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Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume One

DAY 148 OF 181

Overview of 1 Corinthians 1–16

The sociological and historical context that emerges as the backdrop to 1 Corinthians is one of a predominantly Gentile community. As former worshippers of idols and other ‘gods’, these believers brought a Hellenistic/pagan worldview to the Christian faith. Although they were the Christian church in Corinth, they were still greatly influenced by the worldview of the Corinthian world. Their behaviour required a major overhaul and correction. This is what Paul attempts to do in his letter to the church.

Paul wrote 1 Corinthians as a response to a letter brought to him by Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. Readers need to realise that 1 Corinthians makes most sense when it is read and understood as a response from Paul to the church who wrote their reply to an earlier Pauline letter (in other words, this is at least Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church).

Given the argumentative tone of much of his response, it seems highly likely that in the earlier Corinthian letter the church had disagreed with Paul in various matters. A key issue was the question of Paul’s authority as an apostle of Christ and founder of the church. A second area of concern was the modifying of the Gospel towards a pagan worldview and philosophy. For Paul these two matters were crucially related: it was not so much his person at stake in their denial of his apostolic authority, it was the Gospel he preached to them.

It has been pointed out that most likely the key issue between Paul and the Corinthian church is a basic theological problem of what it means to be pneumatikos, i.e. spiritual.


That They May Be One…
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10

When any group is together long enough, there will be strife and tension. Churches are no exception. There are deep-seated traditions to guard, honour to defend, and fragile status-conscious egos to protect, even among ‘spiritual’ Christians. Paul has much to speak to us about the need for unity.

The main cause of tension in the Corinthian church was the abuse of spiritual gifts by some of the members. This led to the creation of factions. Members chose to be followers of a particular leader while opposing another.

While many churches in Asia have witnessed a revival of the more visible gifts of the Spirit, there is a need to guard our attitudes. We are all vulnerable to the danger of either over-focussing on the more spectacular spiritual gifts which could lead to spiritual pride or totally rejecting such gifting for the church today. Like the Corinthian church, churches may end up in disunity and disarray. Different churches may claim to be more blessed, more right and more righteous than other churches.

It is heartening that Paul could still start his letter with thanksgiving, even for the very gifts that were the subject of disagreement. Paul recognised these gifts as evidence of God’s grace in the church, and he directed the church to focus on God, the Giver of the gifts. We err when we focus on our differences and not on God.

Pray for church leaders in our country to recognise the work of God in a Kingdom that is His and not man's.

Are we guilty of using spiritual gifts that are intended to build us up, to tear us apart instead?
Day 147Day 149

About this Plan

Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume One

Scripture Union Peninsular Malaysia's Bible reflections are devotional readings from the thoughts and insights of Asian writers. Consisting of 8 volumes, they cover the whole Bible in four years. Each volume contains books from the Old and New Testaments, and has a mix of historical, poetic and prophetic books, the gospels and epistles. Using this you can cultivate the discipline of a regular, systematic engagement with Scripture and gain an understanding of its magnificent story.

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We would like to thank Scripture Union for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.su.org.my