Our second readings for this season of Epiphany continue in I Corinthians 3:1-9, as the appointed reading for the 6th Sunday after Epiphany in the Year of Matthew. Here Paul is building on the previous two chapters as he reveals, once again, the primary reason for his writing: the divisions within the Church. This is undoubtedly a law-based text, which will require considerable skill and tact as the preacher attempts to bring to bear the message of the Word here.
(The following questions have been developed to unearth the way the Word functions in the text. This is of utmost concern to Law and Gospel preachers since the way the Word functions in the text is the way the Word needs to function in the sermon. For more on this method and on Law and Gospel preaching in general, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)
1. How does the Word function in the text? Undoubtedly the Word is functioning as Law here, calling the hearers to repentance. The divisions Paul referred to in chapter 1 are a great concern of his, and he takes the Corinthians to task here.
2. How is the Word not functioning in the text? There is little evidence of Gospel here. Having said that, Paul does mention that God is the One giving growth, and we are God's field and God's building, all hopeful words.
3. With whom are you identifying in the text? It is always good to identify with those to whom the Word is addressed, so in this case, we must consider how we too are party to divisions in Christ's Church.
4. What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text? There is an implicit call to obedience throughout this text: strive for unity. This call will become explicit later in the letter.
5. What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text? Using the theme of this text, we might imagine a number of couplets: division/unity; jealousy/contentment; of the flesh/of the Spirit.
6. Exegetical work: Ambrosiaster, the 4th century exegete, states the problem in Corinth simply: "Although they had received the faith which is the seed of the Spirit, they had produced no fruit worthy of God." (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, NT, vol. VII, p. 28). Indeed this is so. The Corinthians have declared themselves "spiritual" or even "spiritually mature," but Paul sees their quarreling and reminds them that this is the way of mortals, not the way of God. Richard Hays says it this way: "Being 'of the flesh' does not mean, as the Corinthian wisdom-enthusiasts supposed, lacking refined spiritual knowledge and experience. Nor does being 'of the flesh' mean, as much of the subsequent Christian tradition has supposed, living in lust and sexual sin. No, for Paul, being 'in the flesh' means living in rivalry and disunity within the church. This breathtaking assertion shatters and reshapes the whole scale of values on which the Corinthians are asked to measure themselves." (Interpretation series, First Corinthians, pp.48-49).
7. Consider the insights of the pioneers of the New Homiletic? Charles Rice reminded us that it is essential to help listeners recognize their shared story in a text. In this case that would mean helping listeners find themselves in this scenario of jealousy and strife. It will be the goal of the preacher to help listeners say to themselves, "That's me. I've done that," rather than them hearing the preacher say, "That's you. You have done this."
Blessings on your proclamation!
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