1 Corinthians Summary - Bee Lan

My study bible for this book is filled with a sea of pink and blue, being colors used for references to Paul and the Corinthians, so i thought it appropriate to approach from that angle. While being totally appalled by the corinthian attitude towards Paul, their shepherd, and their apparent unchristian behaviour in church, i'm reminded that that profile seems vaguely familiar.Aren't we like them..being enriched in every way (1:5), yet still so spiritually immature..upholding human wisdom with high regard, being competitive even in christian matters and totally lacking love.

Paul, on the other hand, is a foil to them. He almost seems superhuman save for his use of sarcasm in chpt 4. However, even that weakness pales in comparison to his patience and long suffering and of course love to them. How did he do that? The answer (i believe) lies in his resolve in 2:1 to know nothing...except Jesus Christ resonating Phil 3:10. "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in HIs sufferings becoming like HIm in HIs death.

When Paul testified of Christ and what Christ did for him ( 15:10)..but by the grace of God, I am what i am... he was struck by humility before God and called himself the least of the apostles with the attitude of 'just unworthy servants doing our duty'. It is all about Christ and not of him. He is thus able to submit himself
1) to weaker brothers eg 8:1..therefore if what i eat causes my brother to fall into sin, i will never eat meat again.
2) to reach the lost 10:33.. i try to please everybody in every way, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
3) because of resurrection. 15:30-31..Why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die daily. If there's no resurrection, why should he suffer persecution and privation for Christ everyday.


The lesson for me then is to make Christ the sole subject of my life, by making Christ the object of my worship, emulating Christ's example by exhibiting Christlike behaviour in my life and relationship with others, obeying Christ's commands and preaching Christ. Steps that I'm praying to embark on first are taken from The definition of Discipleship :

1)Regularly confessing sins and proving repentance to my holy God.
2) Disciplining thought-life by meditating QT thoughts through the day.
3) Discharging authority at home with love and respect...to Wei, mom, children, helper and guests eg overlooking propriety and even messiness with regards to my mom.( In case of misunderstanding by others outside our e-group reading, my mom is suffering from dementia.)

My love to all of you in Christ Jesus,
Bee Lan