I have read quite a few commentaries about different books of the Bible in recent years, particularly Warren Wiersbe, Wycliffe Bible commentary and others. Most describe the area around Corinth as brutal in its idolatry and immorality. Particularly, in regards to sexual immorality, the pagan temples had a large amount of temple prostitutes available. It was in this setting of immorality that the Corinth church grew.
Not only was it a setting where there was a lot of immorality, but also a culture where many different people groups collided. Corinth was a city of port. A city of trade and influence and it would not have been uncommon to hear different languages spoken in the city.
So, maybe it isn't surprising that this diverse and immoral area would find us looking at a church similiar in many respects to the churches today. Paul, among all of the problems he could mention first to them though, mentions the divisions among them Cor 1:10-12. Of all of the problems he wants to address first, he addresses their allegiance to other teachers and preachers and people besides Christ first. He could have mentioned lawsuits or sexual immorality or eating food offered to idols, but that isn't what comes first.
In that respect, maybe we should learn a lesson from what Paul stressed. Many of the churches in our country today have been divided or are in conflict. People get angry at a variety of things, sometimes just and sometimes not, and leave the church. People get their feelings hurt. Sometimes the culture in which we live that says, "The end justifies the means." becomes more important than whether or not we hurt each other.
I think one of the things that Jesus longs to see in His church today is Christlikeness. A pastor who I know died this last Sunday. I did not know him very well, but went to his church services several times. He was a missionary and a church planter and a visionary when it comes to working in the service of the Lord. He was also at times confrontational when it came to preaching. I can remember that he would say that "God is more concerned about your holiness than your happiness." Jesus seemed also to be concerned about his people and their holiness.
The church has lost a lot of its effectiveness today, I think in part because we have lost that desperate sense in which we are dependent on God for everything. No program or musical or fellowship or guest speaker can replace holiness and Christlikeness in God's people. For if God's people are going to do anything for Him it will be because they are like Him and not because they just heard about him.
The world is looking to see if we walk the talk. . .
