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.
Paul’s opening to his first letter to the church in Corinth begins with effusive affirmation. Paul reminds the faithful members of the community that they are good enough, smart enough, and worthy (and our SNL fans will see a fun reference here). As the church, we too may need such affirmation. This does not mean that our work is perfect or complete, but that we are equipped for the work God places before us because God perfects us in love. Imagine what we can accomplish with the reminder that God has faith in us!
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (NRSVue)
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the partnership of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3 (NRSVue)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Consider these questions:
- How does Paul identify himself to the hearers of this letter in Corinth? (Remember, most of those addressed in this letter would have been illiterate and therefore would have had this letter read to them.)
- How does Paul identify the recipients of the letter?
- Paul’s letter will go on to highlight numerous ways the people in this church are falling far short of whom Christ is calling them to be. How is it that Paul can call them saints? What could that mean for how we think about being saints?
- Why do you think Paul begins the formal portion of this letter with gratitude (v4, “I give thanks to my God always for you…”)? What is Paul thankful for?
- Paul writes that they (all of them) do not lack in spiritual gifts. An individual might be lacking; but as a community, they are not lacking. How does this affect or even change your reading of this passage?
- What does it mean to you to belong to the body of Christ?