In the third section of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the problem of idolatry. This seems to be prompted by a question from the Church concerning meats sacrificed to idols. Although idols are the symptom, pride that prompts one to determine autonomously what the appropriate standard of behavior is actually is the root cause. If the real problem was in fact idols or the meat sacrificed to them, the corrective teaching would be straightforward; abstain from association with idols as much as possible. However, arrogance and pride to make up one’s rules for one’s self is the deeper issue. Paul gives guidance on how not to violate the conscience of others and thereby promote the peace of Christ. Yet, Paul goes on to enumerate what is rightly due those who labor in the kingdom of God by pastoring the Church. Paul is clear on this point, the Church should support their pastor in temporal necessities; however, Paul will not accept such provision so that the ministry of the Gospel is not hindered. This is not necessarily intended to be the pattern for all Churches in all places at all times. Rather, it is an example of a willingness to abandon pride and arrogance in demanding what is rightfully one’s due to model the truths of Christ’s Gospel message. The shepherd of the Church above all people should have this heart and trust in God’s provision even if it comes through the Holy Spirit’s conviction upon the local Church. Paul further highlights this principle as he speaks of training his body to make it conform to the truths of God’s word in the Gospel. The example is that of an athlete that disciplines his body so that he may win the race and receive the temporal reward. Paul’s correlation here is that if this be true in trivial earthly matters, how much more true in eternal matters. The pastor must discipline himself so as not to introduce any obstruction to the Gospel message. He must not allow himself to fall prey to those things that would render his preaching disqualified and therefore bring shame to Christ. Rather, the proclamation of the Gospel message takes preeminence so that the minster of the Gospel learns to control his body so as not to be an offense; in the desires of the flesh, yes, but also in the arrogant pride of life, which after all is the fullest manifestation of idolatry. As a further explanation of this idea, Paul hits upon two areas of everyday life; the alignment of women under their husband as head of the home and the Lord’s Supper. Although these two areas may seem unrelated, the reality is that they are very similar. Paul confronts the arrogance of women in Corinth who are unwilling to submit to the leadership of their husbands by calling all women to remain silent in the corporate operations of the Church. In this way, the level of quiet submission required by the Scriptures is made evident in very real, tangible ways. In a similar fashion, Paul highlights the Lord’s Supper as more profound example of true submission. In short, the supper is to be taken with honor and respect. Failing to do so produces illness and death. In this area of corporate life it is not submission to an earthly husband at stake, it is submission to Christ as the head of the Church. In both cases, Paul requires that proper order and submission be the rule of the day so as to honor the name of Christ.
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