I and II Corinthians--The Minister of Christ
I and II Corinthians--The Minister of Christ The first Epistle to the Corinthians was called forth by the state of things in the Corinthian Church--by party factions, by the neglect of administering discipline upon offending members, and by certain questions regarding worship and conduct, upon which the believers sought light. The second Epistle to the Corinthians contains more of Paul’s 234personal history than any other of his Epistles, and reveals his courage and self-sacrificing love. The main subject of both Epistles is the minister of Christ. “Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
We see the urgency of the message. He points to the judgment seat of Christ and the shortness of the time (2 Corinthians 5:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11; 1 Corinthians 7:29). He ever remembers that his work will be tried by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13). Whether his message is accepted or rejected he is a sweet savor of Christ unto God (2 Corinthians 2:15; 2 Corinthians 5:9). He recognizes the work of Satan in blinding men’s eyes to the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:14).
1. The foolishness of the message. Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block; to the Greeks foolishness.
2. The power of the message. Christ the power of God to those who are saved.
3. The foolishness of the messenger. His weakness from the human side.
4. The power of the messenger. The all-sufficiency of Christ.
Right through both Epistles Paul’s theme was:
(1) Christ Crucified (1 Corinthians 1:13-24). He determined to know nothing else among them (1 Corinthians 2:2). Christ the only Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). Christ our Passover sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7). Christ our smitten Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4). One Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 8:6). The blood of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:25). His death for our sins, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3). We preach Christ Jesus the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5). Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested (2 Corinthians 6:10-11). Christ died for all (2 Corinthians 5:15). Yea, He was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
(2) Christ Risen. Nowhere are the glorious facts of the Resurrection set forth more fully than in 1 Corinthians 15:1-58. The chapter contains the believer’s future hope and present victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Even here the thought of service is ever present with Paul (1 Corinthians 15:58).
(3) The foolishness of the messenger (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). The five ranks in God’s army:--The weakness of the messenger (1 Corinthians 2:1; 1 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Corinthians 11:6; 2 Corinthians 12:7-11; 2 Corinthians 13:9), and yet his fervent love (1 Corinthians 4:14-15; 2 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; 2 Corinthians 12:15). The self-abasement of the messenger (1 Corinthians 4:9-13; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27; 2 Corinthians 7:2-9; 2 Corinthians 10:1). His sufferings, hardships, and perils (1 Corinthians 4:7-18; 2 Corinthians 1:4-5; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10).235
(4) The power of the messenger. This is seen in the all-sufficiency of Christ, and His grace made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Christ Jesus is made unto him Wisdom, etc. (1 Corinthians 1:30). His preaching is in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Corinthians 2:4-16). In Christ he finds the yea and the amen, to all the promises of God (2 Corinthians 1:20). A personal sight of Christ constituted his first call (1 Corinthians 9:1). Daily beholding the face of Christ is his transforming power (2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:6). The love of Christ is his constraining power (2 Corinthians 5:14). His glory is to be Christ’s ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). The meekness and gentleness of Christ is his strength (2 Corinthians 10:1).