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Corinth: A Culturally Diverse Church
Corinth: A Culturally Diverse Church
Gordon Fee wrote concerning the makeup of the church at Corinth:
In 1 Cor 12:13 Paul interrupts his argument to emphasize the diversity of those who have all become one body—Jew, Greek, slave, free. This mix is substantiated in other ways as well. Of the people who are named, at least three are Jews (Aquila, Priscilla, Crispus), even though they bear Latin names. Three (or four) others who also have Latin names are probably Romans (Fortunatus, Quartus, Gaius, Titius Justus), at least one (or two) of whom (Gaius, Titius Justus) were among the wealthier members. The others bear Greek names (Stephanas, Achaicus, Erastus), and of these at least Stephanas and Erastus were probably well-to-do. According to 1:26, however, not many of them came from the upper socioeconomic strata; indeed, the evidence of 7:20–24 suggests that some were slaves. (NICNT, pg. 3, Logos Edition)
YET, they are instructed to live in unity, harmony, and love. Their diversity is offset by their redemption in Christ. They are THE church of God in Corinth. They have been built on the ONE foundation of Jesus as the Christ. Paul not only ‘taught the same thing in every church’, he taught the same thing to each of the Corinthians. They all had believed and been baptized into the same body (cp. Acts 18:8; 1Cor. 10:1f; chapter 12).
From God’s view, they are all one in Christ. From the Corinthian’s view, they had some difficulties to work out! As difficult as that might be, that is what God expected of them. Now, if such was true for them, it is also true for us. We that, for the most part, are in congregations having much less cultural, religious, and economic diversity in our background, must become united. Paul wrote to them:
1 Corinthians 8:5-6 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
As the people of God, we are to be governed by love for God and love for each other (ch. 13). We are to be guided by the uniform teaching of the apostles and not human wisdom (ch. 1-4). We are to be striving for moral excellence (ch. 5). We are to be willing to forego ‘rights’ for the welfare of our brethren (ch. 6, 9). We live in hope not of this world but of our eternal home with God (ch. 15). How are you getting along with your brethren?
Hugh DeLong
