1 Corinthians #11 – Study Questions
Belief that changes behavior.
1 Corinthians (CGS#11) – 6:1-11
INTRODUCTION: If someone told you that they were a professional athlete, or a lawyer, or a chef, you would expect certain behavioral realities to come with those claims. The athlete, you would expect them to have regimented fitness routines. The lawyer, you would likely expect them to show up in a suit and use very legal-sounding words. And the chef, you’d expect them to chop vegetables with unprecedented speed. There are behavioral expectations that come with our claims. This is the very reality that Paul continues to press into with the Corinthian church. You can almost hear him say, “Because you claim to be a Christian, you should be living this way, but you’re not.” We have heard that in each chapter so far, and we’ll continue to hear it in the remaining chapters of the letter. It is clear in Paul’s mind that the claim of being a Christian comes with certain behavioral expectations. Now, it is important to note that our behavior doesn’t earn us God’s love, favor, or our salvation. Instead, our behavior is a response of obedience to God’s commands and is motivated by the love that we’ve received from God.
What is the behavioral (obedience) issue in the first section of chapter six? Lawsuits. Paul is clear in verse 8 about the damaging consequences that their approach is having both internally and externally, he says, “But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!” Not only is this wrong, but it shows a watching world that to be a Christian is really no different than any group within the culture. Paul is going to scold them and remind them that as Jesus’ people, they are to live a curiously different way of life in the eyes of a watching culture. Paul does not set up some unrealistic expectation that there will never be conflict or disagreement in the church, but he does make it clear that they are to settle their disputes seeking the best for each other and as people who desire righteousness. This is in stark contrast to the corruption of the Roman court system that often favored the wealthy over the poor. And that very system is where they were handling their disputes. All of this left Paul grieving the damage that was being done to the church and the gospel.
Important note – Paul is not saying that criminal or abusive actions should be kept “in-house.” When a criminal or abusive action is uncovered in the life of a believer or the church, it is absolutely and always to be handled by the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Instead, what Paul is talking about are civil complaints and disagreements. Consider two Christians, one being a plumber and the other a client who has a dispute over services done and the rate that was charged. Paul is saying that they should be able to work this out without public drama (especially in the corruption of Corinth). And if needed, the elders should help mediate their situation for a peaceful, righteous, and Godly resolution. Again, Paul is not telling believers to sweep issues under the rug or to keep criminal charges “internal.”
Paul links his argument and instruction to a cosmological argument (vv. 2-4). You are going to judge and rule in the coming age, so why can’t you figure this small stuff out now? The reality of Paul’s argument comes back to expected behavioral outcomes. If you are a Christian, you are expected to live in a peaceful and self-controlled manner, and you are to pursue righteousness (cf. Gal. 5:22). They weren’t doing this, and Paul’s instruction reveals an important truth, our behavior always reveals our beliefs. Their behavior revealed that their true beliefs (convictions) weren’t really all that Christian, instead they were very Corinthian. When we encounter Jesus, he not only changes our eternity, but he changes our here and now, including our behavior.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, take time to answer this question together: What is a positive step that helps you respond in a Christ-honoring way in moments of conflict or tension?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday-Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions about the article of faith we are studying that week.
- What did you hear God’s Spirit say to you through the passage this week? How does it encourage you? How does it sharpen you?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week? Have you enjoyed him? Have you heard his voice and the leading of his Spirit? Big ways or small ways.
- When I (Kyle) was growing up, there was a phrase used in my family that went, “The good Lord helps he who helps himself.” I always thought that it came from the Bible. Then, somewhere in my teens, I realized it wasn’t in the Bible at all! In fact, the truth is that God helped us when we couldn’t help ourselves. Have you had an experience where an idea or phrase sounds biblical, but actually isn’t?
- What are some practical steps in resolving conflict with another believer that demonstrates a better way to a watching world?
- One of the key realities of being a grace-oriented people is being aware of our sin and the significance of God’s forgiveness. What do your rhythms of repentance and sin confession look like? Do you ask God’s Spirit to reveal your sin to you? Do you ask God’s Spirit to comfort you in your confession of sin? Do you have someone who shares your tough stuff, including sin struggles?