In the weeks after Christmas, we are in the season of Epiphany. This begins with the arrival of the Magi which we consider the first glimpse of God’s incarnation to the world.
As we continue this series, we move from Paul’s beautiful affirmation of the church community in Corinth and into his gentle reminder that they still have work to do. Even in naming that these faithful Christians have all the gifts necessary to do the work of the church, Paul calls out the ways they are competing with and judging one another. He calls for a sense of unity that we know is embodied in community.
But how we understand that unity is essential. Unity doesn’t mean we all think or believe the same. Perhaps instead it means that we hold the community and the Spirit-filled relationships in community above our disagreements.
1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (NRSVue)
10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose.11 For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel—and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Consider these questions:
- Paul is honest about his purpose for writing this letter (v10). The ways the people are divided become more apparent as the letter goes on. What do you think it would look like to experience a church where there are “no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose?” What would that feel like?
- Do you think it is human nature to be drawn into certain allegiances, like Paul describes the Corinthians community? (Today, this can be seen in allegiances such as Republicans, Democrats, conservatives, liberals, southerners, northerners, Americans, etc.)
- Does it seem realistic to hope we we might be of the “same mind and the same purpose” (v10)? With so many denominations, what could this look like today?
- What does Paul put forward as a solution to divisions (v17-18)? How is this solution unifying?
- If you were to draw the body of Christ, what and who might be included in this drawing? Who is present? Who is excluded? What voices and languages are present?
- What tangible ways could this church begin to live into that vision?