The Letter to the Corinthians

Transcription

1 The Letter to the Corinthians Introduction East Brunswick, NJ. USA 1

2 The letter Written by St. Paul Written from Ephesus (53-57 AD) The letter is addressed to the Church of Corinth St. Paul wrote two letters to the Corinthians East Brunswick, NJ. USA 2

3 How many letters The Church acknowledges 2 letters by St. Paul to the Corinthians Some claim there are 4 letters 1. The Previous Letter 1Co 5:9 I wrote to you in the letter not to associate intimately with fornicators; 2. The First Letter to the Corinthians (in the Bible) 3. The Sad/Troubling Letter 2Co 2:4 For out of much trouble and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, 4. Second Letter to the Corinthians (in the Bible) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 3

4 How many letters (2) When St. Paul wrote: I wrote to you in the letter, he meant the letter he was writing, i.e. 1 st Corinthians 1Co 5:1 On the whole it is reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even named among the nations, so as one to have his father's wife. 1Co 5:9 refers to this verse When he wrote: out of much trouble and anguish of heart I wrote, he again referred to the 1 st Corinthians. This also refers to 1 Co 5:5 when he ex-communicate the sinner East Brunswick, NJ. USA 4

5 Purpose of the letter People came to St. Paul carrying information (and letters) that there is division in Corinth between his followers and followers of Apollos. In addition, other local problems in the Church: Person who committed adultery with his mother in law speaking in tongues (gifts of the Holy Spirit) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 5

6 Purpose of the second letter Some questioned his ministry and his authority as an Apostle, especially when it comes to following Jewish tradition He defended his faith, authority, ministry, and his love toward them. An excellent letter to the servants in each of us East Brunswick, NJ. USA 6

7 Corinth A city of the world East Brunswick, NJ. USA 7

8 Where is Corinth located in the southern part of Greece Ionian Sea Aegean Sea East Brunswick, NJ. USA 8

9 Location, Location, Location Corinth is located on an isthmus connecting two important trade areas East is the Gulf of Corinth Aegean Sea Asia minor Port is Kechries/Cenchrae (pronounced Kankharia in Arabic)) West is Saronic Gulf Adriatic/Ionian sea Italy/Rome Port is (Lechaio/Lechaeum) North Greece (by land) Tying Rome to the eastern part of the Empire Important trade city, very rich Center of the arts, culture, worship, East Brunswick, NJ. USA 9

10 Inhabitants People from all places People from all religions Held an Olympic style games once every 2 years (Isthmes) Had Jews that were expeled from Rome Act 18:1 And after these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth. Act 18:2 And finding a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) Paul came to them. Also had the great temple of Aphrodite (Greek goddess of love). Its temple had 1000 priestess Sin was part of the ritual and service The city had a lot of slaves ( double the number of inhabitants) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 10

11 Corinthians The title: to live Corinthian meant to live a life of sin and adultery. The worship of Aphrodite goes back to the Phoenician The changes that happen to these people shows the power of God s word East Brunswick, NJ. USA 11

12 Founding of the Church of Corinth East Brunswick, NJ. USA 12

13 Founding of the Church Founded by St. Paul during his second trip (51-52 AD) Acts 18 Started with the Jews opened to the gentiles The city was key in his ministry since a lot of people passed by it for the purpose of trade He stayed there for 18 months St. Paul visited them 3 times East Brunswick, NJ. USA 13

14 Church of Corinth Despite their corruption the Lord sent St. Paul to them Act 18:9 And the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, Do not be afraid, but speak, and be not silent. Act 18:10 For I am with you, and no one shall set on you to hurt you, for I have many people in this city. Act 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 14

15 Church of Corinth The Church attracted a lot of people from different backgrounds, different nationalities, and different religions All had to worship God together in the same way All had to abandon life of sin despite the powerful temptation East Brunswick, NJ. USA 15

16 Outside influence The believers were influenced by the outside environment: Sin, idol worship, great intellect The city was the home of one of the 7 wisest men before Christ: Periander [7 th Century B.C.] Some considered themselves to be better (more perfect than others). East Brunswick, NJ. USA 16

17 Who is Apollos? A Jew that became Christian (Acts 18:24-28) Preached at Corinth Some followed him assuming that he was preaching differently from St. Paul That caused schism in the church East Brunswick, NJ. USA 17

18 What is unique about Corinth East Brunswick, NJ. USA 18

19 The true power of God Corinthians had the opportunity to indulge in all aspects of sin in legitimate way They had a short, sick man preaching them about a carpenter who died the worst death for a free person: Crucifixion Why would they leave the fun for the cross? East Brunswick, NJ. USA 19

20 The Importance of the letter East Brunswick, NJ. USA 20

21 St. Paul s teaching St. Paul introduced a lot of important dogma in his letters At some times he focused on one idea at others he included it as statements of facts. Since most likely he addressed these when he was teaching in person East Brunswick, NJ. USA 21

22 Christ divinity and eternal existence Christ equal to the Father (1 Co 1:3) Christ is God s power and his wisdom (1 Co 1:24), could God have existed without power? Calling Christ to be Jehovah of the Old Testament (1 Co 10:9) Christ is the Son of God (2 Cor 1:3,19) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 22

23 Divinity of the Holy Spirit We are temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) We are the temple of God (1 Cor 3:16) The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:10-13) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 23

24 Salvation 1Co 5:7 For also Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us We are bought with a price (1Co 7:23) Christ died for us (1 Co 8:11) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 24

25 The Trinity 1Co 6:11 And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1Co 12:4 But there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1Co 12:5 And there are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 1Co 12:6 And there are differences of workings, but it is the same God working all things in all. 2Co 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 25

26 The first Creed 1Co 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, 1Co 15:4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; East Brunswick, NJ. USA 26

27 The resurrection of Christ 1 CO Chapter 15 has listings of the various apparitions of the Lord to the disciples after the resurrection St. Paul mentions individuals by name in a time very close to the event. Most of these people were alive, and checking his accuracy was easy. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 27

28 More The authority of the church in loosing and tying people and sin The resurrection of the dead The Sacraments To St. Paul all the dogma are part of his life and the life of the Church and not an intellectual exercise East Brunswick, NJ. USA 28

29 The cross, St Paul, and Corinthians 1,2 East Brunswick, NJ. USA 29

30 Teaching with Humility The Corinthians (being intellect, educated, cultured), felt arrogant with some of the gifts they have St. Paul contrasted them with himself 1Co 4:8 Already you are full! Already you are rich! You have reigned as kings without us! And oh that indeed you did reign, that we also might reign with you. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 30

31 Why Suffer Service is a call from God 1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, no glory is to me. For necessity is laid on me; yea, woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel! I can serve in a glad way, or in a forced way, both are rewarded 1Co 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I am entrusted with a stewardship. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 31

32 Service An honor to be partners with God God bestows honor to his servants (they do not impose it on people) [St. Paul, Moses, Samuel,.] East Brunswick, NJ. USA 32

33 To be in Christ East Brunswick, NJ. USA 33

34 In Christ St. Paul s view of Christianity is to be IN CHRIST 1Co 2:16 But we have the mind of Christ. 2Co 2:17 we speak in Christ in the sight of God. 1Co 6:15 Do you not know that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of a harlot? Let it not be! 1Co 12:27 And you are the body of Christ, and members in part. St. Paul lived the life of Christ, now Christ lived in him So now everything St. Paul does, it is Christ who is doing it through him East Brunswick, NJ. USA 34

35 How to have the mind of Christ Christ: In Him all the fullness of the divinity He is the head of the body The limiting factor is my ability to be filled and how do I react to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life The Believer (grow with faith) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 35

36 Spiritual Ladder East Brunswick, NJ. USA 36

37 Gradual growth in spiritual life in Chapter 5, St. Paul dealt with the man who sinned with his mother in law To St. Paul, this was a very law level (below which is homosexuality) Adultery is uniting your members with the members of a harlots. Your members are the members of Christ East Brunswick, NJ. USA 37

38 Next levels A widower who marries again A person who is married and living with his first wife A person who is married and lives for the Lord all his life the celibate Each of us is given a measure, our job is to grow it and not stand still East Brunswick, NJ. USA 38

39 Spiritual Growth East Brunswick, NJ. USA 39

40 Spiritual Growth 1Co 13:11 When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant, I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man, I did away with the things of an infant. Infant: Self centered, I am always right, collision with God Man: Spiritual growth, Knows God, knows His will, submit to His will. God grows, I decrease East Brunswick, NJ. USA 40

41 Spiritual Growth Child Man In heaven Felt thought God left me I will leave Him God loves me, and allowing this for my benefit He allowed this to perfect me Seeing God in person, know His love, will understand why the Lord allowed Spoke I complain about God Thank God Constant Praise East Brunswick, NJ. USA 41

42 How to grow spiritually To grow spiritually is resembled with planting seeds and growing it to be fruitful (9:11) The seeds grow not just by planting, but by planting it, watering it, feeding it, and caring for it. Similarly our life, after receiving the faith, has to be nourished and fed spiritually. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 42

43 Steps for spiritual growth 1. Plant with the plenty: Prayer, Hymns, Studying the word of God 2. Looking always to the heavenly (2Co 4:18) 3. To be isolated from Evil (2 Co 6:14) 4. Accept the cross with thanksgiving (2 co 4:16) 5. Buffet the body with prayers and fasting (9:27) 6. Without strife between brothers (3:1-4) 7. Every thing to the glory of God (10:31) 8. To be sad because of our sins, not accept happiness from the world(7:29-31) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 43

44 Spiritual, Physical, and Normal man East Brunswick, NJ. USA 44

45 Different People St. Paul defines different kind of people Spiritual men Carnal (Fleshly) men Natural men East Brunswick, NJ. USA 45

46 Spiritual Men Living according to the spirit. the Holy Spirit is leading them. Their whole body is under the control of the spirit. Knows and Accepts what the Holy Spirit teaches (2:13-14) Compares spiritual things to spiritual things (2:13) Concerned with what is for the spirit (8:5) Judges in everything (2:15) Restores the sinners (Gal 6:1) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 46

47 Carnal men Concerned with their body. Their body leads the spirit and the soul Drinks milk and not solid spiritual food (3:2) In him carnal, strife, division (3:3) Sold under sin (Rom 7:14) Sin inhabits him (Rom 7:17) Concerned with the things for the body (Rom 8:5) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 47

48 Natural Men People who are not seeking that of God but rather want to do righteous deeds as moral righteousness Lives according to human wisdom and ignoring God s wisdom Does not accept the spirit of God (2:14) Does not know what is for God (2:14) Considers the spiritual as ignorance (2:14) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 48

49 Practical Solutions to divisions East Brunswick, NJ. USA 49

50 St. Paul offered the following Acquire Godly wisdom and not human wisdom (1:18) to walk according to the spirit and not according to the body or the natural person to be attached to Christ and not the servants (3:5) not to condemn others and the servants (4:1-5) follow the humble servants (4:6-13) accept the warnings (4:14-21) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 50

51 Division of the Letter East Brunswick, NJ. USA 51

52 Parts of the letter Danger of split in the Church (Chap 1 4) Problem of the sinner (Chap 5) Seeking judgment outside the Church (Chap 6) Spiritual ladder and how to live (Chap 7) Problem of what is offered to the idols (Chap 8-10) Correcting the respect to the Church (Chap 11) Spiritual gifts and its use (Chap 12-14) The resurrection (first creed) (Chap 15) Serving the poor and the needy (Chap 16) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 52

53 Refrences Fr. Tadros Malaty Fr. Antonious Fikry Fr. Daoud Lamee Ancient Christian Commentary East Brunswick, NJ. USA 53