Hurry not to look for application, but that when we understand the meaning and the principle, then we can apply effectively and biblicaly.
I will be picking a few verses from chapter 1-9 to show the theme of the letter and the flow of reasonings and details that Paul puts. Before we go there, any reader of Paul will know that Paul is indeed a brilliant man - If he is set to convince you of something, he will quote sources, he will structure is argument, he will demonstrate how he reaches a conclusion - along this line, we will learn about who God is, what Jesus does, what examples we ought to follow and much more
However, it is important again to remember Paul's structure, so as to put the few verses in a greater context.
The Corinthian Church is one of the early churches that Paul planted. Paul has his heart for them - and it is understandable that the church has little structure about it. The word is preached, the people are fresh to this "Christianity" religion, and they have very little idea ow to run a church. We will soon see some of the problems they face.
Chapter 1
Here, we know that the Corinthian Church is truly blessed - "enriched in every way". It is possible that they were finanically doing well, they had spiritual gifts of many sorts - as we will read of in Chapter 13. However, there are divisions in church - for some claim to be followers of Paul, some of Peter, some of Apollos. One might guess that the divisions occured due to intellectual arguments that the people cook up. Verse 26 onwards might give us a hint that the Corinthian church might have divisions as they would think of following one person ( Paul/Peter/Apollos ) was in some way superior than the other. It is also probable that they thought of themselves in superior terms compared to their counterparts based on some worldly standard which is really not God's standard. God's standard is different, God chooses the weak and demonstrates His power - God does not think a person is truly great the way the world would measure a man - i.e. intellect, wealth, etc. Christ is the one that we ought to follow, Christ is the Wisdom and Power of God (i.e. This is God's Way of saving us all, God's Perfect Solution, Our Holiness, Our Redeemer). Therefore, we ought not to boast in ourselves, but to boast about God.
Chapter 2-3
Paul continues to build on his arguments that God's type of wisdom is not only different from the world's type, but that it is superior, and it is powerful. Paul uses different terms here, Christ is God's Wisdom, Wisdom of the Spirit, God's secret wisdom - Wisdom and power that enables us to call God our Father, in short - what the Gospel is. The theme is central to promote God's Wisdom, God's standard, God's people as one - all under Christ. In Chapter 3 verse 1, Paul called them infants - their understanding has not matured. They still measured God's church/people/ideas according to human standards. Paul ends of chapter 3 ( verse 18 to 23 ) declaring supremacy of God's wisdom and the unity of the church all under Christ. In Christ - unity according to God's standard. Out of Christ, forget about it.
Chapter 4
We must not lose sight that the theme of this whole letter is centered on Christ. Christ being the standard, the wisdom, the example. In light of that, Paul argues that indeed Apollos and himself have gone very low - to be like slaves and servants to serve them - while the church is indeed rich, and has gotten herself into much worldliness, i.e. divisions, human wisdom,etc. verse 18, Paul points out the arrogance of some in the church, verse 20, big talkers...
Chapter 5 - 8
Paul now deals with the detail issues in church - Immorality, lawsuits among believers, more immorality, marriage, and food sacrifice to idols. In each of these issues, Paul explains the principle of the problem and solution - taking Christ as the example. please read at least chapter 7. For example: in chapter 7:28 onwards, Paul was discouraging them to simply think of marriage only - Paul wanted them to think of marriage and the consequences. Paul said that it is not wrong to marry, but should we get married and start to have divided interest ( between spouse and God ), we really have to examine whether or not we should proceed. Paul also says that indeed time is short, those who have spouses ought to live as though they have none. This does not imply don't love your wife, but not to be engrossed in these issues ( verse 31). Paul not only offers solution in these chapters, but the bigger picture that Paul is asking is " LOOK AT THE JESUS PERSPECTIVE" - "CONSIDER THINGS THAT WAY", this is showed also by previous verses, i.e. 6:7-8, 6:12, etc.
Transition from Chapter 8 to Chapter 9
Now towards the end of Chapter 8, I will give a little background about food sacrificed to idols. There is an understanding which is still relevant to us today: If somebody invites us to eat with them/eat their food - we are really declaring some sort of fellowship and friendship. Therefore, when some of the Christians were eating food that were sacrificed to idols ( think of eating the apple beside the jostick and inscense used to pray to the chinese gods ), some Christians felt that it was wrong, for it might have symbolized some union with the idols (devils). But Paul argues that, eating something or not eating something does not make us closer to God, i.e. more spiritual, or further from God, i.e. sinning against God and become less spiritual, etc. In the light of this, Paul said - however, for the sake of our fellow Christian brothers and sisters who have weaker faith, let us not wound their conscience - that is, let us not destroy their faith.
I will give a more modern example:
Christians are not forbidden to drink alcohol. However, the Bible does say we ought not to get drunk - stupid consequences to it. However, if we drink in front of a new Christian, they might think we are "okay" with drinking and getting drunk. They don't have proper understanding, if we continue to drink, then we destroy their faith - we confuse their understanding, we wound their conscience, their hearts.
So, Chapter 8:13 , Paul concludes, [ I will replace the words to illustrate ]
If drinking alcohol causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never drink alcohol, so that I will not cause him to fall.
Do you see the Christ pattern? It is really Christ pattern to consider for the sake of the others. This is God's perspective.
Remember when the disciples asked Jesus who is the greatest? Jesus said, "he who wants to be the greatest, has to be the servant of all" - now this is a Christ persepctive. Therefore, from Chapter 1 till Chapter 9, the theme is continuous and is centered around Christ.
Please get this...
Now opening Chapter 9...
Paul says " Am I not free?" "Am I not an apostle"?
As you read on the chapter you will find the attitude of Paul saying...
"Am I any lesser?" "Don't I have the right to do this and that?"
Paraphrased: it is something like, " Don't I have the authority and liberty to drink alcohol?"
Of course, by now we know that Paul does have the authority in the human perspective. In fact, in the human perspective, Paul could do anything.
But in verse 19, Paul says
"Though I am free and belong to no man,i.e. he has liberty - I make myself everybody elses servant to win as many as possible". Paul subjected himself to be like Jesus, to be a servant for the sake of other people, so that they might be saved!
Taking the alcohol example, Paul does not drink, so that the Christian brother will not be wounded. Think of Jesus - He could have come down from the cross - but for our sakes, Jesus hung there for our sakes, so that we can receive eternal life from His death.
Now, with that in mind, let us read 9:24-27
The picture painted in the few verses is one of striving. Is one of competing in a way of winning the prize. Let us not confused with the "one prize" picture. Paul said " Run in SUCH A WAY as to get the prize" Reread it, it means that " RUN like there is only one prize!"
When you have one prize, you run like mad. If there are many, maybe consolation prize is good enough.
Is this teaching that God is too poor to give us prizes? No! Paul is encouraging us to "run" our Christian lives that way - WHAT WAY?
verse 25 - strict training
verse 27 - being the master of our body , not letting the body be the master of us
like how some people live for the body ( live to eat, live to have sex, live to feel good ). It is alright to have sex and eat and feel good, but note that there is a difference between eating to live and living to eat.
The idea of a race in verse 26, "not aimlessly" also implies a certain focus.
Why run this way?
To obtain a prize. What prize - A crown that will last forever. What does the crown symbolize? A crown from God. God crowning you declaring that you "did it", you are a "winner". God saying "well done, good and faithful servant, come in and share the joy of your Lord!"
Paul also mentioned that when he makes his body his slave (i.e. disciplines it), after he preaches to others, he will also not be disqualified. In other words, he might be disqualified if he was not disciplined- and live whatever way he wishes.
Conclusion for these few verses,
"Do we need to be like the guy in the race and strive?"
Did Paul HAVE TO follow his strict training and not "drink alcohol"(my example)?
Well, I don't think Jesus HAD TO die on the cross - but He did. Why?
ONE APPLICATION QUESTION ONLY
How should this then relate to us?
