First Corinthians
Overcoming and avoiding
Church problems.
(1)INDVIDUALITY and
INDEPENDENCE.
(i) The Historical Context:
(2)FALSE WISOM
(1) AGE: Spectacular growth due to WEALTH.
(2) LOCATION: At ‘ISHMUS’ with ACROPOLIS.
(3) COMPOSITION: COSMOPOLITAN.
(4) MORALLY:
IMMORAL
– Aphrodites.
Church was,
like the
City…
(5) INTELLECTUALLY: PHILOSOPHERS.
(6) RELIGION:
RELIGIOUS and IMMORAL.
COSMOPOLITAN
(3)APHRODITES
(ii) The Literary Context
Reason for letter:
Verbal report from some of
Chloe’s household.
Letter written to Paul by
Corinthian leaders.
(1)An Overview of Chapters 1-4:
(a)There
divisions
among
believers.
(b)
There isare
FALSE
WISDOM
causing
the division.
Which leader is the ‘WISEST’.
Not just differences of opinion but
(c)
Opposition–ofliterally
Paul by
some.
‘contentions’
‘quarrels’.
There were envy and strife and divisions
(Gk. ‘schisma’ – seperation into factions’)
‘katartizo’ = perfectly joined together = to complete
Thoroughly, to repair or adjust.
(2) Paul’s Answer (1:12-4:21)
In Conclusion:
Verses
2:14-16
showofdifference
between:
(a)Wrong
Concept
the TEACHING
SPIRITUAL
and or
NATURAL
man.
–
upsidedown
opposite
to normal.
One major reason for the division
in the
church was a misunderstanding of
Verses
3:1-5 of
show
differences
between:
(i)
Message
the
Cross
is
FOOLISH.
Paul’s anointed teaching on the Cross
CARNAL
and SPIRITUAL
man.
(ii)God
chooses
NOBODIES.
(true wisdom). They had elevated the
(iii)Paul’s
preaching
lacked
teaching style
and made
it an art, not a
ELOQUENCE
LIFE
CHANGING SPIRIT EMPOWERED
MESSAGE.
The source of wisdom =
SPIRIT OF GOD
(b) Wrong concept of the TEACHERS
(i) Who the Teachers/Leaders are:
(b) Are God’s PROPERTY.
(a)
Notwise
Lords
but SERVANTS.
(c) Are
BUILDERS.
(d) Leaders are PRIESTS.
(ii) How Leaders are to be treated.
(a)Not to be BOASTED about.
(b)Not to be JUDGED.
(c)Not to be PROUD on behalf of.
(d)Not to be merely instructors but
FATHERS.
(1)
The
Case ofview
Incest
The
‘Gnostic
of the body:
(d)The Application:
(a)
The
Problem:
11 Cor
(b)
The
Solution:
Cor
5:5
The
body
was seen
as5:1-13
evil and destined for
‘Hand
the man
over
to Satan’
– the
from
the
realm
destruction.
Therefore,
they
it didn’t
(i)
Should
hand
someone
overthought
Satan
if they
PART
man did
in
church
isrealm
having
ofmatter
God
(church/temple)
toathe
of Satan
whatAthey
with
their
bodies
as long
are ONE:
unrepentant
about
sin
that
effects
whole
continued
sexual
relations with his ‘fathers
(world).
asChurch.
their spirit
was pure.
wife’
(Step-mother).
(c) The
The purpose
Response:
1 Cor 5:9-1
(ii)
is always
REDEMPTIVE – to
They
must
not
‘mingle’
This
led tosinful
3 problems…
destroy
habit. with immoral people
PART
TWO:
Church
isare
proud
boastful
Professing
toThe
be
and
inand
Church.
(iii)
Those
who
areChristians
effected
involved
in the
with
the cutting
knowledge
of this
(they
This
is not
offcase
from
treating
them
discipline
(in this
it them
is happening
thebut
whole
Church).
feel
they(Jesus
areshould
stillwas
‘spiritual’
inofspite
this).–
As Our
sinners
a friend
sinners).
(iv)
attitude
be
the same
asof
Jesus
‘friend of sinners’.
(2) The Case of Lawsuits.
(b)
Application:
What
Paul
says to:
(a)The
The
Problem:
Members
the
Church
should
NEVER
initiate
The
Should
take
the role
of judging
OneChurch:
manof
has
wronged
another
man
proceeding
to take
another Church
member
to
which
is what
it is destined
dosituation
when
Christ
(both church
members)
andtothe
as been
secular
court
if it is
a matter that can be dealt
returns.
taken to
secular
court.
with within the Church.
To
Man
B: Should
practice
Jesus'– teaching on
This
should
not have
happened
NON-RETALIATION
– if needed
should
bring to
the unrighteous should
not judge
the saints
–
Church
leadersjudge
in love.
Saints should
within the Church.
To Man A: If he continues in sin he will not enter
Kingdom blessings – must yield to Church
discipline and repent to be restored.
(3) The Case of Fornication
(a) The Problem:
Their
ideagoing
of freedom
is that they
are of
free
Somewrong
had been
to prostitutes
as part
to do
anything
their feasts.
bodies as the body is evil
partaking
inin
Pagan
and God will forgive them as long as their spirit is
pure.
This could have been caused by wives
depriving husband of sex and also their own
True
freedom
is to
servant of the
Gnostic
view
of be
thethe
body.
Lord – all things are permitted but not all are
expedient
(not
good
for own
body or
Paul shows
that
the body
belongs
to others).
the Lord
and is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
(b)
Reasons
forifthe
(c)
Paul’s
answer
to the
Paul
saysONE:
that
theproblem:
dead
areProblems…
not raised up
SECTION
(iii)
The
Resurrection
BODY.
Chapter 15 is totally THEOLOGICAL and not
then….
Main
Point: To deny the future is also to deny our
BEHAVIOURAL.
past.
The Resurrection
of CHRIST.
a.(i)Nature
of.
V16:things
Christare
hasinnot
be–raised
either. (leaders)
Two
vain
our preaching
(a)
The Problem:
b.
Picture
of seed.
and your faith (congregation).
Some
were
saying
thereof
is the
no resurrection
of the
(ii)
The
Resurrection
DEAD.
c.
Different
bodies.
V29: Baptizing for the dead is absurd.
dead.
d. Natural
and spiritual bodies.
SECTION
TWO:
V32: We
might
asORDER
well eatof
and
drink and forget
MAIN
POINT:
The
resurrection
– Christ
The problem is that some Corinthians are
about
future.
is
first the
fruits
and
believers
raised
later.
Application:
Whole
is redeemed.
denying the
futureman
resurrection
of believers.
SECTION THREE:
MAIN POINT: No resurrection = No Future
ANSWERS
TO
MULTIPLE
CHOICE
SECTION
TWO : To
the
NOT
YET MARRIED.
(b)
Paul’s
answer
to
the
Corinthians:
SECTION ONE : To the MARRIED
QUESTIONS:
SECTION
5:
(a) Reconstruction
of the problem.
(7:1-24)
SECTION 1
– Marriage partners should not forbid
SEXUAL RELATIONS unless by MUTUAL CONSENT.
(1)
Jesus
saidare
‘Norepresentatives
Divorce”
as Heofalso
‘Love
‘The
Virgins’
ALLsaid
SINGLE
(a)
Reconstruction
of
the
problem.
(1)your
A
enemies!” – it’s a covenant relationship.
PEOPLE.
SECTION 2: SINGLEHOOD is best for the widow or
(2)
Cwereunless
They
saying
that
alltosingle
people
should
It is good
for
a man
not
touch
a woman
widower,
the
SEXUAL
URGE
is too
strong,
(2)
A
divorceSINGLE
is only an
option
if the view
unbelieving
REMAIN
(die
to
Gnostic
that sex
=
Husbands
should
not
have
sexual
relations
with
then B
MARRIAGE is best.
(3)
partner
pushes
for it.
should
be
avoided).
their wives.
SECTION 3: Women should adhere to the teaching of
(3)
No,
a Christian
should generally
not initiate
a
(b)
Paul’s
answer.
This
was
the
Corinthian’s
view
of
which
they
had
Jesus and not DIVORCE THEIR HUSBANDS.
divorce.
written to Paul.
Only reasons
may be
true is…
SECTION
4: A this
Christian
should
not DIVORCE an
(4)
Paul
does
not
see
man
as
greater
than woman.
1.
Because
of
present
distressing
situation.
unbelieving partner unless the unbelieving partner
2. Would take away freedom to really care for the
INITIATES A DIVORCE.
things
of God.
V14:
Marriage
is a holy state and pleasing to God
even with only one Christian in the relationship.
PAUL’S
SECTION
CONCLUSION:
FOUR:
FIVE:
SECTION
THREE:
SECTION
TWO:
They were
ATTENDING IDOL FEASTS.
Paul
was
free to
do of
many
thing but he has
Due to
wrong
view
CHRISTIAN
Eating
food
offered
tois:
idols
from
market
The
IMITATE
specific
me
as
problem
I
IMITATE
C
Christ.
–
it
would
beof
Paul
responds
to
the
Corinthians
feeling
willingly
GIVEN
THEM
UP
for
the
sake
FREEDOM
place
is not
wrong
because
IT
IS
NOT IN
fellowshipping
with
demons
if
they
SECURE
in
the
sacraments.
the
Gospel.
Paul’s
Answer:
THE
CONTEXT
WORSHIPPING
THE
PRINCIPLES
FOR OF
TRUE
CHRISTIAN
FREEDOM
attended
pagan
feasts
at
the
Temples.
(i) SECTION ONE:
IDOL.
Celebrating
Passover
did
not protect
them
to multiple
choice:
The
Stumbling
Block
Principle
=
1.Answer
Where
Bible
specifically
prohibits don’t
do.
We
can
apply this
for
today:
B – to
Nothing
to
from
destruction
(hence
taking
“As
Christians
we
may
be
free
do
many
2. Many are matters of indifference.
It
would
be wrong
ifaANOTHER’S
do
the
demonic
or
any
form
ofbethese
communion
is
not
magical
safeguard
D Principles
–with
True
freedom
being
free
a
3.
of
LOVE
things but it isisrules.
not
loving
totodo
CONSIENCE
WOULD
BE DEFILED
worshipping
idols.
against
illness
etc..)
servant
of ifthe
Lord
andothers
others.stumble and
things
they
make
(Stumbling Block Principle)
fall in their faith.”
(i) Veiling of Women in Church (11:2-6)
(a) What is the problem?..detective work!
(3)
meant that
the
(1) This
The women
participated
women
were going
in PRAYER
and against
the PROPHECY
prevailing CUSTOM
in the which
wasChurch
to wearservice.
a veil.
(2) Some women in the
They
did this
duepraying
to a
church
were
WRONG
VIEW
OF CHRISTIAN
without
a HEAD
FREEDOM
– emphasizing the
COVERING.
ALREADY. See diagram…
(b) Paul’s Answer
(B) The Cultural Argument:
He answers the problem by using both
THEOLOGY and CULTURE.
v4-6: be
Shameful
woman
to betoshorn
It(i)would
right forfor
women
today
wear
(prostitute)
– women might
as in
well
be
veils
if
it
is
the
prevailing
custom
the
(A) The THEOLOGICAL
shorn if they do not wear a veil as it’s
society.
argument…summed up in following
culturally shameful.
diagram…
V13-15:
woman to wear
It(ii)
would
notIsbeproper’
right iffor
thea prevailing
a ‘covering’
long head
hair considered
custom
is not to– wear
coverings.
glorious then.
(iii)V16: “We have no such custom’ –
customs that are non-theological
issues should be followed.
(ii) The Lord’s Table (11:17-34)
(c) Paul’s Answer….
(a) The Lord’s Supper as Christian Feast – the
(i) The
Appeal
–
Paul’s
appeal
is
to
stop
LOVE FEAST.
ABUSING
the–Lord’s
table
(v19)
(b)
The problem
abuse of
Lord’s
supper.
(ii) The Instruction: The two elements of a
The
problem
tooare
much
FEASTING
and
too
really
goodwas
meal
GOOD
FOOD
and
little LOVING.
GOOD
FELLOWSHIP.
(iii)The Application: v27: Unworthy refers not
Correct way is seen in the following diagram…
to general sins but to ‘not discerning the
body’. That is having bitterness or
anything against another in the body
(unforgiveness etc.). Must examine and
mend relationships first before partaking.
(iii) The Use of the Gifts of the
Spirit (12:1-14:40)
This section is based on 1 Cor 12-14 – Paul is
addressing the question of ORDER in the
assembling of the Church.
(a) The Problem
(iii) Tongues is the problem gift!
1. They were OVERLY enthused with it.
2. They were SINGULARLY enthused with it.
3. They were ‘all’ using the gift in a most
DISORDERLY way.
They used tongues as a criteria for being
“SPIRITUAL”!
(b) Paul’s Answer:
(i) Section One: Diversity in the Gifts…
This section emphasizes the VARIETY there
is in the PHANEROSIS gifts.
(ii) Section Two: The Picture of
the Body (12;12-31)
V28-30
V12-14–-God
Paulhas
uses a
appointed
each person
common analogy
from to
have a different GIFT-MIX.
the ancient world to
stress the point of
What
the Corinthians
were
DIVERSITY
within UNITY.
doing was emphasizing
solely
on– ONE
gift,
Gift
V15-20
There
is athe
need
oftoTongues,
notthat
allowing
show them
all gifts
the
aremembers
NEEDED.to express
variety in service.
AV21-27
Gift is –only
the most
All parts
of body
‘important’
when it is the
are INTERDEPENDANT.
most NEEDED.
(iii) Section Three: The Most
Excellent Way (Ch 13).
That way is: Agape LOVE
(1)Priority of Love (v1-3)
(2)Character of Love (v4-7)
(3)Quality of Love (v8-13)
(iv) Section Four: In Church ,
Only What Edifies (14:1-40)
Paul
emphasizes the need for
(d)
Thehere
Conclusion:
EDIFICATION in Church meetings.
(1)There must be VARIETY of gifts.
(1)The importance of INTELLIGIBILITY
(2)Thegifts
importance
ORDER.
(2)The
must be of
used
in LOVE.
(a)VARIETY and EDIFICATION are
essential.
(3)The
aim is always that of EDIFICATION
Answer to multiple choice: A
(b) Guidelines
for prophecy.
(4)The
must be ORDER
in the service.
(c) The Silence of Women.
Paul’s Concluding Words (Ch 16)
(a) A Giving and Large-hearted Community (v1-4)
(b) A Going and Labouring Community (v5-12)
(c) A Guided and Learning Community (v13)
(d) A Gracious and Loving Community (v14-18)
(e) A Greeting and Linked Community (v19-21)
(f) A Guiltless and Lasting Community (v22)
The Benediction (v23-24)