This fall we are studying the book of 1 Corinthians in our sermon series at Faith Church. As I prepared for this series, I recalled how we studied the book of 2 Thessalonians in a series last fall. Those two churches are the only ones which we have multiple letters written to in the New Testament, and we read about how Paul ministered in both of those cities in the book of Acts, specifically in Acts 17:1-9 (Thessalonica) and Acts 18:1-17 (Corinth). Paul’s experiences in those places were very different, which points to the different conditions and challenges these churches faced that shaped Paul’s messages to them and offers good reminders of challenges that Christians face today.
Trouble in Thessalonica
Acts 17 tells us that Paul’s time in Thessalonica was pretty short-lived because he quickly ran into trouble. As was his typical pattern in his missionary travels, he found a Jewish synagogue and starting preaching there (Act 17:1-2), “explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead” and declaring that this Messiah is Jesus (Acts 17:3). He did this for three weeks, and some were convinced of these truths (Acts 17:4). Such a response prompted an opposing mob from among the Jewish people there who accused Paul before the city officials that Paul was causing trouble (Acts 17:5-9). That led to Paul being sent to the city of Berea (Acts 17:10), but Paul’s opponents in Thessalonica found out and came to Berea, causing Paul to have to leave that place (Acts 17:13).
This persecution and opposition to the gospel message stands in the backdrop of the letters that Paul writes to the Thessalonians. Paul notes how they believed the gospel message in the face of such persecution and thus served as a great example to other churches (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4). Paul had concern that such persuasion might cause them to fall away (1 Thessalonians 3:3) but rejoiced to hear that they had stood firm (1 Thessalonians 3:7). His words in these letters were thus to a persecuted church, comforting them with a reminder that Christ would return to rescue his followers (including any who may die for their faith – see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and would punish those who opposed his way (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). He does not rebuke them for straying from the truth, rather, reminds them of the truth and tells them to keep it up and build on what they are already doing (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2; 5:11) – which he also prays for (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12; 5:3-25; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 2:16-17; 3:16). There do seem to be some false teachings he had to confront about the return of Christ or what that means for how they were to live now; he thus tells them to keep on believing the message that Paul taught (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Paul has optimism that they will be able to do so (2 Thessalonians 3:4).
Overall, these letters are encouraging letters to a persecuted church. They remind us that persecution is a great threat to the church, but also that churches can thrive in the midst of such circumstances.
Comfort in Corinth
The situation in Corinth was much different. Acts 18 shows how it started out very similarly, as Paul went there and supported himself through making tents and started preaching in the Jewish synagogue that Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 18:1-6). We don’t know how long he did this, but we do know that he faced resistance there which prompted Paul to leave the synagogue and go next door (literally – see Acts 18:7) and start preaching (Acts 18:5-7), at which point we read that many did believe (Acts 18:8). Paul then receives a vision from God not to be afraid of preaching as God will not allow people to lay a hand on him and will call many people to faith there (Acts 18:9-11). Paul’s trust in that vision is quickly put to the test, though, as some of the Jewish people bring charges against Paul to the authorities(Acts 18:12-13). However, the governing official basically dismisses the charges and rebukes those opposing Paul (Acts 18:14-17). Such a response grants Paul – and the members of the Corinthian church – some protection from hostility and persecution and Paul stays there for “some time” (Acts 18:18) – likely around 18 months – before traveling off to other places.
The letters that Paul writes to the Corinthians reflect this lack of persecution and some sort of toleration of the church in the wider community. For example, 1 Corinthians 10:27 speaks about unbelievers inviting Christians over for dinner, something that would not have seemed likely to have happened in Thessalonica. In addition, 1 Corinthians 14:23 speaks about outsiders coming into the gatherings of Christians; it does not seem that the Christians in Corinth were afraid of people coming into their assembly in opposition but may even have expected some to come out of a sense of curiosity about the faith. While Christians bringing their disputes with other Christians to the city’s courtrooms was not something that Paul was happy about (see 1 Corinthians 6:1-6), it is a further indication how the Christians in Corinth enjoyed some tolerance in their city and participated in the wider life of the city. A final thing to note is that some of the Christians in Corinth seem to be wealthy and potentially prominent in the city, showing that being a Christian did not immediately place you on the margins of society. Perhaps the “anything goes” attitude that seems to be present at Corinth allowed Christians to keep their places in the wider life of the city.
However, these letters also point to the Corinthian church floundering rather than flourishing in the midst of that toleration. There were divisions within the midst of the community (see 1 Corinthians 1:11-12), and Paul has strong words for them (1 Corinthians 4:14-21). The church wasn’t a complete disaster, as Paul thanks God for them (see 1 Corinthians 1:4-9) and has some words of praise (see 1 Corinthians 11:2), but there are also issues in which Paul says he has no praise for them (see 1 Corinthians 11:17) and that they should be ashamed rather than proud of (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-11). This is why the letters to the Corinthians feel far less encouraging than the letters to the Thessalonians.
In many ways, the issue in Corinth was that the people were either seeking to blend in to the culture around them or were being over-influenced by the culture in which they lived. It seems likely that some were still visiting the temples to other gods instead of turning from those idols like the Thessalonians (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9). This may not have been because of a deep allegiance to these gods as much as it was about fitting into culture and society. This activity could suggest a view of Jesus as being similar to other gods in that he can supplement, rather than replace, them. Their lifestyle also does not seem to have transformed, as there was sexual immorality in their midst and a lack of love for one another (while the Thessalonians were growing in love, see 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13).
The Corinthian church thus shows the danger of being tolerated in the midst of an ungodly culture, as the presence or desire for confrontation can lead to great compromises in belief and practice. We should be aware of this danger and be all the more diligent to remain faithful in belief and in our lifestyle.
Holy Living and the Hope of Heaven in Comfortable and Uncomfortable Times
These two churches remind us that some Christians face intense persecution and are deeply marginalized while others are able to interact with the culture around them. Both can be threats to the vitality of the church, as one may fall away under pressure in persecution or one may fall away through compromise.
These different situations point to the unique elements taught in the letters to each of these churches. At the same time, we should recognize that there are some key points of overlap in both teachings and are important to know in good times and bad times. In light of the sexual immorality of that day and age, it is not surprising that both letters speak to that issue (see 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 5-6). This similarity, however, also points to the fact that this is a temptation that comes to people in all situations and places and the need to live holy. While I am sure there are more, the other key overlap I saw was the discussion of the return of Christ in both letters (especially 1 Thessalonians 4-5 and 1 Corinthians 15, but there are other scattered references to that topic in letters to both churches). We need to remember this truth when we are comfortable, to know that this is not all that there is and our home is somewhere else; when we are uncomfortable due to persecution we know that justice will be served, and we will be rescued. So, let’s pray that the hope we have leads to Christians living holy lives regardless of the pressures or the comfort they are feeling in their culture.
Questions about the Bible or theology? Email them to Pastor Brian at Theology@wearefaith.org. You can also request to receive weekly emails with our blog posts by filling out the information on the right side.
