I would like to share with you a sermon from Doug Hamilton, preacher at the Junction City Church of Christ, Junction City, KS.

Some background information before we begin Doug’s lesson

Saul, the apostle Paul, is the writer of 1 Corinthians. F. LaGard Smith writes about the conversion of Saul, in his work, The Narrated Bible.

He says,

"Saul will later become on of the most widely known and widely read of all the apostles. He will make three major missionary journeys, establishing churches throughout what is known today as Turkey, Greece, and Italy. He will write at least 13 inspired letters of Scripture and preach Christ to high government officials. And he will suffer perhaps as much persecution for the sake of the Lord as any other who has defended Jesus' name. But for now [at the time of his conversion] Saul is known only as the great persecutor of the Lord’s church. He is feared by all who regard the name of Jesus as precious.

Smith continues: "The events which lead to the radical change in this man Saul are truly remarkable. In one sense his conversion experience is like that of any other believer who commits his life in faithful obedience to Christ. But Saul is destined to become a special apostle for the Lord, and that necessitates his ability to testify to the resurrection of Jesus. Therefore Saul’s conversion involves a personal appearance by Jesus himself. Later in his ministry, in response to those who will question his apostleship, Saul (then to be known as Paul) will refer to this [conversion] experience as the basis for his apostleship and the beginning of his special mission for Christ.

"Unaware at this point of what the future holds for his life, Saul is seen now relentlessly searching out believers in Jesus (whose sect is known at this time simply as 'The Way') in order to arrest and persecute them."

SR: You can read about it in Acts 9:1-30.

After Saul’s conversion he will be forced to flee to Tarsus, his home town. He spends three years in the wilderness of Arabia being taught by revelation from Jesus. Galatians 1:12,17-18.

Those scattered by the persecution of Stephen (Acts 7,8) proclaim the word as they went, [but] only to the Jews. Some went to Antioch (in Syria) and began telling Greeks also the good news about Jesus. Acts 11:19-21

As a result the church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch. When he saw what was happening in Antioch, Barnabas went to Tarsus to get Saul and brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. [This is where and this is when] The disciples were first called Christians. Acts 11:22-26.

A little later, the Holy Spirit will call Barnabas and Saul to be set apart to go on what becomes their 1st missionary journey. Acts 13:1-3. It is on the first stop on this first journey, on the island of Cyprus, when Saul is teaching the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus that Saul’s name changes to Paul. Acts 13:6-12.

After the 1st missionary journey Paul returns to Antioch in Syria. Acts 14:24-28. F. LaGard Smith again gives some insight here.

He says,

"The tour through ancient Asia Minor [that is, their 1st missionary journey] ends somewhere around AD 47. Paul and Barnabas probably settle back into concentrated efforts at teaching in the local area [to Antioch], but their respite is not to last for long. By AD 48 there is trouble in the church. Certain Jewish Christians from Jerusalem go north to Antioch, teaching the Gentile Christians that they must be circumcised, in addition to being baptized, in order to be obedient to God. To the Jews the rite of circumcision is a sign of the covenant relationship which they have with God, so it is only natural that they should think the same act would be required of Gentile Christians. But their more serious misconception lies in their belief that circumcision is required as part of keeping the Law of Moses. They are not only urging Gentiles to be circumcised, but demanding that they keep the entire law, just as the Jewish Christians are continuing to do.

"The problem posed by these so-called 'Judaizing teachers' will continue to divide the church in the ensuing years, and it will be a subject for discussion in several of Paul’s later letters. For now, however, the problem is temporarily solved by a conference at Jerusalem in which Paul and Barnabas meet with the apostles and elders [of the Jerusalem church]. After reviewing the work of the Holy Spirit in leading the way to Gentile evangelism, and after consulting Scripture for prophecy concerning the Gentiles, they all agree that circumcision (and by implication, the law itself) is not binding on the Gentiles. This message is sent to Gentile Christians, along with a warning that they avoid certain idolatrous practices common among pagan Gentiles. As a result of this agreement, unity will finally prevail, at least _temporarily."_

Some time after this Paul will travel on his 2nd missionary journey. It is on this journey that he first comes to Corinth. I would like to add one final narration from F. LaGard’s Smith on Paul’s 2nd missionary journey before we begin.

He says,

"Apparently not long after writing his letter to the churches in Galatia [which F. LaGard Smith believes was after the conference in Jerusalem and before his 2nd missionary journey], Paul decides that it is an appropriate time for a personal visit. Through such a visit Paul hopes to observe how the churches are developing and lend the weight of his actual presence to resolving the circumcision question about which he has written. Accompanying Paul from Antioch is his fellow minister, Silas, who was one of the two representatives sent to Antioch following the Jerusalem conference. After traveling through northern Syria and Cilicia, they proceed to Derbe and then on to Lystra, where they find a disciple named Timothy. Their meeting is the beginning of a close and productive relationship between the older apostle and this young man, who is to become Paul’s protege.

"With Timothy now added to their number, Paul and Silas continue traveling through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia. Being directed by the Holy Spirit, Paul passes by Mysia and spends some time in Troas, where Luke indicates that he joins Paul’s company. Then, through a vision, Paul is again given directions — this time to go to Macedonia, a province in what today is Northern Greece. There, in the city of Philippi, Paul converts a godly woman named Lydia and establishes a congregation with which Paul will have perhaps one of his closet associations over the ensuing years. Some of the great mutual affection undoubtedly arises from an experience in which Paul and Silas are imprisoned, only to be released miraculously from their chains and thereby given opportunity to convert both their jailer and his household.

"Apparently leaving Luke behind at Philippi, Paul, Silas, and Timothy travel on to Thessalonica, where they spend three weeks with only marginal results, and then go on to Berea, where their preaching is received with great eagerness by both Jews and Greeks. But opposition stirred up by Jews from Thessalonica forces Paul to leave Silas and Timothy temporarily and proceed alone to Athens, the capital of ancient Greece. There Paul engages the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in discussion and, standing among their pagan altars, gives a classic discourse concerning the true and living God. Thereafter Silas and Timothy apparently join Paul in Athens for a brief time, but are then sent to Thessalonica.

"After remaining alone for some time in Athens, Paul journeys west to Corinth, where he spends over a year-and-a-half teaching the gospel. While in Corinth, paul supports himself in the trade of tentmaking, together with Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, who have recently come from Italy. Paul is rejoined by Silas and Timothy, who bring news from Macedonia. In response to questions which have been raised, Paul writes two letters to the brethren in Thessalonica before leaving Corinth. Thereafter he returns to Antioch by way of Ephesus, Caesarea and Jerusalem…​"

This morning’s lesson is:

An Introduction to First Corinthians

By Doug Hamilton, Junction City Church of Christ, Junction City, KS
Doug Hamilton Video link

Authorship, Date and Location of Letter

The letter to the Corinthian Christians was composed by the apostle Paul and likely handwritten by Sosthenes.

1 Corinthians 1:1,

Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.

It is not strange that Paul would dictate his inspired thought for another writer. His words were inspired, but his penmanship was not.

Galatians 6:11,

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand._

The letter was likely written approximately AD 55 from the location of Ephesus.

The Reason for the Letter

There had been divisive quarrels within the church and Paul wanted to firmly address it. Paul and Timothy were about to make another visit to them, so the apostle wanted them to be ready for when he arrived. Paul had been hearing bad-conduct reports from Corinth and felt it best to give them foreknowledge of his pending visit so they could get things in order.

Background History of Corinth

Corinth was a major city in the eastern Peloponnese of Greece [which is the mountainous southern peninsula of Greece, connected to central Greece by the Isthmus of Corinth and had about 100,000 residents.]

The city lay at the southern foot of a mountain, Akrocorinth (elevation 1883 feet), which also served as a location for some of the cults of the city. Atop this mountain was the past location of the Temple of Aphrodite. It sported a thousand sacred prostitutes, for which pagan men would hike uphill 1,800 feet to worship. With that history in mind, Paul wrote

1 Corinthians 6:19,

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

The original city of Corinth dates back to the sixth century BC. In 164 BC, Corinth joined together with many other cities to fight Roman domination, but lost, and as a result, was completely destroyed. It was rebuilt in AD 44, following the assassination of Julius Caesar.

Corinthia was actually the name of the state in Greece. It was the double-ported, prized location of the Mediterranean, with the Saronic Gulf on the east and the Corinthian Gulf on the west. In order to save time, instead of traveling around the whole peninsula, Rome built a four mile road to physically move their fleet and freight by land from one harbor to another. It would save them considerable time. Since then, the Greek government has carved a large canal, allowing barges and large ships to never leave the water.

Spiritual Life

Corinth was steeped in paganism. As mentioned, it was the primary location city of the goddess Aphrodite. Needless to say, immorality was rampant in Corinth. There was actually a term commonly used in that day to describe great immorality, it was “Corinthianize”, being one of the primary problems in Corinth.

Introduction to Christianity

Paul brought Christianity to the location in

Acts 18:1-4,

After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

This event occurred about AD 51 and he would stay for eighteen months on the initial visit, resulting in many converts. We find some of the early conversions were Crispus and his household.

Acts 18:8,

“Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.”

This is further confirmed in

1 Corinthians 1:14,

“I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius”.

While there, he met a couple from Rome, named Priscilla and Aquila. They were recently kicked out of Italy [by Emperor] Claudius' two-year decree, expelling all Jews out of Rome. It appears they were with Paul when he departed for Asia.

Romans 16:19,

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

They would prove to be great comrades, even making and selling tents to pay their way.

Chapter 1: Strong Division and Strong Wisdom

Chapter 1:1-3 The Opening of the Letter

1 Corinthians 1:1-3,

Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the opening of the letter, it appears that it was co-authored by both Paul and Sosthenes. It is also important to note that only Paul was the apostle, carrying with it the apostolic authority Christians have become accustomed to. This is the same Sosthenes who was willing to be beaten for his conviction of faith in

Acts 28:7,

And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

This should be no surprise since his mentor, Paul, was persecuted from the very onset in Corinth.

Acts 18:12,

“But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.”

The stone in Corinth, for which Paul was chained before Gallio, still stands to this day, being called Bema. Paul held firm to the concept that the world would ultimately persecute those who are preaching Christ’s gospel.

2 Timothy 1:9,

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God”

The letter was addressed to the church in Corinth. This is in contrast to the second letter which was addressed to the saints of Achia. Paul referred to them as the ekklesia (church), a phrase they would have clearly understood. When the Greeks had public meetings of the citizenship, the people were “called out” for the official city business. It is the same terminology which Peter used, when he wrote “so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Not only are they called out, but sanctified. He used the word “saint”, claiming they were sanctified, meaning set apart. That is what saint means.

The dual-term “grace and peace” was a common salutation of greeting from the Jewish culture of the day. Interestingly, grace comes from the word charis, which is equivalent to the Hebrew term shalom (peace). This was the most common greeting of the day and also of Paul.

Chapter 1:4-9 Thanksgiving

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We must remember that the church was very divided due to the lack of humility toward one another. What better way to begin a letter than to remind them that they are undeserving of God’s grace which was bestowed on them from the beginning. How did they receive this enrichment? It was through the speaking of the word and the knowledge possessed for which they were enriched. God completed their testimony because He backed it up with miraculous [powers], inclusive to speaking and the gift of knowledge, both of which are spoken of in chapter 12.

Even though the mindset of the Roman was world-domination, Paul confirmed the reality of a temporal world [that is, one that is a physical & temporary, not an everlasting spiritual world] concerning the coming of Christ. The Christian must view this world as temporal and soon to fade away if they are going to be in line with God’s thinking. Another phrase emphasizing this is the “day of the Lord”, a common phrase from the OT, echoing that this earth and her ways will someday meet its end.

Amos 5:18-20,

Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD, For what purpose will the day of the LORD be to you? It will be darkness and not light; 19 As when a man flees from a lion And a bear meets him, Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall And a snake bites him. 20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness instead of light, Even gloom with no brightness in it?

Joel 2:31,

“The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

Chapter 1:10-17 “Great Divisiveness”

1 Corinthians 1:10-17,

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

Chloe’s people were likely slaves within the household. They obviously had informed Paul of the incredible pettiness concerning their “Christian” approach to each other. We must remember that the primary reason for writing this letter was to deal with all their divisiveness. Paul encouraged them to be of the same mind and of the same judgment. It was not a matter of simple, trivial matters for which they were to agree, but the core teachings. The word that Paul used for appeal was one with authority. Better said, “I order you to be of the same mind and judgment.” He could do this because he had apostolic authority.

One of the great quarrels among them was over who the individual was who baptized them. Instead of being focused on Whom one was baptized into, that is the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, it had become a point of bragging. Some were exalting themselves as being baptized by Paul, some Apollos and yet others Peter. Some actually claimed the right thing by saying they were of Christ.

It is of interest to note that a common phrase of the pagans in Corinth was “I am of Aphrodite.” This was their way of saying that they had gone all the way in their pagan worship even to the immoralities of the Temple of Aphrodite. This [is] what happened when they took a pagan view into [their] relationship with God. Our Father will have no other gods before Him and that includes any connection to other gods as well. When they were focusing on who baptized them instead of Christ, they were playing [the] old Aphrodite idolatry game.

There are those of the “baptismless movement” who like to quote verse 17 in an attempt to “prove” that baptism is not important. That was not what Paul was saying, but that his focus was to preach the gospel inclusive to baptism. He did not come to [perform] the most baptisms, but to preach Christ crucified (2:2), including baptism as part of it. The mere fact that he admitted baptizing respondents to his preaching, combined with the actual record of this from the Book of Acts, confirms this is what he taught. He is simply saying that he was an instrument in God’s hand to spread the gospel of salvation. To conclude a “Baptismless” gospel is nothing more than a disingenuous attempt to cling to false teaching that leads to false conversion and false hopes. This “baptismless” gospel has even led to division in the church today.

Application:

How did the Corinthian Christians go from following Christ to wicked division over something which was so obviously wrong? Perhaps it was because of the unique strengths of one person over another.

Apollos was an “eloquent man” (Acts 18:24)

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.

whereas Paul was not (2 Corinthians 11:5,6)

Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

Paul was mighty with the pen (2 Corinthians 10:9,10)

I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.”

whereas Peter was not (2 Peter 3:15)

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

Peter was a leader among the apostles (Matthew 16:18, Acts 2, 11)

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

but Apollos was not even an apostle.

Everybody brings something to the table, but no man brings the table. We all have strengths and weaknesses, but only Christ had all strengths. It is about Christ and not the servants of Christ. God is the ultimate focus, not mere men.

1 Corinthians 3:4-7,

For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men? 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

Brothers and Sisters, our greatest strength in the church is when we unite around the common gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul said he was determined to know nothing among them, but Christ and Him crucified. This is the core of who we are. If we are truly united under the gospel of Jesus Christ, then we are truly united!

  1. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins, was buried and raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

  2. I confess that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God (Acts 8:37).

  3. I repent of my sinful ways. God is right and I am wrong (Acts 2:38).

  4. I believe at water baptism is when Jesus forgives me of my sins (Acts 22:16).

  5. I am willing to live the rest of my days serving Christ (Galatians 2:20).

Invitation

We are extending the invitation, now, to anyone who is subject to it. Come,…​ while we stand and sing.