Sunday, January 15, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 1:1–9

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (NRSV)

Reflection

Paul, who before his conversion persecuted followers of Jesus, addresses Corinthians in the middle of the first century A.D. Corinth was a thriving port city, a center of travel and economic prosperity. The population included people from all over the Mediterranean area, a pluralistic and cosmopolitan city of its time. In the early church in Corinth, there were claims of ethical and moral problems, such as people exerting spiritual superiority over one another, suing one another, and inappropriate sexual behavior.

Paul is clear that he is not speaking for himself. He has been called, by the will of God, to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. He speaks through the testimony and example of Jesus, and in this introduction, he sets the stage for asking people to live a moral and faithful life, in community. Rather than start right in with admonishment of the people’s behavior, Paul gives thanks, “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus.”

Even if the people desired to believe, I can imagine skepticism, questioning, and wondering among Paul’s audience. For centuries the people of Corinth worshiped Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, Poseidon, and others. Polytheism, worshipping many deities, was common and now this new fledgling church was being called to follow Jesus Christ. That can take time, education, willingness to believe through faith, and a new way of being community. Paul was addressing them with this new call in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, a new call to community and fellowship that Christ modeled in his life and teachings, a fellowship that included everybody, regardless of background, class, or ethnicity.

Prayer

God of all people, may I think anew about the call to community and faithfulness through Jesus Christ and give thanks for the gift of grace. Amen.

Written by Arlene Faulk, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church  

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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