1. Background of <1 Cor>.

1) General background of Corinth.

• Large population, high human traffic, important trade route.
• Commercial prosperity, rich knowledge, moral corruption, idolatry.
• Gospel preached in Corinth could reach many people.
• Capital of the Roman province of Achaia.
• Both Gentile and Jewish believers in Corinthian church.
• <Acts 18:11> So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

2) Why Paul wrote <1 Cor>?

• Church problems: divisions within, confusion about spiritual gifts, marriage, food offered to idols and resurrection.
• Paul wrote <1 Cor> around A.D. 55, when he was in Ephesus.
• To correct wrong thinking and sins of the Corinthians and teach sound doctrines.
• <1 Cor> still relevant to us – same practical issues and sins.
• <1 Cor>: How we can practically pursue sanctification as the holy people of God.

<1 Cor 1> 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 in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. Who are Christians?

• v2: “those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours”

1) “Sanctified” in Christ – made holy/righteous in Christ already.

2) Called – God’s initiative and grace.

• Called to be holy <v2>.
• Called into fellowship with Christ <v9>.
• 2 types of God’s calling:
  • General (everyone).
  • Particular (the elect, call is sovereign and effectual).

3) Call on the name of Lord Jesus – human response.

3. God’s grace and faithfulness.

• The reason to give thanks.
• God gave various gifts to confirm the testimony about Christ through us.
• But can believers stand firm in faith to the end?
• <1 Cor 1> 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
• <Php 1:6> being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
• <Ro 5:10> For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 

4. God called us into fellowship with Christ <v9>.

• <1 Cor 1:9> God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Fellowship: “partnership, participation, sharing, communion…”
• Fellowship should be 2-way.
• “Unfair” partnership for God, but Christ is willing.
• <Heb 2:14> Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil
• Fellowship: what Christ has become ours.
• <Gal 2:20> I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. 
• <Ro 8:17> Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
• We should also share in Christ’s preferences and purpose.
  
  

Reflection

1. Are you able to give thanks simply because of God’s grace and faithfulness, even when circumstances, people and even you yourself are not in an ideal state? How does “God is faithful” impact you?
2. Can you identify some ways in which “God is confirming the testimony about Christ” through you?
3. What does fellowship with Christ mean to you? Are you enjoying the fellowship with Him?