Sermon 2
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Identifying consistent themes in 1 Corinthians can be difficult since Paul frequently changes subjects to address questions raised by the Corinthians. Yet when the big picture of the letter is considered, several themes seem to dominate the terrain (for additional themes see Baker 2009, 13–18 and Hays 1997, 9–11). First, Paul often addresses matters concerning the relationship between the Christian life and the surrounding culture. Among the many complex cultural issues he discusses in the letter are sexual immorality (1 Cor 5:1–13), secular lawsuits between Christians (1 Cor 6:1–11), guidelines for single and married Christians (1 Cor 7:1–40), the question of eating meat sacrificed to idols (1 Cor 8:1–11:1), and appropriate attire during worship (1 Cor 11:2–16). Not surprisingly, Paul condemns a number of the Corinthians’ practices as anti-Christian, pagan behavior (e.g., idolatry and sexual immorality). At the same time, he seems willing to accommodate—or at least tolerate—cultural customs such as head coverings. Fee (1987, 18) suggests that Paul’s guiding principle for Christian ethics in 1 Corinthians is Christ Himself.
