Scripture Reading : 1 Corinthians 1
Theme : Unity in the Church
- The calling and privileges of sainthood (1:1-9). Though the Corinthian church was far from being saintly in light of their worldly and immoral behavior, yet Paul stressed that every one of them who truly believed in Jesus Christ was saved and was a saint. This reminder of their sainthood was important in laying the foundation for the rest of this letter, which is to exhort believers to live a holy life.
- Disunity in the church over church leaders (1:10-17). The first thing for which Paul called the Corinthian believers to task was quarreling. Quarreling is a reality in the church because of selfishness and other sins. For a local church to be spiritually healthy, harmonious and effective, there must, above all, be doctrinal unity that is clearly based on God’s Word. No human leader, not even an apostle, should be given the loyalty that belonged only to the Lord. Such elevation of leaders leads only to contention, disputes and a divided church.
- Disunity in the church over human wisdom (1:18-31). The Corinthian church is not only divided over Christian leaders (v.12), but also regarding philosophical viewpoints which they had brought into the church. As they elevated human wisdom, they automatically lower God’s wisdom, which looks to them like foolishness because it conflicts with their own thinking. But God wisely established it this way, that man could not come to know Him by the wisdom of the world, but He choose to use the foolishness of the cross to save those who would simply believe. The very part of God’s plan that seems most ridiculous from man’s natural viewpoint actually exhibits His greatest power and greatest wisdom.
Praying the Scripture
- The Greek word translated “saint” is not an especially pious Christian, but one who is set apart from sin and made holy in Christ Jesus. This is the believer’s position in Christ. Despite their sinful living and distorted doctrine, the Corinthian believers were saints because they had been sanctified, set apart from sin and made holy in Christ Jesus. It is hence important for every Christian to keep in mind the great difference between his position and his practice. As Christians, one of the strongest rebukes we can have when we sin is to be reminded of who our Father is. Let’s pray that as we remember our position in Christ, we will also be compelled to improve our practice and walk in Him (Eph. 4:1).
- Among the Corinthian church’s many sins and shortcomings, quarreling is the one that Paul chose to deal with first. In unity lies the joy of Christian ministry and the credibility of Christian testimony. Because they were one in fellowship with their Lord, they should be one in fellowship with each other. Let’s pray that we will uphold the unity in our church by not insisting on our own way and by putting the interests of our Lord and of His people above all else.
- God’s Word is the only true wisdom and is all the wisdom that is reliable and needed. It needs no addition of human wisdom, which always falls short of His Word and most often contradicts or distorts it. Unfortunately, just as Paul’s time, the church today continued to fall prey to current trends in human thought. Some Christians frantically look almost everywhere but to God and His Word for values, meaning, guidance and help. Do you trust that Scripture alone is reliable, sufficient and complete? Let’s pray that we will seek after the true wisdom from God’s Word, not from human wisdom.
经文：哥林多前书1
主题：教会的合一
- 作圣徒的乎招与特权（1:1-9）。虽然哥林多教会因他们世俗和不道德的行为而离圣洁的标准很远，但保罗强调凡真实相信耶稣基督的每一位都是得救的，且是圣徒。这个提醒为书信打下了重要的基础，因为书信的目的是要劝诫信徒过圣洁的生活。
- 教会为教会领袖分歧（1:10-17）。保罗对哥林多教会提及的第一件事就是他们之间的纷争。因着自私及其他罪性，纷争在教会是存在的。一个地方教会若要在灵性上健全、和谐与有效，她首先就要在教义上合一；这必须是基于神的话语。人对其他领袖的忠心，甚至是对使徒，都不当超过他们对主所有的。这等对领导的评价只会引来不满和争执，使教会分歧。
- 教会为人类智慧分歧（1:18-31）。哥林多教会不但为基督徒领袖起争执（12节），还为他们带入教会的不同哲学思想起争议。当他们高举人的智慧时，他们自动贬低了神的智慧，因为那与他们自己的思想有冲突，所以神的话倒变成了愚拙。然而，神在祂的智慧中立这计划，叫人不得借世人的智慧认识祂，而是要借着十字架的愚拙救凡相信的人。世人认为最荒谬的事，竟是神展现祂最大能力和智慧的地方。
用经文祷告
- “圣徒”的希腊原文指的不是一个特别虔诚的基督徒，而是一个与罪分别，在基督里为圣的人；这就是信徒在基督里的位置。虽然哥林多信徒仍活在罪中，教义歪曲，但他们是圣徒，因为他们在基督耶稣里与罪分别为圣了。因此，基督徒必须知道他们在位置与实践上的大差异。身为信徒，我们犯罪时所得到的其中一个最大的指责是被提醒谁是我们的天父。让我们祷告当我们想起自己在基督里的位置时，这会迫使我们在行事为人上要有长进，在祂里面而行（弗4:1）。
- 在哥林多教会的众多罪行和缺点中，争执是保罗选择先处理的。合一是基督徒事工的喜乐与基督徒见证的可信度所在。让我们祷告我们会持守教会的合一，不要坚持自己的做事方式，而是将主与祂子民的利益为先。
- 唯独神的话才是真智慧，并是一切可靠、所需的智慧。它无需人的智慧补充，因为人的智慧总是亏欠了神话语的标准，也经常与神的话语抵触。不幸的是，如同保罗的时代一样，今日教会也继续步入世人思想潮流的陷阱。有些信徒四处找寻，却就是不转向神与祂的话求价值、意义、引导和帮助。你是否相信唯独圣经是可靠、充分和完整的？让我们祷告我们会从神的话，不是人的智慧，寻求真智慧。
