Tuesday 29 April 2025
God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (v. 9)
Background
Paul’s correspondence with the young Christian community in Corinth includes some of the most inspiring passages in the Bible. It also reminds that us that life in the Early Church wasn’t trouble-free; there were (as now!) plenty of differences and (as now!) not all Christians lived up to the ideals of the gospel.
In these opening verses, Paul uses the typical etiquette for beginning a letter in Greek. He says who the letter is from and who it's to; he offers greetings and he gives thanks. But he adapts this usual communication so that he can express his Christian convictions. His greeting is “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (v. 3) His thanksgiving centres on the way in which God is working in and through the Corinthian Christians. They are evidence of the grace of God in action and they can depend on that grace accompanying them to the very end.
In an age of social media and text-messaging, it’s difficult to remember just how important letters have been throughout history and until very recently. It might be difficult to imagine Paul sending emails or texts, but he was committed to using the best communication system of his time in order to build relationships with fellow-Christians and to encourage them in the development of their faith. So it might be useful to consider how we use our contemporary forms of communication and whether we can employ them to greet, encourage and give thanks to those to whom we write.
To Ponder:
- How might Paul’s greeting to Corinth be expressed in a text or an email?
- Can you think of occasions when you’ve received a letter/text/email that has affirmed and encouraged you?
Prayer
Give us, O God, hearts that overflow with thanksgiving, minds attuned to your creative power, and lives that resonate with your love. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Richard Clutterbuck
Richard is a supernumerary presbyter, living in Gloucestershire after a ministry that has taken him to Tonga, London, Gloucester and Belfast. He was formerly Principal of the West of England Ministerial Training Course and of Edgehill Theological College.