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Sketches from the Life of Paul
manner asking counsel from him concerning various matters. He 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
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draw from him statements which the writers could construe to serve
their own purposes. There had come to Ephesus about this time several
members of the household of Chloe, a Christian family of high repute
in Corinth. In answer to the questions of the apostle, these brethren
reluctantly gave him a statement of facts as they existed. The church
was rent in factions; the dissensions that arose at the time of Apollos’
visit had greatly increased. False teachers were leading the brethren to
despise the instructions of Paul. The doctrines and the ordinances of
the gospel had been perverted. Pride, idolatry, and sensualism were
steadily increasing among those who had once been disciples of Christ.
The apostle’s worst fears were more than realized. He was filled
with horror at the picture thus presented before him. But he did not
even now yield to despair. He did not conclude that his work had been
a failure. With a heart throbbing with anguish, and eyes blinded with
tears, he sought counsel from God, and made his plans. His immediate
visit to Corinth must be given up. In the present state of the church
they were not prepared to profit by his labors. He sent Titus to Corinth
to inform them of his change of plans, and to do what he could to
correct the existing evils. Then, summoning all the courage of his
nature, and keeping his soul stayed upon God, stifling all feelings of
indignation at the ingratitude which he had received, and throwing his
whole soul into the work, he dictated to the faithful Sosthenes one of
the richest, most instructive, and most powerful of all his letters,—the
first extant Epistle to the Corinthians.
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With marvelous clearness and energy, he proceeded to answer the
various questions proposed by the church, and to lay down general
principles, which, if heeded, would produce a better spiritual condition.
His letter is no long-studied production of the intellect. He did not
seek by polished sentences to please the ear of his brethren. Their
souls were in peril. He warned them of their dangers, and faithfully
reproved their sins. He pointed them again to Christ, and sought to
kindle anew the fervor of their early devotion.
After a tender greeting to the church, he refers to their experience
under his ministry, by which they have been led to turn from idolatry
to the service and worship of the true God. He reminds them of the