Day 59 - 1Corinthians 4-6

As Paul wraps his argument against the divisions in the Corinthian church due to differing alliances (e.g. some of Paul, some of Apollos, etc.), he again demonstrates his humility as he refers to himself and Apollos as mere servants and stewards whose greatest contribution to their ministry is faithfulness (4:1-2). On the heels of that Paul warns the Corinthians concerning their pride. In doing this he lays out a great argument against pride in vs7. It gives us the perspective that if we have anything (e.g. abilities, knowledge, etc.) it is a result of the gracious giving of God. So, if we are merely beneficiaries of the kindness and generosity of another, what room is left for boasting? This is certainly the God-centered outlook on life that we need to keep us from falling into the same pitfall as these Corinthians.

Chapter 5 details Paul's correction of the Corinthian church's acceptance of an openly immoral person in the church. Paul's concern for the whole well-being of the church moves him to call for the excommunication of this individual. It certainly seems to be a harsh penalty, but Paul knows how destructive sin is in the church (leaven and its permeating effects are a picture of the destructive nature of sin - 5:6-8) and so he calls for this judgment to be made (so much for those who like to quote Matt. 7:1 at times like this!). How sad it is that so many church leaders today are more concerned with what people think of them and having more people in the church than they are about the health and well-being of their church!

Apparently, another problem in the church at Corinth was believers suing believers. Paul is flabbergasted by this activity within the church. Unfortunately, this practice continues to the present day. Paul's concluding questions (6:7) just don't go over well in our present-day "I-want-my-rights" American culture.

Next, Paul returns to the theme of sexual immorality. His reasons for abstaining are very weighty! Our bodies were made for God and His glory! Further, now that we are Christians, we are part of the body of Christ! Therefore, if we enter into immorality, we are prostituting the body of Christ! This truly is a horrific picture that should be enough to keep even the weakest Christian from engaging such activity. If that reasoning is insufficient, then at least heed Paul's command to "flee from sexual immorality" (6:18). Isn't interesting that we are told to "resist" the devil, yet we are to "flee" from sexual sin? We must certainly take this warning and command from Paul seriously. Paul closes this section with some very familiar thoughts in 6:19-20. These are good reminders to us that we do not belong to ourselves. We were made by God for the glory of God, therefore we belong to God. Further, now that we are Christians, we have God living in us--we are His temple. This arrangement between God and us did come cheaply--there was a great cost! We have been bought with a price. That price was the precious blood of Jesus Christ when He gave Himself up for us. When we allow the passions of our flesh to lead us into sexual sin, we are showing the low estimation that we have for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If we would really think about this in detail, it would change the way we view sexual sin! Let's glorify God in our bodies! They belong to Him!