1 Corinthians: Church's Holiness

The Word of the Cross is the basis for Church's Holiness

Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1 – 7:40

Outline:

A. 5, Sexual immorality

B. 6, Judgment by the world

C. 7, Questions of marriage

Comments: It is important to note that the first area of Christian life that St. Paul addressed is the question of marital relationship. The church is as strong as the families that build the congregation.

A. He begins with the outstanding case: someone got into a relationship with his step-mother. What was even worse, that the congregation tolerate it. Apparently, they considered themselves very inclusive and free-thinking, or even boasting about the matter (5:2, 6), while there is a clear prohibition of this behavior. Leviticus 18:6-18 lists many cases of forbidden relationships – mostly in the realm of close relatives. In this list the wife of the father (which is not a mother, covered in a separate verse) takes its own place. By the end of the chapter, the LORD charges Israel do not practice these abominable customs (Leviticus 18:30).

Using this example, St. Paul brings up the idea of the leaven – do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? He encourages them to cleanse themselves, for Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7). It has at least three implications: first, usually church doesn't fall into a great and an awful sin immediately. It starts as a small compromise. Then the leaven, slowly but surely, takes over the whole lump.

Second, comparing this situation with the rite of Passover, St. Paul introduces the idea of Old Testament laws and regulations that still have validity for the Christian life. It takes wisdom to see how the rites, rules, and institutions of the Old Testament transfer into the life of the New Testament church. What should clearly be forbidden or – put it different – what part of the past should be compared to the slavery of Egypt, slavery of sin.

Third, the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah already happened. They should celebrate the newness of life. He will pick up this theme later, talking about the list of sins they were bought from by baptism into Christ (6:9-11).

B. The question of judgment in the “civil” court. The reason St. Paul writes against it is that Christians should have the higher standards of life. In Christ we are elevated to pass judgments over the angels (6:3). That's why it is inappropriate for Christian to submit himself or herself to the decisions of pagan rulers. His main idea that the disputes should be resolved within the realm of the church (note that he does not have the idealistic view of the church life, where disputes are completely absent). In today's world the idea should be the same – two brothers should be able to come to the settlement without getting each other to court. At the same time, there are many judges and lawyers who profess Christian faith, and the whole system of American law has biblical foundation.

This theme also relates to freedom in Christ. The apostle makes two helpful statements: (1) All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. (2) all things are lawful, but I will not be dominated by anything. Based on this, he compares Church to the Temple (6:19). One body made out of many members represents the Temple where the Holy Spirit dwells. Similarly, we find St. Peter talking about the living stones that comprise the Temple of New Testament Church (1 Peter 2:4-8).

C. St. Paul raises up many questions as it comes to marriage. The main idea is the unity of husband and wife. This unity is reflected in many aspects, including intimate one (which is very appropriate to discuss in the context of the whole block). Marriage is not the only way of life – being single is a very high calling, as it is seen in his own example (7:7,8).

Single person can fully dedicate himself or herself to the Lord, while married should care for the interest of the spouse (7:32-35). It does not mean that being single is a higher calling than being married – that was the teaching in Medieval times. This is not his concern. St. Paul tries to prevent a situation when a married man acts like his is free to do what he wants. Even godly ideas or desires should be talked through and discussed with the wife – mission trips would be a parade example.

Over all, in this block the apostle builds up the case for chastity of life – chastity in a very broad sense of the word. In marital relationship, in presentation of the church to the world, in exhibition of one's calling or vocation (7:17-24). In any way, in any aspect of life we should reflect Christ – for we are bought with a high price (blood of the Lamb, he mentions earlier).