Some of the fiercest rivalries take place in the back seat of the family car. Even with built-in, high-tech entertainment units packed into vehicles, any long excursion with kids is likely to bring out squabbles, then screams: “I play first!” or “That one’s mine!” or “I get the remote control.”

Every parent here has heard their children battle over who has priority, who gets the best seating, who gets to be in charge. The truth is they are actually “in charge” of nothing — they are our ‘charges,’ strapped into seats while being piloted down a treacherous, busy roadway by loving parents conscious of their ‘charge.’

In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, a similar kiddie-clash is underway in the Corinthians’ church. Tales of the ruinous conflicts boiling over within that congregation re…