Paul's letters to the Corinthians reveal complex social dynamics among early followers of Christ. One intriguing aspect is the presence and role of the ἄπιστοι (unbelievers) within the community. Although not fully members, the ἄπιστοι held a significant role and status. The depiction of ἄπιστοι in these letters provides deep insights into how Paul managed interactions between the church members and those on the periphery.
In 1 Corinthians 14:35, Paul states that it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. This statement reflects the social structure and rules within the early Christian community. In Ephesians 3:21, Paul praises God in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations. Colossians 4:16 records Paul’s instruction to read his letter among the believers and also in the church of the Laodiceans. Although the ἄπιστοι do not have full membership, they still maintain a form of insider status. This is evident in Paul describing them as "those who have no standing in the church," indicating their closeness to the community.
In 1 Corinthians 14:22-24, Paul describes a situation where ἄπιστοι could be present in church meetings. In 1 Corinthians 6:4-6, Paul addresses the issue of church members taking their disputes to the ἄπιστοι instead of resolving them within the community. For Paul, the problem is not the social association or even participation in worship with the ἄπιστοι, but the inability of the church members to judge themselves without external help. This highlights the importance of internal competence and authority in handling church affairs.
2 Corinthians also provides insights into the role of ἄπιστοι, particularly in the context of idolatrous practices. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, the ἄπιστοι are depicted as individuals involved in idolatry, posing a threat to the community. Whether or not this passage is considered an interpolation, it is significant because it shows the ἄπιστοι as either disloyal Christians or opponents of Paul's mission. They are associated with practices that can tempt the believers into idolatry.
Michael Goulder argues that the ἄπιστοι in this passage are not general pagans or unbelievers, but rather faithless Christians. This argument is based on the ordinary sense of πιστός (faithful) and ἄπιστος (unfaithful), and the fact that Paul permits interaction with pagan idolaters elsewhere. Some scholars connect the ἄπιστοι in this passage with Paul's opponents in Corinth, depicted in chapters 10-13 as worse than idolaters and equated with Beliar. Regardless of the interpretation, the ἄπιστοι are close enough to the faithful in Corinth to tempt them into partnerships involving idolatry.
The partnerships referred to in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 are not detailed, but they differ from other social interactions Paul permits, such as marriage, where believers overcome the impurity of the ἄπιστοι. The envisioned partnership likely involves formal relationships with the ἄπιστοι that the faithful should not maintain. The rhetorical question in verse 16—“What agreement has the temple of God with idols?”—suggests these partnerships violate the church’s covenant with God.
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the ἄπιστοι are described as having their minds blinded by the god of this age. They are seen as Christians perishing because their minds are blinded by satanic forces. The ἄπιστοι are defined as a subgroup within "those who are perishing" (ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις). The blinding of the ἄπιστοι may result from idolatry, a betrayal of loyalty to the living God. This association of idolatry and blindness is a common trope, similar to the depiction in Isaiah 44:18 of idol makers as blind and uncomprehending.
Faced with the threat from ἄπιστοι, Paul takes a firm stance against idolatry and formal relationships with pagans. However, he shows surprising permissiveness in other social interactions. In 1 Corinthians 7:12-15, Paul allows marriages between ἄπιστοι and believers, arguing that the believers can sanctify the ἄπιστοι. In 1 Corinthians 10:27, he permits believers to eat at the tables of ἄπιστοι and partake of their idol food, provided they are not informed that the food was sacrificed to idols. In 1 Corinthians 14:22-25, the ἄπιστοι seem to regularly attend community worship, prompting Paul to encourage liturgical changes to accommodate them.
Paul’s approach balances spiritual purity with social inclusion, emphasizing the importance of certain social relationships for community cohesion. By setting boundaries, Paul seeks to protect the church from harmful influences while allowing interactions that strengthen community bonds.
Paul's struggle with the ἄπιστοι in Corinth is political. Idolatrous error is a political error regarding the management of society. Naming the deviancy of the ἄπιστοι reinforces the societal integrity of the church. Although 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 sets strict parameters on relationships with ἄπιστοι, evidence from 1 Corinthians shows surprising permissiveness in social interactions between the church and ἄπιστοι. This indicates that Paul’s primary goal is to manage the community’s spiritual purity without severing social ties that enhance community cohesion.
Paul’s firmness in principle must be balanced with flexibility in social practice. This teaches us about the complexity of managing religious communities, where the main goal is to maintain spiritual and moral purity while ensuring social inclusion that strengthens the community. This analysis provides insights into how early Christian communities faced significant challenges in maintaining their identity amidst external influences. Paul's strategy shows that the importance of social relationships should not be overlooked in efforts to preserve the community's moral and spiritual integrity.
Conclusion
Paul’s approach teaches the importance of balance in managing social and spiritual relationships within religious communities. This is relevant in the modern context, where religious communities and other organizations face similar challenges in maintaining their identity and integrity amid external influences. By understanding Paul’s approach, we can learn how to manage social and spiritual relationships in ways that strengthen communities and maintain fidelity to moral and spiritual principles.
Sumber:
Billings, B.S., 2016. The apistoi and idiotes in 1 Corinthians 14: 20–25: The ancient context and missiological meaning. The Expository Times, 127(6), pp.277-285.
Lang, T.J., 2018. Trouble with Insiders: The Social Profile of the ἄπιστοι in Paul’s Corinthian Correspondence. Journal of Biblical Literature, 137(4), pp.981-1001.
Wilson, R.M., 1972. How gnostic were the Corinthians?. New Testament Studies, 19(1), pp.65-74.