1 and 2 Corinthians - by Matt Seymour

In these letters Paul writes to an ordinary Christian community about an extraordinary God for the purpose of total transformation.

It can feel disorientating to read because Paul’s voice is multifocal, drawing points of connection between all of these elements at the same time: the unremarkable every-day world of the Corinthians, the extraordinary reality of Christ with them in that place and, through Jesus, the mystery of redemption, recreation and glory.

When Paul is addressing the Corinthians directly, he sounds tired, fed up, even angry at being dragged into their messy world of inflated egos, bitter jealousies, misguided tribal loyalties and unbridled, disordered desires. Shall I come to you with a whip or in love? (1 Cor 4:21) Punchy. 

When he’s talking about Jesus, he sounds re-energised with passion, conviction and power, like bolts of electricity running through him. Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:57)

Ultimately however, Paul shifts into worship mode, unable to contain his awe and wonder at how, through Jesus, everything has changed, is changing, and will be changed. Listen, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep but we will all be changed: in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. (1 Cor 15:51-52)

In this way, the letters tap into one of the great biblical themes: the hidden-in-plain-sight reality of the Kingdom of God in this place with these people at this time. God with us. 

Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians that God-in-Christ’s covenant grace has always outworked itself within, not apart from, dysfunctional people and through dysfunctional families and communities like theirs. 

So in the Old Testament, Jacob, a great (self-)deceiver, who lies to his father, steals from his brother, and flees the scene of the crime, nevertheless discovers that God’s loving purpose is at work even through the trouble he’s caused and continues to create. Surely God is in this place and I didn’t even know it. (Gen 28:16)

Here in Corinthians 1 and 2, nothing’s changed. A community of dysfunctional Christians hear Paul’s message that God-in-Christ is with them, setting everything in a new light if they would only know Him. 

Like Jacob, even though they are far from Him, He is near to them, closer than they know. 

How do we hear Paul’s voice? Is it just an echo from the past? If so, that can be comforting, safely distancing ourselves from the God who is at work among us in our weakness. 

Or do we dare to let Paul’s voice speak more directly to us in this place: Finsbury Park. 

If so, immense possibilities for abundant life open up in all sorts of very ordinary and surprising ways. ‘Be brave: go back to basics,’ Paul is saying. Remember the gospel: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. Christ was buried. Christ was raised on the third day. (1 Cor 15:3-4) Dwell on this because by it you are saved. (1 Cor 15:2)

For Paul, it’s all about Jesus. Know Him, he tells the Corinthians. Make Him Lord. Let His life fill you. To this degree – and this only – you’ll be changed.