Daily Devotional for Thursday, March 23rd

Corinthian Church Enriched

“That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge,”
1 Corinthians 1:5.

When making a list of competitive games, we usually list active sports, such as swimming, running, jumping or skiing. Foot races, boxing, hand-to-hand combat and equestrian events, all physical competitions, made up from the first Olympic games. However, for those not so athletic competitors, the Isthmian Games, held near Corinth, included speech and wit contests. Participants were given a topic, and they were rated and scored on their ability to speak extemporaneously on that topic. The Isthmian Games were often training grounds for public speakers.
Naturally, giftedness in speech and knowledge was akin to virtue for the Corinthians. Paul addressed these qualities in his letter to the Corinthian believers. These typically secular qualities that were used to dignify and exalt oneself are gifts from the Lord that could be used to exalt Him. What powerful tools these are for the advancement of the gospel! Paul acknowledged their giftedness as the grace of God. They were enriched by Christ in every area, but namely their speech and knowledge.
The phrase “enriched by him” is unique to the Corinthian letters. Paul used common cultural qualities to point to God, the giver (or enricher) of those qualities, and to Christ, the One through whom they were given. In this way, Paul challenged the Corinthian believers repeatedly to use their speech and knowledge correctly. He contrasted eloquent speech and the message of the cross. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,” (1 Corinthians 1:18). In presenting the gospel to them, his preaching did not involve high speech or intellect, but was a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4). They were enriched by Christ with that same Spirit and power.

THOUGHT: All believers are enriched by Christ to use the gifts, skills and abilities God has given us to further the kingdom. Consider yours and how you can use them for Christ’s sake.

Kelli Reynolds