1 Corinthians 6
August Memory Verse: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Read: 1 Corinthians 6
"Do you not know?"
The frustration drips off the page in 1st Corinthians. In chapter 6, Paul teaches the Corinthian Church as people ignorant of God’s Word. He said as much back in chapter 3, “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready.”
In our passage today, Paul uses the phrase, “Do you not know…” six times. His goal is to purify the Church, and if he must speak extremely strongly with the Corinthians to help them see their error, he will do so. I don’t think that’s something we get to do, but it just illustrates Paul’s frustration that this church should be beyond their current spiritual maturity.
One problem was the fact that church members were suing each other. If saints are to judge the world, how can believers not trust the discernment of those in the church to handle matters of dispute? Paul asks the church, “Are you incompetent to try trivial cases?”
Another problem with lawsuits was that believers were airing their grievances before unbelievers. I have a good friend who is a lawyer who has been in between some church lawsuits, and it’s amazing how ugly it can get. Paul’s number one priority is the advancement of the Gospel. Then he turns around at the Corinthians who are destroying their witness among non-believers by trying cases in court.
So, we must ask the question, should believers go to court? The answer is a resounding, maybe. We cannot say this passage forbids Christians from going to court. However, wisdom is required before doing so. Likewise, Paul’s frustration isn’t that people have complaints against one another, it’s that the church lacks leadership to settle the disputes and that these believers don’t even seem to ask the church to intervene. Beyond going to court, believers should ask in every scenario, how does this impact my witness?
Again, Paul picks up the theme from chapter 5 dealing with sexual immorality. Paul has strong words against sexual sin. I always think of the atheist, Christopher Hitchens, in passages like this who rails against the invisible being in the sky who gets all upset with people sleeping with each other (although he said it much more Britishly). However, Hitchens, as with many things, misses the point on this as well.
Sexual sin, as with other sins of gratification, do so much damage to individuals. Part of Paul’s argument against people taking each other to court is that it’s better to simply suffer the wrong than lose your witness. However, we as believers so often want the gratification of being proven right. Gratification is a drug, and we love it. And, like a drug, it destroys us.
From sex, to food, to even validation and approval—I cannot think of anything that gratifies that doesn’t have its roots in a good gift from a loving God. God created us to enjoy all those things. Sin, however, corrupted. Instead of finding gratification through the Lord and us enjoying the blessings that come from him, we made these things ultimate. Now, instead of being wronged, we must be right at whatever cost. Instead of waiting until marriage, we look at porn and have inappropriate relationships. Instead of working hard and enjoying rest when it’s earned, we slack off at every opportunity.
Paul was rightfully frustrated with the Corinthians, but I wonder how much those same frustrations might be directed at us? We all fall short in various ways—sanctification is a life-long process. However, God’s Church must be pure.
By: Tyler Short
Read: 1 Corinthians 6
"Do you not know?"
The frustration drips off the page in 1st Corinthians. In chapter 6, Paul teaches the Corinthian Church as people ignorant of God’s Word. He said as much back in chapter 3, “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready.”
In our passage today, Paul uses the phrase, “Do you not know…” six times. His goal is to purify the Church, and if he must speak extremely strongly with the Corinthians to help them see their error, he will do so. I don’t think that’s something we get to do, but it just illustrates Paul’s frustration that this church should be beyond their current spiritual maturity.
One problem was the fact that church members were suing each other. If saints are to judge the world, how can believers not trust the discernment of those in the church to handle matters of dispute? Paul asks the church, “Are you incompetent to try trivial cases?”
Another problem with lawsuits was that believers were airing their grievances before unbelievers. I have a good friend who is a lawyer who has been in between some church lawsuits, and it’s amazing how ugly it can get. Paul’s number one priority is the advancement of the Gospel. Then he turns around at the Corinthians who are destroying their witness among non-believers by trying cases in court.
So, we must ask the question, should believers go to court? The answer is a resounding, maybe. We cannot say this passage forbids Christians from going to court. However, wisdom is required before doing so. Likewise, Paul’s frustration isn’t that people have complaints against one another, it’s that the church lacks leadership to settle the disputes and that these believers don’t even seem to ask the church to intervene. Beyond going to court, believers should ask in every scenario, how does this impact my witness?
Again, Paul picks up the theme from chapter 5 dealing with sexual immorality. Paul has strong words against sexual sin. I always think of the atheist, Christopher Hitchens, in passages like this who rails against the invisible being in the sky who gets all upset with people sleeping with each other (although he said it much more Britishly). However, Hitchens, as with many things, misses the point on this as well.
Sexual sin, as with other sins of gratification, do so much damage to individuals. Part of Paul’s argument against people taking each other to court is that it’s better to simply suffer the wrong than lose your witness. However, we as believers so often want the gratification of being proven right. Gratification is a drug, and we love it. And, like a drug, it destroys us.
From sex, to food, to even validation and approval—I cannot think of anything that gratifies that doesn’t have its roots in a good gift from a loving God. God created us to enjoy all those things. Sin, however, corrupted. Instead of finding gratification through the Lord and us enjoying the blessings that come from him, we made these things ultimate. Now, instead of being wronged, we must be right at whatever cost. Instead of waiting until marriage, we look at porn and have inappropriate relationships. Instead of working hard and enjoying rest when it’s earned, we slack off at every opportunity.
Paul was rightfully frustrated with the Corinthians, but I wonder how much those same frustrations might be directed at us? We all fall short in various ways—sanctification is a life-long process. However, God’s Church must be pure.
By: Tyler Short
6 Comments
12c) I will not be mastered by anything.
Paul makes it clear that a follower of Christ should be mastered by nothing except THE MASTER. Sin will be our constant foe until we are reunited with our Creator. The only way we can combat it is through prayer, time in the word of God, and connection with fellow believers at the local church. Thanks for the commentary today Tyler.
Thanks Mr. Pepper. Indeed, I look forward to the day when I can enjoy the presence of our Lord fully.
Good word Tyler. I echo Mike Pepper's comments.
12 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.
Yes! I think of this often, that just because a person CAN do something doesn't mean they SHOULD do that thing. Sin makes many things a slippery slope.
Love this post today, Tyler. Thanks for the reminder to always think about the effect of your actions on your witness before you blow it. So important!
Though it may not be "wrong" some things aren't helpful. Sin is sin, but each has it's different consequences and sexual sin does big time, since our bodies are holy temples!