the acts of the apostles-第57章
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at the time of their conversion；
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had put away their evil habits； returned to the debasing sins of heathenism。
Paul had written briefly to the church； admonishing them 〃not to company〃
with members who should persist in profligacy； but many of the believers
perverted the apostle's meaning； quibbled over his words； and excused
themselves for disregarding his instruction。
A letter was sent to Paul by the church； asking for counsel concerning
various matters； but saying nothing of the grievous sins existing among
them。 The apostle was； however； forcibly impressed by the Holy Spirit that
the true state of the church had been concealed and that this letter was an
attempt to draw from him statements which the writers could construe to
serve their own purposes。
About this time there came to Ephesus members of the household of Chloe； a
Christian family of high repute in Corinth。 Paul asked them regarding the
condition of things； and they told him that the church was rent by
divisions。 The dissensions that had prevailed at the time of Apollos's visit
had greatly increased。 False teachers were leading the members to despise
the instructions of Paul。 The doctrines and ordinances of the gospel had
been perverted。 Pride； idolatry； and sensualism； were steadily increasing
among those who had once been zealous in the Christian life。
As this picture was presented before him； Paul saw that his worst fears were
more than realized。 But he did not because of this give way to the thought
that his work had been a failure。 With 〃anguish of heart〃 and with 〃many
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tears〃 he sought counsel from God。 Gladly would he have visited Corinth at
once； had this been the wisest course to pursue。 But he knew that in their
present condition the believers would not profit by his labors； and
therefore he sent Titus to prepare the way for a visit from himself later
on。 Then； putting aside all personal feelings over the course of those whose
conduct revealed such strange perverseness； and keeping his soul stayed upon
God； the apostle wrote to the church at Corinth one of the richest； most
instructive； most powerful of all his letters。
With remarkable clearness he proceeded to answer the various questions
brought forward by the church； and to lay down general principles； which； if
heeded； would lead them to a higher spiritual plane。 They were in peril； and
he could not bear the thought of failing at this critical time to reach
their hearts。 Faithfully he warned them of their dangers and reproved them
for their sins。 He pointed them again to Christ and sought to kindle anew
the fervor of their early devotion。
The apostle's great love for the Corinthian believers was revealed in his
tender greeting to the church。 He referred to their experience in turning
from idolatry to the worship and service of the true God。 He reminded them
of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which they had received； and showed that it
was their privilege to make continual advancement in the Christian life
until they should attain to the purity and holiness of Christ。 〃In
everything ye are enriched by Him；〃 he wrote； 〃in all utterance； and in all
knowledge； even as
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the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you： so that ye come behind in no
gift； waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ： who shall also
confirm you unto the end； that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord
Jesus Christ。〃
Paul spoke plainly of the dissensions that had arisen in the Corinthian
church； and exhorted the members to cease from strife。 〃I beseech you；
brethren；〃 he wrote； 〃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。〃
The apostle felt at liberty to mention how and by whom he had been informed
of the divisions in the church。 〃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。〃
Paul was an inspired apostle。 The truths he taught to others he had received
〃by revelation；〃 yet the Lord did not directly reveal to him at all times
just the condition of His people。 In this instance those who were interested
in the prosperity of the church at Corinth； and who had seen evils creeping
in； had presented the matter before the apostle； and from divine revelations
which he had formerly received he was prepared to judge of the character of
these developments。 Notwithstanding the fact that the Lord did not give him
a new revelation for that special time； those who were really seeking for
light accepted his message as
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expressing the mind of Christ。 The Lord had shown him the difficulties and
dangers which would arise in the churches； and； as these evils developed；
the apostle recognized their significance。 He had been set for the defense
of the church。 He was to watch for souls as one who must render account to
God； and was it not consistent and right for him to take notice of the
reports concerning the anarchy and divisions among them？ Most assuredly； and
the reproof he sent them was as certainly written under the inspiration of
the Spirit of God as were any of his other epistles。
The apostle made no mention of the false teachers who were seeking to
destroy the fruit of his labor。 Because of the darkness and division in the
church； he wisely forbore to irritate them by such references； for fear of
turning some entirely from the truth。 He called attention to his own work
among them as that of 〃a wise master builder；〃 who had laid the foundation
upon which others had built。 But he did not thereby exalt himself； for he
declared； 〃We are laborers together with God。〃 He claimed no wisdom of his
own； but acknowledged that divine power alone had enabled him to present the
truth in a manner pleasing to God。 United with Christ； the greatest of all
teachers； Paul had been enabled to communicate lessons of divine wisdom；
which met the necessities of all classes； and which were to apply at all
times； in all places； and under all conditions。
Among the more serious of the evils that had developed among the Corinthian
believers； was that of a return to many of the debasing customs of
heathenism。 One former
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convert had so far backslidden that his licentious course was a violation of
even the low standard of morality held by the Gentile world。 The apostle
pleaded with the church to put away from among them 〃that wicked person。〃
〃Know ye not；〃 he admonished them； 〃that a little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump？ Purge out therefore the old leaven； that ye may be a new lump； as ye
are unleavened。〃
Another grave evil that had arisen in the church was that of brethren going
to law against one another。 Abundant provision had been made for the
settlement of difficulties among believers。 Christ Himself had given plain
instruction as to how such matters were to be adjusted。 〃If thy brother
shall trespass against thee；〃 the Saviour had counseled； 〃go and tell him
his fault between thee and him alone： if he shall hear thee； thou hast
gained thy brother。 But if he will not hear thee； then take with thee one or
two more； that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established。 And if he shall neglect to hear them； tell it unto the church：
but if he neglect to hear the church； let him be unto thee as a heathen man
and a publican。 Verily I say unto you； Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven： and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven。〃 Matthew 18：15…18。
To the Corinthian believers who had lost sight of this plain counsel； Paul
wrote in no uncertain terms of admonition and rebuke。 〃Dare any of you；〃 he
asked； 〃having a matter against another； go to law before the unjust； and
not before the saints？ Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world？
and if the world shall be judged by you； are
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