Corinth Archives

Skeptics often point out the failures of religious leaders, and everyone is aware of scandals in the church over the years. One thing we can be sure of is that there will be more examples in the future. Why? Because humans sin. Proverbs 20:9 says, “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?’” Only one man was perfect and without sin: Jesus Christ. But, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). While skeptics highlight the failures of Christians, the Bible doesn’t hide them. For example, take the people in the Corinthian church to whom Paul wrote.

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul began, “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” But then in verse ten, he begins addressing the failures of Christians in that congregation. First, he discusses divisions and quarrels among the members. Then he reminds them that they were not wise, influential, or noble by birth, but God chose them anyway. By chapter 3, he tells them they are “still worldly” and “mere infants in Christ,” and that their jealousy and quarreling prove they are worldly.

In chapter 4, Paul continues by explaining that they have no reason to boast (implying they were boasting) because their relationship with God isn’t based on their goodness, but on God’s grace. He points out in verse 18, “Some of you have become arrogant…”

Just when it seems Paul had addressed all the failures of Christians, things get worse. In chapter 5, he highlights a case of sexual immorality within the church, and instead of condemning it, they are proud of it! Paul says they should have been mourning and removing the guilty party from the congregation. His warning is that if they continue to accept this immoral behavior, others will follow. He says we cannot avoid associating with sexually immoral people in the world, but such behavior should not be tolerated among those claiming to be Christians.

As if that’s not enough, Paul tells the Corinthian Christians in chapter 6 that they need to settle their disputes within the church and stop suing each other in public courts. He also urges them to avoid immoral conduct involving prostitutes. In chapter 7, he emphasizes that sexual relationships should only be between married couples and underscores the sacredness of marriage.

Wow! Paul still had eight more chapters to write, and in chapter 11, he rebuked the Corinthian Christians for how they were handling the Lord’s Supper, or communion. In chapter 12, he addressed their mishandling of spiritual gifts.

Paul was responsible for founding the church in Corinth, and he had to address the failures of Christians that weighed heavily on him. However, his letter is not entirely critical. Chapter 13 is one of the most beautiful parts of the Bible, where Paul describes the way of love. We can’t ignore chapter 15, where Paul reminds the Corinthians of Christ’s resurrection. In verses 3-7, he quotes an oral tradition about the resurrection that dates to shortly after the event. Then he admits his own sin, “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…” In verses 20 and 21, he writes, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…so in Christ all will be made alive.”

Among his final instructions, Paul writes, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (16:13). Paul pointed out the failings of Christians, but he didn’t give up on those in Corinth, as shown in his second letter to the Corinthian church.

Scandals and moral failures have troubled the church since the beginning, but instead of hiding them, the Church must address them and make the necessary corrections. Would the Corinthian church have been embarrassed to know that their “dirty laundry” would be aired for the whole world to see for the next two thousand years? Does today’s Church have anything to be ashamed of? The failures of Christians are a stumbling block for seekers in a world that needs to see genuine Christianity.

Christ's Resurrection Each week as Christians meet we remember Christ’s resurrection and victory over death. Annually we remember that at the time of Passover Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) But without the resurrection, the sacrifice would be meaningless. As Paul wrote, “If Christ has not been raised your faith is worthless” (1 Corinthians 15:17). Our faith is not worthless, because Christ’s resurrection conquered sin and death.

How do we know that is true? Some unbelievers argue that the resurrection is just a myth that arose many years later. The evidence against that idea is numerous and strong. The apostles carried the message of Christ’s resurrection to the ends of the Roman Empire for the rest of their lives. That was even though they had nothing to gain except a life of persecution ending in execution. If they had not seen the resurrected Christ, they would not have spent their lives proclaiming the message of the resurrection.

The argument that the gospels were written years later has often been used to “prove” that the resurrection was a myth that developed during those years. However, Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth in A.D. 57, before any of the four gospels were written. In it, he included an oral tradition which gives a summary of the gospel message.

Today we have access to writing materials, books, and computers. We are accustomed to writing things down. In the first century, there were no computers or printed books or pamphlets. Even simple writing materials were scarce and precious. People memorized important things by summarizing them efficiently and then passing them on as oral traditions. The early Christians used that method. Here is the first part of an oral tradition that Paul wrote down in that first letter to the church in Corinth:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to…”

The oral tradition then goes on to list some resurrection appearances of Christ. Then Paul adds himself to the list of those who saw the resurrected Christ. (You can read it for yourself in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.) Of course, the “Scriptures” that Paul refers to are the Old Testament prophecies of Christ since the New Testament was not yet written.

When did Paul receive this tradition? He probably received it no later than A.D. 36 when he first visited Jerusalem. (See Galatians 1:15-18.) It is possible that he received it earlier than that in Damascus when, as Saul the persecutor, he encountered Ananias and received his sight. Ananias preached the gospel to him and “Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.” Whether in Jerusalem or Damascus, Paul received the oral tradition of Christ’s resurrection no more than five years after the event. That tradition was not a myth that developed years later after the eyewitnesses had died.

As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection each week and especially at this time of year, we can trust the story is true. We have that oral tradition written down, but we would do well to memorize it as the early Christians did.
— Roland Earnst © 2019

Tag: Corinth

The Failures of Christians

Christ’s Resurrection Celebration