Mission and Ethics in 1 Corinthians: Reconciliation, corporate solidarity and other-regard as missionary strategy in Paul

HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies

Jacobus Kok¹ 

[1] Department of New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria;

关键词: Mission;    ethics;    Paul;    Corinthians;   

DOI  :  10.4102/hts.v68i1.1222

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In this article the dynamic relationship between mission and ethics in contexts of conflictand change in the Corinthian correspondence was investigated, and the role Paul played asreconciling leader, examined. The early Christian writers like Paul wanted to instruct andshape communities of faith. Paul was especially concerned with the maintenance and growthof his congregations and also with the social and ethical boundaries between the community offaith and the ‘world’. In the article it was illustrated that within the Corinthian congregationalcontext there existed several conflict situations, and that much of it was a result of diversitywithin the congregation. Diversity is a fact of life and reality of the church. In Paul’s visionfor unity and reconciliation, and in his attempt to address the factionalism in the Corinthiancongregation, he would in all cases, ground his practical solution in a theological identityconstruction. Paul focuses on corporate solidarity and unity and urges the congregation tofind their fellow brothers and sisters in times of conflict by means of ethical reciprocity andother-regard, a matter in which he is also an example, typical of other philosophers of his time– but with a significant difference. At the end it becomes clear that Paul’s ethical advice hasa missional dimension, in the sense that the conflict management should take place in sucha way that God is honoured and that both Jews, Greeks and fellow believers will see that theway this community handles conflict, is different to the way the ‘world’ would do it, and thatin the process, even more might be saved.

【 授权许可】

Unknown