The Social Environment in which the Corinthian brethren and sisters lived was very similar to our own. North America is affluent, commercially driven by the need for material success; so was their society. Our cities are cosmopolitan, having attracted people of diverse nationalities; who are drawn by the possibility of making and accumulating money. Avarice and vice are paramount, as it was in the merchant city of Corinth.
The Corinthian church was beset with many problems that required the advice and guidance of the ambassador of Christ, Paul of Tarsus. In the providence of our Lord, 2000 years later, we can gain edification from the correspondence that ensued as Paul attempted to address and rectify these issues.
So many problems
It is informative to see that with such a plethora of problems, the first one the apostle tackles is the one of disunity. Obviously Paul considered unity to be of supreme importance, understanding that the body of Christ cannot be divided.
The ecclesia was in danger of splitting into several parts because of misguided loyalties to various prominent brethren. Today as we struggle to heal the breach in our midst, it is helpful to focus upon the words of the inspired apostle: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement” (I Cor. 1:10).
It is a sobering exercise to list the other things that were going wrong in the ecclesia at Corinth:
- Sexual immorality was tolerated in their midst.
- Some were suing in the courts of law to get compensation after being defrauded by the behavior of their brethren.
- Spouses were having difficulties in relating to each other.
- There was little toleration or understanding for individual weakness.
- Rampant idolatry and the fact that meats were usually offered to idols prior to hanging in the markets gave rise to dissension.
- The consumption of alcohol was causing inappropriate behavior at the memorial meeting.
- Sisters were not wearing head coverings.
- Misapplication of the gift of tongues was leading to confusion and chaos at the expense of reverential worship.
- Some did not believe even the fundamental doctrine of resurrection.
Great must have been the anxiety of Paul as he considered the gravity of these problems, especially the final one that is to be the focus of our exhortation this morning.
Consistent teaching
Although the word resurrection is never mentioned in the Old Testament, the concept of rising from the grave is implicit.
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God…And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Job 19:25-26, Dan. 12:2).
The unfulfilled promises made to the patriarchs demanded resurrection. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only beloved son because the resurrection was part of his belief system. “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Heb. 11:17-19).
Jesus expanded and developed the teaching. When the Sadducees, who rejected the resurrection, challenged him he answered: “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Mt. 22:31-32). The resurrection of Lazarus confirmed the hopes of the faithful throughout the ages.
Imperative to believe
Belief in the resurrection is not optional; it is an integral part of the Christian faith. Paul realized this when he devoted a whole section on the subject in his letter to the Corinthians.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you…for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures… (I Cor 15:1,3-4).
Let us look at the details carefully. The gospel had already been preached to them and consisted of these vital facts: Christ died (so he was mortal), he was buried (so he was truly dead), he died for our sins (that they might be forgiven), and he rose again on the third day. All was done “according to the scriptures.” It had been prophesised and was part of God’s plan of redemption right from the beginning. These two verses contain the basics (the “first of all”) of the saving message of gospel truth. The Corinthians had been taught these truths by the apostle himself and so there is perhaps a hint of exasperation as he asks: “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (v. 12).
The next few verses show the futility of the denial. To summarize the rationale: If there is no resurrection, then the Messiah is still in the grave and preaching is a waste of time. Paul could be accused of being a liar and false witness, and most devastating of all, there is no forgiveness of sins. No wonder Paul states that if this were the case, “We are of all men most miserable” (v. 19).
Questions and answers
The divinely-guided skill of the great apostle is seen as he now anticipates questions and patiently instructs. Question: Why should there be a resurrection? Answer: We need saving from death: “As in Adam all die” (v. 22). Question: How shall we be saved from death? Answer: “In Christ shall all be made alive” (v. 22). Question: When will the resurrection occur? Answer: “At his coming” (v. 23). Question: Will death be eventually destroyed? Answer: Yes: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (v. 25). Question: Has the risen Christ usurped the authority of his Father? Answer: In no way: “When all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all” (v. 28).
The question and answer scenario comes to a climax with the question: What are the ramifications of not believing in resurrection? Paul’s answer is very salutary; he says, in effect, if there is no resurrection then why be baptized (v. 29)? The persecution he had endured would be pointless: “And why stand we in jeopardy every hour…If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die” (verses 30, 32). In other words, if there is no resurrection and no hope for the future, one may as well abandon oneself to riotous living.
An example of leadership
God has given us a marvelous hope and the chapter we have been considering serves to strengthen our faith. But before we move on there is another important factor to peruse. Paul clearly demonstrated the importance of correct understanding, for without it there is the danger of falling away. He told Timothy to keep away from profane and foolish discussions, as an example citing Hymenaeus and Philetus, who had upset the faith of some by stating that the resurrection had already taken place (II Tim. 2:17-18). But nowhere did he command summary rejection of these brethren. In the case of Corinth, Paul had shown in the opening chapters of his letter that unity amongst brethren is of paramount importance. Already the ecclesia was under great strain and showing signs of splitting into factions. As one of the leaders, to whom some were demonstrating unhealthy allegiance, he had to avoid exacerbating the problem. He knew how divisive the doctrine of resurrection could be; he later used it to his advantage at his trial before the Jewish council (Acts 23:6).
Jesus had commissioned his apostle to speak the truth regarding resurrection in order to heal the breach, not to widen it. He reached out to wayward brethren with superb logic in a prayerful and tactful manner. He heeded the warning: “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (I Cor. 3:17).
Follow the true shepherd
For us the doctrine of the resurrection is rightly held as a first principle. Our meeting together to participate in the memorial feast proclaims this fact. His resurrection to immortality certified Jesus as the Savior and established that his death would be the basis on which our sins can be forgiven.
Human nature does not change. We must avoid factions by looking to the only true shepherd and leader of the flock, the Lord Jesus Christ. In his name let us continue to strive for unity and always treat each other with compassion and respect.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One