Day 82 ~ Do you want a spanking?

You can tell that Paul has a personal relationship with the people from Corinth (unlike the Roman church, where he had not yet been). They are addressed like a petulant child who, when out of sight, does as they please. But, someone in Chloe's household has ratted out some of the bad behavior (1:11), and Paul is not happy. In fact, he asks the Corinthians if they want him to "come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?"

So what are the Corinthians doing?

• Division over who preached to them or baptized them - sectarianism.
• Bragging about their wisdom (or as Paul identifies, their actual lack of wisdom).
• Sexual immorality - a man with his father's wife - within the church - and the church seems to be turning a blind eye to the sin.
• Taking brethren within the church to public court rather than working out the situation fairly amongst themselves.
• Sexual sin among the unmarried, and tension within marriages over sex. There must have been many divorcing or contemplating divorce. Paul recommends remaining single and exhibiting self-control.
• They are apparently eating food that has been offered to idols, and becoming a stumbling block to others with their actions. In effect, he says just because it isn't illegal for fat women to wear spandex doesn't make it a good idea.
• Paul's advice: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it"
• There seemed to be a power struggle between the men and women in the assembly. The argument is about hair and hair coverings, but it's deeper argument is being under authority.
• They have no true understanding of the communal institution of the Lord's supper. Paul gives them instructions, and tells them "For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged" (11:32). There must have been more concerning the Lord's supper, because Paul says he will set the rest in order when he comes.
• They were assigning more honor to some spiritual gifts over others, and Paul says that they are hurting each other and the church as a whole with this conduct.
• In fact, it would seem that the members of the church of Corinth were doing all things that I Corinthians 13 says that love doesn't do, and he offers love as an antidote for their actions.
• He encourages them to seek the gifts that edify the entire church fellowship.
• Their meetings must have been unorganized, and Paul provides guidelines for order.
• They are worried about those already dead and how they will rise again with Christ, and are apparently baptizing for the dead. Paul says they lack knowledge of the scriptures and should be ashamed. He explains about the difference between earthly bodies and heavenly bodies