On Being a Christian in Corinth

There was a young Christian in the church in Corinth named Euphrosynos: Fro for short. Fro was upset by what was going on in his church. Now it should be noted, his church had already created a reputation for itself: Peter, Apollos, and Paul had all preached there. They were a wealthy and influential church. A church many were proud of, but not in a way with which Paul was entirely comfortable. He was always a bit of a fussbucket about things. But when the great fathers left, factions began to develop among the Corinthians as some identified with the international apostolates of Peter or Paul, or vaunted the autonomous Apollos as the greatest.

Amidst this factionalism, several moral and doctrinal (actually, liturgical) changes and challenges came upon the community. First, and most blatant, Matereros was sleeping with his mother-in-law. Matereros was a very nice guy and helped other Christians out -- he was wealthy -- but, hey, that's just not right, man. But secondly, and more importantly, the dominant group of Christians in Corinth -- the strong -- had changed practice of the Eucharist that Paul had handed on (traditio) to them. They had changed the words that Paul had used, and more seriously, they were conducting the services in such a way that the very core truths proclaimed in the Lord's Supper were being betrayed. Finally, they seemed unwilling to do anything about Matereros' behavior, which caused them to be made a laughingstock, even in libertine Corinth. Fro was distressed, because the Strong simply scorned Fro and his friends for their weakness and simplicity, and refused to stop practices that would eventually separate them from what Paul called the Body. As a result of the factionalism, no local solution was politically possible: someone needed to tell Paul what was going on, and seek his help.

Fro and his friends hoped that the Strong would listen to Paul, for he had planted the church in Corinth. Although they claimed autonomy and self-sufficiency, they needed to be reminded that they had not started de novo (as Flavius, a recent Roman convert would say), but were part of a worldwide missionary movement. Although the elders of Corinth could ordain locally who ever they wanted, and adopt the liturgy to local needs, they also needed to recognize that the truth which their presbyters proclaimed and the liturgy expressed was not their own, but was Christ's, and given to them as a gift through the apostolic mission of Paul. There were accountable to Thessalonica, Galatia, and all the churches that sprang from that mission just as they had. Besides, Fro recalled that Paul had never vaunted himself, but had focused them on the work of Christ on their behalf.

Letters describing the situation in Corinth were being sent, along with trusted messengers. Now Fro and his friends had to wait for the response. Fro knew that they had to be patient, because, hey: boats are slow! And the messengers might be caught in storms and delayed. But they lived in faith that a response from Paul would come. But what should they do in the meantime? Found the Second Church of Corinth? The Orthodox Pauline Church of Corinth? Attempt to involve the secular Imperial authorities?

Upon reflection, Fro resolved to live into his name: Euphrosynos, "merry," "joyful one." He continued to remain a faithful member of the church in Corinth, even as he refused to support the faithless practices and preaching of the Strong. He also reflected on the members of his own household who did not know Christ, who had not yet received the new life of the Spirit. Fro decided to focus on them until the much-anticipated letter came. He and the other "weak" had much they could do together to serve those without hope in the world (he cribbed that from Paul). He would share his joy with them, a joy that no church or Strong Man could ever take away from him or from those with whom he shared it.

And the Rector told them many such parables, and said, "He who has ears listen, and he who can read, open 1 and 2 Corinthians."