Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians
INTRODUCTION
Text: 1 Corinthians
THE MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES OF THE APOSTLE PAUL
One of the most dynamic of servants of the Lord Jesus Christ was the Apostle Paul. From the day of his conversion to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, he determined that he would not be disobedient to his heavenly calling.
He began humbly as a minister of the Lord serving with the Apostle Barnabas in Antioch, Syria. The church under their pastoral leadership grew strongly. In time, the Spirit of God singled out Barnabas and Paul and sent them to fulfil what was called the famous “Macedonian Call”.
THE MACEDONIAN CALL
The Apostle Paul began with ministry in Philippi. He then went on to preach the Gospel in Thessalonica, Athens and Corinth. The Book of Acts written by Luke covered some of these activities (Acts 16-18). Paul preached the Gospel faithfully and founded churches wherever the Lord sent him!
The ministry in Corinth was also productive, and soon a Church flourished as he ministered with prophet Silas and his beloved spiritual son, Timothy! This was clearly noted by Luke,
“When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia,
Paul was compelled by the Spirit,
and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.”
Acts 18:5
OPPOSITION IN MINISTRY
Paul encountered severe opposition from the Jewish quarter, so much so that he made this declaration.
“But when they opposed him and blasphemed,
he shook his garments and said to them,
‘Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean.
From now on I will go to the Gentiles.'”
Acts 18:6
MINISTRY IN CORINTH
The ministry in Corinth was plagued with many problems and challenges!
1. There were the Jews who opposed his ministry strongly.
2. There were the Gentiles who followed the way of the world.
The Lord Jesus Christ had to make a special appearance to the Apostle Paul to encourage him.
“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision,
‘Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you;
for I have many people in this city.'”
Acts 18:9-10
DEEP SPIRITUAL LESSONS
There are many significant lessons that we may learn as we read 1 Corinthians. Paul had to learn many deep spiritual lessons from the Lord as he laboured valiantly for the truth! He was in Corinth for about eighteen months. The ministry was demanding and very daunting. But armed with great assurance of the Lord’s Presence and power, Paul and his companions laboured tirelessly to establish the Corinthian Church. But the problems continued to beset the Church. Thus, the Corinthian Epistles were written to combat the problems that threatened to overwhelm the Church.
1 Corinthians sees the Apostle Paul writing in literary finesse. He employed many literary devices to communicate with his readers! Let us pray humbly for enlightenment, as we begin reading 1 Corinthians. May the Lord enlighten us as we read this epistle of the Apostle Paul!