No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. – 1 Corinthians 11:19

Today's Scripture Reading (February 18, 2021): 1 Corinthians 11

"Sarcasm. It's from the Greek, sarkasmos. To bite the lips. It means that you aren't really saying what you mean, but people will get your point." The definition of "sarcasm" belongs to Christopher Moore, in "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal." The problem is that sarcasm often isn't all that obvious, and too often, we miss the point. We see sarcasm and react to it as if it is the literal truth. We just aren't as good communicators as Moore seems to think that we should be.

Contemporary experts often read these words of Paul and react as if this is the literal truth, that there was a critical reason for the division that had occurred in Corinth. The Corinthian division was to show which of the Corinthians were God approved and which were judged to be lacking. Paul doesn't tell us if it was the disciples of Apollos or Cephas or Paul who were the real Christians, or maybe it was the ones who claimed to follow Christ that were the ones who were God approved. But Paul is telling us that this is the purpose of the division and differences inside the church. How can we know who is right if we all look similar?

The problem with this interpretation of Paul's words is that it seems to go against the central theme of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Paul, throughout the letter, is pushing for radical unity for the Corinthian Church. The Apostle's message is clear; we are in this together. In the very opening of the letter, Paul names his thesis;

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)?

In light of his letter's introduction, I can't help but think that as Paul comments that the differences within the Corinthian Church show which of the Corinthians are "God approved," that there is some unrecognized sarcasm in Paul's message. Paul isn't saying what he means but rather argues the opposite, hoping that the Corinthians will get his point.

We still carry on in our churches, looking for the things that will set us apart from the others around us. We still try to prove that we are the real Christians because we hold to this subset of beliefs, rather than understanding the incredible strength that God has placed inside of our churches and our denominations precisely because we all hold slightly different ideas and opinions. We need to hear Paul's sarcasm and recognize that God's approval is maybe a little wider than we sometimes profess.    

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12