Scripture
By Charlene Brown
Scripture Lesson Text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-16
Related Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
The lesson today starts in the first epistle, of Paul the Apostle, to the Corinthians. The church at this time was experiencing some serious difficulties such as idolatry, lawsuits, immorality and abuse of spiritual gifts to name a few. Due to these existing struggles, division arose amongst the young church. “For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.” (1 Corinthians 1:11)
In these related scriptures we see Paul encouraging the church by reminding them that Christ should be the object and focus for everything said and done, Christ and Christ alone. Paul noted that the way to glorify Christ, is refusing to offend Jews, Greeks and the church of God. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-32).
1 Corinthians 12: 1-31 speaks of the spiritual gifts and the unity that is experienced by the work of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities that the Holy Spirit gives to believers to build up the church and to strengthen and encourage each other. “That there be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another,”( 1 Corinthians 12:25). The exact opposite of unity was going on in the church at Corinth. The division and conflicts caused the believers to tear each other down, rather than build each other up.
Synopsis
By Deborah Hillman
Our lesson story this week begins with Paul being called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God (1 Corinthians 1:1). Paul thanks God that the Corinthians “have been enriched” in Christ. They have been sanctified and their faithful God has called them. Paul desired to bring them to obedience in Christ and strengthen their fellowship with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:4 says, “ I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ:”.
As Christian believers we all have spiritual gifts and are saved by grace. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:….” Grace is the greatest gift anyone can receive from God. Believers obtain unmerited, undeserved, unending favor from God the moment they place their faith and trust in Jesus. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to edify the church as a whole, and are never given so a person can use them for personal gain or benefit.
The words Paul speaks tells us that we are to take on the mind of Christ and to think of others more highly than ourselves. (Philippians 2: 3-5). Division can tear a church apart and we must guard at all cost against anything that would divide us. Paul urges them to be unified instead of divided; Christ is not divided. Paul lays the foundation for a fundamental issue: Christian unity. “ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body: so also is Christ.” (I Corinthians 12:12)
Practical Application
By Janice Hall
This section of the blog today, we would like to highlight the pursuit of unity. We are grateful for the in-depth search of the Scripture Lesson Text and the Related Scriptures as well as the Synopsis. So with the groundwork and foundation laid, we can begin to shift from “then” to “now”…!!! Paul’s message of unity to the Christians in Corinth is something we in today’s church should remember and reflect on when conflicts arise.
One of the key verses in the lesson, ( I Corinthian 1:10 ),gives us a great platform to begin to assess ourselves. “ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among
you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Are we fulfilling this verse or are we divided from other believer’s perhaps because of a grievance, or disagreement? Are we part of the team working together for the further advancement of the gospel? Are we of one mind with our brothers and sisters ?
True biblical unity must be our desire because it is the desire of our Christ, and because of the Indwelling Holy Spirit present, unity is possible. The lesson today is a call to put aside selfish pride in order to pursue Christ centered unity. Therefore the call to pursue unity is one that includes but goes deeper than daily issues of the heart. The unity we are to pursue, as members of the body of Christ, is a unity of expressions, of thoughts and even opinions.” Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity !” (Psalms 133:1)
