February 13, 2005

KEEPING THE ORDINANCES

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

 

   Paul praised the obedient for remembering him and keeping "the ordinances" (traditions, 1 Cor. 11:2). Having gone over the matter of headship and head coverings he address other matters, their dis-unity manifested at their meetings. "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not...ye come together not for the better, but for the worse" (11:17). A sad commentary upon the meetings of the saints. Paul believed most of the reports of their divisions and explained that there would be schisms or heresies but that those approved of God would be made manifest, apparent to all. This does not sanction divisions, but His approval of the correct ones would promote unity.

   Their coming together was supposedly to "eat the Lord's supper," yet Paul assured them they were not accomplishing that. It was their own supper which was being selfishly consumed. The poor saints and families looked on in hunger while the rich splurged to excess. Their disunity was demonstrated by not sharing or waiting for one another. Paul chided, "What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? ...Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not!" (11:20-22).

   Paul seems to have addressed this issue because here was an-other example of selfish indulging in their liberty causing offense and disunity among the brethren. Paul later wrote this same church, "Who is weak, and I am not week, who is offended, and I burn not?" (2 Cor. 11:29). He took personal offense at inconsiderate saints. Such was his own identification with the weak and the offended.

   He had received how the Lord had not considered Himself in the matter of His last supper. With desire He desired to eat that last Passover with them and to prepare them for His betrayal and death. In the crisis of His final hours His great concern was for others. How unlike the selfish at Corinth . They misbehaved even at the memorial of His great sacrifice. He warned them to judge themselves. If not, God would intervene, and had already done so in flagrant cases. Israel's past had been cited to warn them, "neither be idolaters...or fornicators...or tempt Christ...or murmur...or tempt God" (10:6-10).