1 Corinthians 1:10-16 Now I beseech you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing… I. THE OCCASION OF THIS QUESTION — the divided state of the Church at Corinth. Mark the peculiar ground of contention (ver. 12). Paul was the founder of the Church; and some of the older members might naturally feel peculiarly attached to him. Apollos succeeded Paul — a man of more finished eloquence; and some, who joined the Church under his ministry, might, as naturally, become attached to him. Peter was especially the apostle to the Jews, and the Jewish converts would prefer him. Others affected to disparage all, and said, "We are of Christ." Surely it was a most unhappy state of things to make one preacher clash with another, and to appear to make any of them clash with Christ. So Paul says, "Is there a separate Saviour for each of the four parties? for that is what you seem to mean"; then adds, "Was Paul crucified for you?" II. THE TRUTH INVOLVED IN THE QUESTION. 1. Some one had been crucified for them. That was a fact which none of their divisions could pretend to deny. But who was this crucified One? Was it Paul? No! It was the Master, not the servant. And Christ was crucified for us! He had no guilt of His own to suffer for. The poor thief at His side made this acknowledgment, and prophecy had explained it 700 years before — "He was wounded for our transgressions," &c. 2. And this was the most memorable fact in His history. To talk about the blood of Christ offends certain people's taste, and is out of keeping with their theology. But what is the theology of the Bible? The tabernacle and the temple ran with blood; for "without shedding of blood there was no remission of sin." So in the New Testament we read that our Lord "took the cup," and said, "This is My blood," &c. And Peter reminded his fellow-believers, "Ye were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ," and John wrote, "The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin." And the reason of all this is clearly given. Sin is a thing which a just and holy Ruler of the universe cannot pass by. It must be punished — if not in us, in another in our stead. And the grand message of the gospel is, that God has laid on Christ the iniquity of us all — so that "in Him we have redemption through His blood," &c. Now if this be so, the most memorable thing in the history of Christ is — that He "was crucified for us!" 3. Such clearly is Paul's teaching. Talk too much of the blood of Christ? (1 Corinthians 2:2). The theme distasteful and offensive? (Galatians 6:14; cf. 1 Corinthians 8:23). III. THE FORCE OF THE QUESTION. What claim have I upon you compared with that of Christ? Notice the delicacy of the apostle's mind, He might have asked the same with regard to Peter or Apollos. 1. Paul had some claim upon them, for it was he who first brought the gospel to them. And what Corinthian believer but was bound to bless the apostle's name? And don't you sometimes bless it, English believer? Have you not felt that the Apostle Paul has been one of your best friends? 2. But now I hear him saying, "Don't talk of me — talk of nay Master. What claims have I upon you compared with His? It was not I that was your Substitute — I needed a substitute as much as you. You Corinthians talk of me and of Apollos as useful preachers. Who are we but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. 'We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord,'" &c. And so you Englishmen talk of me as one whom you are bound to revere and love. But look up immensely higher! up, where angels bow before a Lamb as it had been slain! There's your best Friend! Give Him your deepest reverence, your warmest love! "Was Paul crucified for you?" 3. The text is suitable, by way of warning, to these days when the tendency is to mingle Christ up with other famous teachers. And doubtless each of them has taught the world what had previously been forgotten. But can any Christian put them on a level with our Lord? I shudder at the thought! "Is Christ divided?" Is there one Saviour for the Chinese, and another for the Indian, and another for the Arab? Was Confucius crucified for sinners? — or Buddha? — or Mahommed? Nay, brethren! Stand fast in the faith. "There is none other name," &c. "Other foundation can no man lay." (F. Tucker, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. |
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