Good morning! Another great day yesterday! We certainly have been blessed with some beautiful days this last week. This is the kind of summer I like!
Thank you for all your thoughts and concerns for Sherri and Joseph. He is much better and doing well; Sherri still struggling with things! It continues to be rough for her.
We had a morning visitor this morning! Not the best image but momma and her baby stopped by for a morning snack!
Paul opens in the typical fashion of the day- who is the letter from is the first statement. Our letters (for those who remember what letter writing was) open with who the letter is to. As I mentioned in the introduction, this is probably Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth; the first one was lost. He is writing from Ephesus probably around 55AD; he, Silas, and Timothy started the Corinthian church a few years prior to this letter. Paul is sure to mention his credentials, "Called to be an apostle" (v 1), but he was not one of the original twelve; Paul will talk more about being an apostle on chapter 15. Paul is writing this letter with the hand of Sosthenes, his amanuensis (paid scribe).
The Greek word "ekklesiai" means church which is an assembly of people gathered for a specific person. In contemporary times, "church" refers to the religious gathering, back in the day- it wasn't specifically for religion, so thus the "church of God" identifier (v 2). Quick reminder- Corinth was a city of raucous and lewd living, sexual immorality and partying (so "bad") with a church of God (so "good"). We immediately begin to sense the tension between the church and the city that underlies this entire letter.
Paul opens with his prayer for Corinth (v 4+), later he will rebuke and call out their sins, but for now, he reminds them he is thankful for all they have done for God. Paul comments about their joy and love for God as evidenced in their speaking and teaching. Do we see that religious zeal in today's church? Sure they had issues (don't we all), but they had many positives (do we all?).
Paul begins with the first issue- divisiveness (v 10). Hmmm....is Paul writing to us in the current United States (or the current United Methodist Church)? Paul "begs" the church to agree and not be split into groups. The original Greek word is "schismata" (our English word schism) and meant to rend or tear apart (not just split). As we tear each other apart- we also tear apart the body of Christ.
Chloe (v 11) had a business (unknown type) that caused her people to travel between Ephesus and Corinth, and when they were in Ephesus, they sought out Paul and mentioned to him the issues going on in Corinth. There started to be different groups of people that were following different leaders in the church (Paul, Apollos, Peter, Christ). It is OK to like hearing one person more than another (minster, teacher, etc) but it shouldn't cause division in the group. Do we see that today- factions based on following someone over another? The cliques ignore the diversity that is in Christ; the ability of Christ to bring all people together- not to separate them! For Paul, preaching was more important than baptizing (vv 14-17). Some people identified with him because he baptized them, but Paul comments that he isn't that special. It would be like the people that I have baptized while at Little Meadows lift me up high (maybe even higher than Christ) and begin to follow me more than following Jesus. The person doing the baptism doesn't affect the validity of the event...it is all in God's doing!
Paul next comments about how the perishing see the cross and how the saved see the cross (v 18). To those who reject the cross- the idea of salvation through a crucified man is foolish; to those who trust in it, the cross becomes the power of God. Hearing and trusting the gospel will add the power of God to your life. People (Jews) wanted signs about Jesus' messiahship; others (Greeks) wanted wisdom at the expense of God (v 22). Paul doesn't do any of that (v 23); Paul gives them God which provides a crucified Messiah- an oxymoron. How can a Messiah (Christ, savior, power) be crucified (weakness, defeat, humiliation)? The Jews see a crucified Christ as a stumbling block; the Greeks see a crucified Christ as foolishness; to those that believe in a crucified Christ, God gave salvation.
Paul then turns the tables and says to the Corinthians, "look at yourselves" (v 26). You're nothing special, you're not greater than others- but God chose you (v 27). God chose you! We have said this many times in many different situations- God calls the lowly, the humble, the weak, the (fill in the blank), the whatever. It is God's work and love through us that makes us be the people that we are. It is God's grace and mercy that define our existence. It is the focus we have on Christ (God's gift to us) that gives us our redemption, our salvation. It is our righteousness (legally "not guilty") through Christ that allows for our sanctification (our behavior) and our redemption. None of this is because of what we do, but through what God does in and through us. So if you want to brag- brag about God (v 31)! Do we brag about God?
Some good words from Paul this morning. Some things for us to think about- especially the divisions that are happening. How can the church help mend the brokenness?
Have a great day! More tomorrow!
Peace+
Pastor Paul
Pastor Paul
Since we have read many letters from Paul, I could tell right away that he was not happy with the Corinthians in this letter. In some letters that Paul has written, you can almost feel the joy and happiness that Paul is feeling toward the receivers of his letter - I didn't feel that as much in this one. I feel Paul is upset and he gets to his point rather quickly. I understand Paul's call for unity, in that we all "are of Christ" and not of the person who teaches us or baptizes us. But in my translation it say in vs. 10 "...but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." That, unfortunately, is impossible. Impossible then and impossible now. However, to follow Christ and Christ's teachings, I think, is the most important. I loved vs. 18. Vs. 26 again refers to some being called but not all. Something we have discussed before - does God call only certain people. And does Paul continue to say this because HE was called? And vs. 18 - 21 certainly goes against Paul's life pre Jesus and his life now - and yet he was called when living exactly as he now says those living that way will not be called - vs. 26. ???? I think God chooses us all - it is up to us to choose him.
ReplyDeletePaul is really hard on the Corinthians in this letter. The entire work seems to really beat them down and call out their faults. There is some grace shown, but it is limited!
DeleteI agree- we are not all of the same mind and same judgement- but can we agree to get along?
I really struggle with the idea of God only calling certain people, I think God gifts people differently, but I think all are called. Not all respond though!
Interesting thought that Paul feels this way because he was chosen. I never thought of it that way!
Paul's pre-Jesus life was filled with persecution and hate; now look at him! God does call all- but not all respond in the way that leads to God!
Good points and thoughts! Thanks
P.S. - loved the pic.
ReplyDeletePaul opens his letter to the Corinthian church with his usual who he is and a prayer.
ReplyDeleteHe then says he does not like the division in the church and to strive for harmony. I especially like How he tells of not being a follower of a certain person but a follower of Christ. He says he was not the one crucified for them, That it was Christ.
Why can't we all get along? What prevents us from agreeing to disagree- but still get along?
DeleteI think there are people in churches that follow the pastor rather than God. This is one of the things Paul says in the chapter. We are to follow Christ, not the teacher. Do we?
Good thoughts Clara
It seems that Paul thinks that the church in Corinth is splitting in their beliefs and opinions. And like most organizations, they were probably were. Division in a church, any group or government is probably very common but can be dangerous.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Paul is trying to get people to focus on the real purpose of the church. Belief and faith in God and Jesus. He doesn't want us to get sidetracked by other issues. Even in the church today there are so many divisions. So many people think that they know what is right and they don't spend enough asking God what is right. I can't believe that in this day and age the UMC would discriminate against our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. If everyone else is made in God's image, how can it be that they are not?
Division is dangerous. United we stand- divided we fall. That is true of anything! We seem to expect it with certain organizations- but the church? Should we be divided? Aren't we in it for the same common goal?
DeleteAnd you hit the point- we are too focused on some of the details rather than the big picture!
I often reference Genesis 1:26, "Let us make people in our image..." Like you say- if we are all made in God's image- how can we discriminate? Tough questions!
Good points! Thanks Cathy
As I read this chapter I thought about not just the different thoughts and beliefs in the Methodist church but in Christian beliefs. There are so many different sects of religion. I have to say some of them do not seem very Christian like to me. Of course Cathy I agree with you on our lgbtq community. Today I drove by the four corners in Vestal. There is very often a group protesting against women's care that is done in an office there. I feel very strongly about women's rights as well. Every time I drive by I want to stop and suggest they use their time to volunteer at Moms House or somewhere that you can truly help these young women in need and their children.
ReplyDeleteIn the letter about Corinthians it says...Love is more important than faith and hope. All the problems in the church could be solved, if all the members would love one another, as Christians should. I believe this world solve our world's problems as well.
Right- it isn't just the Methodists- but we are certainly being scrutinized during these last few years! If we are all in it for the same common goal, why the disagreements? And there are many!
ReplyDeleteGood point about the protesting that goes on. I know where you are talking about and I have mixed feelings for the protestors! I agree- spend efforts in helping rather than hurting. My message this week is the story of Cain and Abel and the statement, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Ummm...yes!
Thanks Cindy! Great comments and thoughts!