Study in 1 Corinthians - Session 21

Rejoin the people in Corinth

The Corinthian believers are experiencing a crisis of faith of sorts. They seem to be following Christ in some ways, but in others they are woefully not handling issues. We have seen issues of sexual immorality, suing each other, and isolating people because they are not as “important.”

Paul obviously loves these people or who would have just ignored these matters. Now we find Paul closing his first letter to a people that he wants to mature. Paul will even be sending others to them to continue their training.

1 Corinthians 16:8–9 (NASB95)

8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; (likely late May or early June in AD 51)

9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Why would Timothy need to be afraid of coming to a christian people in Corinth?

1 Corinthians 16:10–12 NASB95

10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. 11 So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren. 12 But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.

Obviously traveling teachers had to wonder how they would be received. Think about how Paul must have warned Timothy and Apollos about the people he had ran into in Thessolinki. Based on these verses, perhaps because of his age or heritage, he would have been looked down upon. Paul needs them to provide Timothy a place of rest on his journey and then send him further on toward Paul’s location.

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NASB95

13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

He is summarizing his letter now. Of all the things he has told them, he wants them to be on the alert. For what? Against false teachers remember and sin creeping into their midst.

Stand firm in the faith, against who or what? We know we do not fight against flesh and blood, so stand against that which is an adversary to the message of Jesus the Christ.

Act like men: have a backbone. Also we should probably understand the issue of transgender-ism.

Be strong: Not really as much physically here, as spiritually strong. To be strong physically though we must understand what is the potential outcome is of training spiritually. Somehow we think the two are not related as if being spiritual strong comes with little effort or testing.

1 Corinthians 16:15–16 NASB95

15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

Subjection here is the thought of what we would consider a Pastor leading a congregation. It does not mean a slave-master relationship.

1 Corinthians 16:17–18 NASB95

17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Paul is not cutting them down as much as he is promoting these men and letting the Corinthians know they are trustworthy and helpful.

1 Corinthians 16:19–24 NASB95

19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 The greeting is in my own hand—Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

I find it interesting how he says this greeting is in his hand. I get the impression that Paul in some way told the scribe he would finish it up. I can imagine Paul seeing the amount of hid left to write on and he then wrote this last “chapter” himself. I imagine the original document looking very different in the end here if you were to see the original text.

And Paul leaves us with a blessing essentially as the Corinthian reader. We are left knowing that Paul loves us even though is rebuke has been harsh at times. I am certain this hit people different in the church depending on where they found themselves in the mix of the church. Some probably left angry for days, other knew the correcting touch of a mentor, while some probably were caught completely off guard as new followers.

Regardless, Paul left them and us with many unique understandings about the Scriptures and the life of a believer that we should not miss.

the Resurrection is a key conversation to the reason for Christian faith

1 Cor has the most detailed explanation of the parts of the body of the believing

the love chapter has very little to do with weddings and more to do with our relationship (love) toward other people (tongues and prophecy)

spiritual gifts are very detailed compared to other areas of scripture

Paul’s conversation about being single is unique here

When you think of 1 Corinthians and you now understand the context more, how is it reshaping your view of not just this book but the bigger story fo teh Bible as well?