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Ministers of Christ: Faithful Stewards – 1 Corinthians 4
4 Let a man so account us as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
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1 Corinthians 4:1 21stCenturyKJV
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The Apostle Paul has been making his case as the architect of the Corinthian church.

Christ’s Contractor in Corinth

The Need for Unity

.. you ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. [NIV]
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Now Paul moves forward by pointing to the ministry of Corinthian Christians and make a few points as example.
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Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 4:2 RSV

ἀνακρίνω – anakrinō – examined
- it is a very small thing that I may be examined (by you or any)
- In fact, I do not even examine myself.
- No charges against me
- Yet I am not acquitted
- But the one who examines me is the Lord.
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Consider personally the definition of Paul's topic:

Do YOU examine or judge? interrogate? examine the accused or witnesses?
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Does your investigation examine, enquire into, scrutinize, sift, and question?

As the Corinthian church’s leading architect the Apostle challenges its leaders and members to be judges of and estimate or determine (the excellence or defects of any person or thing) ALL who build Christ’s church in Corinth.

Contrary to our Common Era cop-out by evangelicals avoiding examination of our own inconsistencies within the church, the Apostle Paul has already established the architecture for Christians to account for each other.

But he who is spiritual examines G350 all things, yet he himself is examined G350 by no one.

1 Corinthians 2:15 LSB – : Strong’s G350 – anakrinō

IT’S A HIGH STANDARD.

Now the Apostle writes in response to the Corinthian church (some translations use JUDGED in place of examined):

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.

It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5a New International Version

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. – 1 Cor 4:5b
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Later in this letter Paul instructs further:
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Therefore if.. an unbeliever or an uninformed man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that SURELY GOD IS AMONG YOU. 1Co 14:24 LSB excerpt; 1Co 14:25

The Nature of True Apostleship

FIRST, a reminder of who are apostles AND what defines a true apostle?

ἀπόστολος

a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) (with miraculous powers):—apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Strong’s G652 – apostolos
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Paulos apostolos iēsous christos [Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ] will further define his anointing as an apostle just a bit further into his epistle [letter] to the Corinthians.
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If to others I am not an apostle^G652, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:2 LSB

Paul moves forward to an alleged controversary perceived between his leadership and teaching and that of Apollos, who had also ministered to the Corinthian church with great power.

Apollos and Paul – Apostles crossing paths

(in case you missed this from Luke’s historical Account of the Apostles of the 1st c. church)

Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another. –1 Corinthians 4:6 BSB

NOW the Apostle’s accounting of leaders of the Corinthian church:
- For who makes you so superior?
- What do you have that you did not receive?
- And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
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Paul answers his own rhetorical questions:
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Servants of Christ

8 Already you have all you want.

Already you have become rich.

Without us, you have become kings.

How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!

9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death.

We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE APOSTLE OBSERVE OF THIS CHURCH?

This judgment from these verses of Paul’s epistle translates from the Greek to English with words perhaps more telling:

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us— NKJV

You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! – NLT

Fools for Christ
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SO YOU think that you are smart enough to lead YOUR church without listening to apostles sent to guide you in building Christ's church?
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We are fools on account of Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; You are honored, but we are without honor.

1 Corinthians 4:10 BLB
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Now listen to Paul's circumstance at the very time the Apostle writes to the Corinthians:
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11 As far as the present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clad, and are buffeted [harshly treated], and wander homeless, and we toil, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being slandered, we entreat [endure].

We have become as the residue of the world, the refuse of all, until now.

– 1 Corinthians 4:11-15 BLB

– IS PAUL CONDEMNING THE CORINTHIAN PASTORS?

– Does PAUL understate his own challenges by comparison to the Corinthians?

WHY would this architect of the Corinthian Church write to them with such severity?

Apostolic Fatherhood

Paul restates his case for continuing his own guidance of the leadership of the Corinthian leadership.

The New King James Version of Paul’s epistle heads this section of Scripture given in his first letter to the Corinthians: Paul’s Paternal Care.

Leading young Pastors and guiding their sheep

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
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How do YOU take fatherly warnings such as these?

Do you LISTEN as an obedient child of the Lord? 

OR might you, beloved child of God, insist on a life with Jesus YOUR own way?
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I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. – KJV

I WARN you. – to put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently:—admonish, warn.

Of course some are ashamed, convicted in their hearts by nature of our guilt. Some translations use admonish, correction, advise — but don’t miss the Apostle’s intent as a father of his flock in the Way of Christ Jesus as our Lord.

15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
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Paul, of course, has fathered or mentored others -- several others throughout his three Apostolic missions proclaiming the Gospel into all the world; none more faithful and true than Timothy, his young protege in Ephesus.

It is Timothy who brings Paul's Epistle to Corinth. And the Apostle expresses complete confidence in this young pastor who he sent to the Corinthians. 

The ESV states this well:
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I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord,

to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 4:16-17 ESV

Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

NIV

But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.

the Kingdom of God
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- Who has authority in the Kingdom of Christ Jesus?
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The Apostle challenges the Corinthian believers and leaders to show the true fruit of humility in Christ.

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT

Which do you choose?
- Should I come with a rod to punish you,
- or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
NEXT: The Apostle Paul will take on an enduring common challenge of the Church:

πορνεία – porneia
August 29, 2024
Christ’s Contractor in Corinth
You are God’s building

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,

and another is building on it.

But each man must be careful how he builds on it.
1 Corinthians 3:10 LSB

The Architect of the Corinthian Church

ἀρχιτέκτων – architektōn

a master builder, an architect, the superintendent in the erection of buildings

APOSTLES, all ministers of the Lord Jesus, Paul points out to the Corinthians, each have different roles at various times in the process of growing the church and your faith.
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So why do you have divisions claiming that you belong to that powerful preacher Apollos OR Cephas of the Twelve OR Paul?
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The apostle’s approach to these Hellenists of Corinth:

I am just an architect with the blueprint for you to use as you grow in your faith and as a church. Give all attention to the Foundation.

Who is building on it?

Apollos. AND other ministers to the Corinthians.

Apollos and Paul – Apostles crossing paths

Paul laid a foundation. It is a picture familiar to Greeks not only of buildings and walls, but a great metaphor for first principles establishing truth.

I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it.
1 Corinthians 1:10b NKJV

The Master Builder OR Architect is no more important than those laborers who continue to build on the foundation. The Architect or MASTER builder here issues instructions to the laborers similar to what any superintendent of an important project of work might do:

But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
1 Corinthians 1:10c NKJV

But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.
1 Corinthians 1:10c NLT

The ARCHITECT (Paul) writes a caution using yet another metaphor for the first principles of building a CHURCH.

In fact, Paul points out, the foundation has already been built!

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 3:11 NKJV
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Such imagery once familiar through worship Hymns with a Scriptural foundation, i.e. "The Church's One Foundation" [is Jesus Christ our Lord].
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the Day shall declare it

The Corinthians and others of the Hellenist Aegean walked in ruins of great temples erected to many gods — glorious buildings of the Macedonian Alexander conquered, destroyed and being rebuilt by a distant Rome.

Paul puts our current work on the building (be it a temple, church building or the Church itself) into the context were WE are its assigned builders.

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear..
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Do you see that every LABORER'S work matters here when building on the Great foundation before the work is finished (by many others)?
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If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
1 Corinthians 1:14 NKJV

The Wages of Work for Christ

REWARD! (Perhaps you think of it as a ‘BONUS!’)

YOU do not receive a bonus reward until completion of the work. What if the building is not finished before your death?
- What good is any reward for a lowly minister of the Corinthians building a church which will only be completed AFTER our death and then destroyed by others?
Reward – μισθός – misthos

dues paid for work, wages, hire
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Okay, I get that; maybe a bigger wage for some work.
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reward: used of the fruit naturally resulting from toils and endeavours
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MORE: Pay attention here, and then we will get back to Paul's text.
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1. in both senses, rewards and punishments
2. of the rewards which God bestows, or will bestow, upon good deeds and endeavours
3. of punishments
Paul has already reminded us of this two-sided coin of God’s reward for our labor.
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It is the SAME REWARD to which the apostle points for laborers in the field.
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each man’s work will be revealed.

For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire;

and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is.
1 Corinthians 3:13 HNV
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and the flip-side of the coin of REWARD:
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If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.

Picture of the Completed Church

If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward..

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:14,16 NKJV

If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Let no man glory in men
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Do you recall the divisions of the Corinthians caused by their loyalty to a preacher?
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18 Let no one deceive himself.

If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

Is he writing to me?

Paul suggests that “anyone among you” Corinthians may seem like the wisdom-worshiping Hellenist philosophers of ancient Greece (330-63 B.C.). Of course the present age belongs to Rome governing Corinth for more than a century now.

And counter to Greek culture Paul advises, “let him become a fool.”

What we of this Common Era age may not understand is that the wise [sophos] in this world are not entirely exact opposites of fools [μωρός] which suggests a root word [mystērion] which means:
- a hidden thing, secret, mystery
  - generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals
Have an open mind to the wisdom of GOD.

Let no man deceive himself. KJV

Paul has already written:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory..
1 Corinthians 2:7 NKJV

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

Now the Paul writes, as the Apostle often does, quoting Scripture:

For it is written,

“He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; quoting Job:

He catches the wise in their craftiness,

and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.
Job 5:13 BSB

20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile,” recalling Psalm 94:11.

Psalm 94:
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1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs—
O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
Render punishment to the proud.
3 Lord, how long will the wicked,
How long will the wicked triumph?
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8 Understand, you senseless among the people;
And you fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,
He who teaches man knowledge?
11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man,
That they are futile.
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Had Paul possibly previously taught the hymn of PSALM 94 to the Corinthians?
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NO Boasting in anthrōpos

So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours..
1 Corinthians 3:21 NIV
- So let no one boast..
- Therefore let no man glory in men.
It’s all the same word: καυχάομαι – kauchaomai —
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 glory (23x), boast (8x), rejoice (4x), make boast (2x), joy (1x).
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Again, Paul has already introduced the all-important dichotomy between giving GOD glory (boasting in God) and giving various mortal men, even church leaders such glory.
- that no flesh should glory in His presence. – 1 Corinthians 1:29 KJV
- therefore, as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:31 NIV
Human Leaders

ἄνθρωπος – anthrōpos

DIVISIONS, Paul asks?

Do you GLORY over mere men like your PREACHER or some APOSTLE?
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31X Paul speaks of men [anthrōpos] in 1 Corinthians, the most in any Epistle.

And what does the Apostle say?
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For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—
1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV, 2:9b NIV

3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.

1 Cor 4:1 NIV

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
July 17, 2024
A First Letter to the Corinthians Intro
in the year of our Lord ano Domini 55 [A.D. 55]

& in the context of the culture of Corinth

Intro
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PREVIOUSLY in this Talk of Jesus series from CHURCH LETTERS - IS HE WRITING TO ME? we have glanced at a few of Paul's LETTERS (Epistles) to the Church written during his just completed missionary journeys. 

TODAY we continue with a brief look back at more letters already sent to the churches. 
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WHAT THE CHURCH HAS READ SO FAR:
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Just a reminder that all dates from reliable sources may vary but are used for chronological context only.
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- A.D. 49 – JAMES, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem writes his LETTER
  - James also sends out a letter to the churches concerning gentiles from the Council in Jerusalem.
A.D. 49 – the Council at Jerusalem
- A.D. 49 – Paul writes his letter to the Galatians (actually, several new churches in Galatia)
HOT topics from Galatians – Perversion of the Gospel
- A.D. 50 – 1 THESSALONIANS
Paul’s unfinished business with the Thessalonians – 1
- A.D. 51 – 2 THESSALONIANS
II Thessalonians Intro – It is meet and right so to do..
- during the A.D. 50’s or A.D. 60’s (actual date unknown) – The GOSPEL OF MARK
1:1 Ἀρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God – Mark 1:1

Consider the possibility that parts of the Gospel of John Mark, who had accompanied his uncle Barnabas and the Apostle Paul to Cypress, MAY HAVE been known even in Corinth where Paul has already travelled and whose FIRST LETTER we are about to examine.

The GREAT COMMISSION of JESUS CHRIST to the CHURCH is recorded in the Gospel of Mark 16:15

1 Corinthians:

This epistle was most likely written in the first half of A.D. 55 from Ephesus (16:8, 9, 19) while Paul was on his third missionary journey. The apostle intended to remain on at Ephesus to complete his 3 year stay (Acts 20:31) until Pentecost (May/June) A.D. 55 (16:8). Then he hoped to winter (A.D. 55–56) at Corinth (16:6; Acts 20:2). His departure for Corinth was anticipated even as he wrote (4:19; 11:34; 16:8).
John MacArthur :: Bible Introductions – 1 Corinthians

Paulus vocatus apostolus Christi Iesu per voluntatem Dei et Sosthenes frater
– 1 Corinthios (1 Corinthians) 1 :: Latin Vulgate (VUL)

in the context of the culture of Corinth

CORINTH, ACHAIA is ROMAN; not Macedonian (as in the former Empire of Alexander the Great).

Neither is the large city of Corinth simply Greek, as in ‘ancient Greece’ with ancient Athens whose glory had long ago been reduced to ruins.

In 146 BC, the battle of Corinth signified a defining moment in the history of ancient Greece. Situated on the narrow strip of land connecting the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, Corinth was a city-state with a significant strategic and economic position.
source:

The language of Greek (thanks to the Great Macedonian Alexander) has become the international language of the Roman Empire.

So in Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, Antioch and even in Jerusalem the GOOD NEWS and Epistles [Letters] typically were written and read in GREEK.

Παῦλος κλητὸς ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ καὶ Σωσθένης ὁ ἀδελφός
Α΄ Κορινθίους (1 Corinthians) 1 :: Textus Receptus (TR)

Paulos klētos apostolos Jēsous Christos dia thelēma theos kai Sōsthenēs ho adelphos;

To the church of God which is at Corinth,

to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,

with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV

Here in CORINTH we immediately read the opening of Paul’s Epistle written in Greek to the CHURCH, beginning with the Apostle’s universal greeting to ALL and specifically to the saints separated to the calling of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul had been there and wrote back to encourage these Christians in Corinth.

See if this A.D. first century city of CORINTH sounds vaguely familiar to any city of destruction in our 21st century the Common Era.
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Once again, the commentary of John Macarthur on the culture of Corinth.
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Even by the pagan standards of its own culture, Corinth became so morally corrupt that its very name became synonymous with debauchery and moral depravity.

To “corinthianize” came to represent gross immorality and drunken debauchery. In 6:9, 10, Paul lists some of the specific sins for which the city was noted and which formerly had characterized many believers in the church there.

Tragically, some of the worst sins were still found among some church members.
John Macarthur Commentary – the Background and Setting of Corinth

Here the Apostle writes to a chosen few SAVED from the surrounding sinful culture of CORINTH (and most every other city in their culturally correct Roman Empire) in a CHURCH separated in worship yet living and working with all of those destined to the wrath of God’s punishment.
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These Corinthian Christians were taught and sought to live in complete contrast to sinful lifestyles hopefully left behind. 
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Later in his letter Paul will describe their love [ ἀγάπη ] more fully.

Although some contemporary Christians include parts of Paul’s list of LOVE in ceremonies of Christian marriage, the love of which Paul writes is not romantic or specifically marital in any way.

These CORINTHIANS were recognized in the city for their uniquely personal LOVE –

ἀγάπη – agapē love,

sometimes translated as CHARITY for each other and for others.

Their agapē LOVE stood against a CULTURE OF SIN characterized in a “corinthianized” city, fallen nation or evil empire.

Paul later writes what he knows of their Corinthian challenges warning:

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?

Do not be deceived;

.. neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you…
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 excerpt LSB

Starting with Encouragement

Paul begins his Epistle with an agape-rooted encouragement.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace, for which Christians should be so well recognized, written χάρις in Greek charis is:
- that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
- good will, loving-kindness, favour
- of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
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CAN YOU THINK OF ANY GREETING WHICH ENCOURAGES MORE THAN 'GRACE?'
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I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all word and all knowledge,
even as the witness about Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, beyond reproach in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Paul practically embraces these Corinthian believers in a personal prayer written for them.

Could any introduction of LOVE and Grace be more encouraging?
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God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 1:9 LSB [in context of 1:3-9]
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Theos is faithful, through Whom you were kaleō into koinōnia with His Son Ἰησοῦς Χριστός [iēsous christos] our kyrios.

*Linked definitions of GREEK words from 1 Corinthians 1:9 from BlueLetterBible.org 
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Reintroducing our Lord

Paul begins his letter to a beloved church in a city caught-up in the sins of SELF and worshipping multiple gods of ME with encouragement in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Apostle Paul’s two Epistles to the Corinthians he uses:
- iēsous – 45x
- christos – 111x
- kyrios – 95x
- θεός – theos – an amazing 185x
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- king - only once in his second letter & not referring to Jesus
- prophet - prophētēs - only once but referring to gifts of the saints
- priest not at all in writing to the Corinthians
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TO:

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED – ἁγιάζω – hagiazō – Paul uses this four times in this letter.

Are YOU sanctified?

ἅγιος – agios – sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), saint.

That’s what the apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God asks the church of God which is at Corinth.
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(It's a good question for those claiming Jesus Christ facing a refining and sanctification of our sinful mortal flesh.)
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The Apostle Paul refers to the church as SAINTS, a most holy thing, TWENTY TIMES in his epistles to the Corinthians including his encouragement of the church in this introduction.

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Κορίνθῳ ἡγιασμένοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ κλητοῖς ἁγίοις σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐπικαλουμένοις τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ αὐτῶν τε καὶ ἡμῶν·
1 Corinthians 1:2 NIV, TR –
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The Apostle Paul has many more things to write to the Corinthians (and to you, God-willing).
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To be continued…

Talk of JESUS .com

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
June 12, 2024