We continue our study of First and Second Corinthians. There were those in the assembly at Corinth who tried to undermine the authority and teaching of the Apostle Paul. They tried at first to criticize the Apostle for his manner of life. Among other things, they accused him of trying to make gain of the Corinthians by expecting the believers there to financially support him.
Paul clearly shows that the laborer rightfully could expect to be supported by that which his labor produced. But even though this was so, he had not used his rights in demanding anything of the Corinthians. His reward was the ministry he was given to preach the gospel freely and without charge to all men. He, being free from obligation to any man, could thus use any means at his disposal that the gospel might be freely preached to all.
He turns then to a most critical subject in chapter 10: the table of the Lord. In introducing this subject, the example of the children of Israel and their moral history is given first. Having been so gloriously delivered from Egypt, many of the Israelites perished because of their idolatry and unbelief. The Corinthians are thus warned that, as they have been brought into such blessing, they should not follow the example of the unbelieving Israelites and fall under the same judgment. If they were to have the privilege of partaking of the table of the Lord, it was to be done in purity and holiness and in separation from idolatry.
1. Paul presses upon the Corinthians that one who was serving another as a soldier, a farmer or a shepherd could expect to be supported by them. The law given to Israel confirmed this. What preparations were the Lord Jesus’ disciples to make for themselves when they went forth to labor for Him?
Matthew 10:___
2. Later, after they had been serving the Lord, He asked them what provisions they had lacked while they served Him. What was their answer?
Luke 22:___
3. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to live their faith with the kind of dedication that an athlete would use when running a race to win a prize. What must believers lay down if they are to run a successful Christian race for the Lord’s glory? Hebrews 12:___
4. Though delivered in a miraculous way from slavery in Egypt, many Israelites died in the wilderness. They had turned away from God their Saviour and to the wickedness of idolatry. What had the Thessalonian Christians done which was a cause of thanksgiving to God from Paul? 1 Thessalonians 1:___
5. Paul pleads with the Corinthian believers to flee from idolatry, for it led the Israelites into awful sin and immorality. What warning does the Apostle John give to his children in the faith? 1 John 5:___