The Corinthian church had more than its share of problems. First of all there were quarrels among them. They were following after men. Some said that they were of Paul, others of Apollos, or of Cephas, and still others said they were of Christ. (1:11,12) They were babes in Christ, carnal, even though they should have been maturing. This manifested itself in envy, strife, and divisions. (3:1-3) They were extremely prideful and apparently believed that they had arrived in the Christian life. (4:8) They overlooked gross sin amongst themselves.(5:1) They took their fellow believers to court over matters that should have been handled internally. Paul told them that it was an utter failure that they go to court against one another. (6:1,7) Again he rebuked them for divisions when they came together. This resulted in a shameful observance of communion. (11:18-22) And finally there were some teaching that there is no resurrection from the dead. (15:12)

They were messed up. But that is how all of us come initially. God throws people from all walks and personalities into the body, His church. The analogy of the body is used to illustrate that each of us serve only as a part. But each part is required in order for the body to function fully. The Corinthians were not functioning well together. They were not growing in their relationship with the Lord. They were self-centered rather than God centered. 

Paul’s instruction to them was clear, “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”. (10:31) The Christian life is not about me; it’s not about you. It’s about Christ and serving Him. And serving Him results in a proper attitude toward others, especially fellow believers. In doing so Jesus declared, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)