Paul to the Corinthians
107
gifts of the Holy Spirit which they have received, and presents before
them their duty to make continual advancement in the Christian life,
that they may attain to the purity and holiness of Christ. Having thus
prepared the way, he speaks plainly of the dissensions among them,
and exhorts his brethren, in the name and by the authority of Christ, to
cease from their strife, and to seek earnestly for Christian unity and
love.
Paul was free to mention how and by whom he had been informed
of the divisions in the church: “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.” Though Paul was an inspired apostle, the
Lord did not reveal to him at all times just the condition of his people.
Those who were interested in the prosperity of the church, and saw
evils creeping in, presented the matter before him, and from the light
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which he had previously received, he was prepared to judge of the
character of these developments. Because the Lord had not given him
a new revelation for that special time, those who were really seeking
light did not cast aside his message as only a common letter. The Lord
had shown him the difficulties and dangers which would arise in the
churches, that when they should develop, he might know how to treat
them. He was set for the defense of the church; he was to watch for
souls as one who must render account to God; and should he not take
notice of the reports concerning their state of anarchy and division?
Most assuredly; and the reproof he sent them was written as much
under the inspiration of the Spirit of God as were any of his epistles.
The apostle made no mention of the false teachers who were
seeking to destroy the fruit of his labor. Because of the darkness
and division in the church, he wisely forbore to irritate them by such
references, for fear of turning some entirely from the truth. But he
called the attention of the Corinthians to his own work among them,
saying: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a
wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ.”
Paul, as a champion of the faith, did not hesitate to declare the
character of his work. But he did not thereby exalt himself when he
asserted that he was a wise master-builder, who had laid the foundation