In just two weeks, we’ve covered the entire book of I Corinthians! This book is full of so many important truths and doctrines that it deserves a more thorough study. But we have many other letters of Paul to read, as well as finish the book of Acts. So we have to move quickly through each book!
In the second half of I Corinthians, Paul continues to answer the Corinthian believers’ questions. It appears in chapters 8 to 10 that Paul addresses their questions about eating meat that was sacrificed to pagan idols. Paul says it is not a sin to do this. But watching a “stronger” believer do this could cause a “weaker” believer to stumble. So Paul told the Corinthians that believers’ freedom to do something shouldn’t cause a brother to stumble. Things that are permissible may not be beneficial. We should examine our actions and do all things for the glory of God, not causing other believers to stumble (I Corinthians 10:31-32).
Also related to the church as the body of Christ, Paul moves on to discuss proper attitudes during worship and the communion table in chapter 11. In chapters 12 to 14 he explains how believers should use their spiritual gifts in the church. Spiritual gifts help promote unity in the body of Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, God gives these gifts for the church’s common good. Finally in chapters 15 and 16, Paul tells us that Christ’s resurrection empowers us to stand firm in the faith.
I see that the underlying theme in these nine chapters is how believers should treat each other. We must set aside our Christian freedoms to glorify God and build up other believers. And we also must use our spiritual gifts in love to build up other believers.
How could my actions cause someone to stumble? What can I change to bring God glory? Have I identified my spiritual gifts, and am I using them? How am I serving the body of Christ?