T he only good news that we ought to know and remember is that Jesus Christ had already won the war against sin and death. He has made it possible for us to join Him in the afterlife. All we need now to do is accept Him as He is. God is alive today and it may be sometimes be difficult to see this. The world and its demonic nature has still made it look like that only worldly things matter and that the ultimate goal of each one is to achieve their own personal happiness. This is the biggest lie of all, that we should do all to make us happy. Individual happiness at the expense of someone else is the biggest deception of all. The truth is, our lives are never really about us. It is ultimately about God and about others. It is about how you can provide and give joy even at our own expense. This is the model of ultimate and genuine love that Jesus shown us at the cross. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s frie...
The books of 1 and 2 Corinthians are two of the Apostle Paul's most significant letters to the early Christian church. Written to the church in Corinth, a prominent Greek city known for its wealth, trade, and unfortunately, its moral decadence, these letters address a wide range of issues that plagued the nascent Christian community there.
Historical Context and Authorship:
Both 1 and 2 Corinthians were written by the Apostle Paul, likely between 53 and 57 AD, during his missionary journeys. Corinth was a strategic city, serving as a hub for trade and travel in the Roman Empire. However, its cosmopolitan nature also meant it was a melting pot of cultures, philosophies, and pagan religions, which created unique challenges for the fledgling Christian community. The church in Corinth was established by Paul himself during his second missionary journey (Acts 18).
1 Corinthians: Paul likely wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus. He had received reports of significant problems within the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, lawsuits among believers, misuse of spiritual gifts, and confusion about doctrines like the resurrection.
2 Corinthians: This letter was written after 1 Corinthians, possibly from Macedonia, following a painful visit to Corinth and a "severe letter" (which some scholars believe is a lost letter, while others identify it with parts of 2 Corinthians itself). 2 Corinthians is more personal and emotional, as Paul defends his apostleship, expresses his relief at the Corinthians' repentance, and encourages them to complete their collection for the Jerusalem saints.
Summary of 1 Corinthians:
1 Corinthians addresses numerous practical and doctrinal issues within the Corinthian church. Paul confronts their divisions head-on, urging unity in Christ.
Divisions in the Church (Chapters 1-4): The Corinthians were aligning themselves with different leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas), leading to factions. Paul emphasizes that all leaders are servants of Christ and that wisdom comes from God, not human philosophy.
Notable Quote: "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:13).
Sexual Immorality (Chapters 5-7): Paul condemns a severe case of sexual immorality within the church and addresses questions about marriage, singleness, and divorce.
Notable Verse: "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Lawsuits Among Believers (Chapter 6): He rebukes them for taking fellow believers to secular courts.
Food Offered to Idols (Chapters 8-10): Paul advises believers to be sensitive to the consciences of others regarding eating meat sacrificed to idols, prioritizing love over knowledge.
Order in Worship and Spiritual Gifts (Chapters 11-14): Paul provides instructions on head coverings, the proper observance of the Lord's Supper, and the use and purpose of spiritual gifts. He famously extols love as the "most excellent way."
Notable Quote: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13:1).
Notable Verse: "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27).
The Resurrection of the Dead (Chapter 15): This chapter is a cornerstone of Christian theology, as Paul vigorously defends the bodily resurrection of Christ and its implications for believers.
Notable Verse: "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).
The Collection for the Saints (Chapter 16): Paul instructs them on how to gather contributions for the impoverished church in Jerusalem.
Summary of 2 Corinthians:
2 Corinthians is a more personal and intense letter, revealing Paul's heart, his suffering for the gospel, and his defense of his apostolic authority against false teachers.
Paul's Suffering and Comfort (Chapters 1-2): Paul shares about his afflictions and God's comfort, explaining his change of travel plans and expressing joy over their repentance.
Notable Verse: "For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." (2 Corinthians 1:5).
The New Covenant (Chapter 3): Paul contrasts the glory of the old covenant (of law) with the even greater glory of the new covenant (of the Spirit).
Treasure in Jars of Clay (Chapter 4): He describes apostles as fragile "jars of clay" holding the glorious treasure of the gospel, emphasizing God's power working through human weakness.
Notable Verse: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Life by Faith and Reconciliation (Chapter 5): Paul speaks of walking by faith, the anticipation of eternal life, and the ministry of reconciliation that believers have received from God.
Notable Quote: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Notable Verse: "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Appeal for Holiness and Generosity (Chapters 6-9): Paul urges them to separate from unbelievers, live in holiness, and to complete their generous collection for the saints, emphasizing cheerful giving.
Notable Verse: "God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Paul's Defense of His Apostleship (Chapters 10-13): This section is a strong defense against "super-apostles" who challenged his authority. Paul boasts in his weaknesses, suffering, and divine visions to demonstrate his genuine apostleship.
Notable Quote: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Together, 1 and 2 Corinthians offer invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of the early church, providing timeless principles for church life, Christian conduct, and understanding the nature of authentic apostolic ministry.