Corinthians #2
Divisions: Causes,Consequences, & Solutions
1Corinthians 1 - 4
Corinthians #2- Divisions
Remember a few key factors:
>The city was a robust commercial &military center….
>and also very wicked (1,000 prostitutes inVenus’ temple)
>Despite Paul having spent 18 monthsthere, the church went very badly veryquickly. (cf. Acts 18:1-18)
>So Paul is writing from Ephesus in about57 A.D. to shake this church up.
Corinthians #2- Divisions
The first problem at Corinth: Division
Chapter 1
vv.1-2 The Address of the letter is to:
>Sanctified- (hagiazo) separate from profane things & dedicated to God.
>Saints- (hagios) holy or holy ones.
>Call- (kletos) called or invited to a banquet or supper; here by implication, to eternal salvation.
Corinthians #2- Divisions
The first problem at Corinth: Division
Chapter 1:3-9 His Thanks & Prayer:
>blesses with grace, v.3
>gives thanks for grace already given, v.4
>asks that they be enriched in Him in:
-all speech, cf. chps.12-14
-all knowledge, cf. 1:18-25; 2:1ff
Corinthians #2- Divisions
The first problem at Corinth: Division
Chapter 1:10-17 No Divisions!
>The Lord’s way:
Agree, Complete in the Same Mind &Same Judgment, v.10.
>But in Corinth:
Quarrels- contention, strife, wrangling
Divisions- Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ
Corinthians #2- Divisions
The first problem at Corinth: Division
Chapter 1:10-17 No Divisions!
>This problem is answered with three shameful questions:
1. “Has Christ been divided?”
2. “Paul was not crucified for you was he?”
3. “Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
Paul’s mission was to preach! vv.14-17
Corinthians #2- Divisions
The first problem at Corinth: Division
Chapter 1:18-31 The Wisdom of God prevents Divisions!
>the “word of the cross” unites by thepower of God, v.18
>it makes foolish man’s wisdom, vv.19-20
>it prevents man’s wisdom from knowingGod, v.21a
>but it saves those who believe, v.20b.
Corinthians #2- Divisions
The first problem at Corinth: Division
Chapter 1:18-25 The Wisdom of God prevents Divisions!
>To Jews who look for signs,
it becomes a stumbling-block,
>and to Gentiles who seek (man’s) wisdom,
it becomes foolishness, vv.22-23.
But to the called,
it is the power and wisdom of God, v.24!
Corinthians #2- Divisions
The first problem at Corinth: Division
Chapter 1:26-31 Therefore, Consider yourCalling, Corinthians!
>not many wise, mighty, or noble, v.26
>but the foolish and weak were chosen toshame the wise and strong, v.27
So that,
>no man should boast before God, v.29
>Such produces only DIVISION!
>So you are what you are by Christ, v.30.
Corinthians #2- Divisions
Because of all of this, Paul says in Chapter 2:1-5
>He did not come to Corinth with superiorityof speech or wisdom, v.1
>but rather with the testimony of JesusChrist and Him crucified, v.2
>Not in persuasive words of wisdom,
>but in demonstrating the Spirit’s power, v.4
So that their faith would be on God’s power rather than Paul’s wisdom, v.5
Corinthians #2- Divisions
This doesn’t mean that wisdom hadno part in Paul’s preaching, 2:6-9
>Just that it was:
-God’s wisdom
-not man’s!
>And that it was spoken to those who aremature, that it might not be wasted,vv.6-7.
>As was the case with the Rulers of this age,vv.8-9.
Corinthians #2- Divisions
So how does one come to know God’swisdom? 2:10-16 Just one way:
The Revelation of the Spirit!
>It’s the only way man knows the mind ofGod, vv.10-11.
>And it was given to those inspired in wordstaught by Him, vv.12-13.
>Foolish/natural men doesn’t accept thesewords, but the mature/spiritual mandoes! vv.14-16 (cf.v.6)
Corinthians #2- Divisions
Were/Are the Corinthians naturallyfoolish or spiritually mature? 3:1-4
Note the Evidence:
>Paul says they were “babes”, v.1
>in need of milk not solid food, v.2
>and that they were still fleshly:
-strife & jealousy, v.3
-and DIVIDED! v.4
Corinthians #2- Divisions
So what’s the solution? 3:6-23
>Understand it’s the message, not themessenger! vv.6-7
>Understand also that the messengers arethe workers and the Christians theyproduce with the Message are theProduct- the field, the building, vv.8-9.
>Some buildings will stand- some will fall,vv.10-15.
>But the Building belongs to God! Don’tdestroy it! vv.16-23.
Corinthians #2- Divisions
Why should the Corinthians (and we) listen to Paul? 4:1-21 Because:
>he’s a servant of Christ and steward of God’smysteries, v.1
>he’s a trustworthy steward, v.2
>their examination of him doesn’t change the truthwhich he speaks, vv.3-5
>he’s humbled himself as a servant while they’veexalted themselves as superior, vv.6-14
>he’s their father, v.15
>he’s worthy of imitation, vv.16-17
>and if possible, he’s coming! vv.18-21
Corinthians #2- Divisions
Conclusions:
>The Corinthians were divided asevidenced/caused by strife, jealousy,following messengers instead of themessage, immaturity, and worldly thinking.
>The same will produce the same for us!
>The Solution is simple:
Get back to words given by the Spirit!
Imitate only those who imitate Christ!
Don’t deceive yourself re: who/what you are!