Many parishioners in Corinth were “looking only on the surface of things”, so Paul determined. Earlier, in 5:16-17, he claimed that he used to be the same, but now he no longer regarded anyone from “a worldly point of view.” The reason is that those in Christ are “a new creation, the old has gone, and the new has come.” (The two BDBDs for 5:16 and 17 go into detail on this subject.)
We know that outward masks can deceive, and outward presentation cannot give a definite perception of the character within. And yet, we put more effort into outward appearance than into inward character. And yes, it is false to have the attitude, “The inward character is God’s concern. The outward appearance is my concern.” Yet, that is what almost everyone thinks and does every day.
Perhaps that is why we judge outward rather than inward when we look at others. The flesh looks to the flesh. The soul looks to the soul and what it seems is ugly. The spirit looks to the spirit, and for most, what it sees is death. So we feed the flesh first, and ignore the soul and spirit.
Jesus says, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness (also self-indulgence in Matthew). Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside [the dish] to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.” (Matthew 23:25-26; Luke 11:39-41)
