I Corinthians 1:1-17
Dear RTB’ers,
Today we jump back to the Epistles, to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. We’ll spend about two weeks in I Corinthians, then take a two-week break with the Psalms, then spend another two weeks in II Corinthians. So we’ll have four weeks of the next six in Corinth, with all their gifts and problems.
You probably recall that Paul had spent 18 months in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18), working as a tentmaker alongside Aquila and Priscilla, in addition to regular preaching in the synagogues. So he knew Corinth well when he wrote these letters. That makes it more personal to me, as is the case with me when I read his letter to the Philippians, knowing that Paul and Silas had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. When he names names, we know that he knows these people personally.
So, today, one item stayed with me: I give thanks to my God always for you … as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (vv. 4, 7b-8) “Guiltless!” How can that be? I know myself; I’m not guiltless! That’s a fact, in this life. But at the day of our Lord Jesus Christ I will be guiltless! All my sins, all our sins, all everyone’s sins for all time, for all those who confess Jesus and receive His forgiveness, we will be GUILTLESS on that Day! Forgiven. Free. Clothed in glorious splendor. Whole. New. GLORY!! Not a bad beginning to I Corinthians!!
Blessings!
See also: December 3 (2023) / I Corinthians 1-4