Recap

So far in 1 Corinthians we've read the section where Paul addresses the reports he's heard about the Corinthians, and started the section where he addresses things they raised in their previous letter. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians likely as his second letter to the church in Corinth. It was written in response to reports of bad behaviour in the church, and addressing issues that came up in the previous letter.

One key issue in Corinth was the influence of Greek thinking, which led them to believe the spirit was more important than the body. As a result, they either neglected their physical actions or justified sinful behaviours, thinking the body didn’t matter. This affected their views on sexuality, food, and resurrection.

Paul reminded the Corinthians that they were made holy by Jesus and that their spiritual gifts came from God, not their own efforts. Addressing their divisions, he emphasised that Jesus, not their teachers, was the source of their freedom and unity. He explained that God’s wisdom, seen in a crucified Messiah, subverts human wisdom. Using the metaphor of a building, he said that while different teachers played different roles, it’s God who tests the work, so they shouldn’t boast in leaders.

Paul then addressed immorality in the church, particularly a man sleeping with his father’s wife. He urged the church to expel him, hoping he would repent after experiencing life outside God’s protection. Using the metaphor of yeast, he warned that sin spreads and must be addressed to keep the church pure. He also rebuked the Corinthians for taking disputes to public courts and reminded them they were capable of judging themselves.

Paul cautioned that while they were free from the law, not everything was beneficial. The believers' bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit, should be kept pure from sexual immorality.

Next, Paul addressed the Corinthians' belief that avoiding sex made them more spiritual. Some were even visiting prostitutes to maintain 'spirituality' in marriage. He clarified that husbands and wives should meet each other’s sexual needs through mutual submission, not coercion. He also advised against withholding sex, except in specific cases, to prevent temptation outside the marriage.

Paul recommended remaining single if possible, especially with the expectation of Jesus’ return. But he also acknowledged marriage was better for those who couldn’t remain celibate. He also advised believers to stay in their current life circumstances, trusting God to work through them.

Regarding food sacrificed to idols, Paul agreed idols were insignificant but stressed that love should guide their actions. He urged the Corinthians to refrain from eating such food if it might cause weaker believers to stumble.

1 Corinthians 9-10

Paul seems to change the subject as he starts talking about his authority as an apostle. But in reality, he is pointing to himself as an example for limiting one’s own freedoms and rights to serve others.

First, he establishes himself as both free and an apostle. The fact that the church in Corinthians exists is thanks to Paul. He planted them and discipled him. Therefore, as an apostle, is he not free to ask to be supported by Corinthians in his ministry? Those who plant vineyards get to enjoy the fruit of their crop, and those who tend cattle get to enjoy the milk that cattle produce.

Why, then, should Paul not be able to enjoy some of the ‘fruit’ that he has planted and cultivated amongst the Corinthians? Paul then points to the Old Testament for evidence. He quotes Deuteronomy 25:4, showing that an ox should be allowed to eat and sustain itself from the grain it is treading out.

In short, if Paul and others have given their lives in this ministry to serve others, then it’s only fair and right that those others help support them so they can continue to serve in this way. It is a right that Paul would be free to claim. Even the priests in the Old Testament got to live off part of the sacrifices made on the altar.

But in his case, he chooses not to. He gives up that freedom and right, because he knows that he will be able to make a bigger impact on these communities he’s planting in if he’s not asking for money or food first. He’s content to celebrate the fact that he is making the gospel free to access and accept.

And that’s not the only way Paul has limited himself. When it came to the Jews, Paul continued to live as those he was bound to the Torah, even though he wasn’t, so that he could reach the Jews. When it came to the Gentiles, he similarly met them where they were at and lived as they lived so he could reach them.

Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete. Athletes withhold things from themselves to train effectively. They have to be disciplined in their training and their diets. They accept these restrictions because they are competing for a prize.

Paul is saying that, in the same way, believers are competing for a prize, but not a physical one that eventually will perish. They are competing for an eternal one, and so how much more should they be will to restrict their freedoms and rights to help push them on towards that prize?

He then points them to their ancestors. Their ancestors enjoyed great privileges. They got to experience God’s miracles and presence. They ate food and drank water that was literally given to them from heaven. But despite these great privileges, they still disappointed God and ended up dying.

This is then a lesson to the believers. They should not seek after these great privileges and give themselves up to them. When the Israelites did that in Exodus 32:6, they ate and they drank and then sleep with one another. They had got over confident.

So when it comes to the Corinthians, they should not be overconfident. They should be constantly on the lookout for ways they can be limiting their own rights and freedoms in a way that benefits them and God.

Paul brings this back to food and drink offered to idols, but again from a different point of view. The Corinthians recognise that when they participate in communion, as laid out by Jesus at the last supper. They are participating with Jesus. When they drink the wine, they are sharing in Jesus' blood. When they eat the bread, they are sharing in his body.

In the same way, what unbelievers sacrifice to idols they do so believing they are participating with the fake gods. Paul calls them demons. How then would it look if these Christians who claim to follow Jesus eat and drink foods that cause others to think they are participating in their fake gods? That would be wrong.

Paul then picks up a similar line from before in 1 Corinthians 6:12. While all things are now ‘allowed’ because we are no longer accountable to the law, not all things are beneficial or build others up.

If you do not know whether meat is offered to idols or not, in other words, you have plausible deniability, eat it. We’ve already clarified that these idols and gods are nothing compared to Jesus and eating it, in of itself, has no impact.

But then if someone tells you it’s offered to idols, do not eat it. Do not cause them to think you are okay with joining with idols and other gods.

And this isn’t limited to food or drink. In everything that you do, do it in a way that ultimately gives glory to God. That doesn’t cause offence to others who do not know better, even if it means limiting your own freedoms.

Psalm 143

This psalm is attributed to king David and falls into the category of lament psalm.

Psalm 143:1-4 - Initial request and complaint

Psalm 143:5-6 - I remember you

Psalm 143:7-10 - Answer me, teach me, and rescue me

Psalm 143:11-12 - Final request

The psalmist starts with a call to the Lord to hear them for he is faithful and righteous. They ask that the Lord no judge them for their sins. No one can stand before the Lord and be righteous. The psalmist then turns to their main complaint. Their enemies pursue them, seeking to kill and bury them. The psalmist has grown tired of it all. Their spirit is faint.

Then we move to trust. The psalmist remembers all that the Lord has done for them and holds tightly to them. Because of this, they reach out to the Lord like one thirsty for a drink. They ask the Lord to answer them quickly. They want to see the Lord’s face and to hear his voice. The psalmist asks for the Lord’s teaching and guidance. To rescue them from their enemies, but also teach them how to live well.

And so the psalmist ends with their final request. Because the Lord is righteous and loving, may he preserve their life and destroy their enemies. Like the last few psalms, which the psalmist is facing attacks from their enemies, they also look inside at what might be the problem. They ask the Lord to be gracious and not judge them for their sins, and then ask that he teach them to live righteously.