Monday, February 18, 2019

What seems to be the most plausible theory of Paul's opponents in 1 and 2 Corinthians? How did their theology conflict with the theology of Paul?





            The identity of Paul’s opponents would be tied into the disunity that was occurring in the church at Corinth. There was more than one opponent. Paul uses rhetorical questions to open their eyes to the seriousness of their conflict. Each group claimed loyalty to a certain personality. There was Paul, Apollos, Cephas (Peter), and Christ. This happens even today. The Corinthians perception of the message of salvation had become distorted which is not to surprising when looking at the society they lived in. It was not human wisdom that Paul preached, but the pivotal point of Paul’s preaching was Jesus Christ. The opponents in 1 Corinthians would appear to be the different factions which caused disunity.
            In 2 Corinthians Paul defends his ministry against those who had decimated his character. He reaffirms his authority as an apostle of Christ. Paul is concern for the spiritual welfare of the Corinthians. Paul encourages the factions in the church to resolve their differences. He conveys the crucial doctrines of Christian principles. “For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him amen, to the glory of God through us. Now he who establishes us in you through Christ and has anointed us in God, who has also sealed us, and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Cor. 1:20-22). Paul’s spiritual children are being pulled away by rivals to the gospel.
            F. C. Baur felt that Paul’s opponents were Judaizers. He summed it up as conflict between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians which was eventually discredited due to the date of his sources as first-century conflict between Peter and Paul.[1]It is difficult to find any evidence of this in 1 Cor., but there is a Jewish connection in 2 Cor. Johannes Munck does not feel that there were any factions in the 1 Cor. church but squabbling and disagreements.[2] The people are yielding to worldly wisdom which is causing a division. The people live in a place where sophists make their point in public places. They are bombarded on every side by ungodly religions and life styles which are accepted in this area. Their own thought patterns are being affected. It takes diligence then and now to keep our minds on Christ, and continue walking in the Spirit, so we are not led away by the wisdom of the world.
 More recently, a Gnostic theory has been advanced as the “key” to unlocking Paul’s opposition. The most consistent advocate of this position has been W. Schmithals. He argues that the Gnostics were the “Christ party,” for they claimed to be embodiments of the spirit of Christ.”[3] The roots of Gnosticism may be found in the first century, but it did not reach its fulness until the second century.
Paul proclaims to the believers the importance of having Christ in every area of their life. Fully surrendering to Him. “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, “He who glories let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:30). Paul points out that Christ lives His life through His church. We are the body of Christ, and as such we further his kingdom here on earth. The “Great Commission” is our life. Everyone is given gifts to be used to further his kingdom here on earth. The world then and now is in spiritual warfare. The terrorism that we read about, the wars between nations and individuals is all spiritual warfare. It is through the church and the individuals that make up the church that the enemy is put down. Through hardship the Christian experiences the comfort that comes from Christ. Paul acclaims the Christians triumph, light, reconciliation, substitute, gift and strength through Christ Jesus. Satan opposes the church and will create divisions if allowed. Christians must walk in the Spirit and not give place to Satan.
Why were some of Paul’s opponents eager to challenge his apostolic authority? Why did Paul take this challenge seriously? How did he respond to these challenges?
            Paul did not merely belong to Christ, but he was His servant, His disciple. His authority came through Christ for the edification of the church (2 Cor. 10:8). Paul repeats this in 2 Cor. 13:10. His authority came through Christ. Paul’s critics who were false apostles (2 Cor. 11:13-14)  accused Paul of walking after the flesh, of being deceitful, and intimidating the churches through his letters. They even accused him of defrauding people. “Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together” (2 Cor. 7:2). The false apostles were trying to undermine Paul’s authority, so they could take power for themselves. Their accusations raised doubts in the Corinthians minds about Paul’s honor. The attack had been severe, and he writes to reaffirm his authority, and to confirm that his ministry is forthright and genuine. “ The rivals are trying to dislodge Paul from his rightful position as leader of the church by challenging his authority and belittling his adequacy as a rhetor. …Consequently, he defends his authority as something given to him by God; and he will not be put to shame for speaking of it or for wielding it.”[4]
 2 Corinthians 10:7-11. “You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. (8) For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, (9) for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. (10) For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.’ (11) Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.” 
            Paul’s life was a testimony to Christ. He practiced what he preached. Walking with Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit is a lifestyle.  Paul was concerned about false apostles who would pull the people away from the truth and the purity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had no issues with other pastors as he affirms in 1 Cor. 15:11: “Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.” In defending himself he also defends the Gospel. He had founded the church, and he was their spiritual father, and as such was responsible for guiding them. To allow false apostles to come in and undermine his authority would have been irresponsible. Sheep need a strong shepherd to guide them. Paul was guiding his sheep even though at times it took strong language. They must always follow Christ.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12).






[1] John B. Polhill. “1 Corinthians: A Church Divided”. Southern Baptist Journal of Theology. SBJT 06:3 (Fall 2002). Accessed Oct. 24, 2017, 8.
[2] Ibid., 9.
[3] Ibid., 8.
[4] David E. Garland. 2 Corinthians: The New American Commentary. vol. 29. (Nashville, Tennessee: B & H Publishing, 1999), 443.

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