The Writings of 1 Corinthians

If there was a city where a church would really struggle to be effective it was Corinth. Paul was always up for a good challenge so he put Corinth on his list of cities in which to build a church. It would take time. Paul lived in Corinth for two years building a church. This was not easy because Corinth was a port city, full of sailors and merchants. The city offered you whatever you wanted: prostitutes, pagan worship, corruption and decadence. No one cared about living for God.

But Paul was successful. A church was born. After two years Paul left to continue his travels and then he got word that the church had begun to struggle. How do I teach them? How do I help them to know the truth, while they live in a society that is so removed from the truth? These questions would consume Paul’s thinking. Because he could not visit them, he wrote them letters. Paul wrote four letters to the church. 1 Corinthians is the second letter Paul wrote them. The first letter, which no longer exists, confused them so Paul writes again to be as clear as possible with their questions and struggles. 

The best way to address issues is to be clear and straightforward. The issues in this church are the same issues today. People were choosing sides and creating division by following only selective leaders. People thought they were trying to prove how smart they were, forgetting the mystery of the gospel. Some members thought that their freedom in Christ meant they could do anything they wanted, especially regarding sexual behavior. The church had a great deal of conflict over marriages and relationships between people. All of this resulted in believers in the church arguing with each other. And because they couldn’t resolve their conflict they were going to secular judges to win their case. Finally the members were confused and arguing over religious practices. Should they eat food sacrificed to idols? Were they truly free? Was this disobedience to God? 

Paul, in hearing the report about the church, realizes he needs to give them more than answers to their questions. He needs to address the spirit behind their questions. Paul is not a stranger to them. He lived with them for two years. He is their pastor still. So Paul writes as a pastor would write. He writes to them personally. He talks of his own life and ministry. He uses himself as an example. He reminds them of their story with Paul and his time with them. 

When Paul was with them, they were a church. They were one body. Now they have divided and broken apart. How can Paul bring them back together? Only through Christ and His work, so Paul decides to teach them on communion, hoping this spiritual act will help unite them again. 

Paul also teaches them about spiritual gifts and how the Body of Christ works together for the good of God’s mission. He cannot separate theology from practice. And he cannot separate their practice from their heart. At the heart of following Christ and being a church together is love. Faith, hope and love are foundational to the church but love is the greatest of these. 

Paul puts his pen down. Has he addressed all their issues? Has he brought them together under the Lordship of Christ? Is anything missing that will help the church in Corinth truly be a church? Paul ends his letter writing about the resurrection of Jesus. Some people had begun to deny Christ’s resurrection but even more than that, Christians who believed in Christ’s resurrection were not living by it. Paul knew the church in Corinth face many challenges and an eternal promise would correct their perspective on the present. Paul sent the letter to the church, praying his words would help them. At that time Paul did not know that he would need to write two additional letters to this church. Their problems would not go away easily or quickly. But pastor Paul would continue to help them.