Pr Edi Giudetti

There is a wonderful structure to preaching that is seen repetitively in the scriptures, it is a structure that the scriptures themselves possess and as such it is a structure through which we preach. You can see it identified for us in Paul’s pastoral letter to Timothy.

Turn to 2 Timothy

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

First:             DOCTRINE

Second:       REPROOF

Third:            CORRECTION

Forth:            INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

 No man is able to take advantage of the fullness of the value of the scriptures without having EACH of these apply in his life as some time or another.

If we are willing to receive “DOCTRINE” and do so without ‘REPROOF” we become puffed up with knowledge and can impart nothing to others.

If we receive “REPROOF” and not “CORRECTION“, we become despondent and discouraged about the way to move forward.

If we receive “CORRECTION” but not “INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS” we become agreeable, but not unable to teach that which we have learned.

“All scripture is (present tense) given by inspiration of God, and is profitable….That the man of God may be Adequate??? Mature??? Well suited??? Equipped???…..no! “Perfect, throughly furnished unto ALL good works“

And for this to be as effective as possible in the lives of men and women there must be a willingness in each of us both to be taught the doctrines, but also to be REPROVED, CORRECTED AND THEN INSTRUCTED in RIGHTEOUSNESS.

I have been a father for almost 30 years, a teacher of the Bible for almost 25 years and a pastor for 8 years and I know for a certainty that this structure is TRUE. 

The book of ROMANS gave us the DOCTRINES, today we begin our journey through the Corinthian letters, which provide the “REPROOF“.

Now don’t get long in the face, both 1st and 2nd Corinthians are incredibly encouraging and we will learn so much from them.

Nevertheless, it is a matter of interest that, though every book of the Bible seems to follow in some degree the outline of 2 Tim 3:16-17, it is fascinating that we can actually follow the theme of entire books that meet a similar structure;

For example:  

ROMANS =                           Doctrine

1st & 2nd Corinthians =        Reproof

Galatians =                            Correction

Ephesians =                           Instruction in Righteousness

It does not always fall out this way, but it is evident in these books. 

Yet in each of them there is evidence of all four aspects of the effect of the scripture which Throughly furnish us unto all good works.

1st Corinthians is unquestionably a book of reproof. 

We will see the Epistle broken up into four main categories, the first three are the “reproofs” with the last portion a reminder to refocus our attention on WHY WE ARE HERE, that is THE GOSPEL in chapters 15-16.

So the break down I have titled in this manner;

1st Corinthians is written for today’s world and todays Christians!

SETTING

Please first allow me to place you in the setting of that world, I am sure you will recognise it.

The City of Corinth is located on an Isthmus, a narrow neck of land only about 6km wide that separates the mainland of Greece from the Peloponnese Peninsula.

Corinth was a wealthy commercial centre that became the crossroad of travel to all sides of the compass.  

As a result of their status as a commercial hub, the religion of the area was pluralistic, all manner of ideas and notions came to Corinth, it was a perfect melting pot of all forms of religious idolatry.

When we look at the world today we see little difference. 

Wealthy and commercial with flowing ideas and communications at a faster rate than any other time in history. Social Media makes ideas of all religions and cults and errors together and on an equal plain, with most people eager “to hear of some “new thing” like the Athenians of Acts 17:21. 

As a result of their idolatry we also discover that the city of Corinth is filled with all manner of debauchery. 

The Greek word  “korinthiazomai” is translated “to act the Corinthianian or to Corinthianise” and came to mean ‘to commit fornication” and fornication was as normal in Corinth 200 years ago as it is today.

The KJV Bible Commentary notes that;

 “Corinth was a seaman’s paradise and a moral cesspool. Divorce was rampant. Prostitution plagued the streets, and the moral air was polluted with the luring aroma of sin. It was famous for all that is debauched. It was, no doubt, the inspiration for the catalogue of man’s sins in Romans 1:18–32 (written by Paul while a guest of Gaius in this wicked city)!

 Corinth was also famous for the Isthmian Games, second only to the Olympic Games in the ancient world, it glorified sport and Gladiatorial contests played in the outdoor theatre that could seat twenty thousand people. 

Those who preferred indoor entertainments could see plays and music performed in the indoor theatre. 

During these times even the cooks were famous to the point of celebrity status.  

They beatified their buildings and adorned their temples, they made the outside of the Cup appear rich and increased with goods, they thought themselves in need of nothing and they knew not that they were wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

The letter of Paul to the Corinthian Church seems perfectly addressed to the churches in today’s world. 

In the 1st Century the Bible was a rare find, in this last century the true Bible is a rare find and many of those who have it, don’t read it. 

Naturally therefore The Christians of today and those of Corinth have a great deal in common.  

What rectifies all this in this last century however, is the same as it was in the First Century, THE GOSPEL. 

O how I pray that we might return to the fever of telling that old, old story.

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  (1 Cor 1:10-13)

Division is anything but strange among people in the world, but what is strange is division among Christians. This ought not so to be.

If Christians do not Judge “according to appearance, but Judging righteous judgement“, as Jesus told the people in John 7:24, then there would never be division in the Church, especially “partial” division among the brethren.

 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

“Partial” division is when we hear of people being “Calvinists” or “Armenians” or “Lutherans”, “Weslyans”, “Waldensians” etc.

Christians who, rather than read their Bibles, follow after some charismatic preacher with whom they have agreement and lose sight of Christ.

 Whatever wind of doctrine blow our way, we follow. 

Paul wrote;

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive(Eph 4:14)

Outside the Church. People followed dead philosophers and dead scientists, dead revolutionaries and dead presidents. 

I have a book titled “Seven Men Who Rule the World From Their Graves”.  People follow men and the world is moved by their teaching, long after these men are dead.

The problem is the men they followed had radically different doctrines.

The teaching of Karl Marx on Communism is different from the teaching of Friedrich Hayek on Capitalism.

And the teaching of John Maynard Keynes on Theoretical Economics is different from the teaching of Ludwig Von Mises on the same subject. 

The teaching of Aristotle’s Philosophy is different from his teacher Plato on Philosophy, which differs again from Bertrand Russel and so on. 

The father of Epicureanism (Epicurus) taught the exact opposite of the father of Stoicism (Zeno of Citium) in the 4th century BC. 

These men ARE STILL FOLLOWED TODAY! 

Are there likely to be divisions therefore? 

Political divisions abound in the world today and they abound with passionate zeal. Many people are divided and most are deceived. Deceptive people divide people.

For all the talk of UNITY in the world, there has never been more division. 

There will always be divisions both inside the Church and outside the Church when people follow men. 

Paul addressed this at the beginning of his letter concerning the divisions spoken of by the house of Cloe. 

The Corinthian Church was falling back to the prideful following of the wisdom of men and not the Lord.

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  (1 Cor 1:13)

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  (1 Cor 1:17-21)

Paul brings it all back to the gospel, and we see this as the thematic outline of 1st Corinthians. The people are divided, and we will also see the people are indulgent of sin, the people are idolatrous, but Paul brings it back to the unifiying focus of the Gospel of Christ.

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:

How does that which you are following enhance the preaching of the gospel of Christ? How does it motivate you to help to seek and to save that which is lost?

Satan desires throw you off course.

Satan may even use you to get the Pastor distracted from his work to “preach the gospel” and have me turned from the ministry.

The harm caused by the division of self absorbed and deceived people, who cared for nothing but the comfort of their own sensibilities, will be assessed eternally. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, is the one who works through carnal Christians to foster division.

Division in the Church, division in families, division in doctrine, division in politics, division in opinions….but what is it that unifies? 

 7 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:

The PRIMARY JOB of the minister of Christ is to preach the gospel of Christ. The same is true for you.

If there is one thing that can unify a Church better than a gospel focus, I am all ears.

In closing this section;

Chapter 1 warns of division and returns our focus, chapter two testifies that;

 1 Corinthians 2:5

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

For Paul made clear;

1 Corinthians 2:2

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

What was the main problem among the brethren in the Church?

Chapter 3 identifies it;

1 Corinthians 3:1–4

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Paul closes off this reproof of division in Chapter 4, consider from verse 6

1 Corinthians 4:6–7

6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 

7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

If we have anything good beloved, it was given to us, we did not earn it.

Ministers may have fame and even titles before their names, it means nothing if they don’t save souls by the foolishness of preaching.

1 Cor 5:1-6

1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 

The sin addressed in this portion is FORNICATION, it is pretty much the sin of the ages.  

It transcends all centuries and all cultures, all languages and all lands.

Fornication is simply Sex outside the bounds of marriage. It is sex WITHOUT commitment in relationship.

All modern versions have deleted the word Fornication, Yes even the New King James Bible, in preference to the word immorality, or sexual immorality.  But this word and term is ambiguous. 

That which is considered moral today was not moral yesterday, morals are determined by the popular ‘mores’ of the culture, it is movable and shifts like the sand in the desert.

Fornication is very specific, and I guess just as naming names cuts direct to the heart, so too does highlighting the very specific nature of sin and idolatry cut to the heart.

Paul does not only deal with fornication in chapters 5 to 7, but he does reprove the church for not dealing with the sinner as they should have.  In fact, he condemns them for doing the very opposite of what they should be doing; 

2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, 

He says in verse 6 that they are Glorying in this rather than have taken him out of the congregation and handed him over to Satan to deal with.

No sinner should not be comfortable in his sin sitting among the congregation. Especially Iif he is KNOWN to the congregation to have not repented but continues in it, they are to put him out, rather than tolerate it.

 6 … Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

When known sin abides comfortable in a congregation several things happen.

1.    The sin is not preached upon.

2.    Its relative acceptance is justified.

3.    More people commit it.

4.     Hypocrisy abounds

5.    Gospel loses its efficacy.

This explains why the modern church congregation is growing in numbers but not in souls.

Sin, known sin, ought to be judged as such and brought to light as sin;

Paul clarifies in v 12

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

 The duty of the Church is to rebuke and exhort with all long suffering that the Gospel of Christ is not hindered. 

God judges the world that is ‘without’, that is, outside the Church. But it is the Church’s duty to judge itself from within.

Paul speaks to the value of the judgement of the Church in Chapter 6 

He rebukes members of the Church for going to the secular world to judge between brethren, and he rightly condemns it.

This will be fun to get into when we get to it in the future of this series.

1 Cor 6:2-3

 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 

Anyone can see today that the secular, godless world has lost all ability to judge anything rightly. You may be fortunate to have a just judgement available to you, but when men and women cant even judge what is a man or a woman, I have little confidence they will even now be able to discern anything with greater complexity. 

But he sumarises it well to the Christians who are wronged by others;

1 Corinthians 6:7

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Well, why not? If it will be the Lord who will repay, and that for all eternity, why do you not rather take wrong?  

This is a perfectly consistent thought respecting scripture.  

I have eternal life, and if I am defrauded by a brother without reconciliation, then suffering the temporary loss of it will grant me the eternal benefit of it.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 

Paul returns his focus to the purity of the Body toward the end of chapter six, only to pick up the teaching of Godly fidelity to a spouse in Chapter 7.

From chapters 8 to 14 Paul is dealing primarily with Idolatry but does so in the light of  Christian liberty, True Christian worship and biblical spiritual gifts.

 He does so by contrasting the idolatrous nature of the general population of the Corinthians, a nature that was beginning to permeate the Church itself.

  1 Cor 8:4

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

an idol is nothing in the world

 So many of our modern Christians who, rather than trusting the scriptures, trust the teaching of men, bind themselves up with fearfully removing any sign of idols in their homes.

 I have spoken to Charismatic Christians who remove items purchased from foreign countries for fear that the wooden carvings are possessed of devils and will plague the home.

 Don’t get me wrong, I am not in favour of filling my house with carved idols, but an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

 We don’t need to fear them.

 From chapters 12 to 14 the Apostle Paul begins to deal with the exaggerated use of a spiritual gift that may or may not be of the Lord.  

It is a gift most identified in the pagan world as ecstatic utterances, what many Pentecostal Christians believe as the gift of Tongues.

Again, we will get into the detail of it when we come to this portion of the passage in time to come, but for now it is important to see the structure of chapters 12 to 14 to identify what form of idolatry Pau is highlighting.

 At the beginning of chapter 12 Paul introduces his reproof by reminding them of their idolatrous leanings of the past, giving thereby a hint that they may naturally be still inclinedto indulge these same acts.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

FOUR times a list of spiritual gifts is given in the first two of these chapters to ensure we get the focus point, let’s look at the context of one of them.

 1 Cor 12:7-11

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

How are the gifts distributed? Do all get the same gifts? Is one exalted above another?

 No, Paul speaks to that stating all gifts are vital just as all the parts of the body is necessary for a fully functioning body. 

Modern Pentecostals hold the notion that ALL who are saved must speak with tongues. But what saith the scriptures?

1 Cor 12:27-31 

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

In each of the three lists we just read, where is the gift of tongues listed?

 Last.

 And yet he begins chapter 13 with it listed FIRST

 1 Cor 13:1

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. …..

You cannot come away from this reading without recognising this IDOL is the focus of his reproof in chapters 12 to 14.

As people are generally very sensitive to their idol; for some it is money, others it is fame, others it is possessions and so on, SO IT IS THAT THE CORINTHIANS will be SENSITIVE TO reading of their idolatry respecting the manifestation of ONE misinterpreted and easily duplicated “GIFT” over others. 

To read Paul speak of their idolised manifestation as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbalwould not have gone unnoticed.

 Nevertheless, he closes chapter 13 telling them that their cherished “gift”, whether real or counterfeit, will come to an end.

8….but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Paul closes the section on Idolatry off in the final verse of chapter 14;

1 Corinthians 14:40

40 Let all things be done decently and in order. 

Just like clucking like chickens, barking like dogs, laughing uncontrollably is anything but decent or orderly, so too is babbling incomprehensibly; Paul summarised it well;

1 Corinthians 14:19

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Paul tells of the gospel, but his reproof of the Corinthian Church has not yet concluded. 

While Paul finally turns the focus back on what matters most, while he draws their attention to return to keeping the main thing the main thing, he also takes the time to reprove them for on last error;

1 Cor 15:12

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 

What salvation is there if there is no resurrection of the dead?

It seems that the old heresy that Jesus himself address with the Sadducees, has “resurrected” in the church of the Corinthians.

Notice the pure LOGIC that Paul employs in his answer to the question from verse 13.

This alone could give us one of the best lessons on pure logic, better than any of the teaching of Aristotle that is venerated in secular schools. Paul wins this hands down;

Consider;

1 Cor 15:13-19

13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 

Why preach on eternal life if there is no resurrection of the dead? 

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, none of us could have any expectation of rising from the dead, and so 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  

I praise God for the reality of the resurection of Christ, the single most testified to historical event in all history. The denial of which would need to deny ANYTHING we have ever known of history that we did not see with our own eyes.

And so Paul answers;

 1 Corinthians 15:20–22

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Are YOU alive?

Truly alive? Or are you still dead in trespass and sins? Those still in their sins are said to be “in Adam”, for through him came death, but through Christ comes life, even the resurrection of the dead.

Are you alive?

Paul writes in verse 26;

1 Corinthians 15:26

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

My friends, if you are not alive in Christ, death is NOT your friend. Do not welcome it, do not desire it, do not embrace it or think it will deliver you from any trial or suffering in this life, DEATH IS YOUR PRIMORDIAL ENEMY.

Even you MORTAL ENEMY.

If you are not today ALIVE IN CHRIST, death will ONLY be the portal to hell where the wages of sin are paid.

Jesus died for our sins, he died to be a ransom for the sins of the world, he paid the penalty so you don’t have to.

If you believe the gospel, you have life, life eternal.

Will you believe it?

Christian, the general message of Paul to the Corinthian Church is to return our focus to the Gospel of Christ, and to turn away from the DIVISIONS, SINS AND IDOLS that steal that rewarding focus from our lives.

Amen

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