Correction and Counsel: A Study of 1 & 2 Corinthians

Teachers, coaches, employers, ministers, and parents often find themselves in the role of communicating correction and counsel to those for whom they are accountable. This is part of the responsibility of being a leader. The effectiveness of such instruction can often depend on the integrity of the leader and the condition of the relationship between the leader and those in need of the correction and counsel. As you may well know, sometimes these can be difficult conversations.

The Apostle Paul found himself in just such a situation with a church he had planted in Corinth during his second missionary journey. Corinth was a cosmopolitan city located on a major trade route, and happened to be one of the most wicked cities of the ancient world. It was famous for its pagan worship practices, especially the worship of the goddess Aphrodite. When it came to morality, Corinth was much like any large metropolitan city in the world today.

In the middle of this environment, these new church members (with many new converts from paganism), struggled with breaking the habits of their former lifestyles. Paul provide them with needed correction and counsel through the two letters we know as 1 and 2 Corinthians. He called them out for sinful practices, provided instruction regarding marriage, generosity, spiritual gifts, and church conflict, and wrote with eloquence regarding the true meaning of love. He also encouraged the Corinthians by reminding them they could live with resurrection hope and that God had promised his sufficient grace to meet their every need.

May we be encouraged as well to respond rightly to God’s correction and counsel as revealed in the letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians. We can be confident that the words Jesus spoke to Paul are true for us as we seek to serve Christ in our world, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a, NIV).