Introduction to Paul's letter to the Corinthians: dealing with divisions
Rev. Michael Scott
Epiphany 2023 • Sermon • Submitted
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I’m often asked how the “ancient” writings of the bible relate to our life these days. And I often respond that we as individuals, and as a society face many some of the same difficulties and problems as those from some 2,000 years ago. In fact, today’s resading, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 explains such things. Paul wrote his letter to the Christians in Corinth. Specifically, Paul wrote of his concern that they be “in agreement,” that “there be no divisions,” that he had heard that “there are quarrels among you” (vv. 10–11).
Disagreements and divisions and quarrels are frequent in our day aren’t they? Families, cities, countries, society as a whole face such divisions on a daily basis. Disagreement about the authority and interpretation of Scripture drives churches apart. It is obvious that whatever the admonitions Paul made to the church at Corinth about their divisions, they have not succeeded in bringing unity to the societies of succeeding generations.
That regrettable reality does not mean that Paul’s words to the Corinthians have no relevance for us as we seek to cope with conflict and disunity. Paul’s reaction to what he had heard from those in Corinth can indeed give insight to the situation in which we find ourselves themselves.
First, it can be noted that Paul is clearly distressed by the conflicts in the church at Corinth. He appeals to them “that all of you be in agreement” (v. 10). He appeals to them “that there be no divisions among you” (v. 10). He appeals to them “that you be united” (v. 10). It can happen that we become so accustomed to a divided church that we simply accept the situation. We have always known a divided church, and we are not shocked or dismayed because that is the way things are. Paul will not let the Corinthians or us be satisfied with the church in its divided condition. There may be no quick solution to the problem, but there can be no casual acceptance of it.
Second, Paul appeals to the Corinthians as “brothers and sisters.” Twice in the beginning of his appeal to them Paul refers to them in this familial way. Whatever their problems and failures, they are part of his family. Paul is obviously deeply concerned about what is happening in the Corinthian church, and in the course of this letter to them he rebukes them sharply for some of their beliefs and practices, but he does so because he cares for them in the ways that family members care for each; he cares for them as brothers and sisters.
Divisions in religious communities can often engender bitter animosities. People rightly discern that the issues separating them from others are exceptionally significant, dealing with fundamental convictions about the meaning of life and the eternal destiny of persons. Strongly held views on such issues can lead people to reject those who have different views, to break fellowship with them, even to condemn them. Paul can help us to discern that even those who differ with us are brothers and sisters, and can help us deal with those who differ with us in a spirit of care and compassion and love.
Third, Paul identifies issues that cause divisions. Paul writes that he has heard from Chloe’s people about quarrels, and then he goes on: “What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul,’ or ‘I belong to Apollos,’ or ‘I belong to Cephas,’ or ‘I belong to Christ.’” In the first three instances, Paul is concerned that people in the church at Corinth are separated from each other because they give their allegiance to different people who have been leaders in the community. It may be that they are simply attracted by a powerful personality and want to find their identity in the relationship with him or her. It may be that they are gripped by the particular ideas that have been espoused by Paul or Apollos or Cephas and find the only expression of truth in what they have heard from him. It may be a combination of both, which leads to a power struggle.
Such division can still be found in the church, of course. Dynamic preachers may develop a cult following of people who are more moved by the power of rhetoric than by the claims of the gospel. People may give allegiance to the statement of the Christian faith articulated by a past or present theologian, and separate themselves from those who find truth in different articulations.
Paul is referring to those who give their allegiance to human leaders when he is talking about belonging to Paul or Cephas or Apollos, but what does he mean when he writes about those who say, “I belong to Christ”? Paul does not go on to explain what he means, but we do have examples of how claiming to belong to Christ can be divisive. People can articulate particular theological interpretations of who Jesus was and what Jesus did, and then claim that only those interpretations are right and any other interpretations are so deficient that they cannot be accepted.
Fourth, Paul seeks ways in which the divisions and the quarrels can be dealt with meaningfully and constructively. He reminds the people that the saving grace of God does not come through any human leader, but only through the gospel that manifests the saving love of God. Paul is clear that he did not bring the saving power of God: “Was Paul crucified for you?” (v. 13). Paul is clear that the expression of God’s saving love is not in human wisdom, but in the cross of Christ, the awesome manifestation of the way and the power of God.
We can seek to deal with the tragedy of our divisions as we focus not on the power struggles or on the wisdom that we have accumulated, but on the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, most fully expressed in his suffering death on the cross, which “to us who are being saved…. is the power of God” (v. 18).
1 Corinthians 1:18
I’m often asked how the “ancient” writings of the bible relate to our life these days. And I often respond that we as individuals, and as a society face many some of the same difficulties and problems as those from some 2,000 years ago. In fact, today’s resading, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 explains such things. Paul wrote his letter to the Christians in Corinth. Specifically, Paul wrote of his concern that they be “in agreement,” that “there be no divisions,” that he had heard that “there are quarrels among you” (vv. 10–11).
Disagreements and divisions and quarrels are frequent in our day aren’t they? Families, cities, countries, society as a whole face such divisions on a daily basis. Disagreement about the authority and interpretation of Scripture drives churches apart. It is obvious that whatever the admonitions Paul made to the church at Corinth about their divisions, they have not succeeded in bringing unity to the societies of succeeding generations.
That regrettable reality does not mean that Paul’s words to the Corinthians have no relevance for us as we seek to cope with conflict and disunity. Paul’s reaction to what he had heard from those in Corinth can indeed give insight to the situation in which we find ourselves themselves.
First, it can be noted that Paul is clearly distressed by the conflicts in the church at Corinth. He appeals to them “that all of you be in agreement” (v. 10). He appeals to them “that there be no divisions among you” (v. 10). He appeals to them “that you be united” (v. 10). It can happen that we become so accustomed to a divided church that we simply accept the situation. We have always known a divided church, and we are not shocked or dismayed because that is the way things are. Paul will not let the Corinthians or us be satisfied with the church in its divided condition. There may be no quick solution to the problem, but there can be no casual acceptance of it.
Second, Paul appeals to the Corinthians as “brothers and sisters.” Twice in the beginning of his appeal to them Paul refers to them in this familial way. Whatever their problems and failures, they are part of his family. Paul is obviously deeply concerned about what is happening in the Corinthian church, and in the course of this letter to them he rebukes them sharply for some of their beliefs and practices, but he does so because he cares for them in the ways that family members care for each; he cares for them as brothers and sisters.
Divisions in religious communities can often engender bitter animosities. People rightly discern that the issues separating them from others are exceptionally significant, dealing with fundamental convictions about the meaning of life and the eternal destiny of persons. Strongly held views on such issues can lead people to reject those who have different views, to break fellowship with them, even to condemn them. Paul can help us to discern that even those who differ with us are brothers and sisters, and can help us deal with those who differ with us in a spirit of care and compassion and love.
Third, Paul identifies issues that cause divisions. Paul writes that he has heard from Chloe’s people about quarrels, and then he goes on: “What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul,’ or ‘I belong to Apollos,’ or ‘I belong to Cephas,’ or ‘I belong to Christ.’” In the first three instances, Paul is concerned that people in the church at Corinth are separated from each other because they give their allegiance to different people who have been leaders in the community. It may be that they are simply attracted by a powerful personality and want to find their identity in the relationship with him or her. It may be that they are gripped by the particular ideas that have been espoused by Paul or Apollos or Cephas and find the only expression of truth in what they have heard from him. It may be a combination of both, which leads to a power struggle.
Such division can still be found in the church, of course. Dynamic preachers may develop a cult following of people who are more moved by the power of rhetoric than by the claims of the gospel. People may give allegiance to the statement of the Christian faith articulated by a past or present theologian, and separate themselves from those who find truth in different articulations.
Paul is referring to those who give their allegiance to human leaders when he is talking about belonging to Paul or Cephas or Apollos, but what does he mean when he writes about those who say, “I belong to Christ”? Paul does not go on to explain what he means, but we do have examples of how claiming to belong to Christ can be divisive. People can articulate particular theological interpretations of who Jesus was and what Jesus did, and then claim that only those interpretations are right and any other interpretations are so deficient that they cannot be accepted.
Fourth, Paul seeks ways in which the divisions and the quarrels can be dealt with meaningfully and constructively. He reminds the people that the saving grace of God does not come through any human leader, but only through the gospel that manifests the saving love of God. Paul is clear that he did not bring the saving power of God: “Was Paul crucified for you?” (v. 13). Paul is clear that the expression of God’s saving love is not in human wisdom, but in the cross of Christ, the awesome manifestation of the way and the power of God.
We can seek to deal with the tragedy of our divisions as we focus not on the power struggles or on the wisdom that we have accumulated, but on the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, most fully expressed in his suffering death on the cross, which “to us who are being saved…. is the power of God” (v. 18).
1 Corinthians 1:18