A. An overarching Exhortation vs 1 • The imperative to pursue love
B. The Priority of Edification vs 2-12 • Spiritual gifts are to benefit of the church
“Three sources are the most probable candidates for the ecstatic phenomenon seen at Corinth: the Cybele-Attis cult, the Dionysian cult (both mystery religions), and the religion of Apollo.”
“The worship of Cybele-Attis (200 B.C). The rites of this cult were extreme in nature. Priests who were stirred by clashing cymbals, loud drums, and screeching flutes, would at times dance in a frenzy of excitement, gashing their bodies.
“Dionysus, the god of wine…Following the torches as they dipped and swayed in the darkness, they climbed mountain paths with head thrown back and eyes glazed, dancing to the beat of the drum which stirred their blood…. In the state of ecstasy or “enthousiasmos”, they abandoned themselves, dancing wildly…. At that moment of intense rapture they became identified with the god himself…. They became filled with his spirit and acquired divine powers.”
“Apollo …The ecstatic tongues-speaking of the oracle and the subsequent interpretation by the priest at Delphi are widely known.
With the ecstasy of Dionysianism and the emphasis on tongues-speaking and oracles in the religion of Apollo, it is not surprising that some of the Corinthians carried these pagan ideas in the church at Corinth, especially the practice of glossolalia for which both of these religions are known.”
Paul ends his arguments right where he started. Edification and instruction take priority over any spiritual gift in the church.
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