The Impact of Being Gospel-Centered

The Context of Corinth

Corinth had issues, to say the least. A careful examination of the book of 1 Corinthians reveals a huge spectrum of problems, ranging from suing each other to sleeping with your mother to denying the resurrection. This was a serious occasion for Paul to write this epistle.

Not only did the church face issues, but the city of Corinth did too. It was a popular, wealthy city full of get-rich-quick schemes—a super business hub, cutthroat and strategically located to connect Eastern and Western civilizations. From a worldly perspective, it was a success. From a Christian perspective, it was a mess.

Popular cult religions thrived there: the cults of Aphrodite, Apollo, and Dionysius. These were horrific pagan worship practices incorporating fornication and immorality. The cult of Dionysius involved neophytes getting drunk, chasing a wild boar, eating it alive, and bathing in its blood. Businesses were tied to these cults, making it hard for Christians to find work without ascribing to their teachings.

This backdrop explains the church's problems, particularly a syncretization of the worldly system with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

— 1 Corinthians 2:2

Paul's Determined Decision

Paul decided—willingly and intentionally, with determination—to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and him crucified. This reveals that even for Paul, whose entire life and mission centered on the gospel, being gospel-centered is not automatic.

We don't approach divisions in church, differences, or sin issues assuming the gospel fixes everything magically. It requires a decisive focus on the gospel that yields results.

Paul's decision was consistent in every aspect of life. The Greek aorist tense indicates this was his continual stance: not just on Sundays or Wednesdays, not just in spiritual settings, but everywhere—even in the business hub of Corinth. He didn't say to leave Jesus out for the sake of making a quick coin.

The Humility of the Gospel

Paul used terminology echoing the mystery religions, speaking of neophytes (initiates) and telestai (those holding to reality). A gospel-centered focus recognizes our sinfulness and need for Christ, making it hard to be mean to others.

Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world...

— 1 Corinthians 1:26-28

Recognizing our status before God—that Christ is our all and we are nothing—produces humility. From humility, we engage in meaningful conversations about doctrine, encourage repentance, and forgive, knowing the depths of our own forgiveness.

This isn't tolerance of sin—Paul was intolerant of it—but about attitudes in relating to each other amid church issues.

The Power of the Gospel to Restore

With Corinth's severe problems—like the incestuous man disciplined and later restored—Paul never tells the mature to leave. Even amid denial of the resurrection, an essential doctrine, he doesn't call for exodus. He knows the power of Christ and him crucified.

If every person commits to that doctrine and renews hope in that reality, the gospel fixes all problems.

When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? ...

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

— 1 Corinthians 11:20-26

Gospel-Centered Communion

Knowing Christ crucified impacts communion, a proclamation of his death. Partake in remembrance of him to renew Christ-centered attitudes.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died...

— 1 Corinthians 11:27-30

Divisions and heresies exist to identify the authentic. For the genuine, this meal is a memorial, celebration, and refocusing on Jesus—an incredible grace.

If you're an unbeliever, this meal is reserved for the genuine. If in unrepentant sin, confess to Christ now, repent by applying the gospel, renew your focus, and participate worthily.