The First Letter of St. Paul
to
The Corinthians
Chapter
1
1. Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2. To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.
(The First letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 1 to 2)
To all readers and followers of this blog, I welcome you as did the apostle Paul to reflect on the Word of God and benefit from all that He has shared with me in a spirit of prayer. I am no theologian or priest, neither do I have the intention of proving the authenticity of the bible. My call is that of following My God and Father, by means of the way I live as a secular Franciscan. I wish to share that although I meditate and pray on the Word of God I am still a sinner. I am not holy. I am still in need of the doctor for I am prone to sin. However all is not lost, for my hope and love is in God my Father, and it is He who is the driving force behind the sharing of these posts. On the 22nd of June 2016, I felt God telling me while in prayer to meditate on all the books of the Bible simultaneously by reflecting on one or more verses from each book of the Bible and publish online to all who wish to pray on His Word and not on mine and take God seriously Amen. May you all share this adventure with me and let us all grow together in the Name of God. the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit Amen.
3. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(The First letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians verse 3)
Oh God, my Father how nice is Your peace and merciful Your loving kindness and mercy. It is a blessing that the world cannot give, for we are constantly at war and divided within ourselves. A part of us wishes to live according to Your ways, while another part of us is inclined to negative and evil inclinations. I pray that You liberate us from this body of Sin Amen.
4. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5. for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind- 6. just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you- 7. so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. God is faithful by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(The First letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians verses 4 to 9)
Oh God my Father by means of Your presence, You have enriched and made holy our sinful nature. You have given us many gifts, talents and skills but the greatest is the faith that You have given us. May we also like the people of Corinth be strengthened by Your presence and may we be also ready to appear before You when our time is up on earth Amen.
10. Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and there be no divisions among you, but you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 10 to 11)
Oh God my Father, even since the beginning of Your Church that divisions started showing that even to this day have become ever fresh wounds. I pray oh God my Father that gradually if it is according to Your will these wounds of both past and present will be healed and unity will reign again Amen.
12. What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos." or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13. Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14. I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15. so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name.
(The First letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 12 to 15)
As is expected my God and Father such sympathies were active among the groups of new believers. However, even among the prayer groups of our times at least in Malta, there exists rivalry between those attending Charismatic Renewal groups and others. Oh God, I pray that we stand as a united body, not as a divided one Amen for You are whole and not fragmented.
16. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17. For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 16 to 17)
Oh God, my Father I pray that we do not waste the time that You have lent us in trivial acts such as gaming, but invest our time in getting to know You by becoming familiar with the message of the Good News, which in turn helps us to grow in our relationship with You Amen.
18. For the message about the cross is foolishness to whose are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(The First Letter of St.Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 18)
Oh God my Father today I realize more than ever the difference in perception among those who believe and those who do not. Moreover, I thank You greatly that I count myself among the group of believers. I thank You for the faith which is precious to me Amen.
19. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 19)
Oh God my Father You are able to make the wise appear to be foolish and the foolish or under -rated to appear wise. When choosing Your apostles, You did not send them to an eight-year course in theology or philosophy in order to improve their wisdom and knowledge. The power given to them by the Holy Spirit was enough. Amen.
20. Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 20 to 21)
Oh God my Father You are wiser than the wise, even more than wisdom itself. You take on the wisdom of the world of science of all the arts and make a parody of them. Nobody matches You in wisdom therefore when one feels afraid or in doubt or maybe facing a crisis, one knows whom to refer to. We can meet You my God and Father and counsellor at any time. Open your Bible randomly in a spirit of Faith and God will give you and me an insight or answer to our issue.
22. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23. but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24. but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 22 to 25)
Oh God my Father people of different generations all have a particular aim, the Jews desired signs, the Greeks wisdom and as Christians or and Roman Catholics what do we expect? We expect proof for we have no faith. Ever since we were attending school, we were fed and convinced to believe in the 'Scientific Model' that is based on proof and results. However, where faith is concerned it is the contrary. We do not need to have evidence to believe in You for it will no longer be faith at all. Amen.
26. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28. God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29. so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31. in order, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord".
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 22 to 31)
Oh, brothers and sisters in God my Father it is very important in this day and age to consider our calling our responsibility as believers in Jesus to others to God and to our spiritual welfare. Our calling is not simply to be members of a club or association, our calling is holy and therefore we are to consider it and treat it as being holy and not give it a low priority or take it for granted. God chose You and me, not because we are better in some way more than others, but because we are sinners more than others, and that by means of our sinful condition he can draw us to Him and others will follow on the the path, set by the examples that God uses us to perform. Therefore for ou own sake, and for that of others, we are to be more aware of what we say and do in order not to set a bad example to others for we do not only have our responsibility but also that of others for we are one body. Amen.
I would like to end this first chapter of the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians with the following prayer:
Oh God my Father, I would personally like to thank You for calling me to be a Christian and even a Roman Catholic, but above all, I would like to thank You for making me Your Son. I thank You for your love and support for there is none like You. I thank You for being active in my life. Even though I am harassed by negative forces both within and around me, You are always with me as a protective shield. I pray for forgiveness for I am not always faithful to You but You know that I love You with a sincere heart. Amen.
3. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(The First letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians verse 3)
Oh God, my Father how nice is Your peace and merciful Your loving kindness and mercy. It is a blessing that the world cannot give, for we are constantly at war and divided within ourselves. A part of us wishes to live according to Your ways, while another part of us is inclined to negative and evil inclinations. I pray that You liberate us from this body of Sin Amen.
4. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5. for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind- 6. just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you- 7. so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. God is faithful by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(The First letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians verses 4 to 9)
Oh God my Father by means of Your presence, You have enriched and made holy our sinful nature. You have given us many gifts, talents and skills but the greatest is the faith that You have given us. May we also like the people of Corinth be strengthened by Your presence and may we be also ready to appear before You when our time is up on earth Amen.
10. Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and there be no divisions among you, but you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 10 to 11)
Oh God my Father, even since the beginning of Your Church that divisions started showing that even to this day have become ever fresh wounds. I pray oh God my Father that gradually if it is according to Your will these wounds of both past and present will be healed and unity will reign again Amen.
12. What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos." or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13. Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14. I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15. so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name.
(The First letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 12 to 15)
As is expected my God and Father such sympathies were active among the groups of new believers. However, even among the prayer groups of our times at least in Malta, there exists rivalry between those attending Charismatic Renewal groups and others. Oh God, I pray that we stand as a united body, not as a divided one Amen for You are whole and not fragmented.
16. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17. For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 16 to 17)
Oh God, my Father I pray that we do not waste the time that You have lent us in trivial acts such as gaming, but invest our time in getting to know You by becoming familiar with the message of the Good News, which in turn helps us to grow in our relationship with You Amen.
18. For the message about the cross is foolishness to whose are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(The First Letter of St.Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 18)
Oh God my Father today I realize more than ever the difference in perception among those who believe and those who do not. Moreover, I thank You greatly that I count myself among the group of believers. I thank You for the faith which is precious to me Amen.
19. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 19)
Oh God my Father You are able to make the wise appear to be foolish and the foolish or under -rated to appear wise. When choosing Your apostles, You did not send them to an eight-year course in theology or philosophy in order to improve their wisdom and knowledge. The power given to them by the Holy Spirit was enough. Amen.
20. Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 20 to 21)
Oh God my Father You are wiser than the wise, even more than wisdom itself. You take on the wisdom of the world of science of all the arts and make a parody of them. Nobody matches You in wisdom therefore when one feels afraid or in doubt or maybe facing a crisis, one knows whom to refer to. We can meet You my God and Father and counsellor at any time. Open your Bible randomly in a spirit of Faith and God will give you and me an insight or answer to our issue.
22. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23. but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24. but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 22 to 25)
Oh God my Father people of different generations all have a particular aim, the Jews desired signs, the Greeks wisdom and as Christians or and Roman Catholics what do we expect? We expect proof for we have no faith. Ever since we were attending school, we were fed and convinced to believe in the 'Scientific Model' that is based on proof and results. However, where faith is concerned it is the contrary. We do not need to have evidence to believe in You for it will no longer be faith at all. Amen.
26. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28. God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29. so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31. in order, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord".
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 1 verses 22 to 31)
Oh, brothers and sisters in God my Father it is very important in this day and age to consider our calling our responsibility as believers in Jesus to others to God and to our spiritual welfare. Our calling is not simply to be members of a club or association, our calling is holy and therefore we are to consider it and treat it as being holy and not give it a low priority or take it for granted. God chose You and me, not because we are better in some way more than others, but because we are sinners more than others, and that by means of our sinful condition he can draw us to Him and others will follow on the the path, set by the examples that God uses us to perform. Therefore for ou own sake, and for that of others, we are to be more aware of what we say and do in order not to set a bad example to others for we do not only have our responsibility but also that of others for we are one body. Amen.
I would like to end this first chapter of the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians with the following prayer:
Oh God my Father, I would personally like to thank You for calling me to be a Christian and even a Roman Catholic, but above all, I would like to thank You for making me Your Son. I thank You for your love and support for there is none like You. I thank You for being active in my life. Even though I am harassed by negative forces both within and around me, You are always with me as a protective shield. I pray for forgiveness for I am not always faithful to You but You know that I love You with a sincere heart. Amen.
