1 Corinthians 1 -- Trouble In A Church

Paul didn’t hesitate to address problems he saw in the church at Corinth.  My commentary said it was a defiled church because of worldly things its members were doing; it was a divided church because groups were competing for leadership; and it was a disgraced church because it was hindering the progress of the gospel instead of glorifying God.

Paul reminded the Christians there that they were called to be holy, that they’d been set apart by God, and they’d been enriched by God’s grace.  With all of this (which they seem to have forgotten) they should be expecting Christ’s return and therefore keeping themselves undefiled.

Paul talked about the fellowship they should have been enjoying with each other, which also should speak loudly to the world.  “They got their eyes off the Lord and on the Lord’s servants, and this led to competition,” my commentary noted.

Some Christians who belonged to the house of Chloe spoke up to Paul with courage and devotion.  “They did not try to hide the problems.  They were burdened about them; they went to the right person with them; and they were not afraid to be mentioned by Paul,” my commentary said.

How did Paul end up handling this?  He reminded them of what they were:  not wise, mighty, or noble.  “God had called them, not because of what they were, but in spite of what they were,” my commentary said.  He reminded them of why God called them – “to show the world their need and His grace.”  He also reminded them of all they had in Jesus.  “With all He has, why compete  with each other or compare yourselves with each other?”

The mistakes they were making helped to create problems in their church.  My commentary asked us to examine our own churches and our own lives and ask if we are living up to our calling.

Father, thank You for taking a church that is having problems and not hiding them, but using them to show us how even today we in a church can disgrace the name of Christ.  Allow us to see if there is anything we need to address and help us to openly allow You to guide us into all truth if there is.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford