The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 31

Vers. 1-3.-The salutation. As usual in Paul's Epistles, this preface contains the name of the writer, the persons addressed, and a prayer for blessing. "\Ve have- I. APOSTOLIC AUTHORI'l'Y. Paul's authority as an apostle was disparaged by some at Corinth, who regarded him as inferior to the twelve. Each of the opposing factions hacl its favourite teacher (ver. 12), and party spirit led them to decry all but their own. In opposition to this, the apostle opens his letter by presenting his credentials. As an apostle, he was: 1. Called. He had not taken this office of himself. 2. Called by Jesu:J- l'hrist. He had not been elected by the Church, nor coc::.missioned by any of the twelve, but bad been directly appointed and consecrated by the Lord himself. ":N"ot from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father" (Gal. i. 1). 3. Called through the wilt of God. This is the ultimate ground. His apostleship rest:i on Divine authority. In thus magnifying his office (Rom. xi. 13), Paul shows his own humility. Learn: (1) Every true workrn- has a call tu his wark. This is true of ~ecular as of spiritual work. Natural aptitude, hereditary position, providential circumstances, may clearly indicate to each man his calling. For spiritual office there must be a spiritual call-the call of Christ. What mischief is done in the Church and in the world by men intruding into office without a call! (2) The crmsciousness of this call is a source of strength. Let a man be assured that ho is doing the work assigned him by God, and nothing will stand before him ; but if he doubts, he is weak. The apostle, the preacher, the missionary, the teacher, need above all to have this assurance. (3) Look well to the credentials of all that profess to speak in the Name of Christ. "Prove the spirits, whether they are of God" (1 John iv. 1). To follow a false prophet is as dangerous as the refusal to listen to a true one. II. MARKS OF THE CHuncH. The description of those to whom Paul writes gives us some notes of the Church of Christ. Its members are: 1. Called. This designa• tion is implied in the word translated "Church" ( /1<1cA:'1crlcz), which is the body of those that have been called out from the world. There is an outer and an inner call-the invitation of the gospel addressed to all, and the effectual call of the Holy Spirit in compliance with which the sinner arises and comes to Christ. This last is the call referred to here. Every believer has come out from his old position in obedience to a Divine summons. The work of grace in the heart is not a thing of constraint. It is a call addressed to men with such sweetly persuasive power that they cannot but coma to him who calls ( comp. ver. 9; 2 Tim. i. 9; Heb. ix. 15 ; 1 Pet. v. 10). 2. Conse- crated. This is the root-thought in the words "sanctify" and "saints." The believer is separated from the world by the Divine call and set apart for God. Israel, was the people of Jehovah, sacred to him. Animals devoted in sacrifice could never be turned to any common use. Even so Christians are" not their own" (eh. v. ID, 20),, but "living sacrifices" unto God (Hom. xii. 1). They are "an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own posses~ion" (1 Pet. ii. 9). What a· powerful factor in Christian life should this thought of cousecrntion be! Devoted iu• Christ Jesus unto God I 3. Jloly. 'l'his follows naturally from the foregoing mark. Consecration and holiness are the elements of sanctification. Believers are called to holiness (1 Pet. i. 15). 'l'hey are separated from the world in st,mding that they may be separated from it in character (2 Cor. vi. 14---18). '!'he Church at Corinth existed in the midst of a community that was fearfully corrupt. How significant for them the11e marks of consecration and holiness I Their Christian lifo could not be safe ii 30 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [ou. r. 1-31.