Word of the Day: Corinth
A city located in the country of Greece, a wealthy city.
Although most of us don't know who she was, Chloe was a well-known lady by the Corinthians, and her name means"green herb." Very little is known about her, but Paul called her by her name. The city of Corinth was a wealthy commercial center, and it was only four miles wide; it had two borders, one facing Italy and the other once facing Asia. This city was the sanctuary of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. This temple had a thousand slave girls who served as prostitutes and entertainers for the city nightlife. With that said about Corinth, one could say that this city was a pagan city in a massive need of revival.
There was so much division in the church of Corinth like there is nowadays, except today we call ourselves Baptist, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and the list goes on. In today's lesson, we will study the Book of 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verses one through ten, which is where we are going to meet Chloe.
Just like mentioned above, there was so much disorder in that church. Paul begins the chapter with a greeting making it clear that he is called to be an apostle through the will of God. He also emphasizes to the Corinthians that they are set apart for God's particular use.
Once I got saved, the books of Corinthians became my favorite books to read. We were assembling at a Pentecostal church, and we, as new Christians, had so many questions and refused to question the church's behavior due to our lack of the Bible. We were so thankful for our Pastor, even though some things did not fit our idea of a church. I grew up going to Mass every Sunday, and for me, a church was a place of order, and disorder did not fit well for my husband and me, but we were new Christians and did not know where to go.
I Corinthians 1:1-2
Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
Paul also clarifies that God's gracious, unmerited favor is extended to all sinners, which means they are blessed materially due to His favor and not theirs. He also reminds them that he has enriched them, and all the knowledge they possess is because of Him.
I Corinthians 1:3-7
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
The Corinthians also get encouraged to stay blameless before the throne of God. That was something they needed to confirm every single day by their excellent behavior, and it was not for their salvation but simply for fundamental Christianity. God is good. Paul calls them to fellowship with His Son in union and communion; this was another reminder because they had lost this concept of Christianity.
I Corinthians 1:8-9
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul's call was for unity and for them to speak one gospel, and because of their divisive spirit, they get reminded about the quality of divine wisdom versus human wisdom. Paul was someone who had ears and eyes at every church, and he was aware of all the division that was going on at the church of Corinth. It is the only time he mentions Chloe's house, and I am unsure what that means. I don't know if this house was some hotel or just a wealthy home where she had fellowship with her Christian fellows. It was clear that Chloe was Paul's source, and it sounds like she was concerned about all that was happening at their church.
I Corinthians 1:10-13
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.
Conclusion: This book is compelling, and it will clear your mind once you read the entire book. You will no longer have doubts about which church denomination to choose. Years ago, as a new Christian, I was told that the books of Corinth were specific to their people. The text is in the Bible; therefore, I know it for me, you, and us.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16
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