1 Corinthians 4
Notes
Transcript
About Corinth
About Corinth
Despite being at the center of Greece, Corinth was destroyed in 146 BC by the Romans, who killed all the men, sold all the women and children into slavery, and burned the city to the ground. Because of it’s geographical importance, Julius Caesar ordered Corinth re-founded in 44 BC, not long before his assassination. The colony appears to have been well-funded, as an amphitheater was built that same year. The Corinth that Paul went to in AD 49 (Acts 18) was new, modern, and very pro-Roman.
In Corinth, there were multiple temples for Aphrodite (goddess of love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, procreation, and fertility). Aphrodite was the “guardian” of Corinth, and the patron goddess of prostitutes. After New Testament times, the Acrocorinth Temple rose to be the most important Aphrodite cult in the Greek-speaking world.
The second most popular cult in Corinth was for Demeter (goddess of grain, birth, and marriage). The third most popular cult in Corinth was for Persephone (goddess of the underworld, Spring, grain, marriage, and childbirth).
Corinth was on both sea and land trade routes, and a canal across the isthmus was finally built in AD 67. It should not surprise us that a “Corinthian woman” was Greek slang for “whore”. Although, often that was said with a positive spin. In the Roman world, in few places were women more sexually liberated than in Corinth. Scholars disagree on the amount of prostitution that took place in Aphrodite’s temples, but it was certainly no place for prudes.
We should keep this background in mind when we read Paul’s letter to them. Paul has some words about relationships, sex, and gender that needed to land on new Christians in this city.
About the Corinthian Church
About the Corinthian Church
In chapter 1:
Paul emphasizes the need for unity in the church. He discourages divisions and urges the Corinthians to be united in mind and judgment. Rather than identifying with different leaders, Paul emphasizes that it was Christ who was crucified for them. Paul highlights that the message of the Cross may seem foolish to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to those being saved. God's wisdom confounds worldly wisdom, and His strength surpasses human strength. These gospel-centered themes will continue throughout the book.
In chapter 2:
Paul emphasizes that true wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit, not human intellect. He contrasts worldly wisdom with God’s hidden wisdom, which the Spirit reveals. The chapter encourages believers to seek Spirit-driven wisdom and discern truth through the Holy Spirit.
In chapter 3:
Paul addresses church divisions and calls out their spiritual immaturity.He clarifies that church leaders are God’s servants who contribute to the faith of believers.The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ, and believers must build upon it wisely.The Corinthians are reminded they are God’s temple and must avoid worldly wisdom.
The key message is unity in Christ and the careful building of one’s life on His teachings.
A person should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God. In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful. It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even judge myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.
Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you!
For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.
I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children. For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?