IDENTITY & LIVELIHOOD  –  I CORINTHIANS 1:3-10  –  1-7-24

Anticipating much of what he will expand later by way of correction and instruction, Paul introduces church essentials here in the spirit of affirmation. A quote from one commentary (JFB) notes: “Chrysostom remarks that the name of Christ is oftener mentioned in this than in any other epistle, the apostle designing thereby to draw them away from their party admiration of particular teachers to Christ alone.” Our introductory sermon from I Corinthian noted Paul setting forth the ideal. The essence of the church he would call the Corinthians to repair to. Building on this theme, the verses that follow proclaim the identity and livelihood of the church. These are qualifying factors that set apart the Body of Christ from the world. All these realities are connected directly to Christ. Paul takes specific care to emphasize this at the opening of his letter. 7 references references to Jesus' centrality to the church are woven through just our text today.