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GENESIS ---EXODUS--- LEVITICUS 1.1-7.38 --- 8.1-11.47 --- 12.1-16.34--- 17.1-27.34--- NUMBERS 1-10--- 11-19--- 20-36--- DEUTERONOMY 1.1-4.44 --- 4.45-11.32 --- 12.1-29.1--- 29.2-34.12 --- THE BOOK OF JOSHUA --- THE BOOK OF JUDGES --- PSALMS 1-17--- ECCLESIASTES --- ISAIAH 1-5 --- 6-12 --- 13-23 --- 24-27 --- 28-35 --- 36-39 --- 40-48 --- 49-55--- 56-66--- EZEKIEL --- DANIEL 1-7 ---DANIEL 8-12 ---
NAHUM--- HABAKKUK---ZEPHANIAH ---ZECHARIAH --- THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW ---THE GOSPEL OF MARK--- THE GOSPEL OF LUKE --- THE GOSPEL OF JOHN --- THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES --- 1 CORINTHIANS 1-7 --- 8-16 --- 2 CORINTHIANS 1-7 --- 8-13 -- -GALATIANS --- EPHESIANS --- COLOSSIANS --- 1 THESSALONIANS --- 2 THESSALONIANS --- 1 TIMOTHY --- 2 TIMOTHY --- TITUS --- HEBREWS 1-6 --- 7-10 --- 11-13 --- JAMES --- JOHN'S LETTERS --- REVELATION
--- THE GOSPELS
If so please EMail us with your question to jonpartin@tiscali.co.uk and we will do our best to give you a satisfactory answer. EMailus.
For a full commentary see above.
Like many churches today the Corinthian church was a beset church with problems because its members were human beings. Paul writes to them to deal with their problems. He wants to advise them and to bring before them the glory that is theirs in Christ if they truly follow Him.
The first problems he deals with (chapters 1-6) are those which have come to his ears through Christians he meets. These have caused him great concern.
(1) Should We Magnify Christian Leaders?
He points out in 1.11-12 that he was concerned because there were party factions in the church, with different people lording different leaders to the skies, just as can happen today. He is quite clear on the matter. No one should be ‘lorded’ for they are all rather servants of the Lord. Christians are not to look at prominent people but at Christ, for it is God Who does the work, not them, and if they deserve it they will be rewarded in due time.
Indeed, he points out that their faith is in something despised (1.18). Let them therefore glory in the cross, and in the One Who died there (vv23-24), which is the powerful means by which God delivers from sin and judgment, and is the only thing that can deliver them
It is because they are now ‘in Christ’ that they are accepted as righteous before God, set apart as His and delivered (1.30). Let them therefore glory in Him.
Furthermore this deliverance can only be brought home to them by the Spirit (2.4). Thus it is the power of the Spirit and the teaching of the Spirit that they should glory in, not the earthen vessels through which the message is given, for that message only has value as and when the Spirit interprets it (2.8-16).
(2) They Must Remember That They are the Product of God’s Activity, They Are God’s Building
In 3.1 he expresses the concern that they are too taken up with these worldly attitudes, as their constant arguing about which leaders are most important shows, and thus they are neglecting spiritual truth. This, he says, is in fact why they behave as they do with regard to leaders.
They should rather remember that they are products, not of men’s activity, but of GOD’s activity (2.6-8), they are GOD's building (2.9). Let them thus recognise their accountability to God alone, to Whom they are responsible, and Who will Himself test out their lives.
The wisdom of men (even great Christian leaders) is foolishness with God (1.20). Men who seek honour should remember that what men think of them matters little. What matters is what the Lord thinks. There are many who take part in the work. Some lay the foundation, others build on it, but the foundation that is laid is Christ Himself (3.10-11), not some teaching of a great man. Those who become Christians become God’s Temple, indwelt by God’s Spirit (3.16). God is active in the work, thus this is the work of God not of some great teacher. Let their gratitude therefore be to God.
For this reason men should be very careful how they build on this foundation, for their work will be tested out and they will either gain or lose their reward (3.12-15).
Nor should they be ‘lorded’ because of their work. Judgment of it should be left until the Lord comes, Who will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. He will decide who deserves praise, and at that time all who deserve praise will receive it from God (4.5), which is far more important than the praise of men. So before that time they are not to regard one man above another (4.6).
While certain of the Corinthian Christians are arrogant and self-satisfied, giving the impression that what they have is of their own doing (4.6-8), the men whom God uses are reviled and persecuted, poverty stricken and humiliated. They are fools for Christ’s sake and treated as dirt (4.9-13). But it is they who have the power of God (4.19-20).
(3)Evidence of their Failure. In 5.1-5 he deals with the fact that the church is putting up with evil practises. They are so full of their own ideas that they are ignoring what really matters. Of course it is true that, because they live in a world of sinners, they have to have contact with worldly sinners in the normal course of events, but they should refuse contact with any who proclaim themselves Christians yet openly flout His teachings. The gathering of the church is to be kept pure. Unbelievers should be welcomed, but Christians living in deliberate sin should be cast out from fellowship, until they repent.
’Hand this man over to Satan’ (5.5) demonstrates how Paul saw the world. Within the gathering of the people of God men were under God’s rule and therefore in His kingdom, but those who were outside were under Satan. By being excluded from fellowship the man was being ‘delivered to Satan’ so that he may repent and be restored ready for the Day of the Lord.
In 5.6-10 he uses the illustration of the Passover to demonstrate the need to keep the church pure. Christ is their passover Lamb, sacrificed for them, they must therefore not be bread leavened by malice and wickedness, but ensure they are unleavened, pure bread, by casting out the leavening force of sinful behaviour, and those who partake in it.
It is not the church’s job to judge outsiders, but it is their job to judge their own (5.9-13).
(4)They Are Not to bring Lawsuits against fellow Christians but to let the Church Judge.
In chapter 6 he deals with the problem that they were taking each other to court before secular courts and thus bringing Christianity into disrepute. (Such cases also drew attention to Christians at what could be a dangerous time for them). They should rather bring the matter before the church and let the church judge. After all the church will one day judge angels. This cryptic comment looks to the after-life and suggests that in that day God’s people will be associated in carrying out God’s judgments, but it is nowhere amplified.
He finds it difficult to believe that there is no one in the church who is wise enough to do the job (this refers to the whole church throughout the city, not an individual congregation). And if not, then it would be better to be defrauded than to go to a secular court in order to accuse a fellow-Christian. (Of course this had very much in mind a situation where the Christian church was a minority grouping whose actions could bring the whole church into disrepute).
(5)Christians are to be the Purest of the Pure
They should remember that they have been taken out of the unclean world. They have been ‘washed, set apart for God, and put in the right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God’. Thus they are to live cleanly, for their bodies are part of Christ’s body, and share His Spirit. This especially means avoiding all sexual misuse of the body, for they are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price, and all sexual activity must therefore be within the principles laid down by Scripture, so as to bring glory to God.
QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE CHURCH ITSELF IN A LETTER.
From chapter 7 onwards Paul deals with questions which have been raised with him by the church at Corinth itself. What should the relationship between men and women be? Avoidance of sexual relations enables men and women to serve God more fully, but it is better to marry than be drawn into sin by uncontrollable desires (7.1-17; 32-40). Should they be circumcised? Obedience to God is more important than ceremonies (7.18-20). Should a Christian be content to be a slave? It is being a Christian that makes a man truly free, free to be God’s slave, therefore earthly status is of secondary importance, nevertheless given a chance of freedom false humility should not prevent them from taking it (7.20-24). (Paul is not commenting on the practise of slavery, but on how it should be faced theologically by those who had no alternative but to accept that it was the established practise at the time, something which neither he nor they could alter. Far more important was bringing men into the freedom of Christ). Should a Christian man and woman remain virginal? (7.25-40). Should they eat things which have been offered to idols (meat which had been offered to idols was often sold at bargain prices)? (8.1-13). Idols are nothing, for we know there is One God and One Lord Jesus Christ Who created all things and are everything to us. But the cardinal principle to be kept in mind is that we do not do anything that causes a fellow-Christian who is weaker than ourselves to sin (8.13).
Paul offers His Credentials and Gives Further Moral Guidance.
In Chapter 9. 1-18 Paul offers his credentials. He has seen Christ, and his effective and powerful preaching has demonstrated his God-given authority. This is demonstrated by his total commitment to the cause of Christ, so much so that although he could expect to be be maintained by the churches, he refuses to be so, so that none can accuse him of seeking material gain through the Gospel. Not for him the constant pleading for money that characterises many today. He sacrifices nationhood and background and all prejudice in order to get alongside men to win them for Christ (9.1-27) .
He then gives moral instruction based on their oneness in Christ, illustrating it from the Exodus (10.1-33). They may be fully accepted members of the church, but they must remember that that is no guarantee of acceptability, as the people delivered from Egypt as ‘the people of God’ soon discovered. They must remain constant, and beware of carelessness with regard to sin, lest they also fall. But they must not despair. God is faithful and will not allow them to be tempted above what they are able to bear, but will provide for them a way of escape so that they are able to cope. Whatever we do should be done to the glory of God, and that means considering other men’s consciences and acting for the good of others.
This is followed by general guidance about church worship (11.1-34).
He then returns to their questions, ‘concerning spiritual gifts’. What are the spiritual gifts and what should they do about them? (12.1-31; 14.1-40). This question introduces the wonderful chapter in which he outlines the overall principle on which they should always act, that of genuine Christian love (chapter 13). That is to determine all we do. Primary to us must always be the good of others, and spiritual gifts must be exercised with that in mind.
THE BASIS OF ALL THIS IS THE GOSPEL THEY HAVE TO PROCLAIM.
The Death and Resurrection of Christ and His People
He now begins to summarise the wonderful facts which must be the root of all their actions, that in accordance with what the Scriptures had prophesied Christ died for our sins,, was buried and rose again. (15.1-4). These were not things done in a corner but proved by the testimony of many witnesses (15.5-11). Indeed the resurrection is central, for it is the foundation of all we believe (15.12-19). Because He lives, His people will live eternally as well, for He has led the way for us, and this will lead to God’s final triumph when all things will be subjected to Him and He will be all in all (15.20-28).
The Nature of the Resurrection Body (15.35-57).
The resurrection body is raised imperishable, in glory and power. It is of a different nature to the physical body, being spiritual and given by the life-giving Spirit. I t is not flesh and blood, but imperishable and immortal. Death will no longer have any power over it.
When the final day comes at God’s signal, the dead in Christ will be raised in this imperishable, spiritual body and the living will be instantly changed (52-53). The final victory over sin will be accomplished (15.54-57).
The final lesson is that this should make us give ourselves wholly to the work of the Lord, knowing that such labour will not be in vain (15.58).
Finale
Now he deals with their next question, ‘concerning the collection’ (16.1-3) before finally closing off his letter with general information and exhortaion. ‘Be on your guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage, be strong. Do everything in love’ (16.13-14). For full commentary click here 1 CORINTHIANS
If so please EMail us with your question to jonpartin@tiscali.co.uk and we will do our best to give you a satisfactory answer. EMailus.
Scholarly verse by verse commentaries on the Bible.
GENESIS ---EXODUS--- LEVITICUS 1.1-7.38 --- 8.1-11.47 --- 12.1-16.34--- 17.1-27.34--- NUMBERS 1-10--- 11-19--- 20-36--- DEUTERONOMY 1.1-4.44 --- 4.45-11.32 --- 12.1-29.1--- 29.2-34.12 --- THE BOOK OF JOSHUA --- THE BOOK OF JUDGES --- PSALMS 1-17--- ECCLESIASTES --- ISAIAH 1-5 --- 6-12 --- 13-23 --- 24-27 --- 28-35 --- 36-39 --- 40-48 --- 49-55--- 56-66--- EZEKIEL --- DANIEL 1-7 ---DANIEL 8-12 ---
NAHUM--- HABAKKUK---ZEPHANIAH ---ZECHARIAH --- THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW ---THE GOSPEL OF MARK--- THE GOSPEL OF LUKE --- THE GOSPEL OF JOHN --- THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES --- 1 CORINTHIANS 1-7 --- 8-16 --- 2 CORINTHIANS 1-7 --- 8-13 -- -GALATIANS --- EPHESIANS --- COLOSSIANS --- 1 THESSALONIANS --- 2 THESSALONIANS --- 1 TIMOTHY --- 2 TIMOTHY --- TITUS --- HEBREWS 1-6 --- 7-10 --- 11-13 --- JAMES --- JOHN'S LETTERS --- REVELATION
--- THE GOSPELS
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