1 Corinthians 6 - Tough Teaching

On the heels of chapter 5's charge to expel the wicked man, in chapter 6 we have more tough talk directed at those followers of Jesus who sue each other, and those involved in sexual immorality.  At first glance these two topics don't seem to have much in common, but maybe a closer look shows us something different.

I honestly don't know how directly we would look to apply Paul's warning against Christians opposing other Christians in court these days.  I suppose there are a number of different factors that would need to be considered.  Regardless, the point Paul makes isn't tough to understand.  Instead of spending the majority of our time demanding our own rights and fighting for our own good, why not rather spend time and effort seeking the good of others?  Yielding and meekness need not be a sign of weakness or a lack of backbone.  Perhaps they are indicators of a life that is more interested in helping others than helping myself.

With respect to sexual immorality, we see in Matthew 5, in the Sermon on the Mount, that sexual sin is more pervasive in the life of most people than we can observe on the surface.  No doubt it's a body issue, but it's also a heart issue, and Jesus and Paul clearly teach that idea.  At the end of the day, it helps to ponder and adopt the attitude that Paul communicates in v. 19-20, chiefly 'You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.'

My life isn't supposed to be about me doing what seems right or feels good to me at the expense of other people.  God has created all of us to put each other's interests before our own, and it's tough to argue that there's a better way for the world to work.  What would a planet characterized by people who thought of others before themselves actually look like?  It's interesting to think about.  I thank God that I'll get to see it someday.

1 Corinthians 5 - Expel the Wicked?

This chapter is a tough read, no question about it.  There is talk of removing people from the fellowship of believers, judging, handing someone over to Satan, and not associating with sexually immoral people.  Thankfully, Paul clarifies in verse 10, "not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral....In that case you would have to leave this world" (hard to argue with that one).  But Paul is clearly condemning the behavior of those who claim Christ and boast (v. 6) or are proud of their sin (v. 2).  There is to be great tolerance toward sinful people, but no tolerance for sin itself.  The distinction can be murky sometimes, but it doesn't appear to be very murky in this case.  Paul concludes the chapter by quoting Deuteronomy, "expel the wicked man from among you."

1 Corinthians 4 - Fools for Christ

In verse 1, Paul continues the thought at the end of chapter 3.  He, Apollos and others who teach in the name of Christ are not to be followed as Christ is followed.  And yet, there is a respect due those teachers, as they are to be regarded as "servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God".  It's clear then in verse 3 that Paul requires this treatment not out of any selfish desire on his part, but rather because having respect for the apostles, or teachers, shows that the Corinthians have respect for God.  It's never about what Paul wants from people, but rather that he usually seems to know what is best for them.

We see further evidence of Paul's all-out commitment to the cause of the Gospel in verses 8-13, describing himself as a man condemned to die in the arena, a fool, weak, dishonored, hungry and thirsty, in rags and brutally treated, homeless, cursed, persecuted, slandered, and finally, scum of the earth and refuse of the world.  Not a pretty picture, and honestly, pretty strange language.  Perhaps Paul is showing his willingness to endure any hardship for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.

Verse 15 is another head scratcher at first, when Paul indicates the Corinthians have had 10,000 guardians in Christ, but few fathers.  Paul is positioning himself as a higher authority, a true spiritual father to this church, which apparently is long on mediocre teachers, but short on true apostolic influence.  Finally, Paul concludes with a tough sounding speech about how he plans to visit them again soon, and talks about coming with either a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit.  You can almost hear the parental tone, "we can either do this the easy way or the hard way.  It's up to you."

1 Corinthians 3 - Mere Infants

To Paul, jealousy and quarreling are indicators of worldliness and immaturity in Christ.  The call is to maturity through humility.  "Do not deceive yourselves.  If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise" (v. 18).  "No more boasting about men!" (v. 21).  We don't follow Paul, Apollos, Peter, our parents, our pastor, or our friends.  We are "of Christ, and Christ is of God." (v. 23)