Call For Holiness

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge – because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (NIV)

At the beginning of his letter to the Corinthian church, Apostle Paul identifies himself as the author of this pastoral letter of instruction. Apostle Paul knew the Corinthian church well because he had founded this church. Then, he spent eighteen months in Corinth during his second missionary journey to help pastor this church (Acts 18:1-18). After leaving the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthian letters to correct various problems facing the church at Corinth, including jealousy, divisiveness, lawsuits, marital difficulties, sexual immorality, pride, idolatry, corruption, and misuse of spiritual gifts.

Apostle Paul took a positive approach to the church’s defilement and spiritual immaturity by reminding the believers of their high and holy position in Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Apostle Paul described the church how God sees the church – holy, sanctified, and set apart for His special use (1 Corinthians 1:2). Through faith in Jesus Christ, every believer is declared holy, righteous, and redeemed by God (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:23-25; Romans 5:17, 19; see also Leviticus 20:7-8). Apostle Paul instructed the church TO BE AND ACT LIKE what they already are through faith in Jesus Christ – holy, righteous, and redeemed (Romans 12:1-2; see also 1 John 3:7-10).

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes. 1 Corinthians 1:1 (NLT)

Apostle Paul says he was “a called apostle of Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:1). He was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. Then, Apostle Paul mentions his traveling partner, Sosthenes. Sosthenes was first mentioned at Acts 18 with the creation of the Corinthian church. As the Jews were being ejected by Gallio, a Roman governor, the Jews beat Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler who lost the Jews’ case with Gallio (Acts 18:17). Many biblical scholars believe this same Sosthenes mentioned at Acts 18 was the same man who was converted to a Christian and became Apostle Paul’s traveling companion.

Apostle Paul clearly indicated he was “called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (1 Corinthians 1:1, NIV). With this statement, Apostle Paul wanted to stress that his apostleship. An apostle means “one who is sent on a mission,” “a messenger,” or “missionary.” The word apostle is a secular term with no religious meaning. But in the New Testament, the word “apostle” has a variety of meanings and includes preachers of the Gospel (e.g., see Acts 14:4, 14; Galatians 1:19; Romans 16:7). In the New Testament, Jesus Christ repeatedly spoke of Himself as having been “sent” into the world by God the Father (e.g., see Matthew 10:40; Matthew 15:24; Mark 9:37; Luke 9:48; John 4:34; John 5:24, 30, 36-38; John 6:38; John 17:8). Jesus Christ’s mission was one of the dominant themes of the Gospel and is given as a pattern for His followers (see John 17:3; John 20:21). Jesus Christ is the supreme Apostle, the One from whom all other apostleship flows. “And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s Messenger (Apostle) and High Priest. For He was faithful to God, who appointed Him. . . .” (Hebrews 3:1-2, NLT).

Another definition of apostle includes “one specially commissioned by Jesus Christ” as His special agent or representative (1 Corinthians 1:1; Hebrews 3:1). Alternatively, an apostle is defined at Acts 1:21-22. According to Acts 1:21-22, an apostle personally witnessed the life of Jesus Christ. In other words, an apostle was a person who had been with Jesus Christ during His public ministry beginning from John's baptism, to the resurrection, and the time when He was taken up into heaven by the glory cloud (Acts 1:9, 21-22). In the technical sense, an apostle was defined as the “Twelve” men that followed Jesus Christ during His public ministry on earth. These Twelve men had a continuous association and intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ Himself (see Mark 3:14). While Jesus Christ was alive on earth, many men and women followed Him. So there were more than the Twelve eyewitnesses of Jesus’ public ministry. An apostle was an important and authoritative person in the early churches because an apostle was an eyewitness to Jesus Christ’s public ministry and authenticated Jesus Christ’s life, actions, and resurrection.

Apostle Paul calls himself an apostle not for personal respect or acclaim. Instead, Apostle Paul calls himself an apostle to give authority to his preaching of the Gospel (Good News) to the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 11; see also Galatians 1:15-16). Apostle Paul makes it very clear in the opening statement of 1 Corinthians that he was called to be an apostle by “the will of God” (1 Corinthians 1:1; see also Acts 13:2; Acts 18:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:9-11). Although he did not witness the public ministry of Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul indicated that he was called to be Jesus Christ’s messenger or apostle based solely on Jesus Christ’s appearance to him on the Damascus Road (see also Acts 9:1-16; Acts 22:3-16; Acts 26:9-18). The Damascus Road experience was not a personal conversation (regeneration/salvation) of Apostle Paul but Apostle Paul’s call to be an apostle to the Gentiles. “Being called” is being a follower of Jesus Christ. So, Apostle Paul was an apostle because God made him an apostle. Despite this statement, many people did not accept Apostle Paul’s statement and credentials as an apostle.

In Corinthians 4, Apostle Paul stated that an apostle is nothing more than a servant or laborer for God (1 Corinthians 4:1-5). In the Greek, the word “servant” means subordinate or an under-rower of a ship. An under-rower’s job is to be faithful and obedient to follow the leader of the boat who makes all the call (1 Corinthians 4:2). If the servant is not obedient and faithful, the entire boat fails. Also, Apostle Paul notes the work of an apostle is extremely exhausting and requires effort as they work together with other fellow servants of God within the church (1 Corinthians 4:6, 8-13). Also, the Apostle Paul saw apostles as a steward or house manager.  In the first century, stewards took care of the master property. In essences, true apostles of God see themselves as stewards or servants of God that are entrusted with the ministry of God. Thus, Apostle Paul says apostles are not kings, but servants, laborers, or stewards of God (1 Corinthians 4:6-13).

Sadly, some of the Corinthians elevated the apostles and other church leaders as kings and were lining up behind various church leaders (see 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9). Some followed Peter, who had walked and talked with Jesus Christ on earth. Others followed Apollos with his sophistication and eloquence and cultivated style. Some followed Apostle Paul, the famous church missionary. Apostle Paul had no tolerance for that “hero worship” and stressed vigorously that the Corinthians and the church belonged only to God. Whatever gifts or other position God graciously given to the church was to bring about redemptive living and not self-importance and pride (1 Corinthians 4:14-21).

In 1 Corinthians 3, Apostle Paul presents a realistic picture of the church as a “vineyard”. Throughout the New Testament, the church has various images or titles. The church is called or described as the “temple”, the “body of Christ”, “a priesthood,” “holy nation,” the “flock”, and “family of God” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Ephesians 1:22-23). In the Old Testament and Judaism, Israel was called a “vineyard” (e.g., see Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:1-7; Isaiah 27:2-6; Jeremiah 2:21). A vineyard has one purpose – to produce good fruit! The church has the same purpose – to produce good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Fruit is the natural result of the tree and the natural expression of the tree’s life. One can identify a tree’s condition and health by the tree’s fruit (see Matthew 7:16-20; John 15:6). Even more, the vineyard has an owner and is dependent upon many workers to produce good fruit (see also Ephesians 5:9; Colossians 3:12-15). The church is about fruit and about God. As Christians, we are just servants of the vineyard. It is NOT ABOUT US but about GOD!  We are one and fellow workers and there is no room for division and pride.

The workers of the vineyard has varies tasks and many functions. Yet, the workers are just servants because none of the workers own the vineyard. The life of the vineyard (church) is much bigger than the workers. The Good News of Jesus Christ brings life and God has graciously given His church a place to live out this holy life (see Romans 1:16-17). Apostle Paul stresses that he, Apollos and other workers of the vineyard are just laborers, workers or fellow servants of the vineyard (1 Corinthians 3:5, 7-9). The vineyard will continue to exist upon the servants’ death. Servants or labors of the vineyard are not to be elevated. Instead, the fruit, the owner, and the vineyard are what are important.

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be His own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as He did for all people everywhere who call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT)

As Apostle Paul emphasized his call to be an apostle, the church was called to be “saints” or “holy ones” by God (1 Corinthians 1:2). The church is called to be holy, set apart, and called-out people for a particular service. This does not mean that the Corinthians had some special vocation that sets them apart from other Christians. Rather, the Corinthians along with other faithful believers in Jesus Christ is set apart from a wicked and defiled world and is marked by God as God’s people through their faith in Jesus Christ – who is the Head of the church (see John 17:17, 19; Colossians 1:18). The Apostle Paul regards all believers of Jesus Christ “saints” of God, who are holy and blameless before God (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 11; Colossians 1:22-23).

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people — none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NLT)

All believers in Jesus Christ are holy or saints in that they stand in a special relationship with God as His people and are becoming increasingly holy by the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Titus 3:5-8). In the Old Testament, the basic idea of “holy” meant that certain priests and vessels were set apart as holy, sanctified or sacred for God’s special purpose or use. Being “holy” is not moral perfection. Although the church at Corinth was not acting holy, Apostle Paul reminded the church they were called to be holy and saints for God’s special purpose and use (see Exodus 19:5-6; Romans 6:22). Through faith in Jesus Christ, all believers are holy, righteous and redeemed (1 Corinthians 1:30). Believers in Jesus Christ are set apart for God’s special use, enjoyment, and purposes and God calls all believers in Jesus Christ to be “morally” holy (1 Corinthians 1:2; see also Leviticus 11:44-45; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Peter 2:5, 9). God is holy (Leviticus 11:44; Habakkuk 1:13) and faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9) and God calls His church to intimate His holiness and faithfulness in their daily living (1 Peter 1:15-16; see also Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7-8). Even more, God graciously gives believers in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit for their sanctification (holiness) (Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:8).

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT)

Apostle Paul connected the Corinthians church with everyone who calls upon the Name of Jesus Christ as the body of Christ and the church is called to be “holy” (1 Corinthians 12-14). A sinful and unfaithful believer not only sins against God, but this unfaithful believer also sins against fellow Christians - everyone that “call upon the Name of Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Throughout the Old and New Testament, everyone who calls upon the Name of God is called to be holy and sacred for God’s use (see Exodus 19:5-6; Leviticus 11:44; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7; Hebrews 12:14). Just as Apostle Paul was “called” to be apostle, the Corinthian church was called to be “holy” and “saints.” Apostle Paul reminded the church to become what they are in Jesus Christ – holy, righteous and redeemed people of God. The fact that God has called believers of Jesus Christ, set us apart, and enriched us ought to encourage us to live holy lives for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31; see also Romans 6:1-22; 1 John 2:28-3:3).

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! . . . Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. . . . Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:1-2, 19-23 (NLT)

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament. Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary (Victor Books, 1989).