Main news for 15 May 2018

As seen, Paul considers all the spiritual problems and sins manifesting themselves in the life of the Corinthian church as "human trial", i.e. such, in which there is nothing extraordinary, nothing supernatural and even, probably, nothing particularly terrible. The word "trial" in such context is used to be translated in English as "temptation", but the Greek corresponding word (as its Jewish equivalent) mean in particular “trial", although in it, can also be present this meaning, which we imply today, speaking about temptations. But for us temptations are connected all the same mostly to our personal sins, while with the trial is usually associated for us with a kind of trial, with the control of our faith and our faithfulness.

But indeed, strictly speaking, the difference between a trial and a temptation is only defined by, if we miss the examination, or not. If not, we (sometimes with pride) speak about the trial, through which we crossed, if we miss – we call the trial temptation, lamenting about the fact that our sins turned out (one more time) stronger than us. And here is for the first Christians, probably, there was no clear delineation here, and Paul is not an exception.

It is not surprising: because Christianity for the apostle is not a religion, where there is a place, on one hand, for a vivid sermon and a heroic sacrifice, and on the other hand - a secret fight with personal sin, secret because to speak of such things aloud is uncomfortable and shameful. Christianity for Paul is the life in the Kingdom. And no matter what prevents the man from living this life in its plenitude - the fear of the possible or real persecutions, the insult on the rejection of others living the life of "this world", either the one of these passions or vices capturing the mind and the heart, of which the apostle says that among the Christians, it is even indecent to mention them.

In any case it is about things which are incompatible with the life of the Kingdom, and that is why they must be overcome. And thus, it is always about a trial. And the fact that it is "human", peculiar to people, is unfortunately the truth: because Paul speaks about things, which, for fallen people, regrettably, are rather typical, with all their unsightliness. But the apostle knows another thing: for those, for whom the life of the Kingdom is more important than all the rest, such trials are completely surmountable. Because unlike people, God is faithful to the promises once given and to the union-covenant once concluded.