Paul and the Corinthians

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Paul and the Corinthians
Treasure in Earthen Vessels
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What we shall learn

• How Paul responded to problems in Corinth
• How we need to create the right climate in our
  ecclesias
• How teamwork and persistence is important
• How we must focus on the glory of God in our
  ecclesial life
• How Gods strength is made perfect in weakness

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Location of Corinth
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Corinth

• Commercial and administrative centre of Roman
  province of Achaia
• Paul with Aquila and Priscilla for 18 months -
  Acts 18
• Crispus, chief ruler of synagogue was converted
  and many of the Corinthians
• The Lord had much people in this city

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Achaia, Macedonia, Asia
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Paul in Ephesus

• Left Corinth for Ephesus - Acts 1819
• Left Ephesus for Jerusalem and then returned -
  Acts 19
• By the time he returned, Apollos had done good
  work in Corinth - Acts 1827,28
• Stayed in Ephesus for 2 years, 3 months
• Established ecclesias in area, including Colosse

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Situation in Corinthian ecclesia

• Overall lack of leadership
• Paul, Aquila and Priscilla, Apollos had left
• Spirit gifts but no spiritual authority
• Converts with background of Judaism
• Converts with Gentile background
• Pressure of worldly environment
• Pressure from Judaizers

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Pauls response to Corinth

• He hears about moral problems and writes to them
  - Letter A (1 Corinthians 59,11)
• He receives further reports of problems - 1
  Corinthians 111 1617
• They ask him various questions in a letter - 1
  Corinthians 71
• He writes Letter B - 1 Corinthians

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Problems, problems

• Some denying resurrection
• Case of gross immorality
• Spirit gifts being abused
• No respect at breaking of bread
• Sisters undermining authority of brethren
• Arguments about meat offered to idols
• Challenge to Pauls authority, and divisions
• Going to law to settle disputes
• Lack of clarity about marriage requirements

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Order of addressing problems

• Issue of discord among brethren 1-4
• A brothers immoral behaviour 5
• Going to law 6
• Questions about marriage 7
• Meat offered to idols 8-10
• Challenge to his authority 9
• Role of sisters head-coverings 111-16
• Behaviour at breaking of bread 1117-34
• Abuse of spirit gifts 12-14
• Questions about the resurrection 15

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1 Corinthians 1-3

• The wisdom of God
• 123,24 - Christ crucified
• 126-31 - no flesh should glory in his presence
• Jeremiah 923,24 - Let him glory in the Lord
• - Lovingkindness, judgement and righteousness
• 212,13,16 - the teaching of the Holy Spirit
• - The mind of Christ

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Pauls approach

• Establish right climate
• Focus on wisdom of God seen in foolishness of
  cross and the mind of Christ
• Ye are Christs, and Christ is Gods
• - 1 Corinthians 323
• Present a reasoned argument

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Follow-up

• Sends Timothy to Corinth - 1 Corinthians 417
  1610,11
• Declares intention to visit them again - 1
  Corinthians 165,6
• Makes a painful visit 2 Corinthians 21
• Abandons plan for another visit - 2 Corinthians
  115,16,23, 22
• Writes a severe letter - Letter C , sent via
  Titus (2 Corinthians 23,4 78)

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Communication with Corinth
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More letters and visits

• Leaves Ephesus for Troas, hoping to catch Titus
  as he returns - Acts 201 2 Corinthians 21
• Continues to Macedonia and meets Titus - 2
  Corinthians 212 75
• Writes Letter D - 2 Corinthians
• Sends Titus with other brethren to arrange
  collection for poor in Jerusalem - 2 Cor 817-24

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Arrival on the scene

• Plans 3rd visit - 2 Corinthians 131
• Reaches Corinth, stays there for 3 months - Acts
  202,3
• Writes Letter to Romans
• Departs for Jerusalem (via Macedonia and Asia)
  with ecclesial representatives and Jerusalem
  fund - Acts 203ff

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Pauls deep concern

• As my beloved sons I warn you- 1 Cor.414,15
• Are not ye my work in the Lord...The seal of my
  apostleship in the Lord- 1 Cor.91,2
• I wrote..that ye might know the love which I
  have more abundantly unto you- 2 Cor.24
• We were troubled on every side- 2 Cor.75

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Pauls leadership

• Authoritative
• Authority based on knowledge of Gods word
• Knowledge resulted in vision
• Gods love seen in Christ at the centre
• He held them to account for their beliefs and
  actions
• He did not give up on them

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Pauls humility

• He recognised his own insufficiency
• He had a major concern to unite the Jewish and
  Gentile brethren and sisters

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Workers together

• He knew that whatever weakness was in himself and
  in his converts, God could work His purpose out
  in His good time
• 2 Corinthians 64-10
• As having nothing, yet possessing all things

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2 Corinthians 4

• Pauls focus on the glory of God
• 318 changed from glory to glory
• 43-6 we preach not ourselves
• 47-15 treasure in earthen vessels
• 416-18 a far more exceeding and eternal
  weight of glory

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Made perfect in weakness

• 2 Corinthians 129,10
• Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
  weaknesses
• 2 Corinthians 134,5
• We shall live with him by the power of God
  toward yougt