Were the Corinthians still in the Body of Christ despite their failures?
Yes. Paul wrote to the assembly of God at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called saints. Though they had hang-ups, shortcomings, and failures, they remained believers, still Christ's own, and still in the Body of Christ. This is why he addressed them as saints and members of His Body.
Les teaches that the Corinthians were believers even though Paul could not address them as spiritual. He stresses that chapter 1, verse 2 identifies them as the assembly of God at Corinth, sanctified in Christ Jesus and called saints. Despite their hang-ups, shortcomings, and failures, they remained Christ's own and in the Body. Les also notes that chapter 12 addresses the same people as chapter 1, showing Paul had not changed the direction of his approach.
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
More Questions
Does 1 Corinthians 1:2 describe believers today or only the church at Corinth?
Paul's description in 1 Corinthians 1:2 is not limited to the original readers; it still covers the assembly of believers today — those called saints and all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ.