During Paul’s third missionary journey, he found himself in the bustling city of Ephesus. It was during this time he wrote a letter to the young church in Corinth, a wealthy port city known for its strategic location at the end of an isthmus connecting the southern Greek peninsula to the mainland.
Corinth was a Greek city deeply immersed in pagan idolatry and philosophical pursuits, involving feasting and sexual immorality. These pagan pursuits were the cause of the issues in the church that compelled Paul to respond.
As we start to explore the First Epistle to the Corinthians, we dive into ancient wisdom that spans time and holds profound insights. Ancient writers wrote tales and shared wisdom in a manner that was both captivating and enlightening. Their stories were laced with techniques designed to aid memory and emphasize key points. Two of these techniques, Parallelism and Repetition, left their mark on the pages of history.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the Apostle Paul, a man of immense learning and profound faith. He used these literary tools with skill as he penned his epistles to the various churches. In this journey, we dive into the pattern that shaped his first letter to the Corinthians. Paul uses “Complex Parrallelism” pattern, A-B-C-b-c-a.
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded by information, understanding these ancient structures becomes vital in deciphering the true essence of books.
Now, let’s look at the 6 parts of 1st Corinthians
Part A – Paul Greetings (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)
Paul begins his letter with warmth, offering greetings and encouragement to the Corinthian church. His words bring comfort to the soul, affirming the faithful in their journey.
Part B – The Issue in the Book, Division in the Church (1 Corinthians 1:10- 4:16)
The heart of the matter reveals itself in this section of the text as Paul addresses the deep-seated division within the Corinthian church. There were quarrels and divisions among the Corinthians, with some declaring allegiance to Paul, others to Apollos, and still others to Cephas or Christ. This discord not only disrupted the unity of the community but also created a separation from Christ, mirroring the original divide between God and humanity.
Paul’s response to this divisive situation is resolute. He asserts that while the world may perceive the message of the cross as foolish, for believers, it embodies the profound power and wisdom of God. He skillfully contrasts human wisdom with divine wisdom, highlighting God’s preference for the humble to perplex the supposedly wise. Paul points out the irony of their divisions, noting that they still exhibit traits of the supposedly wise, as jealousy and quarreling persist among them. He underscores that a Spirit-led community boasts in the Lord, not in human leaders.
Moreover, Paul emphasizes the shared identity of believers as a temple where the Spirit of God resides. The unity of the church is crucial, as divisions threaten the destruction of this sacred temple. Paul reminds them that all spiritual blessings are accessible to them within that same temple, urging humility over pride.
Addressing the leaders, Paul highlights that true apostleship and church leadership are rooted in humility, with God entrusting humble servants to co-labor in the field. Paul, as their spiritual father, attained this role through following Christ. Ultimately, this section of the text serves as a compelling call for unity, recognizing divine wisdom, and a reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit within the community of believers.
Part C – The Solution to the Problem (1 Corinthians 4:17 – 21)
In the midst of turmoil, Paul provides a solution. Timothy, a trusted companion, is sent to assist, and Paul himself intends to visit in person and resolve the problem of division. Unity is the goal; division is the enemy.
Sub B (this is the extension of Part B) – What is the Division all about (1 Corinthians 5:1-14:40)
In this section, Paul starts to address various reports and inquiries that fuel the division. He meticulously separates the subjects and offers responses, much like peeling away layers to reveal the core issues.
Let’s go through the issues
- Dealing With a Case of Incest (1 Corinthians 5:1-13): Paul confronts sexual immorality in the Corinthian church, specifically a man involved with his father’s wife, and rebukes the church for not addressing this sin. He instructs them to expel the man to save his spirit. The church is responsible for judging its own members, while God judges those outside.
- Concerning Lawsuits Among the Believers (1 Corinthians 6:1-11): Paul tackles the matter of believers taking legal action against one another, urging them towards reconciliation rather than litigation.
- Concerning Sexual Immorality (1 Corinthians 6:12-20): Some church members were sleeping with temple prostitutes and boasting about their freedom to do so. Paul dives into the depths of freedom in Christ, Paul explains how this concept is misunderstood and is misused in this case. At this point we see a recurring theme in the book – “I have the right to do anything,” which reflects our freedom in Christ.
- Concerning Married Life (1 Corinthians 7:1-16): Paul addresses issues within Sex in Marriage, Celibacy, Divorce, and Remarriage. He emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of sexual intimacy within it. He explains that this intimacy forges a deep bond between a man and a woman, similar to a believer’s union with Christ. He stresses that sexual relations are significant both physically and spiritually.
- Concerning Change of Status – Specifically Circumcision & Slavery (1 Corinthians 7:17-24): Paul’s response is clear: Stay as you are when you become a believer. Circumcision doesn’t matter; following God’s commands does. Whether you’re a slave or free, your faith sets you spiritually free. So, keep living in your current situation, focusing on serving God.
- Concerning the Unmarried – Which is celibacy (1 Corinthians 7:25-40): Paul discusses the advantages and considerations of celibacy. Paul advises that in challenging times, people should remain in their current relationship status, although marrying isn’t a sin. He states it’s better to stay single for greater devotion to the Lord. The reason for that is the married have to juggle between God and their spouse.
- Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols (1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1): Paul addresses this issue, focusing on being considerate of those with weaker faith. He revisits the idea of having the right to do anything, discussing how freedom in Christ can be misunderstood. Using his own example, he explains the right use of this freedom. In the end, he underlines the importance of being sensitive to less mature believers and winning over non-believers.
- Concerning Community Worship (1 Corinthians 11:2-14:40): Paul’s message is that corporate worship should be conducted in a way that can lead unbelievers to faith and edify the church community. He encourages the use of the gifts of the Spirit, focusing on their purpose to build up the congregation rather than to showcase personal abilities. He also acknowledges the importance of these gifts, the head coverings, and the Lord’s Supper but points out that these practices are secondary to growing in faith, hope, and love.
- Resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-58): Some in the church were saying there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul points out that “the bodily resurrection” is a fundamental belief of the Christian faith. Paul confronts those who doubt the resurrection of the dead, arguing that if Christ wasn’t raised, their faith is useless. He assures them that Christ has been raised, defeating death and ensuring that believers will also be resurrected.
Sub C (Emphasizing Part C) – The Solution
Paul repeats what he spoke about in Chapter 4 but in reverse order. Paul himself intends to visit in person and Timothy, a trusted companion, is sent to assist in resolving the division in the church. Unity is the goal; division is the enemy.
Sub A (Parallels Part A) – Final Greetings (16:19-24)
In this brief narrative, Paul sends heartfelt greetings from himself and fellow believers in Asia. He emphasizes the importance of unity and love among the faithful, urging them to greet each other warmly. Writing personally, Paul blends his message of fellowship with a stern warning for those who do not love the Lord, and concludes by extending his love and the grace of Jesus to all the believers.
In the end, the Corinthian church’s struggles mirror Christ’s narrative:
- Separation from God leads to spiritual death, this parallels the church’s situation; division threatens the church’s existence.
- Paul delegated the running of the church to local leaders echoes the narrative of Christ, who entrusted the responsibility of His kingdom to His disciples.
- Just as God gave us the Holy Spirit for ongoing communication, Paul also maintained regular contact with the church, demonstrating his dedication to its welfare. Paul promptly wrote responses whenever issues arose, offering guidance and wisdom to navigate the complexities.
- Paul understood that written words, though powerful, were insufficient. Consequently, the ultimate resolution to the church’s issues came through his actual visit to restore the relationship. This action mimics the incarnation of God Himself, who came to reconcile the relationship between God and mankind.
This exemplifies the discipleship model necessary to uphold unity and faith within any Christian community.
And the ancient structures of Parallelism and Repetition, which used to be mysterious, now help us understand the New Testament epistles. In this case, it shows us the main point of Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians, which is how to restore unity in a Christian community.
With Love,
