You Must Be Kidding!
to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB
Saints – How is it possible, how is it even conceivable that Paul would call the motley crew of Corinth saints? These people are a mess. Incest, perversion, quarrels, illness, heresies, rancor – you name it, they exhibit it. These people are about as far from being holy ones as we could imagine. Paul must be crazy, right?
Perhaps we can make some headway by noticing that the words “sanctified” and “saints” are connected. “Saints” is hagios. “Sanctified” is from the verb hagiazo. Both are part of the Alpha-Gamma family of Greek words, all connected to the idea of holiness. Procksch makes the important point that “in the usage in the Bible we must everywhere recognize the Semitic background”[1] of these Greek terms, that is, the Hebrew word kodesh. What does it mean to be “holy” in Hebrew? Our usual Greek explanation is “set aside, separated.” But the Hebrew idea is richer. Kodesh is not merely about moral or ethical behavior. It is about God taking possession of us. It is about surrender, dedication and consecration. In Heschel’s terms, it is about awe and wonder in the presence of God. We are mistaken if we think that holiness is a synonym for morality. It is not. In fact, in Hebrew kodesh has no Hebrew synonyms. It is a cultic term for total abandonment to God based on actions initiated by God for God. Moral and ethical behaviors are by-products of kodesh, not the purpose of kodesh. This is why it is possible to be a “good” person and still not be hagios-kodesh. And this is why it is possible to be a mess and still be hagios-kodesh.
Now let’s look at the assembly in Corinth (the word “church” causes some problems too, but we will ignore them). Were these people brought into the presence of the Holy God? Yes. Did God call them to Himself? Yes. Did God take possession (ownership) of them? Yes. Does “sanctified” mean that they are morally upright and pure now? No. Does it mean that this will be the natural by-product of God’s purposes? Yes. It is important to realize that kodesh is atypical Hebrew. It is not about actions. It is about a state of being. In other words, Paul’s statement is proleptic. He writes to the assembly of Corinth from the perspective of what they will eventually become behaviorally, not because they will work to achieve that end but because God will faithfully produce that end. From this perspective, they are saints in progress. Their task is consecration. God will do all the rest. But from God’s perspective, they are already His possession and therefore, they are right now kodesh.
Distinguishing the Hebraic senses of hagios-kodesh is crucial for interpretation of this text. Without this background, we might wrongly conclude that behavior doesn’t matter when it comes to being called saints. Obviously, it matters a great deal, but it is not a matter of earning sainthood but rather responding to the God who owns us.
As far as I can tell, Paul might as well have been writing to the assembly in Montverde, Dayton, Phoenix, Seattle, Taipei, Singapore, Melbourne or Kroonstad. We who have been drawn out by the power of the Lord are experiencing kodesh, the presence of the One who calls. We know awe, not because we have achieved it but because it has overwhelmed us. We are nevertheless a mess. But God only works with garbage. Garbage in – hagios out. It’s a miracle.
It seems rather pointless to proclaim that Paul excuses our mess simply because he sees us as we will become. That ignores everything we know about obedience. But God always starts what He finishes and in this case, He has started the finished work of you and me – and the motley crew in Corinth.
Topical Index: saints, hagios, sanctified, hagiazo, holy, kodesh, 1 Corinthians 1:2
[1] TDNT, Vol. 1, p. 89.
Thank GOD for this powerful explanation! I’ve always said that He is far more interested in who we are then what we do. I’ve always prayed that GOD would continue his work in me, so that He would not need to do a major remodeling job on my life I stepped into eternity. If I allow Him to work daily in my life, moment by moment, I will certainly become more like Him in time as well as eternity.
There are (finally?) two types of “motley” people in this world, but only one in the next. What matters is not Jew or Gentile, it is not male or female, it is not rich or poor, it is not Republicrat or Demican. Either you is a saint, or you is an ‘ain’t.” This difference betwixt the two is the Savior. If any man be “in Christ.” Are we part of the “in” crowd? May we say it, know it, and show it- “I (today, now) belong to the Sovereign Shepherd.”
And because I am His and because I have been “bought with a price” and because I am under new management, new ownership, and because He has given unto me all things that pertain unto life and godliness, I may say it, know it and show it in my thoughts, deeds and actions- I am a child of the King. A royal Ambassador for Christ. His representative to a lost and dying world. And brothers and sisters- “it is written”- without Him, we can do ‘nothing.’ (that btw, is a zero with the edges trimmed off).
Here is a giant leap for mankind: This will (I hope) enable us to take a quantum step forward in our daily walk with Him. “Holiness is not the way to Christ.” Selah. “Christ is the Way to holiness.” Amein. “It is the LORD.” For of Him, and through Him and to Him are all things.” We are to live a Christ-centered life. (Not self-centered!) Selfless not selfish. “Not I, but Christ.”
His command? or His request to His sons? “because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1.16) One would command a servant, but one would ask a son. Are we (now) the sons and daughters of YHWH? What would greatly please our Abba today? How do we know what pleases Him? What are His instructions? Where are these instructions for daily living found? -“As it is written..____”
What we (all) need is an Example. We need to see what holiness looks like. We need and Instructor, a Teacher, a Personal Trainer. Someone we may look to and call our Mentor, our Friend. Someone who modeled all of the Father’s instructions perfectly. Someone to teach us how to love one another. There are many who have never seen love in action. How can we give that which we do not possess? We must first receive in order to give..
All who belong to Him are able to live as He lived. To think as He think. To do as He did. We (now) have the mind of Christ. We are without excuse. We have no reason whatsoever not to live this very day- a holy life. The choice is up to us. Will we give unto Him our “Yes?” How is it possible to say anything other than Yes, LORD? (If we say no, then He is not LORD!) lol!- Amen!
G-d knows those who are His, and He knows we are not “perfect” children! Oh, but we are children, children who need to grow up, and to be conformed to the image of the Son. What does G-d want? “Be strong, and of good courage!- “Be strong in the LORD, and in the power of His might..” “Pray without ceasing.” (and) “Rejoice evermore!”
Our “diet” does matter. (Both physically and spiritually) “Eat that which is good and let your soul delight itself in fatness..” “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.” (Jeremiah 15.16) We bear His name? Yes!! We do. And like Father, like son. Remember (today) Who your Father is and do not disgrace the family name..
“There are (finally?) two types of “motley” people in this world, but only one in the next.
What matters is not Jew or Gentile, it is not male or female, it is not rich or poor, it is not Republicrat or Demican. Either you is a saint, or you is an ‘ain’t.””
Hi Carl,
I realize that you are jesting a bit when you say that “Either you is a saint, or you is an ‘ain’t.”
But I’m guessing that the “state of being” of which Skip speaks is not a static state of either | or.
Rather I would guess that it is a “dynamic” state.
A dynamic state in which the “motley fools” above are being transformed into images of God.
And I’m bit wary of any tendency to put ourselves into one of the following boxes:
– Truth with the capital T
– Good with the capital G
Because this tendency is generally accompanied by a corresponding tendency.
A corresponding tendency to put other folks into a box called Evil with a capital E.
And we know that in fact we all have evil inclinations that we must “domesticate.”
If we are to live according to the laws of God.
Michael, I refuse to put anyone in a box. There is one Judge and ONE alone. And we will all (each) according to the word(s) of G-d stand before that Judge, one day. “For there is only one G-d and one Mediator who can reconcile G-d and humanity–the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2.5)
There is (sometimes) only one right answer. Truth is (sometimes) extremely narrow and exact. Facts are facts unless of course we want to “fudge” or smear or blur the truth. In the world of mathmatics, one plus one equals only two. Not 1.9 (close enuf?) not 2.1 (good enuf?) but 2.0 and only two. This is the cold, hard, unchanging, eternal truth. We have heard it said, “just the facts m’am.” But in this uncertain, ever changing, partly cloudy, partly sunny, opinionated, ego-driven, fallen (ever since Eden) world we (all) live in- is there any solid, unchanging, eternal, foundational “rock” we may stand upon?
Let us visit this verse once again.. “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17.17) Looking for truth? Looking for the narrow Way that leads unto life? (remember there are two paths and two gates- two ways to go). The “straight” gate- the narrow way, that leads unto life, or the broad gate (that many are traveling) that leads unto destruction. Now once again, Who said, “I AM the Way”? This same ONE also said, “bring him to Me.” “Come unto me” And our Bible, the living, active, word of G-d simply states- “Whosoever will may come..” This invitation of the Christ is an open invitation to “whosoever will.” Very inclusive, yet very exclusive at the same time.
However, there is (only) one Name, “This Yeshua is the stone rejected by the builders which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other Name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!” (Acts 4.12)
Michael, this Name, this precious Name, this mighty name, this saving name is the name which is above every name (in heaven or in earth!) This is the name of salvation. This is the name of deliverance. This is the name of healing and of health. This is the name of blessing and shalom. This ONE named Jesus is (and remains) King of the Jews. And He is also (Who is this King of glory?) our Mighty G-d, our Kinsman-Redeemer, our Good Shepherd, our blood-covenant Friend, our ever-present Help in time of need. Is this all? Is this list complete? No, it is not! I am reminded of the infomercial- “but wait!- there’s more! So much more..- all found within this Name.
In Hebrew, names have meaning. Abram became Abraham. Why? Saul became Paul.. Why? You and I, and those who belong to Christ have been given a new name. What is my “new name?” I don’t have a clue- this is a surprise that is just going to have to wait..
But meanwhile (back at the ranch) let us remember this: “He emptied Himself, in that He took the form of a slave by becoming like human beings are and when He appeared as a human being, He humbled Himself still more by becoming obedient even to death – death on a stake as a criminal! (the tslav, the cross). Therefore G-d raised Him to the highest place and gave Him “the Name (Hashem) above every name; that in honor of the name given Yeshua, every knee will bow – in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue will acknowledge that Yeshua the Messiah is ADONAI – to the glory of- the Father.” (Philippians 2.7-11)
Is Jesus the Christ? Is He the Annointed? Is He the ‘Sent ONE?’ Is He the Lamb of G-d, the Second Adam, Son of G-d and Son of Man who was, and is, and is to come?
My answer? My confession? I am going to agree with what is written concerning Him. He is. All of the above. Amen.
For there is only one G-d and one Mediator who can reconcile G-d and humanity–the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2.5)
Hi Carl,
I like the concept of mediator but I tend to think we all serve as mediators in relation to God.
And I must admit that the first time I read Timothy I said to myself:
“Paul must have lost his mind at this point.”
I mean doesn’t the New Testament start out with Matthew’s “geneology of Jesus Christ?”
But in Timothy we find Paul back in his “repressive mode” advising Timothy:
“to stay at Epheseus, to insist that certain people stop teaching strange doctrines and taking notice of myths and endless genealogies; (because) these things are only likely to raise irrelevant doubts instead of furthering the designs of God which are revealed in FAITH.”
Paul rails against these “doctors of the LAW” arguing:
“that the Law is good, but only provided it is treated like any law, in the understanding that the laws are not framed for people who are good.”
It seems to me that in Judaism the Law is framed for people who are good and in Timothy Faith is replacing the Law.
It seems to me that in Timothy we are moving from Judaism to “Christianity.”
And it does not sound like Paul to me.
“We know awe, not because we have achieved it but because it has overwhelmed us.”
Amen, Skip. It’s all in the knowing. And you’re right . . . it’s a miracle we do!
And, Carl, thanks for evidencing your awe!
Two Rights, One Truth
As a counselor and as one who’s central authority is the Bible and not state-influenced psychology I deal with this issue often. Many of my clients are men and women who have “done what is right” and still they end up stuck, broken, alone, or guilty of hurting the ones they love. How is that possible? Skip makes the point. Being morally or ethically correct is a value and has an important place, but it is secondary. The priority remains, have I surrendered to the ownership of the Creator? Otherwise I could be right and still miss the truth.
There are two ways to be right and each has a different outcome; but, there is only one way to Truth (notice the proper pronoun). Right and wrong are contextual, but Truth is universal and timeless. Allow me to illustrate.
In 1939 it was wrong for a non-Jew in the United States to hurt or harm a Jew, but in Germany it was not only legal, it was expected of it’s good citizens. Right and wrong was based on geography, philosophy, and the leader in power at the time. Truth, however, remains today as it was in 1939. All men and women are created in the image and likeness of God; all life is to be respected and preserved. But, if I don’t acknowledge the Creator, then the Truth is irrelevant to me. The only thing that matters is me being right, and others knowing that I’m right.
There’s a way to be right without Truth, but the end is death, disappointment, and far more expensive than anyone can calculate. Those who observe Torah – walking in the ways of Yeshua – will know the Truth. Truth will be revealed to them and they will be liberated; free to continue that walk. As they walk they will be led to what is right, they will be right, they will do right. To whom the Son sets free is free in deed.
Amen Roderick. (and yes I did notice the capitalization of the word “Truth.” I am both amazed and amused at the question Pilate posed before His Creator, “what is truth?” when “Truth Incarnate” was standing right in front of him! Shall we review the words of Him who is the Living Word?- “I AM (the Way,the Truth and the Life..) Is this still in question or have we come to the place of realization, recognition and rest- He IS who He says He is! He is the Way. He is the Truth and He is the Life. Life “more abundant and free..”
Let’s kick it up a notch. Torah living? Yes. Amen. But what if (just sayin’) we could possess the Author and Teacher of the Torah, the ONE who inspired the Writings, living within us? Is this possible? What do the scriptures say?
Amen Roderick – great points!
“He writes to the assembly of Corinth from the perspective of what they will eventually become behaviorally, not because they will work to achieve that end but because God will faithfully produce that end.”
Very powerful Skip! And so true. After reading the “Guardian Angel” book and getting it from the head to the heart – both myself AND my husband….now is the time to lean not on my own understanding because the fruit of NOT knowing…has produced chaos in our family. Knowing that it is HE that will finish the work He started is not only a comfort but a relief! Now….it is the TRUTH in His Image I seek, not to be ‘right’, for if I seek the Truth, pursue the Truth and embrace the Truth …. then ALL will be right!
I know this is off subject, however maybe someone can afford me some insight into the portion for this week.
In regards to the red heifer, it is told that when it is burnt they must throw in the cedar wood hysop and “scarlet” into the fire. My question is in regards to the translation of the term scarlet.
The first part is וּשְׁנִי and I understand that to mean a doubling in the sense of folding (ie; a mirror image, left is right and right is left or of a different substance). what I don’t get is this word. תוֹלָעַת I know that it’s possibly a worm that is used to make scarlet dye, but what is its reference to to sacrifice of the red heifer. I can’t seem to understand how to break down the word. Perhaps someone can afford some insight toward me. As usual, it’s probably right in front of my eyes.
Anyway, great word today Skip, thank you again for the timely word.
Skip, I think you mean – But God always starts what He finishes… (last sentence) – not “when” He finishes, right? (Not that God couldn’t start when He finishes… I’m sure he could). Just want to make sure I understand what you’re saying here.
You’re right. Sorry. I made the correction.