Love One Another
1 Corinthians
OPENING THOUGHT
Ever heard the expression “you do you”? It's a popular saying that calls for freedom and self-expression. It says, “Don't be limited by the opinions and will of others. Do what you want to do in your own way without allowing anyone to interfere.”
Freedom is all well and good, but sometimes “you do you” becomes an excuse for disregarding others. It’s possible to get so wrapped up in your own freedom that you forget everyone else.
This seems to be one of the problems that occasioned the writing of Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. As we work through their problems and God’s solutions, we see a call not for absolute freedom, but for voluntary limitations on our freedom in Christ for the sake of the community.
EXPLORING GOD’S WORD
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
What issue is being addressed in this chapter? What do you know about this controversy in Gentile areas in the first century?
What distinction does Paul draw between knowledge and love in v. 1? According to this distinction, which trait is more likely to bring us together?
What knowledge did Paul and the more mature Christians in Corinth possess regarding food offered to idols? (see vv. 4-6).
What was the position of some of the Corinthian Christians Paul characterized as “weak”? (vv. 7-8).
What was Paul's concern? How high were the stakes? (vv. 9-12).
What was the solution proposed by Paul? Upon whom was this responsibility placed—the mature or the weak? (v. 13).
In the end, when it comes to matters of opinion, what matters more—knowledge or love?
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
How many times can you count the phrase “come together” in the reading? What does this tell you about Paul’s main concern?
How had the Lord’s Supper become corrupted in Corinth?
How did Paul instruct them to eat and drink the Lord’s Supper in v. 29? Compare this with 1 Corinthians 10:16-17. What all should we be considering when we “discern the body”?
1 Corinthians 14:26-40
What problem did the church at Corinth seem to be having during their worship assemblies? (v. 26).
What was the purpose of the worship assembly as Paul stated it in v. 26? (see also vv. 5, 12, 17).
Paul's solution for the confused worship assemblies in Corinth was order. What kind of order did he propose? What kind of restraint was required among individuals who were gifted to respect this order? Is this same kind of restraint still necessary?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Examine each part of this definition of love. Are any of the terms self-centered?
How does this definition differ from the way the world views love?
Why is Christian love so rare?
How does love strengthen our fellowship?
