Part 9 (2/2)
+Princ.i.p.al Divisions and Chief Points.+
1. Introduction (1:1-10) Salutation. Subject of the Epistle; the defection of the Galatian churches.
2. The divine commission given to Paul as an apostle (1:11-2:21). He makes a statement of his claims and gives a sketch of his life. The gospel he preached came not from man but through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
All this is to show the authenticity of his claims.
3. Doctrinal. Justification is by faith (ch. 3-4).
The Galatian churches had received the Spirit through faith and not by law; why should they turn back? The superiority of faith is shown by Abraham's faith. The covenant of the promise of Christ was before the law.
The law is subordinate to faith, its purpose is to bring men to Christ. There is serious danger in returning to the law.
4. Practical. Application of the doctrinal teaching (ch. 5-6:10). An exhortation to stand fast in the liberty of Christ; this liberty excludes Judaism. A warning against the abuse of Christian liberty. The works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. Sowing and reaping.
5. Autograph conclusion (6:11-18). Summary of the Epistle. The glory of the Apostle is in the cross of Christ. Benediction.
THE EPISTLES TO THE CORINTHIANS
+The Church at Corinth+ was founded during Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-18). When the Apostle came to Corinth he found a home with Aquila and Priscilla and worked with them at his trade as a tent-maker. He preached in Corinth for over a year and a half. Although Paul was the means of converting Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, and his family, he had no large success with the Jews and consequently turned to the Gentiles. The Gentiles gladly heard him and there was a great ingathering into the church.
Paul's sole purpose was to preach Christ for he says, ”I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).
+The City of Corinth+ was the largest and most important city of Greece. The commerce of the world flowed through its two harbours. The population consisted of Greeks, Jews, Italians, and a mixed mult.i.tude; it was excitable, pleasure loving, and mercurial. In this city was held a perpetual vanity fair. The vices of the east and west met and clasped hands in the work of human degradation. The Greek G.o.ddess Aphrodite had a magnificent temple in which a thousand priestesses ministered to a base wors.h.i.+p. While it was a center of wealth and fas.h.i.+on it was a city of gilded vice. In the philosophical schools there was an endless discussion about words and non-essentials and a strong tendency to set intellectual above moral distinctions.
THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS
+Occasion and Purpose.+-It was natural that the pressure of heathen customs and practices should be very great upon this young church. It was also to be expected that parties and divisions would arise. The immediate cause of this Epistle was that strifes and divisions had arisen in the church. It was the reporting of these matters to Paul by those ”of the house of Chloe” (1 Cor. 1:11) that led him to write in the way in which he did. To settle the strifes of this church and to define the relations which Christians should a.s.sume towards the political, religious, and domestic inst.i.tutions of the heathen was a matter of no little delicacy and difficulty. The mastery of Paul is shown in the laying down of principles, in accordance with the gospel of Christ, that were effective not only for the Corinthian church but which are applicable to-day to all such church difficulties and the conduct of Christians towards non-Christians.
+A Former Epistle.+--Previous to the one now called ”The First,” had been written to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 5:9) and ”it appears that the church had replied and requested further explanation and instruction on certain points” (5:11; 7:1; 8:1; 12:1; 16:12).
+Place and Time.+--This Epistle was written during Paul's long stay in Ephesus (Acts 19:10; 1 Cor. 16:19) and the date is in all probability 57 A.D.
+The Supremacy of Christ+ over all parties, His love as the touchstone of all service, and His resurrection are the great subjects of this Epistle.
+Princ.i.p.al Divisions and Chief Points.+
1. Salutation and thanksgiving (1:1-9).
2. Correction of divisions of party spirit (1:10-4:21).
It having been reported to Paul that four parties were striving for mastery in the church and there was great contention; he rebukes the party spirit, sets forth the principles of his teaching, and declares that Christ alone is the center of the Christian system. Faith stands not in the wisdom of men. The only foundation is in Christ.
3. Correction of moral disorders (ch. 5-7). In consequence of the close contact of the church with heathendom grave moral evils found their way into the fold. (a) The case of an incestuous person, Paul writes that such a person is to be expelled because the leaven of evil separates men from Christ. (b) The sin of going to law in heathen courts. Christians ought to settle their own disputes. (c) Sins of the body. No man should commit a sin as his body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.
(d) Advice concerning marriage. The purpose of the gospel is not to antagonize but to Christianize the natural relations between society and the believer.
4. Correction of social and ecclesiastical misconceptions (ch. 8-14). (a) The question of eating of meats offered in idol wors.h.i.+p is decided on the ground of love rather than knowledge. (b) The preacher of the gospel has the right to be supported by the church. (c) The true Christian liberty to be observed in the matters of eating and drinking. The proper celebration of the Lord's Supper. (d) The use and abuse of spiritual gifts.
(e) The greatness of love (ch. 13) The touchstone of all is love. (f) The end to be sought in every spiritual gift is the edification and upbuilding of the church.
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