SPIRIT OF UNHEALTHY COMPETITION IN THE CHURCH: 1 COR 3.4

Reputed to measure the greatness of individuals not through their origins but according to their celebrity, competition is today the dominant principle of being among men, to the point of invading all dimensions of our daily lives. Competition, performance, pre-eminence, everything seems to become determining factors in building an attractive identity. Competition has thus become a mode of distinction, better still a mimetic desire (I absolutely want to become like him). In this regard, an effort to better explore the meaning of the word "competition" seems necessary.

1. WHAT DOES THE COMPETITION MEAN ?

The online Larousse and the Etymological Dictionary of French agree on one point: the entry of the word competition into the French language was made in the 18th century by the English competition, itself derived from the Latin competitio which means "rival candidacy". According to the Larousse (1905 edition), it is the " claim of the same object ". But sixty years later, the 9th edition (1992-) reveals an enrichment of the vocabulary, in particular this one : "Rivalry between persons or groups of people in order to obtain dignity, office, function and, ext., an advantage". Competition, in a sense, is a bitter and fiery rivalry, it is a form of entering into rivalry with someone else. 

It should be emphasized that the word "competition" is not in the Bible and Jesus does not even mention it in the Gospel, yet the Bible is rich in examples of rivalries, even among Jesus' disciples. Like the Church in Corinth, other churches are not immune to rivalries among Christians or leaders. 

  2. CORINTH : COMPETITIONS AND RIVALRIES IN THE CHURCH

Paul dedicates the beginning of the first Letter to the Corinthians to try to rectify a conflictual situation resulting from rivalries: there are divisions among the Corinthians, kinds of rivalries that are based on unfounded reasons. We claim to be Paul, Apollos or Cephas (that is to say Peter) as if there were material to supplant.  It is probably for this reason that Apollos, in 16,12, does not want to return immediately to Corinth, he would fear to fuel rivalries. Acts 18,24, tells us that Apollos is eloquent. Paul in comparison, seems not to be very eloquent if we believe 1 Cor 1,17 or 2,1-4 and also 2 Cor 10,10. Some are from the party of Apollos, could it be a group of intellectuals? Some are from Paul's side, could this be an excessive attachment because he is the first to have brought them the gospel? Some are from Peter's party, could this be a clue that his authority was universally recognized?

Because of these preferences, caused by the immaturity of the Christians of Corinth, rivalries were amplified in the Church of Corinth. That the Corinthians are willing to elevate one leader above another shows that they have not understood what a leader is in the Church. Thus, Paul corrects them: "What is Apollos, and what is Paul? Servants, by means of whom you have believed, according to the Lord has given it to everyone." 

The idea Paul wants to convey in verses 5 to 9 is that leaders in the Corinthian Church were equal. They were not in rivalry or competition. They sought the same goal – to proclaim the message of the cross, to teach and form the Church. They worked together to make it happen, but it was God who acted in the hearts of men to grow the Church. One "plants", the other "waters". Complementarity in the body of Christ is effective. Only God who rewards each of His servants.

COMPETITIONS AND RIVALRIES BETWEEN CHURCHES TODAY

Unfortunately, it is well known that rivalries are growing between different religious denominations today. Indeed, it is on a daily basis that the faithful and Pastors wage a merciless war, on the interpretation of the holy scriptures, on material goods, on promotions, on knowledge (diplomas), etc. Disputes that often lead to dissension, division, or coldness in relationships.       

Note that rivalry often comes from mimicry (mitating the other to be equal to him) whose perverse effects are hatred, jealousy or envy. Indeed, this is what René Giscard finely notes "Only the being who prevents us from satisfying a desire that he himself suggested to us is really an object of hatred. He who hates himself first hates himself because of the secret admiration that conceals his hatred." 

But for the Apostle Paul, overcoming individualities and rivalries is a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit in himself. For in the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there is no competition. To this end, we must recognize that God has chosen us not to be in a triumphalism leading us to compete with others, it is a gratitude of God that allows us to specifically play our role in the Body of Christ with humility (1 Cor 12:12-30).

Mimetic rivalry is just a devil's game to destroy the Church of Christ.

Prof. Jimi Zacka, PhD