1 Corinthians 1-4

1 Corinthians 1-2 – The Divisions

Corinth was a wealthy, but wicked sinful city.  The new church in Corinth found it hard not to act like their neighbors; therefore they had problems.  Some members were arguing and taking sides against each other.  Some were living sinful lives.  Paul wrote his letter to scold them and teach them how Christians should act. 

Paul wrote this letter is to all believers.  He used the phrase “Do you not know” several times in the book.  He wanted so much more for them and was concerned how they were living.  Being a Christian is living differently from others.  He reminded them that they were set apart and chosen.  He described the grace God had given them.  He told them that they were enriched in every way – in all their speaking and in all their knowledge and they were not lacking in any spiritual gifts.   Jesus would keep them strong to the end and they would be held blameless when He returns. (1 Corin. 1:5-7).  

Do you have one foot in God’s kingdom and one foot in the world?

Do you think you will be held blameless?

Principle:  God calls believers to live according to their new identity in Christ.

There was a major problem in the church at Corinth.  It was division.  There was disunity, pride and quarreling.  They had formed little cliques and were divided in beliefs and were definitely not living in Christian unity.  Each little clique said they were following “Paul” or “Apollos” or Cephas” or “Christ”.  Each boasted about their “party leader”.  Paul reminded them that Christ was not divided so there’s no reason for them to be divided if they are followers of Christ.  They should live by the fruits of the Spirit.  (See Galatians 5:22-26 for a list of the fruits of the Spirit.) 

There is the same danger today when we follow or promote Christian celebrities.  To follow them and let them be our example, we can fall into sin.  Remember no one is perfect.  Everyone sins.  Watching someone else and letting ourselves be influenced by them can be dangerous.  If their life doesn’t line up with God’s Word, you could get into trouble.  Jesus should be our example.

Paul explained that the cross is foolish to some people.  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” – 1 Corn. 1:18.  Why does the message of the cross seem foolish to some?  Some think salvation is just too easy while others think it’s too hard.  They see the gospel as losing control of their lives.  

Paul compared human wisdom to God’s wisdom.  “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Corin. 1:25)  God gives wisdom to His people through His Holy Spirit.  Paul’s message illustrates God’s wisdom and the Spirit’s power.  “I came to you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corin. 2:3-5)

How do you compare human wisdom with God’s wisdom?  There is no comparison.  Our thoughts are not His thoughts and our ways are not His ways. When Christians brag on their talents, personality or intelligence, they are showing pride instead of dependence on the cross to reveal God’s true wisdom.

Why does God use the weak and the foolish in His plans?  God uses the weak and foolish to shame the wise and to reveal His power.  If He chose the strong, they would say it’s because they are strong, educated, rich, influential, etc.  Then God’s power would be in question.

Only the Holy Spirit can tell us about God’s wisdom.  He searches all things, even the deep things of God.  No one can know what someone else is thinking.  No one can know the thoughts of God except God Himself.  Only the Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God.  Those without the Holy Spirit can’t understand spiritual things, because to them they seem foolish.  But the saved accept God’s Spirit and let Him lead them.  The Spirit helps them make the right decision.  They know the mind of Christ.

Principle:  God foolishness is wiser than man’s wisdom.

1 Corinthians 3 – The Consequences

Paul told the Corinthians that they were still living as infants in Christ.  They were still living worldly.  There was jealousy and quarreling.  They were acting no different than non believers.  Believers are called to live differently.  Standing out for Christ is not easy.  Maturity in Christ is hard, but don’t give up.  It’s not easy, but we don’t have to do it alone.

Paul was hindered from speaking of the deep wisdom of God because they were still worldly and infants in Christ.  They were still on “milk” and not ready for “solid food”.  They were only ready for the basics and not for the deep teachings of scripture.  Sometimes God’s Word is not easy to understand and they needed to become more mature before getting the “solid food”.  We get that maturity by staying in the Word, practicing the Word, and staying in fellowship with other Christians.

By worldly Paul meant they, like the world today, did not submit to God, they judged others, and they loved money, power, success, self, etc.  They lived by the standards of the world.  In other words, they were under Satan’s control. 

Where are you not living set apart?   

Is there someone in your life not living up to Christ’s standards that you need to confront? 

How are you encouraging your brothers and sisters in Christ? 

There was division in the church and Paul reminded them to be careful on what kind of foundation they lay.  If we build on a weak foundation which is our own will and self-serving, it will not stand up to the test.   Nothing is this world lasts forever.  Nothing will stand up to the test.  Christ has already laid the sure foundation, which is His will.  Only God’s way will stand up to the test.  Look at Paul’s life.  It shows the power of Jesus Christ.

How is the power of God seen in your circumstances? 

Are you walking in your own power?

Will you ask God to move you out of the way?

The foundation on which we should live is Jesus Christ and God’s Word.  Paul talked about how fire can test pure metal.  Fire can also destroy.  God’s judgment is like fire.  When Jesus returns, God will judge the value of each person’s work.  He will reward those whose work was valuable and destroy what has no value.  Jesus died in our place so we would not have to suffer God’s wrath.  Now we have access to God.  This doesn’t really make sense to us, but we don’t need to understand it.  We just need to trust it!

On what are you building your foundation?

Where are your treasurers?

How are you spending your time?

Paul told them that they are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in them.  There were many temples in Corinth with many idols in them.  Only Christians in Corinth had the one true God among them by means of His Spirit making them like a temple.

Some thought they were wise and proud of it.  Paul told them not to deceive themselves thinking they were wise.  God thinks they are foolish.  “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” – 1 Corin. 3:19.  If they want to become wise, they must become humble.  He wants them to understand that only one person if in charge.  That is Jesus.

Principle:  Jesus Christ is the foundation for all believers.

1 Corinthians 4 – The Servant

Paul showed how foolish the Corinthians Christians were to think themselves more blessed than the apostles were.  He described his own ministry of deprivation and humiliation.  The Corinthians tended to look down on him and had no respect of his authority.  Paul asked that he and the other apostles be regarded as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with secret things of God.  He really didn’t care what they thought of him, because it’s what God thought that is important.  Paul had little praise from the Corinthians, which didn’t concern him.  He knew that his praise would come from God.  (1 Corin. 4:1-5) 

Paul told the Corinthians that they thought they had it all and had no need to learn any more spiritual truths.  They were inflated with pride.  They thought very highly of themselves.  They thought they were wise and powerful.  They put themselves above others.  They didn’t give honor to Christ or the apostles.  Believers who have true spiritual power are humble, fools for Christ but wise in Christ, weak but strong, honored but dishonored. – (1 Corin.4:8-13) 

Paul wrote to them like a father who wanted his son to do what was right.  He wrote to them not to shame them, but to warn them.  He urged them to imitate him.  Because he loved them he was sending Timothy to them and that he, Paul would come later.  He would come as a father scolding them or as a father of love and gentle spirit.   It was their choice.  (1 Corin. 4:14-21).

Principle:  God judges His people’s work.

Join me here next week as we continue our study of 1 Corinthians  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

Principle:  God calls believers to live according to their new identity in Christ.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

 

You can follow this blog by clicking "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post.