Needs met by letter

NEEDS MET BY FIRST CORINTHIANS

The Corinthians had problems with arrogance and pride. They tended to see themselves as the beginning and end of God's concerns (4:7; 14:36-38). That self-infatuation warped several of God's good gifts. It turned seeking the best for others into selfish status seeking. It turned the spiritual gifts of God into prizes to be gloated over or envied. It turned forgiveness into revenge and replaced the cross of Christ with partisan pride in flashy human ministers. Paul tried first to solve the problem of their arrogance and then to deal with each of the specific problems that had been mentioned to him. The structure and content of 1 Corinthians show that Paul was answering questions like these.

What is wrong with having a favorite Christian leader?

Should believers not have a high and lofty view of their leaders?

Do their followers not have a share in the leaders' status?

How can believers know who are the truly spiritual among them?

Should Christians take other Christians to court?

Do sexual relations with an unsaved spouse defile a believing spouse?

Is marriage good or bad?

Do strong Christians have to alter their behavior just to keep weaker Christians from copying them?

How can believers live in unity with the great diversity of spiritual gifts in the community?

Is it necessary for Christians to believe in a physical resurrection?

Although Paul addressed many different topics ranging from eating idol-sacrificed meat to partaking of the Lord's Supper, from immorality to marital relationships, from spiritual gifts to his travel plans, just one central truth informed each of his solutions - the cross of Christ. Believers today can, along with the Corinthians, discover how the cross of Christ is the answer to their problems. In regard to the problems of jealousy, pride, and division, the cross puts all believers on the same level and teaches them to forgive each other and wait for Christ's perfect evaluation of them all at the end of the age. In regard to the tendencies of believers toward immorality, the cross teaches them to purify their lives and celebrate Christ's sacrifice in holiness. The cross shows believers the way to resolve their conflicts out of court and to appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit for edification. The specific situations have changed from first-century Corinth to the lives of believers today, but the issues addressed by Paul of pride, immorality, care, and generosity are still the same.

Taken from The Bible Companion.

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