PODCAST
Coworkers Together
December 12th, 2017
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Paul had an interesting, sometimes complicated relationship with the church in Corinth. Though he dearly loved them, he was also at times frustrated with them, especially their tendency to quarrel and fight among themselves.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul was writing to those who were in a contentious debate about who had brought them into the church, who had formed their understanding of the faith. The debate had apparently brought them to new levels of division. By appealing to their relationships with one or the other of the former leaders of the church, the people had altogether missed the point of God’s use of the gifts and graces of all of the people of the church.
Unity is not something they, or we, can produce. Unity must be celebrated as the outcome of our common reliance on the grace of God. The more we seek status or priority, the less we can celebrate what we all have received. “Yes,” said Paul. “I planted the seed. Apollos watered the garden. But God, and God alone, makes it grow.”
Author: Jesse C. Middendorf
Tags: Unity
