Understanding 1 Corinthians Verse 2
In this Chronological School of Biblical Studies we are trained how to chart the chapters in each book by making various kinds of observations in the scripture. After we make these observations we select a passage or phrase we observed from that text and ask a question from the perspective of the 'Original Readers' (OR) perspective.
So, I would ask a Question (Q) like 'What is the significance of ....., and what does it mean to the OR?' Then I Answer (A) it from 'their perspective.' What it would most likely mean to them.
After this, I write a 'Timeless Truth' (TT) that I got from this. An example would be 'There is no god but Yahweh.'
Lastly, I would explain the 'Significance to Today's Reader' (STR) applying what I have just observed to myself, or my family, the church, politics, religion in general, health, finances, etc.
This week we are studying the Book of 1 Corinthians. So, my OR would be the church in Corinth. Now that I have learned more about this corrupt city and its history, I can see how much the church had against it, and how hard it was for them to 'set themselves apart.' They remind me a lot of the Christian church today.
Here is an encyclopedia link about the city of Corinth in Paul's day. I encourage to read more about this city and church. This is merely a brief overview. http://www.ancient.eu/corinth/ Just a very brief summary they are known for their sexual immorality, especially in worshiping the Greek gods, there's extreme social climbing, great philosophers, speakers, and a division of religious mindsets, extreme prostitution, a port city for ships, high ranking in trade and wealth... Even in the church.
But understanding their corruption better, and the purpose behind the letters instructions, (I believe) I now understand why Paul was so elaborate in his opening greeting verses other letters. I wanted to share this with you, and invite you to also examine this book more closely and ask God to reveal to you how this amazing book applies to us today. Even simple greetings can even take on a whole new meaning when you start breaking down the scriptures and understanding their context.
*Please know that in no way do I declare this as absolute truth, but it is definitely a passage worth examining and understanding. Who exactly are we supposed to be as Christians? What are God's expectations of us? How should we live our lives? What actions set us apart from others?
Scripture:
"To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours." -1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV)
Q: Why does Paul make such an elaborate description of the Corinth church in his opening?
A: Right from the opening of the letter Paul is wanting to emphasize to the church exactly who and what they are. Before he even begins to address the issues they asked about and the reports he received he is calling to their attention that they are ‘sanctified in Christ’ alone. They are saints together (and not apart) with every class and race who receives Christ. He is the Lord of all, and not to be disputed.
TT: There is only One Christ, and in Him we are one body sanctified by His blood..
STR: Talking in class about the different denominations I can understand my teachers opinion that multiple denominations can be a good thing to prevent a dominant belief system. People of different beliefs can come together and learn from one another. But the problem is when we each start to think that we are the ‘special’ ones with all the answers and cut ourselves off from each other. If we believe that Jesus is our Lord and Savior then we are all a part of one body despite the differences in some of our beliefs. While there are some serious issues to be addressed the most important part of our faith is that we agree about the Trinity, Jesus is the Son of God, He died for our sins and was resurrected from the dead, the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and we are saved by God’s grace through His Son Jesus Christ. There are much more to build upon, and different people have different interpretations. But we are meant to work together and not against each other.
>>>>>>Tell me what you think about my interpretation of this passage. (I do ask you to at read the entire book, and some of Corinth's history, so you understand what he's about to talk about, before you reply.)
Rather than judge your interpretation, why don’t you judge mine.
ReplyDeletePaul calls the church “sanctified in Christ Jesus,” but we know that they didn’t act sanctified. They were sanctified only because they were ”in” Christ Jesus. In relation to God, they were sanctified, but in practice they were not. They were also saints. The “to be” is italicized and not in the Greek. Again, they didn’t act like saints, but they were saints because they were in Christ.
The word saint means “set aside to God.” Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary says “sacred, ceremony consecrated.” We are set aside to do God’s work.
2 Corinthians 1:1 (HCSB)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother: To God’s church at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia.
Paul’s address in the second Corinthians also included the saints “throughout Achaia.” I think this is what he was alluding to when he wrote “ all those in every place.”
Paul might have been teasing the Corinthians when he called the sanctified or he could have been spurring them on to do live up to their calling. But this is speculation.
JEJ
Hello Anonymous/JEJ. I apologize for taking so long to respond.
DeleteI actually like your perspective. I think you elaborated more in an area that I merely touched on. I have been looking up a lot of 'Greek words' and their meanings since I began this school. I am realizing every day how important that knowledge is, as well as the historical context. Understanding the original words and history does increase our understanding of God’s Word. –As you elaborated more in your first paragraph for 1 Cor 1:2, and shared more insight.
I have no disputes, nor feel that I could 'add to' what you said in the first half.
As for reference of 2 Cor 1:1, and that perhaps "all the saints" were specifically referenced to all those "throughout Achaia." I honestly do not know. Personally, I assume, in 1 Cor 1:1, that he meant 'all' Christian's during that time. I could be wrong. I asked others opinions, and there were mixed viewpoints between both students and teachers. Some commentaries support your view that Paul was only referring to a specific range of people in both letters. Some do not. Again, I am not completely sure.
I also have no certainty if Paul was mocking or spurring the Christian's on. Others have seen it that way in several of his letters, but I fail to. My perspective is he is speaking that way to call them into awareness of what and who they are -even though they are not acting like it. (Which could be considered a form of mockery.) But I think by either my perspective or yours, his ultimate goal was the same: To motivate them to be more Christ-like.
My main idea here was to build on the fact that we (Christian’s) have many different viewpoints on things, and this causes division among us when we should be working together for the glory of God. 1 Cor 1:13 Paul challenges, “Is Christ divided?” No. Christ is One. We are one in Him. I also see value in others having different perspectives, and wish that more denominations would work together rather than apart. Just as the Jews and Gentiles could learn from each other, so should all of us.
What I shared was to hopefully ‘trigger’ others to examine the scripture and share different perspectives. There is so much to be gotten out of God’s Word, and I know I will never fully understand it all. Thank you very much for sharing your insight.