge of Jesus. Paul, having been driven out of Thessalonica, by his own people, comes to this place by what has to be described as a divine encounter. He meets this couple and they start a three person church as Paul converts them and begins preaching. The church began to grow. It was large, flourishing, making a difference.
Why? Because one man, in obedience, following the Holy Spirit, started talking about Jesus. Countless mighty movements of Christ began with one obedient servant sharing Jesus with someone else. Point is, you have no idea the foundations you can shake, the darkness you can expose, or kingdom difference a little boldness and obedience can make.
As this church grew in the midst of a carnal world and depraved city, problems began to rise in the church. This church became the biggest problem church in the New Testament. Living together as Christ’s followers has always been a challenge.
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.
"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."
"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus.
Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"
Unity is achieved through all members or components being focused upon a common thing.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.”
What makes us united as a body is a collective gaze upon a higher standard.
Bear in mind this letter was written 5 years after the church began. It is at a stage where, let’s say, the honeymoon is over. It is in these instructions that we can heed so much valuable correction and direction from his words. Some of what we will cover in this book are as follows…
- Divisions
- Discipline
- Disputes
- Judging
- Sexual immorality
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Legalism
- Public worship
- Women’s rights and roles.
- Spiritual gifts
- Love
- Tongues
- Orderly worship
- Resurrection
Like many churches, it had its share of problems but also its share of good things. That is where Paul begins his letter, talking about the good things first. Its only 9 verses, but hey it’s a start.
The whole book is broken down into two sections. Chapters 1-11 deal with what might
be called the carnalities and chapters 12-16 Paul deals with the Spiritualities.
1 Corinthians chapter 1:1-9. It is a standard opening to a Pauline letter. But it is anything but standard in its depth, meaning and power. Paul is writing this from Ephesus 5 years later in response to reports brought to him. In the first three verses Paul solidifies a few things.
- Paul confirms his calling. Paul was not new to defending his name V.1. People often challenged his authority not being an original apostle and having the background he did, many who wanted to retain their power and influence over others, confronted him on this. Paul retorts, “I was called by the will of God into the apostleship of Christ.” Doesn’t get any better than that. I was a pastor for one reason and one qualification only, God ordained it. By the unction, preparation and power of the Holy Spirit, God ordained me. Period. Man cannot teach that which God can give through the Holy Spirit.
- Paul confirms the recipient v.2 that would be you!
- Paul confirms his feelings. v.4 He is thankful for them. But not for them strictly, but thankful to God for the grace given them. Noteworthy and a great relief to us, is that despite some 15 chapters of discipline, rebuke and correction, it is the grace of God that comes to the surface first. No matter what you have done, or even still doing, the grace of God in you is higher and stronger, over that behavior. All you have to do is believe it, own it and act upon it. It starts with saying no.
- Paul confirms their intellect and education. v.5 Despite the power and gifts we receive from Christ, mans carnal and natural gifts assume a great role in the kingdom drama of post salvation. The word for “speech” is the word Logos which means word. Or, more succinctly, the Word of God. They were well versed in the kingdom preaching of the day. The main point would be that Christ does not just add power to your life, but enhances existing power and talent and knowledge.
- Paul confirms their gifts v.7 In this church was the whole gamut of Spiritual Gifts. I truly believe that the essence and importance of bodily unity within a church is directly responsible for the power of that church. Why did Paul, (God) want unity among the brethren? For one reason, to maximize the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Disunity minimizes their power to draw all men unto the Jesus.
- Paul confirms their expectations v.8 Their expectations were revealed in verse 7 and confirmed in verse 8. You are right to wait and expect his return. And because you do, he will keep you until that day. There is a sense of safety in believing that Jesus is coming back, that he has you in his hands. I believe in eternal security for the genuine believer, I really do. But for the genuine believer to reap the benefits of eternal life, he must continue to believe, must continue to keep his/her faith.
- Paul confirms their calling v.9 It is sad that a people so equipped, so gifted, so empowered were equally so hindered. And this verse is a foundational verse for the entire book, even a tagline verse for Christianity. Why are we so often so futile, so weak, so silent to make the noise we are called to make. Peter marshal said it best…
"Christians are like deep-sea divers encased in suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely forth to pull plugs out of bathtubs!"
So it may only be 9 verses but it should give you the push and confidence you need to step out of the bathtub and into the ocean.
Be Blessed
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