Faith In First Corinthians, Part 5: The Carnal Corinthians - The Believer’s Primer to a Sanctified Life:

The King James Version (KJV) of Paul’s 1st Corinthian epistle contains 9,462 words, more than any of his other epistles. Romans has 40 less words at 9,422. Hebrews is 3rd with 6,897 and 2nd Corinthians is 4th with 6,046 (KJF-Stats). Romans describes the Gospel of Grace revealed to Paul and lays the groundwork for his epistles to the other 6 churches: Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossi and Thessalonica. (Paul write to 7 churches and 7 in Scripture is the number for Spiritual perfection.) Romans reveals God’s wrath against sin, Romans 1:1818 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

and the only ground upon which the sinner can stand righteous before Him; “… the just shall live by faith,” Romans 1:1717 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:22 - 2322 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

. Faith alone connects mankind to Almighty God in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The word “faith” occurs 7 times (spiritual perfection) in 1st Corinthians and 7 in 2nd Corinthians. The first occurrence of “faith” in 1st Corinthians sets the tone for the teaching therein; “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4 - 54 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

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

. This is as true for believers today as it was for the Corinthians almost 2000 years ago; it is the unlimited power of God in which the believer’s faith stands. It can’t get any better than that, thus the epistle of 1st Corinthians points out that nothing the believer does can mitigate the bond of faith that stands in the power of God between man and God.

Many preachers and Bible teachers emphasize the Corinthians as the most carnal of all to whom Paul wrote and his epistles to them certainly points out their carnality. However, we don’t know about the carnal state of those in Paul’s other churches, simply because it is not stressed in his letters to them. The fact is that it was predominantly former pagan Gentiles who were saved in all his churches. Like the Corinthians, they were previously steeped in the lewd practices of that day, such as offering sacrifices in the pagan temples in exchange for the services of prostitutes. When visiting the ruins of Ephesus I observed a phallic symbol in stone on a road pointing the way to a house of prostitution. I submit that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write each of his epistles for a specific reason, so the total provides everything a believer needs to know and live a life pleasing to God. The Corinthian epistles are a primer that provide the basics of the sanctified (set aside to God) life.

All true believers since Paul have begun their lives in Christ needing the lessons taught in Corinthians: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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.” 1 Corinthians 3:1 - 21 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.

. Believing parents should teach their children the Corinthian lessons just as the man or woman who is saved after living many years in sin needs the Corinthian lessons when they come to believe the Gospel. All believers begin as babes in Christ and must learn the blessings of living lives as members of The Body of Christ. Also, although the unsaved may not read the Bible, the believer’s life is the epistle of Christ: “ … Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” 2 Corinthians 3:2 - 32 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:11 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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First Corinthians is unique among Paul’s epistles in a number of ways. One is the subject of baptism. Note the following 5 Greek words relating to baptism in the New Testament (NT):

1) “baptid’zo” (G907) usually translated “baptize;”

2) “bap’tisma” (G908) always translated “baptism;”

3) “baptismos’” (G909) translated three times “washing” and once “baptism;”

4) “Baptistes’” (G910) always translated “Baptist;”

5) “bap’to” (G911) always translated “dip.”

Washing by water was necessary and common under the Law of Moses and water baptism was required under the Kingdom Gospel as evidenced in Matthew through John and the first part of Acts. On the other hand, 1st Corinthians is the only one of Paul’s epistles that addresses water baptism. In his other epistles baptism refers to being baptized into Jesus Christ’s death, which has nothing to do with water; Romans 6:3 - 43 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

; Galatians 3:2727 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

; Ephesians 4:55 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

; Colossians 2:1212 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

. A passage in 1st Corinthians provides the basis for this: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 - 1412 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

. Paul wrote specifically that he was not sent to baptize, but to preach the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:14 - 1714 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

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.

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First Corinthians is the only epistle by Paul mentioning the miraculous sign gift of tongues, which was the ability to speak in languages foreign to an individual. Tongues were part of the Kingdom message, Acts 2:1 - 51 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

and lasted throughout the time recorded in the book of Acts. Paul wrote that he spoke more in tongues than anyone, 1 Corinthians 14:1818 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

. As an Apostle, he needed this gift during his travels where he met people speaking many different languages. In fact, he possessed all the signs, wonders and mighty deeds God bestowed on Apostles. He had the same power and authority as the 12 Apostles, 2 Corinthians 11:55 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

; 2 Corinthians 12:11 - 1211 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

; Romans 15:18 - 1918 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

; 1 Corinthians 9:11 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

; Galatians 1:1212 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

; Galatians 3:55 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

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The Corinthians who believed the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 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:

were saints, i.e., they were Holy, set aside by God (like all those to whom he wrote): “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 theirs and ours:” 1 Corinthians 1:22 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:

. “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:10 - 1110 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

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But in spite of their righteous standing before God, there were; 1) divisions among them; 2) sexual immorality; 3) lawsuits against fellow believers; 4) marriage problems; 5) poor testimony by some mature believers that hurt those weak in the faith; 6) idolatry; 7) abuse of the communion meal in remembrance of Christ’s death and shed blood; 8) failure to recognize all were Members of Christ’s Body, each with different functions; 9) misuse of spiritual gifts such as prophesy and tongues; 10) some denied the resurrection of the dead; 11) the need to learn the Love of God in relation to faith and hope:

• “Faith,” Greek “pistis” (G4102), which the Holy Spirit defines: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

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• “Hope,” Greek “elpis’” (G1680), found 7 times in Paul’s two letters to Corinth along with its variant “elpid’zo” (G1679) translated “hope” 3 times and “trust” 5 times. Biblical hope is not a mere wish or desire for something that might be possible, it is a sure well-grounded expectation of good in the future, it is the joyful expectation of what believers know will happen.

• “Love,” from three Greek words; 1) “agapa’o” (G25) found 6 times in 1st & 2nd Corinthians always translated “love;” 2) “agape” (G26) found 23 times total in the two epistles, translated “love” 11 times and “charity” 12 times; and 3) “agapetos’” (G27) found 6 times in the two epistles, translated “beloved” 3 times “dearly beloved” twice and “dear” once. Thus, some form of the word love occurs 35 times in the two epistles to the Corinth church.

As pointed out, all believers begin their lives in Christ like little children but what a shame some never grow up. “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” 1 Corinthians 13:11 - 1311 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

. By studying and absorbing God’s Word, the believer grows in faith, hope and love and some bright future day when caught up with our Lord will see what cannot presently be seen, and hope will be experienced when Members of Christ’s Body are embraced for eternity in God’s Love.

From the primer of Corinthians, Paul moves on to mature believers, such as in the church at Colosse: “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:” Colossians 1:3 - 63 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

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