PAUL'S STRATEGY

Paul's Strategy with Problems of Disunity in 1corinthians

Paul's Strategy with Problems of Disunity in 1corinthians

Brief Overview

Corinth was a very worldly city, combining all sorts of vices and the mushrooming of the world. Prostitution in the temple, for example, was common, and this fact explains the appeal of Paul in 1 Corinthians. Corinth was the ideal city for God to bring into the world the message of 1 Corinthians. The city of Corinth was a stronghold of Satan. It was a city strategically located between East and West, between Asia and Europe. As she was placed on the road between East and West, it became the place where all travellers and traders stopped. She was also one of the most cultured and refined. Diving in Greek philosophy, it exalted human thought. It was also one of the most attractive cities for lovers of sport, because at Corinth were held every 2 years, the famous isthmian games. Because of their goddess Venus, also known as Aphrodite, and the temple that was built in her honour, she became one of the most immoral cities of that time. In the temple priestesses officiated more than 1,000 who were nothing other than public prostitutes. Their activities were serving in worship. So we can imagine the kind of worshipers who were attracted by the city of Corinth (Margaret 1992, pp. 15).

The Apostle Paul had planted the church in Corinth, and now, just a few years later, he was receiving questioning letters and reports of problems. The church was troubled with division, lawsuits between believers, sexual sins, disorderly worship, and overall spiritual immaturity. Paul wrote this uncompromising letter to confront and correct these Christians, answer their questions, and instruct them in several areas. He warned them not to be conformed to the world around them, but rather, to live as godly examples, reflecting Christ likeness in the midst of an immoral society. 1 Corinthians is one of 13 Epistles written by Paul. It was written between 53-55 A.D. during Paul's third missionary journey, toward the end of his three years ministering in Ephesus. Paul wrote this pastoral letter to the church he had established in Corinth. While addressing the Corinthian believers specifically, the letter is relevant to all followers of Christ. The young Corinthian church was located in the midst of a large, decadent seaport--a city deeply immersed in pagan idolatry and immorality. The believers were primarily Gentiles converted by Paul on his second missionary journey. In Paul's absence the church had fallen into serious problems of disunity, sexual immorality, confusion over church discipline and other matters involving worship and holy living.

As Paul instructs the aboriginal abbey on how to adoration calm he moves to the affair acquaintance and the breaking of bread, which Acts 2:42 describes as a charge of the aboriginal church (Elizabeth 1991, pp. 18). It is clear that in 1 Corinthians, the Holy Spirit emphasizes frequently the title of Lord. He repeats 64 times that Jesus Christ is ...