DOES JESUS ENRICH YOU

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Biblical historians estimate that Paul first visited the city of Corinth around 52 A.D. It was during his second missionary journey that he came here, and, with the assistance of his fellow laborers, Silas and Timothy, and with Aquila and Priscilla, whom they met there, established a church of Christ. A wealthy commercial city, it was also notoriously known for its immorality that primarily resulted from its luxury and the worship of the "goddess" Venus. Although established under these very difficult conditions, the church flourished, was revisited by Paul on his third missionary journey, and from there wrote and dispatched his epistle to the Christians at Rome. This letter to the church at Corinth was probably written before his third visit, and, most scholars believe, was written from the city of Ephesus. With the beginning of Chapter 7, we conclude Paul wrote this epistle was because of questions that were asked in a letter he received from this congregation. His answer to these questions, as well as many other words of edification, reproof, and admonition, are contained in this first of two letters to the Corinthian brethren.

This letter is addressed to the church of God, which is at Corinth, ...them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints. To these fellow Christians, Paul, as an inspired messenger of God our Father (and) the Lord Jesus Christ, extends both His grace ...and peace (Vs. 2-3). Paul begins the lesson text by prayerfully thanking God on their behalf, for the grace of God given to them through Jesus Christ. Beginning in verse 10, of this opening chapter, we find that there was much for which Paul could not give them praise. Their faults, illicit conduct, and doctrinal error was strongly rebuked by him, and instructions were given to correct these errors. But before getting into the "meat" of his letter, Paul commends them for their growth and attainments. As children of God, they had been richly, and abundantly blessed with knowledge of the hope of eternal salvation. As true with all children of God, the only thing that stands in the way of salvation is living a righteous, obedient life in His presence - by loving God and demonstrating that love through a caring, charitable love for their neighbors (all mankind).

The first century church relied heavily, if not entirely, on the teaching of the apostles sent by Christ, and other inspired preachers of God's word. The dates various New Testament letters were written are a matter of much speculation. However, most bible scholars seem to agree that very few were written and sent before the writing of this epistle to the church at Corinth. Some think that the general epistle of James was the first book of the New Testament and was written around 50 A.D. Therefore, at the time this letter was written and sent to the church at Corinth, God's word was primarily taught by inspirational preaching and confirmed through spiritual gifts. With this in mind, we can better understand the reason for Paul's assurance that they had received the full revelation from God, regarding their hope of eternal salvation, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. As a body of Christ, Paul said that the church at Corinth was behind in no gift. That is, they were not inferior in the privileges given, through the grace of God, to any other body of Christ. They, indeed, could have full confidence in this fact, as they were waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Indeed, the church at Corinth was in Christ; they had heard God's inspired word, obeyed His will in becoming His children, and had been baptized into His body for the remission of their sins. In light of this, Paul assures them that in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge. Having been taught all they needed to know in order to begin their journey to heaven, they still needed further understanding and changes in conduct, in order to lead an obedient life in Christ. What was still lacking and needed, Paul, from this point forward in his letter, furnished them. Reader, if you are in Christ, you too are enriched by Christ, but, you too, need to study that you may, forever, live obediently in Christ.