God's Story Is Our Story: From Acts to New CreationSample

On his third missionary journey, Paul spent a year and a half in the city of Corinth. The city had been destroyed in 146BC and then rebuilt in 44BC. Roman freedmen (former slaves) were the ones who reestablished the city. It was on a port and a highway along a narrow isthmus meaning it was a great place to do business. This was a place where you could work your way up the social ladder and make a name for yourself!

This drive to be a somebody created a competitive atmosphere not only in the city of Corinth, but even in the church. People wanted to prove they were wiser than other Christians. They attached their identity to what apostle or church leader they followed. This created unnecessary divisions and competition in the church.

Paul's admonishment to them was to warn them that they are operating on the world's system of worth: to be stronger or wiser makes you worthy to be loved. But, God's system sounds foolish to the world. He chose the weak, the low, the despised in order to shame the strong. 

How do we measure our worth? Do we use the world's competitive standards? Are we trying to be better than others? Paul reminds us that our worth does not come from being higher up the ladder than others. Christ is our wisdom. Christ is our worthiness before God. Christ is our boast.