SEPTEMBER 29, 2019
THE SALUTATION AND THANKSGIVING
INTRODUCTION:
1. Corinth was a principle city in Greece, located in Achaia. It was situated on a narrow neck of land (an isthmus) between the Aegean and Ionian Seas which joined Achaia to the rest of Greece. With the advantage of its two harbors Lechaeum and Cenchreae, situated on either side of the narrow land channel it became very important for trade and commerce. It became known as “the bridge of the seas” because ships could be dragged across the isthmus in order to avoid circumnavigating Cape Malea. Rich businessmen and merchants came to Corinth form all parts of the world. As it was famous for wealth and luxury, it was also infamous for its vice and sensuality. Sensual pleasures were prominent in its culture largely because they were prominent in its religion. Men of pleasure came to avail themselves of the immorality for which Corinth was famous. The phrase “play the Corinthian” was synonymous with “play the harlot.” Corinth was therefore a booming city for commerce and pleasure, and was exceedingly wicked.
2. We read of Paul’s first coming to Corinth from Athens. After delivering his memorable address on Mar’s Hill (Acts 17) he left there somewhat disheartened by the unfruitfulness of this ministry in that place, and sailed west about five hours to Cenchreae. From there it was about an eight mile walk to Corinth. There he would spend the next year and a half preaching the Gospel in that wicked place. (Acts 18:1ff)
3. Difficult as his labors were, God assured him that He had “much people” (Many elect souls) in Corinth. (Acts 18:9, 10) Thus, Paul stayed, and the Lord raised up a great church there. In spite of all of their faults; and though their actions were often grievous to him, he dearly loved the saints at Corinth, as this letter sufficiently demonstrates.
4. Paul, who was presently at Ephesus, had intended to visit Corinth shortly, but having heard through Chloe (and no doubt others in the church) of some serious problems in the church at Corinth, and realizing that addressing them was a matter of urgency, he wrote and sent this letter.
I. THE SALUTATION. (VERSES 1-3)
A. APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IS ESTABLISHED. (VERSE 1) “…called to be an apostle.”
1. Paul uses this title purposefully. Only in private personal letters and those of a peculiarly friendly nature does he make exceptions. (Philemon, Philippians, Thessalonians) But, those letters that are of such a nature and content as to require it, he declares that he is speaking as a God-called Apostle. This is not to suggest that the contents of the other letters are any less inspired of the Holy Spirit.
2. The Corinthian letter called for this affirmation for two reasons.
a) The content of the letter involves much reproof and correction, and that, with divine authority.
b) Paul’s apostleship had been called into question by some at Corinth who opposed him in his preaching. They denied that he was equal to those Apostles whom Christ had called prior to His ascension.
3. It was Paul’s assurance of his divine calling that gave him courage and uncompromising boldness in addressing the church at Corinth as he did.
4. Sosthenes is mentioned in Paul’s greeting, only as a dear brother in Christ, but not as sharing apostolic authority. Sosthenes may have been the same as he who was a ruler in the synagogue at Corinth, and was converted to Christ,thus becoming Paul’s brother in the faith. (Acts 18:17) If this is the case, perhaps he carried letters to Paul from Corinth to Ephesus, and then returned to Corinth with Paul’s letter to the church.
5. The authority with which this Epistle comes to us is the same as then. It has much to say by way of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction. (II Tim. 3:16, 17)
B. THOSE ADDRESSED ARE DESCRIBED. (VERSE 2)
1. They make up “the church of God which is at Corinth.”
a) A local church; a visible local assembly of baptized believers.
b) Every local church is required to hear and obey the instructions of this letter in matters of doctrine and practice.
2. They are “called to be saints.”
a) A church is an ecclesia – an assembly of called out ones – called out from the world – called to Christ and to His Church.
b) The true Church is made up of “saints,” that is, holy ones; sanctified ones. (I Pet. 1:15)
c) Organized religions attach many extra-biblical qualifications to sainthood. The Roman Catholic Church for example, teaches that one must be dead; must have been the instrument of a miracle; must be exalted to the status of saint by its hierarchy; etc.
d) Many who are in the visible church, who profess to be saints in the biblical sense, do not meet the biblical qualifications. They have not been effectually called by the Holy Spirit; and they have not been made holy in any practical sense.
e) How is it with you and me?
3. They “call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Notice the present tense “call”).
a) This is clearly not speaking of a one-time calling, but a continuous life of trusting Christ.
b) How many souls have been duped into thinking that if they have ever called on the name of the Lord (Rom. 10:13) they are saved forever, whether or not they continue in the faith?
c) Never do the Scriptures warrant such unfounded assurance. True hope is found in patient continuance.
4. Notice, he acknowledges that God has His called out ones who trust in His Son in every place.
a) Paul was perhaps amazed that God had called so many to be saints out of the wicked life styles of the Corinthians.
b) Wherever the saints are found, they gather into churches, and worship the same Lord, for He is both theirs and ours. (Eph. 4:5, 6)
C. THE APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION. (VERSE 3)
1. “Grace to you…”
a) The grace that justifies. (Rom. 3:24)
b) The grace that sanctifies. (II Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2)
c) The grace that strengthens. (II Tim. 2:1; Phil 4:13)
d) The grace that glorifies. (Psa. 84:11; Rom. 8:30)
2. “…and peace.” (John 14:27; Isa. 26:3)
a) Peace is the fruit of grace. (Phil 1:2; II Pet. 1:2)
b) Peace with God. (Rom. 5:1)
c) Peace within. (Rom. 15:13)
d) Peace in the storm. (Psa. 107:29, 30)
e) Peace that passeth understanding. (Phil. 4:7)
II. THE THANKSGIVING. (VERSES 4-9) His benediction was not to be misapprehended as meaning that they were without grace. Thus, here he gratefully acknowledges the grace they had received, and certain manifestations of that grace. He also, according to his usual manner, begins by congratulating the church at Corinth on all that is good and praiseworthy in their character, and by expressing confident hope in their future.
A. THEIR GIFTS ARE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGED. (VERSES 4-7)
1. They had the gift of “all utterance.”
a) By this he means primarily that they were blessed with able and faithful men who were gifted to preach the Gospel. That they formed factions around their favorite preachers does not in any way reflect badly on the men whom God had given them.
b) Any church that has faithful stewards of the Gospel, who are apt to teach, is an abundantly blessed church. He will in this letter deal with many spiritual gifts, some of which they valued very highly, but prophesying (preaching) was to be esteemed above them all.
2. Because they had faithful teachers, they also had the gift of “all knowledge,” i.e. an intelligent apprehension of the truth.
a) What a priceless combination. There may be knowledge without utterance, in which case it is a profit only to the individual.
b) There is too often utterance without knowledge to the hurt of both speaker and hearer.
c) The gift of knowledge is given oftentimes and most ordinarily through hearing ears to sound teaching.
d) Notice, sound teaching consists in the confirming of the testimony of our Lord. (Verse 6)
3. They also had a gift of patience in “waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Verse 7)
a) Faith rests in Christ’s first advent. Hope looks forward to the second coming.
b) The day of Christ’s second coming is left unknown to us. (Matt. 24:36) Sometimes it is presented as very near at hand. (James 5:8; I Pet. 4:7) The purpose for this uncertainty is so that we may watch and wait, and earnestly desire the day. (II Pet. 3:12)
B. THEIR ASSURANCE OF HOPE CONFIDENTLY CONFIRMED. (VERSES 8, 9)
1. The gifts of grace here acknowledged are pledges of future blessings. (Verse 8; Phil 1:6)
a) The Spirit’s work is the earnest and pledge of future fullness. (Eph. 1:14; I Pet. 5:10)
b) All through life, onward to the end of the world, will God deliver and keep. (Psa. 56:13; Jude 24:25; Job 17:9)
c) This confirmation is effected by the continued impartation of His grace to believers.
2. God will not stop short in His work of grace until it be fully completed. (Verse 8; Col. 1:22; I Thess. 5:23)
a) The object in view is “that ye be unreprovable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
b) We do not possess this perfection now, except by imputation. We are now striving for and following after. (Phil. 3:10-12)
c) The challenge, “who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect” now applies to us in our standing. It will then, in the Day of Christ, apply to character as well as standing.
3. The security for this: “God is faithful.” (Verse 9)
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