Christian Basics Bible - Flipbook - Page 13
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that the body is healthy. In worshiping together, they should recognize their different gifts
and value those who contribute to the common good. Right at the heart of this section is
a passage on the meaning of true love (chapter 13), which reinforces Paul’s point that the
Spirit’s gifts should be used for the good of the whole church, not for selfish enjoyment.
Paul ends by considering the resurrection (chapter 15). Apparently, some Christians
believed they were so spiritual that their “resurrection” had already taken place. Paul tells
them that they are wrong. There is a “not yet” aspect to the Christian life; as Christians we
are waiting for the final resurrection of the dead, when our physical bodies will be changed.
Only then will death be defeated forever.
What does it mean for us?
This letter reminds us that being a Christian is not simply about “Jesus and me”; it is about
“Jesus and me and you.” When we become Christians, we become part of God’s big family—or
to use the picture Paul uses in this letter, part of Christ’s body here on earth. We therefore
need our brothers and sisters—and they in turn need us. That’s why we cannot live our
Christian life without regard for one another; and that’s why divisions, arrogance, unholy
living, and so on harm both our Christian brothers and sisters and us. We are truly free when
we put the concerns and needs of others before our own.
The letter also reminds us about what it means to be truly spiritual. Being spiritual is not
just about praying, meditating, or worshiping; it is about everything we do in everyday life. We
often tend to think of “the spirit” as something detached from everyday life, but Paul reminds
us that true spirituality is as much about what we say and do as about what we believe. It is
about how we use and misuse our bodies. A truly spiritual person is someone who can both
hold their tongue in a quarrel and contain their appetites for food and sex. So to be truly
spiritual is to use physical, material things for God’s glory and for the blessing of others.
Greetings from Paul
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will
of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus,
and from our brother Sosthenes.
2
I am writing to God’s church in Corinth,*
to you who have been called by God to be
his own holy people. He made you holy by
means of Christ Jesus,* just as he did for all
people everywhere who call on the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
3
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ give you grace and peace.
1
Paul Gives Thanks to God
4
I always thank my God for you and for the
gracious gifts he has given you, now that you
belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God
has enriched your church in every way—with
all of your eloquent words and all of your
knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told
you about Christ is true. 7Now you have every
spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for
the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will
keep you strong to the end so that you will
be free from all blame on the day when our
Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this,
for he is faithful to do what he says, and he
has invited you into partnership with his
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Divisions in the Church
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters,*
by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to
live in harmony with each other. Let there be
no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one
mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For
some members of Chloe’s household have
told me about your quarrels, my dear broth
ers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying,
“I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying,
“I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,*” or “I
follow only Christ.”
13
Has Christ been divided into factions?
Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of
you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course
not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any
of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15for now no
one can say they were baptized in my name.
16
(Oh yes, I also baptized the household of
Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing
10
1:2a Corinth was the capital city of Achaia, the southern region of
the Greek peninsula. 1:2b Or because you belong to Christ Jesus.
1:10 Greek brothers; also in 1:11, 26. 1:12 Greek Cephas.
