The Maintenance of Order in the Local Assembly
Grave disorders existed in the assembly at Corinth, and they were the reason for the writing of the epistle. The Apostle Paul had been with the Corinthians for 18 months and he surely wouldn’t have allowed such things to carry on when he was there. It is fair to assume, therefore, that things in the assembly at Corinth had deteriorated significantly.
Paul elected to write to the Corinthians regarding the problems in their midst, rather than visiting them in person. Had he gone to Corinth, he would have had to use his apostolic authority as a rod of correction and judge many of them who were at fault (1 Cor. 4:2121What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? (1 Corinthians 4:21)). Therefore, in mercy, he stayed away and wrote to them and waited for God to produce repentance in them whereby they would set right the things that were in disorder (2 Cor. 1:2323Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. (2 Corinthians 1:23)). Hence, the epistle treats various matters pertaining to the internal order of the local assembly, as well as its public responsibility. It views the assembly of God in its privileges and responsibilities on earth and presents God’s appointed order for normal function. Thus, we are furnished with divine insight for the maintenance of order in a local Christian assembly.
The Introduction of the Epistle
(Chap. 1:1-9)
Vss. 1-2—Paul establishes His apostleship at the outset so that the saints at Corinth would clearly understand that the things he was about to write concerning the disorders in their midst were not personal prejudices of his, but apostolic injunctions from the Lord (1 Cor. 14:3737If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14:37)).
The instructions he gives not only apply to the assembly at Corinth, but also to “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” This means that the epistle is applicable to all Christian assemblies, both then and now. Being written in a corrective manner, we are instructed as to how we are to deal with such problems if they were to arise in the Church today.
Ten Disorders Addressed & Corrected
Paul proceeds to correct at least ten disorders in the assembly at Corinth. Thus, in his remarks we are furnished with a composite exposition of what should characterize a local assembly of Christians. They are:
Failure to maintain unity in the assembly.
Failure to judge moral evil.
Failure to resolve personal disputes.
Failure to understand Christian liberty regarding morality.
Failure to understand Christian liberty regarding idolatry.
Failure in regard to headship and its sign.
Failure to have sobriety at the Lord’s Supper.
Failure in regard to the nature and use of gifts.
Failure to maintain sound doctrine.
Failure in regard to collections.
Vss. 3-9—Before launching into those things that needed correction, the Apostle praises the Corinthians for all that was of God among them. It would make the Corinthians more willing to receive his coming admonitions. This is a principle that we would do well to heed. Christian love will commend, if possible, before it will correct.