1 Corinthians 1:1-17
Q.1. Whom did Paul see himself to be? Who was Sosthenes? How did Paul view the Corinthian believers? What gave Paul confidence that they would stand firm to the end? – (1 Cor.1:1-9)
Paul claimed that he was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. Throughout his letters to the Corinthian Church, he found it necessary to defend his apostleship (1 Cor.1:1; 4:9; 9:1-2; 2 Cor.11;1-5; 12:11-13). There were people in the Corinthian Church who were puffed up by claims of giftedness, but who lacked humility and teachability. Sosthenes was the converted leader of the synagogue at Corinth, hence a Jewish brother (1 Cor.1:1 c.f. Acts 18:17). Though the believers could be divisive and factional, there was still much to commend them. Paul described the church as being purified, consecrated, and selected by Christ to be His own, along – … with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ … (1 Cor.1:2). Their leaders were gifted and had good understanding of the truth. Some were capable preachers, thus confirming Christ’s work in them (1 Cor.1:3-7). They were passionate, not least because they were – … awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor.1:7). Paul was confident that they would stand firm, because of God’s commitment to them. He believed that God – 8 will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor.1:8-9).
Q.2. What was the cause of divisions among the Corinthians? How is it possible to gain oneness? What did Paul do to avoid becoming the centre of attention? – (1 Cor.1:10-17)
One of the leading families had sent word to Paul that the church had formed cliques who argued about interpretations that were attributed to different key men – … saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” (1 Cor.1:12 c.f. 1 Cor.1:11). Paul put his case for writing as follows – Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Cor.1:10). All churches will have people with differences of opinion, since they have people of different nationalities and cultures, gifts and passions, and temperaments. How then, can there be oneness? (c.f. Gal.3:28). We must start with the premise that Christ commands us to be one, and then in love work towards that whenever differences arise (c.f. Jn.13:34-35). It means entrusting ourselves to the Head of the Church, Who alone judges righteously (c.f. 1 Pet.2:23; 4:19). Paul denounced their factionalism and reminded them that it should all be about Jesus. He alone was crucified for sinners, and it is into His family that converts are baptised (1 Cor.1:13). It is clear that Paul went to great lengths to not be the centre of attention, and that he happily allowed others to baptise his converts (1 Cor.1:14-16). His ministry was not about statistics or ceremonies – for Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void (1 Cor.1:17). His example had been to share the Gospel, while working in a team with his co-workers.