I Corinthians 1:1-17
So now we move on to Paul’s Corinthian letters, which were most likely written sometime during his last year at Ephesus (Acts 16:5-9), so because we have Paul at Ephesus in our Acts readings we read these letters at this point in our chronological study. We will spend quite a few weeks in these letters – Paul writes more words to the Corinthian church than to any other.
We’ve got some familiar names in today’s reading. In the first verse we see the name, Sosthenes, very possibly the leader of the Corinthian synagogue (Acts 18:17), who was beaten by his fellow Jews in front of the synagogue. Was he beaten because he had turned to Jesus? We don’t know that, but that’s a good guess. Actually, we don’t know that this is the same Sosthenes, but it’s a fair guess that the Corinthian Sosthenes may have followed Paul to Ephesus.
We also have Apollos in today’s reading: …it has been reported to me … that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” (vv. 11b-12) We met Apollos earlier in Acts 18:24-28 when he was corrected by Priscilla and Aquila while he was in Ephesus, then that he moved on to Corinth and was preaching there. So it’s no surprise that many of the Corinthian Christians could have “sworn allegiance” to him or either of those other two Christian leaders.
It is interesting in verse 17 that Paul is less concerned with his delivery and more concerned that the Gospel be preached: For Christ …[sent me]… to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. We have many powerful preachers today who have a widespread following in part due to their dynamic personalities. (I don’t follow them, so I can’t name names.) Paul wants his listeners to hear his words and not be tantalized by his delivery method. History shows us that he was enormously successful in his mission! I like what I’ve heard Father David say on a number of occasions, “You bring the people and I’ll preach the Gospel.” A few right words can go a long way!
Slava Bohu!
Definitely preaching was Paul’s special spiritual gift. He says that others have a special gift of baptizing. We all have different gifts to share. Amen!