I Belong To Cephas Analysis

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Paul commences his letter to “the Church of God that is in Corinth” as he thanks the Corinthians for their efforts and faithfulness (Corinthians 1:2). However despite making such assertions, the author of this letter directly proceeds to list the problems that had arisen among such converts. The first issue addressed is the division existent within the church. It has been brought to the author’s attention that the Church of Corinth has become divided between the preachers of Cephas (Paul) and Apollos, such is apparent in the statements: ‘I belong to Paul,’ or ‘I belong to Apollos,’ or ‘I belong to Cephas,’ b(1:12). Paul at such point, proceeds to address this issue as he immediately emphasizes that both Cephas and Apollos are servants of Jesus. …show more content…
In relation to the concept of marriage, Paul heeds warning to the married and non-married alike regarding moral inclinations. While Paul suggests it is preferable, if unmarried to remain so, he states that if an individual struggle with their sexual inclinations, it is best to marry in order to remedy such temptation. Ultimately, for those married and pondering the notion of divorce, Paul references the position of Jesus to be that of remaining with one’s spouse. Thus to resolve the conflict of intermarital disharmony, Paul suggests the creation of rules as a means by which marriage can be salvaged. The stance of Paul’s writings is interesting, as it seems to be contradictory of Genesis where Christians were encouraged to “go forth and multiply”. In Paul’s letter the concern of sustaining a population seems to be a non-issue. Such is the case as he presumably believed in the impending destruction of the world. Therefore, Paul emphasized necessity to change one’s marital status if unmarried would not be a pressing matter being that such status would not be an issue for …show more content…
At the time of his writings, the resolutions by means of courts were a common practice within the Corinthian Christian Community. Paul addresses this issue by upon stating ”If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people”. While Paul admitted that conflict would be inevitable amidst the Corinthian Church, his writings dictate means by which he expects Christians to resolve such. While Paul’s letters suggest that he does not wish to condemn the use of third party resolution, his writings bars against the use of external mediators. To successfully reach conclusions between church members, Paul suggests its leaders act as judges to reside over such matters. Being that Paul believed the Pagans to be corrupt, it is not surprising that his writings would deter the usage of secular court systems as their judgment and regard for morality would differ in relation to that of the Christian leaders. Ultimately, Paul endorses the notion that Christians should turn the other cheek and aspire to accept when they are wronged with grace instead of seeking immediate

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