October 2, 2024 - 1 Corinthians 1-3

Paul begins his first letter to the Corinthian church with pretty high praise.  He reminds them that they are sanctified in Christ and saints, receivers of grace, enriched in speech and knowledge, having the testimony of Christ confirmed in them, not lacking in any gift, sustained by Christ, guiltless, and having fellowship with Jesus.  Yep, that’s pretty high praise.  But they are not perfect.  Divisions among them exist and quarreling.  This must stop, and how will that be?  Paul tells them, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1:18).  The gospel is the answer!

Paul continues with this theme in chapters 2 and 3, declaring that he could not address the Corinthians “as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ” (3:1).  These people actually look and sound like Christians (see chapter 1) but, regarding the problem of divisions in the fellowship, in this one area they are acting anything but.  Paul ends the chapter:  “So let no one boast in men.  For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future-- all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God” (3:21-23).  That is, one says “You should be with us,” another says, “You should be with us,” and so on.  This is foolishness.  We are all one in Christ.

Christ is made the sure foundation,

Christ the head and cornerstone,

chosen of the Lord, and precious,

binding all the church in one,

holy Zion's help forever,

and her confidence alone.   --J. M. Neale (1861)