The objective of this lesson: to affirm the essential link between congregational unity and God's holiness
The congregation located in Corinth suffered from numerous problems: congregational division (1:10); incest (5); law suits among Christians in pagan courts (6:1-11); frequenting prostitutes (6:12-20); questionable marriage practices (7); disagreements about eating sacrificial meat offered to idols (8); abusive communion practices (11:17-34); abuse of spiritual gifts (12, 14); and an erroneous theology of resurrection (15). While Paul addressed all these problems, he addressed congregational division first. This may indicate the seriousness of the concern that Christians must attach to the problem of congregational division. [Instead of justifying divisiveness, Christians should view divisive attitudes with alarm and concern.] Paul devoted more space in his letter [4 chapters] to the devastation of divisiveness in a congregation than to any of the other problems. [Most of the other problems had their roots in and were nourished by their congregational division.] His concerns about congregational division were presented in detail before he addressed their case of incest, questionable marriages, prostitution among Christians, abuse of communion, abuse of spiritual gifts, and an incorrect theology concerning resurrection! His priority in his concerns do not parallel common congregational concerns today! With that collection of problems, most congregations would rearrange Paul's order to reflect today's church priorities!
Call two things into focus by placing each in the spotlight of emphasis: (1) the congregation at Corinth had many problems that are seen in congregations today. (2) Paul chose to address congregational division first. Congregational division creates and sustains a congregational climate and environment that allows pride to ignore blatant incest; that enables Christians to use people who do not know Christ to settle their disputes; that justifies sexual involvement with prostitutes; that reacts to marriages in which only one person belongs to Christ; that promotes attitudes of superiority based on superior knowledge; that denies the affirmation of "oneness with the congregation" in communion; that sanctions competition in the selfish, arrogant use of spiritual gifts; and that denies the resurrection of all who are in Christ.
Let us begin by noting Paul's concern regarding open divisiveness in the congregation at Corinth. The problem was reported to him by Christians in Chloe's household [likely Christian slaves who belonged to Chloe]. We know nothing about Chloe or those in her household other than this reference. Paul regarded the report credible.
Paul had such deep concern in regard to congregational division that he left no doubt about its danger!
What was the problem? Different groups within the congregation were loyal to different leaders/teachers in the universal church--Paul, Apollos, and Cephas. There was even a Christ group among these factions.
The root of the problem was divided loyalties expressed in commitment to prominent men. Nothing suggests that the men mentioned promoted those groups or followings. For whatever reasons, groups within the congregation adopted the personality who impressed them. Rather than all being loyal and committed to the resurrected Jesus, they participated in rivalries that rejected each other. Please note not even the "of Christ" faction was commended. Though they were loyal to Christ, they expressed that loyalty in a way that promoted divisiveness.
What was Paul's reaction? He regarded their divisiveness to be ridiculous and indefensible (1:13-17). He reminded them that he did nothing while there to produce a group loyal to himself. His objective was to promote loyalty to Christ, not to Paul.
Paul condemned every group of Christians who participated in the rivalries--even the "of Christ" group. Being in Christ neither promotes nor sanctions congregational division.
Paul then broadened his discussion to include another common divisive issue plaguing this congregation [and likely many other gentile congregations!]. Today we have too little sense of the disgrace and shame attached to death by crucifixion. Today a cross may be jewelry, an honored religious symbol, an attractive decoration, or a respectful declaration of faith. First century societies [especially Jewish society and Roman society] viewed a cross with contempt. A cross symbolized the most degrading form of execution! The person killed through this degrading execution was regarded in death as a vile human. This death meant the person deserved rejection and contempt. It deliberately tried to destroy every vestige of human dignity in the executed person.
They directed their desire toward presenting the Greek concept of wisdom rather than Jesus' crucifixion. This desire was motivated by a concern [in the congregation] to make the gospel more acceptable in their pagan society. Concern for making the gospel relevant to a godless society is a good concern IF the gospel's foundation and message is not changed. Their mistake was not in their desire to "connect" with their pagan society and culture, but in their desire to change the gospel's focus.
What problem did that create? The basic meaning of the word "gospel" is good news. (1) How could an execution designed to declare contempt publicly be "good news"? (2) Too many responding to a crucified Jesus are "the wrong kind of people." (3) The Greek concept of wisdom formed the basis of a wide, accepted examination of human conduct/behavior/morality. Obscure the fact that Jesus was crucified and focus on the acceptable discussion of wisdom! Then "the right kind of people" will take the gospel seriously.
Emphasis on a crucifixion in the first century was a major problem in communicating God's acts in Jesus' death. Pagan society's common concept of deity was radically different. To affirm a god would allow humans to execute a family member of the deity was regarded as unthinkable and despicable in pagan society.
Paul's reaction: (1) the gospel founded on Jesus' crucifixion is not foolishness to those who place their faith in God's power. (2) God revealed a truth and reality in Jesus' cross that humans could find in no other way. (3) Jews may look at the cross as a stumbling block and all others may view it as foolishness, but it is actually God's wisdom displaying itself. (4) "The right kind of people" will not be attracted to God because God rejects the arrogance of human achievement and discovery. (5) The crucified Jesus is God's means of providing us every benefit He offers. (6) "Though I am a well trained, well educated person, all I did when I was there was emphasize God's power revealed in Jesus Christ's crucifixion."
Paul felt no shame and offered no apology for God working through crucifixion. Jesus' crucifixion was a deliberate act of God.
Paul also said: (1) our presentation of the gospel does emphasize wisdom--God's wisdom, not Greek wisdom. (2) In God's wisdom, the teachers/leaders who bring people the gospel are just men--no more, no less. God uses them to achieve His purposes. The power to produce growth is God's, not men's. (3) God's objective is to make you His field, His building. (4) The endurance of the persons converted to Christ benefit their leader/teacher, but his salvation does not depend on human loyalty to him. (5) You need to realize you are God's temple, not some group loyal to a human. You need to make it obvious in the congregation that you belong to the Holy God, that you exist as His temple. (6) If you think the congregation is about human enterprise or human followings, you are deceived. (7) Regard us human leaders/teachers as servants of God and nothing more. (8) Do not arrogantly conclude that you are better than us. (9) I do not say these things to shame you, but to refocus your comprehension.
Paul made a powerful contrast between God's wisdom and human wisdom. He made the point that humans will not comprehend God's wisdom unless they allow God's Spirit to live in them. He powerfully emphasized Christians must see themselves as belonging to God to achieve God's purposes. Their role was not to reevaluate God's objectives in Christ through Christ's church, but to be useful to God in achieving His purposes in Christ.
Your attention is specifically directed to 3:16,17--one of the most sobering statements to Christians in the New Testament. The "you" in the statement is plural [the King James translation notes the plural "you" by using "ye"]. Paul addressed them collectively as a congregation. "You as a congregation must realize you as a congregation exist as God's temple [God's holy building dedicated exclusively to Him]. Know this as a simple, plain fact: any person who destroys the congregation will be destroyed by God Himself. Regardless of your opinion of the congregation, it is God's temple--not your private possession! Do not treat with contempt or disrespect what is holy to God!"
The congregation was not "holy" because it adopted a group's emphasis or met everyone's expectations. The congregation was "holy" because [in all its imperfections] it belonged to God. God's forgiveness made it holy--not their collective emphasis, not their human achievements, not their human approval, not their group focus on "what is important." The congregation belonged to God because of His achievements in Jesus' blood and resurrection. The congregation did not belong to a group within it. To destroy the congregation through their divisiveness was to invite disaster from God!
What a statement! Of what is a congregation made? It is made of people. Are there any "perfect people"? No! Can humans [Christians] find fault with a congregation at any time? Since a congregation is composed of imperfect people, yes! From human perspectives, when is a congregation holy? Rarely! Always there are those who know unholy happenings among Christians! Yet, God views congregations just as He views individuals in Christ--as holy! Why? Because they exist in His forgiveness! Dare not destroy [through division or any other means] what God Himself makes stand through the acceptance of His forgiveness! Christians are God's servants! God's temple does not belong to us! We are caretakers, not owners!
Stress the fact that no congregation will ever be perfect! All congregations are composed of forgiven [not perfect!] people! God values unity among those who follow Christ! Justifying division as the means to achieve unity ignores God's priority and fails to see God's accomplishments in Jesus' blood and resurrection.
Thought Questions:
Their congregational problems included congregational division, incest, Christian lawsuits in pagan courts, prostitution, confusion regarding marriage, confusion about meat sacrificed to idols, abuse of communion, abuse of spiritual gifts, and an incorrect theology about resurrection.
He first addressed congregational division.
The responses will reflect the insights and concerns of the individual. At some point in the discussions the fact that a congregation belongs to God and is holy because of God's actions should be noted.
Each person will respond to Paul's statement out of his/her personal reaction to his statement. Somewhere in the explanations should be Paul's statement, "...God will destroy him."
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 11