Corinth was sensual, idolatrous and yet it was the Church! It was a poor lodging house for the Holy Spirit. God is not interested in the grandeur or luxury of a church building. God is only interested in people.

Corinth is a picture of many 20th century churches with standards dropping. People might be openly drunk, fighting or immoral. There is no substitute for the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who brings holiness, godliness and sanctification. It is to be the Church of God not of man. Too many of these things are happening in the Church today. Paul has some strong words to them.

1. Paul outlines the problems in the church (vs. 1-9)

• They had a party spirit – Paul mentions Jesus in every verse. Paul was Christ-centred not self-centred. It is about Christ and not cliques. Cliques breed in hell.
• It was full of hate – So much that they were taking it to the law. The judges were heathen. The needed to settle their differences in the church and with love and forgiveness.
• The leadership was allowing immorality. There was even public immorality within a family.
• Abusing the Lord’s Table – They were using it as an excuse to get drunk.
• Fanatical use of spiritual gifts – What was intended for good and helping others was causing confusion.
• Mean in their giving – They didn’t look after Paul even though he laboured for them!

2 – Paul pleads for true unity (vs. 10)

There were divisions in the church. There were rents in the garment which made it useless. The church was being ruined. You may not like someone but you have to do good and not wrong to that person. Bones have been fractured and need to be knitted. The church is like a human body and the parts needs to work together and not against each other.

3 – Paul tells the source of his information (vs. 11)

A letter had been written to Paul. It is from the household of Chloe. Paul does not hide his source. It is not anonymous. They have signed the letter and are willing to stand over what they have said. This is a New Testament church in the first century. Anonymous letters and phone calls are poisonous. We need to be truthful with one another. If you can’t reveal your source, then say nothing. We need true friends. See Proverbs 27:6.

Jesus was born in a stable and often he still has to dwell in one! Yet, in us he sees the making of something better! We need to go back to the cross. See 1 Corinthians 2:1-2.

Categories: 1 Corinthians