June 19, 2024
1 Corinthians 1
The concern for the need of the Corinthian people who became believers, by faith, in Christ to be “liked minded” (verse 10) was becoming apparent from a report by Chloe to Paul. Paul begins this letter establishing his leadership, by Christ, as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will”, (verse 1) and uplifts the Corinthian people by calling them “saints” and the future generations of the church with this statement, “to all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (verse 2) to pay attention to this instruction being given. The problems of ancient times are still the problems of today.
If you remember our study in Acts, Paul was becoming frustrated with the Jews when they resisted and blasphemed the Lord, Acts 18:6, so he began to preach the message to the Gentiles. Many of the Corinthian people believed and were baptized. God encouraged Paul to keep preaching there, that God had many people in Corinth and that Paul would not be hurt. Because of this, Paul continually gave God thanks for them, (verse 4). A new city can be lonely. Now during this year and a half stay, (Acts 18:11), the leader of the synagogue, Crispus became a believer in Christ, he was fired. Sosthenes became the next leader of the synagogue. At that time, the Jews brought Paul to Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, Gallio dismissed the charges because they were of “religious concerns” that mattered little to the Roman authority. The Jews then beat up the new leader of the synagogue, Sosthenes. Hmm, wouldn’t we like to hear the testimony of Sosthenes because he is now a believer in Christ according to Paul’s opening statement in our new study of Corinthians.
This first problem being addressed is the division of the Church. They are being reminded that Christ cannot be divided. He came to be crucified not divided. This division was being created by baptism which is still a topic of division today. Being Baptized, although important because it is an act of obedience, does not save as we read about Simon, the sorcerer, in Acts 8:13. And certainly the baptizer was only being obedient as instructed by Jesus before He ascended to heaven, Mark 16:15-18. To be united in Christ is to be obedient to Christ. In Romans we are told not to think too highly of ourselves, Romans 12:3, but to think sensibly. So, this division that is being created is among the people, pot stirrers if you will, not the Church leaders and it’s being encouraged by who was baptized by whom. Paul instructed the Romans, Romans 16:17, to be aware of those who were being divisive and so he warned the Corinthians, also, not to be divisive. Apparently, this was getting out of control because the focus shifted to baptisms from the message of the cross.
This message, this gospel of the cross doesn’t seem foolish to me now. A younger me didn’t really have a concept of the price needed to be paid and, if I could, I would rather “pass-the-buck” of my sin to another person. A younger me wanted to get away with sin and avoid the consequences of sin. The younger me was ignorant of the filthiness of my sin, and my actions and attitudes were proof; I was perishing, (verse 18). My wisdom was no wisdom at all, I was living like a condemned animal. My dad, on the other hand, my dad had it all together. His wisdom was, “I don’t want someone to pay the price for the sin I am accountable for. I will take responsibility.” Well, ok! Both of us were heading for condemnation. Both of us were perishing. I became a Christian with a better understanding of the dirtiness, filth, corruptness and the war against God I was unknowingly part of. My dad, on-the-other-hand, made his previous statement to me as I was witnessing to him. His worldly wisdom may have been his condemnation in his death if he kept those same convictions. That is why your understanding of scripture is a benefit to those around you. If I were to say to my dad, “Dad, the Bible says you would say something like that”, he would have thought about it. Perhaps nothing would have changed but perhaps things would have been different. There will be no signs until Christ returns, the wisdom of God far outweighs the wisdom of man. The hope you and I have is stated in scripture, “God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” (Verse 27) The question to ask yourselves is this, “Are you weak and foolish according to the ways of the world?” If you are, consider Gods invitation to be used in His kingdom. Be bold, proclaim the gospel. Do not be conformed but preach Christ crucified. Many churches today preach Jesus but not many preach Jesus, the Christ, crucified, to their peril. They will soon preach worldly wisdom, to be a better husband/wife. How to be a giver. Don’t be as the hypocrite, etc. Not Christ crucified and why Christ crucified. Ask yourself this question, “If you were in those days, the days of Jesus, would you have yelled ‘crucify, crucify!’’’ My heart today would say no, mercy. Consider this, Jesus came to be crucified for yours and my benefit. Yelling “crucify” we should with tears in our eyes.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, forgive us our sins! Help us to be all to everyone so as not to offend because of our actions. And help us to teach, preach Jesus crucified so that the wise are offended and the Stumbling Block may be seen that you would guide people around the earthly wisdom, to our Savior. Help us to love Your wisdom, to apply Your wisdom, to teach Your wisdom. In Jesus name,
Amen
-David Mroz
