Chapter 1

1 Corinthians 1:1-17

The epistle begins with Paul greeting the church in Corinth by identifying himself as one called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.

Paul was not self-appointed in declaring himself as an apostle; he saw the resurrected Lord Jesus and he was given the right hand of fellowship by the apostles in Jerusalem (including James and Peter) who acknowledged Paul as one sent to the Gentiles with the gospel. He wrote with the authority of an apostle of Christ Jesus and he expected the church in Corinth to realise this.

He gave thanks for the grace of God extended to the church in Corinth and he noted that the church had been enriched by God with many spiritual gifts and the right knowledge of the gospel. We noted earlier that the city of Corinth was one most unlikely to respond to the gospel and yet the Lord God did a mighty work among this paganised and worldly city.

The word grace appeared several times in Paulʼs greeting, reminding the Corinthians that what they had received from God was not based on merit but it was through Godʼs unmerited favour and mercy. If it was based on the grace of God, there was no room for boasting or pride. Straightaway, the apostle prepared the believers to receive what he wanted to rebuke them and reprove them subsequently regarding the negative situations that had arisen in Corinth.

Before this reproof, Paul went on to tell them that they would bekept in their faith by the faithfulness and grace of God until the day of the Lord; just as they first received grace, they will continue to receiveHis grace and be kept by His faithfulness. It will not depend on their gifts, abilities and spiritual performance; hence the reminder comes in that there is no room for boasting and spiritual arrogance. Also, the believers in Corinth were set apart to be Godʼs people together with all those who acknowledged the Lord Jesus. This focused on the fact that all believers belong to Godʼs family under the lordship of one Lord Jesus Himself. The implication of unity and oneness was highlighted. Is there a place for a partisan spirit and disunity in the light of this calling?

Then Paul addressed the problem of division and disunity amongthem. He was grieved to find various groups aligning themselves to Apollos, Cephas, himself and even those who arrogantly declared that they belonged to the ʻChristʼ group.

Apollos and Cephas together with others had visited Corinth and this gave rise to a comparison with Paul and his ministry. Paulunderstood the complementary roles of various ones in Godʼs ministrybut he was not happy with what developed subsequently.

The rhetorical questions followed, making it clear that Christ isnot divided and no one else was crucified. Baptism and faith are in the name of Christ and not in the name of various servants of God.

The division was fuelled by spiritual pride, the exaltation of man and personality cults. The apostles and teachers are just stewards and servants of God. There is no place for idolising men and putting them on a pedestal; doing this gives glory to man rather than to God who alone deserves the glory and honor. Spiritual gifts also tend to exalt the ones using the gifts rather than the giver who dispenses the gifts,God Himself. Servants of God should be careful not to add on to thisproblem by glorifying themselves and their gifts.

All good gifts come from God and all glory belongs to Himalone. Paul distanced himself from highlighting himself and he rebuked the Corinthians severely for glorifying themselves.