Ye come behind in no gift

In Paul’s introduction to this Epistle, covering the first three verses, he stresses his apostolic authority and its application. His calling as an apostle was a realization of the will of God and the Corinthian believers were evidence of that work of God. This is the basis of this letter.

At the outset Paul emphasizes the Lordship of Christ, vv. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10. The gifts that God has bestowed upon this young church are many - they ‘come behind in no gift’, v. 7 - but those gifts must be exercised under the control of Christ alone. They are gifts of divine grace and not for the exaltation of any servant.

Sadly, the first issue that needs to be resolved by the apostle is the exaltation of servants. The Corinthians were forming party allegiances and withdrawing from aspects of fellowship as a result. Petty differences were leading to division and a gradual dismantling of the assembly. How sad! Yet the apostle’s approach does not exacerbate the situation, He beseeches them in love, reminding them twice that they were his ‘brethren’, vv. 10, 11. He also stresses his specific ministry - ‘to preach the gospel’, v. 17.

In the remainder of the chapter Paul gives us a clear outline of that gospel. It is ‘the preaching of the cross’, and ‘the power of God’, v. 18. It confounds the wisdom of this world through the ‘foolishness of preaching’, v. 21. It brings salvation to those that believe. While it is a stumbling block to the Jew and folly to the Gentile, it is a demonstration of the wisdom and power of God. Finally, it is the means that God uses to call those He has chosen to salvation and blessing, in order that all the glory might be His.

What should be the response of the believer to such a salvation? As those who are ‘in Christ Jesus’, v. 30, we find in Him ‘wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption’. What tremendous provision is found in Christ! We have contributed nothing. Hence, ‘He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord’, v. 31. When we think of the gifts that God has bestowed, and the salvation that He conceived and completed, can there be any other response than praise and worship?