In 1 Corinthians 1, the Apostle Paul addresses some serious division within the church in Corinth. Instead of letting these disagreements fester, he calls for unity, reminding them of the foundational truth of Christ's sacrifice.
The Reading: 1 Corinthians 1
World English Bible1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
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2 to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:
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3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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4 I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
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5 that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge;
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6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
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7 so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;
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8 who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
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11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
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12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.”
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13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
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14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius,
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15 so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.
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16 (I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don’t know whether I baptized any other.)
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17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News—not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn’t be made void.
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18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
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19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”
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20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
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21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
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22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
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23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
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24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
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25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
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26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
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27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
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28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:
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29 that no flesh should boast before God.
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30 Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
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31 that, according as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Paul's Greeting and Gratitude
Paul, an apostle by God's will, begins his letter by acknowledging the church in Corinth, greeting them with grace and peace. He expresses gratitude for the gifts bestowed on them through Christ, noting their richness in speech and knowledge.
Call for Unity
However, Paul quickly addresses a troubling issue: divisions among the believers. Some are rallying behind different leaders - Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and even Christ. He questions whether Christ is divided and reminds them that their baptism is in Jesus' name, not in the names of human leaders. Paul's goal is clear: he wants them to speak the same language of faith and be united in purpose.
The Cross: Foolishness or Power?
Paul shifts gears to discuss the message of the cross, which he claims is viewed as foolishness by those who are perishing. Yet, for those who believe, it is the very power of God. He points out that God has chosen what is seen as foolish and weak in the world to shame the wise and strong, emphasizing that no one can boast before Him. This is a radical re-framing of wisdom and strength - what the world values is often upside down in God's kingdom.
Called to Humility
Ultimately, Paul reminds the Corinthians that their true identity and worth come from being in Christ Jesus, who embodies God's wisdom and righteousness. The chapter closes with a thought-provoking quote: "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."
Why It Matters
Emphasizing Unity
The call for unity among believers is just as relevant today. In a world ripe with division, Paul's encouragement to focus on shared faith rather than personal preferences can help us build stronger communities.
Power in the Cross
Paul's declaration that the cross is foolishness to some but the power of God to others challenges us to rethink how we view our faith. It's a reminder that faith often transcends human understanding and societal norms. Embracing this mystery can lead us to deeper trust and reliance on God.
Finding Your Church Family
As you reflect on these themes, consider how you can foster unity and embrace the power of the cross in your own life. If you're looking for a community of believers to explore this with, find a church near you using the Sancta app. You might just find a new family with whom to journey in faith.
Humility in Faith
Finally, boasting in the Lord reminds us that our achievements and wisdom are not our own but gifts from God. This perspective fosters humility, ensuring we remember that we are all called to serve and uplift one another in love.
Coming Up Next: 1 Corinthians 2
In the next part of our journey through 1 Corinthians, we'll see Paul dive deeper into the nature of wisdom and revelation. What does it mean to truly understand the mysteries of God? Stay tuned!