Main news for 16 June 2024

Judging by the first chapter of Paul's letter, his previous visits to the Corinthian church were by no means smooth. We can only guess what he means by the "griefs" caused to the Corinthian Christians during his previous visit to them. One thing is clear: the conversation was serious and, most likely, not very pleasant.

Paul nevertheless hastens to assure the Corinthian brothers that this by no means cancels or destroys the spiritual unity that binds them all as members of the one Church of Christ. The issue, of course, is not external, formal unity, but essential unity. The apostle expresses it this way: on the day of the Lord, as the first Christians called the day of the Savior's return, we, says the apostle of himself and his companions, will boast before God of you, and you of us.

And the point here is not only that Paul managed to make good Christians out of the Corinthians, whom he can present to Christ on the day of His return as evidence of the undoubted success of his earthly ministry. The point is that one can boast, in the sense in which the apostle uses this word, only of those with whom one abides in the fullness of communion. In spiritual unity.

But what about all the harsh and not very pleasant words, as one may think, spoken by Paul to the Corinthian Christians before? Evidently they did not destroy the unity mentioned above. The point is not only in the words, but also in how they are spoken: with love or with hatred. With the desire to help or with the desire to push away, assert oneself, and triumph over a defeated opponent.

The matter lies in the intention that stands behind the words, an intention positive or negative, constructive or destructive. And if words are spoken with love, they do not destroy relationships and do not violate spiritual unity, although they may cause not only discomfort but also pain. Without love, no words, even the most pleasant, create anything or establish any relationships. Therefore they are useless for the Kingdom as well: they simply do not reach it. For the Kingdom is an environment of love, and everything that has no relation to love therefore remains outside the Kingdom. With all the consequences that follow.