1 Corinthians 1:1–17

1 Corinthians 1:1–17

Paul begins this letter with a positive introduction. If all we had of First Corinthians was this introduction, we might come to the conclusion that this was a strong and healthy congregation. Paul was an optimist, but he wasn’t naïve. He begins the letter to the most immoral of churches with the list of positives about the life of the church. In verses 4–7 he expresses thanks for them, his confidence in their faith, and that they will ultimately be found blameless in the Lord. How do we reconcile this deeply corrupt, immoral church with Paul’s positive assessment? Paul is not being disingenuous and flattering the Corinthians, nor is he failing to take their problems seriously. The answer is found in verse nine, most specifically in the first three words: “God is faithful.” Paul’s confidence doesn’t rest in the Corinthians but in God, who called them. In fact, these three words could almost serve as the theme for the whole letter. The phrase “God is faithful” was a common and favorite theme of the ancient Jews. God, by His character, always accomplishes what He promises. There’s another concept here as well. It is in the faithfulness of God‘s people that we see expressed the faithfulness of God. Paul is confident God will accomplish His purpose even in this messed-up church. His thanks is for what has been begun because he is sure it will be fulfilled.

It is worth noting that of all the issues that Paul will address in this letter, it is the issue of the division that he addresses first. We might expect Paul would begin with some more scandalous issue in the church or the more public or those more theologically oriented. But it begins by addressing the divisions and the party spirit that plague the church. He did this because each of the problems would require the whole church’s participation to resolve. To address these other issues first would only draw more battle lines and more deeply divide the church. A church that is divided is going to be utterly ineffective at both correcting its own spiritual corruption and making disciples in the world. A divisive spirit in a congregation will sooner or later kill that congregation.

“Lord, help me to live out the truth that You are Faithful. AMEN”