Leaving Childhood (2)

Another of the characteristics that are suggested in 1 Corinthians as revealing spiritual childhood are the issues related to the appetites of the body. If we read carefully chapters 5 to 11 of this epistle we notice that the main problems treated here have to do with this. The first is the sexual issue, specifically fornication (chapters 5 to 7), and then that related to food and drink, from chapters 8 to 11.

Problems associated with the appetites of the body are a sign of immaturity in Christians. Therefore, when Paul writes his first letter to the Thessalonians -a very new church- he touches on this very thing, saying: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you may depart from fornication, that each of you may know how to possess his body with holiness and honor, and not be ruled by passion, as are the Gentiles who do not know God" (1 Thess. 4:3-4). Both fornication and gluttony are physical disorders, uncontrolled appetites. Christians must overcome these issues if they aspire to leave spiritual childhood behind.

In chapter 6, Paul alternates between these two things: in verse 13 he speaks of viands, and a few verses below he speaks of fornication (v. 18). Even when he touches on marriage issues, he begins by warning about fornications (7:2). In chapter 8 he returns to viands (v. 4, 13); and also chapter 9 (v. 4). He does the same in chapter 10, where he takes examples from the people of Israel, in episodes associated with the lust of eating meat, and fornications (vv. 6, 8). In chapter 11, although he touches on the theme of the Lord's Supper, the excesses he corrects have to do with disorderly eating and drinking (11:21-22).

Roughly at the center of the whole argument, Paul poses the solution to the problem. And he does so in a very practical way, as befits children in Christ: "Everyone who struggles refrains from everything ... in this way I fight, not as one who beats the air, but I beat my body, and bring it into subjection, lest, having been a herald to others, I myself should be done away with" (1 Cor. 9:25-27). Paul does not take them to the heights of revelation-as he does with the Ephesians, for example-but deals with the matter directly and practically.

It is necessary to stand decisively and subdue the body, so that it may be the servant of the spirit and not the master that rules the life. There is a higher cause -represented by the "incorruptible crown"- that merits abstaining from everything that hinders the race. It is not a question here of the stoicism with which some try to obtain their salvation -salvation is free, by the grace of God. This "beating the body" is with a view to the kingdom- hence the crown. Thus we leave behind a stage of littleness, and advance to fullness.

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