Be Sensitive to Conscience
This is a shorter passage where Paul introduces the subject of conscience. The commentary suggests that the Corinthians had raised the issue of idolatry, but the precise nature of the question is difficult to determine. Either way, Paul begins by addressing the root problem in this case, pride. "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." The Corinthians had raised the problem of eating food offered to idols. It seems there were two groups, one who saw nothing wrong with this practice, because afterall there is only one true God. The other group was convicted that this practice was wrong. Now it is difficult to know what the interaction between the two is, but it is apparent that the first group was bold in their practice without regard for their brethren. Paul warns this group about their practice: "But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak." It is Paul's main concern was that the knowledge of this group was being used for prideful reasons instead of allowing their conduct to be guided by love. Paul ends the passage with an extreme but helpful statement, "Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." We should see the extreme measures we should go to to protect our brethren above ourselves.
On a quick side note, I see this principle manifested with reformed college students in regards to drinking alchohol. It may be ok, because it is not prohibited, but we must be careful for how that "looks" to others and especially to our brethren who are convicted by this practice. This is where the rubber meets the road, will our actions be motivated by love or by pride?
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
1 Corinthians 7
1. Principles of Marriage
2. Marriage Vows and Divorce
3. Live as you are Called
4. To Unmarried and Widows
1. Principles of Marriage
This passage begins with a statement that is probably common among some in the corinthian church; "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." Paul begins his message to them with the idea that although even to him this is true, nonetheless because of sexual immorality, marriage (in it's God given context man-woman union) is the answer.
Paul then goes on to describe the marriage relationship in basic principles that we must remember as married couples. He defines the role of husband and wife as follows: "Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband." The husband doesnt have authority over his own body, but the wife does and vise versa. These two primary points really make us stop and see that the marriage relationship is right away one of sacrafice and service to the other partner. It isn't all easy and fun and games to get married, but a different set of struggles emerges. "Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, yet I would spare you..." This is without a doubt true, that we as married couples really struggle with selfishness instead of sacraficing for one another as this passage indicates. So I have a primary responsiblity to "render to my wife the affection due her". What does this look like?
If we look at another well known passage on marriage, Ephesians 5, we can get some type of practical answer to this. "Love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the wahing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle of any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." "Love as you love and nourish and cheris your own body, just as Christ does the church." "Love your wife as yourself" Here it becomes apparent that the "affection due my wife" is one of totally sacraficial living with her best in mind over my own goals and desires. She comes first! atleast before me.
To look a little closer at the idea that I don't have authority even over my own body, I would also look at the previous theme I looked at in ephesians. My body and spirit is not free any longer to pursue it's own goals, rather find out your wife's desires and pursue those. You submit your personal desires to that of your wife. Am I doing that? What are my wife's desires for my body? Also on a side note but extremely important is the idea that if my wife has authority over my body, no other woman can. If you look at it like a slave, well no master would allow his slave to be used by another man. So we have seen that not only are we the temple of the holy spirit, and not only were we bought at a price by God, but also our bodies belong to our spouses. That is three reasons to "flee sexual immorality".
The next major point in this passage is the idea of not depriving one another "except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselve to fasting and prayer;" These are the only two valid reasons for abstaining from the natural function of sexual relations in the marriage relationship. Number one, are we doing those thing to start with? Secondly, Paul hi-lights the importance of doing them when you are not participating in sex in order to guard against the tempter's ways. Satan loves to use our old nature, our lack of self-control to tempt us to sin. I find this concept extremely interesting. If you think about it, our lack of self control is why we were married in the first place: "For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." Now we tend to think we are better than that and do not lack in self control, when we could not be any more wrong. We must recognize that God has given us marriage to complete us and we must use the context of sex in marriage to satisfy our God-given desires, and when we abstain, we must be even more diligent in prayer and perhaps fasting to guard against desires that become even stronger.
The final thought Paul leaves us with is that of wishing we were all as he is, without the burden of these extra concerns by remaining single and committed only to God's kingdom. But he understands God has distributed unique gifts to each one and we must live accordingly.
2. Marriage Vows and Divorce
I will divide this passage up into 2 parts: God's decree concerning divorce and then Paul's application of the principle to a specific situation.
First, God's decree is simply that a wife is not to depart from her husband. But, if she does depart let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. That is the black and white of the situation according to our God. He hates divorce. In this instance Paul may be dealing with some specific issue in the corinthian church where the people were abusing different liberties concerning marriage and divorce. Paul is now writing to correct them and show them what they should be doing.
Paul then goes on to give his advice in a specific situation. I say this because he begins with "I, not the Lord, say:" His first point is that if a couple has one spouse who is not a believer, then the other spouse should not divorce him or her, because the unbelieving spouse and the children are sanctified by the believing spouse. This is an interesting point that I didnt have any understanding of before becoming acquainted with infant baptism. In infant baptism the children are given the all the priveledges of the covenant community, which is a huge blessing. Their will be prayers on their behalf, they will here the Word of God preached, the gospel, they will receive instruction...and as a result will be holy or set apart. In this same way, an unbelieving spouse and children may be sanctified by a believing one.
Paul goes on to bring up the situation of an unbeliever leaving the marriage. This implies that however bad things get, the believer is never to dissolve or depart from the marriage. (is there an exception for adultery?) Paul says in such a case the beliver is not under bondage to pursue them. He then uses a phrase that could be taken either as serious or sarcastic: "For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?" In my opinion as hard as it would be, I would think a main point from my limited reading of scripture would be that it is always desireable whenever possible to uphold the marriage vow whatever it takes! I also acknowledge though that this is not always the case and Paul here and elsewhere has given us practical guidelines to help us with this difficult issue.
3. Live as You are Called
I think it is very interesting that after the discussion on divorce, that Paul inserts this passage on living in our present situation. I could definitely be wrong, but if I just hypothesized for a minute, I could see many in the Corinthian church who had been led astray by a misunderstanding or just by sin concerning divorce and were now in a situation that was prohibited or atleast not desireable. So what do they do now, well Paul is going to tell us (I could definitely be wrong about this because Paul does not specifically reference the marriage problem in his challenge to live as we are called)
I think the main point of this passage is summed up well with the statement: "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commeandments of God is what matters." We are not to worry and complain about our present positions, but rather be good stewards of what we currently have."
4. To the Unmarried and Widows
This is an interesting and kind of difficult passage. There may be and probably is much more to it than I will get a surface reading of it. But to me Paul seems to be continuing with the theme I discussed in the first point. To him it is better to remain unmarried, for the simple reason that the unmarried person's first concern is how they may please God. The married person's first concern is how they may please their spouse. Nevertheless Paul acknowledges the need to be married, mainly to control our passions, but he wishes everyone were as he is, so that he would spare them the troubles in the flesh that marriage brings.
He inserts a final comment about widows...that they are free to remarried to whomever she wishes, but only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remains as she is.
2. Marriage Vows and Divorce
3. Live as you are Called
4. To Unmarried and Widows
1. Principles of Marriage
This passage begins with a statement that is probably common among some in the corinthian church; "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." Paul begins his message to them with the idea that although even to him this is true, nonetheless because of sexual immorality, marriage (in it's God given context man-woman union) is the answer.
Paul then goes on to describe the marriage relationship in basic principles that we must remember as married couples. He defines the role of husband and wife as follows: "Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband." The husband doesnt have authority over his own body, but the wife does and vise versa. These two primary points really make us stop and see that the marriage relationship is right away one of sacrafice and service to the other partner. It isn't all easy and fun and games to get married, but a different set of struggles emerges. "Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, yet I would spare you..." This is without a doubt true, that we as married couples really struggle with selfishness instead of sacraficing for one another as this passage indicates. So I have a primary responsiblity to "render to my wife the affection due her". What does this look like?
If we look at another well known passage on marriage, Ephesians 5, we can get some type of practical answer to this. "Love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the wahing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle of any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." "Love as you love and nourish and cheris your own body, just as Christ does the church." "Love your wife as yourself" Here it becomes apparent that the "affection due my wife" is one of totally sacraficial living with her best in mind over my own goals and desires. She comes first! atleast before me.
To look a little closer at the idea that I don't have authority even over my own body, I would also look at the previous theme I looked at in ephesians. My body and spirit is not free any longer to pursue it's own goals, rather find out your wife's desires and pursue those. You submit your personal desires to that of your wife. Am I doing that? What are my wife's desires for my body? Also on a side note but extremely important is the idea that if my wife has authority over my body, no other woman can. If you look at it like a slave, well no master would allow his slave to be used by another man. So we have seen that not only are we the temple of the holy spirit, and not only were we bought at a price by God, but also our bodies belong to our spouses. That is three reasons to "flee sexual immorality".
The next major point in this passage is the idea of not depriving one another "except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselve to fasting and prayer;" These are the only two valid reasons for abstaining from the natural function of sexual relations in the marriage relationship. Number one, are we doing those thing to start with? Secondly, Paul hi-lights the importance of doing them when you are not participating in sex in order to guard against the tempter's ways. Satan loves to use our old nature, our lack of self-control to tempt us to sin. I find this concept extremely interesting. If you think about it, our lack of self control is why we were married in the first place: "For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." Now we tend to think we are better than that and do not lack in self control, when we could not be any more wrong. We must recognize that God has given us marriage to complete us and we must use the context of sex in marriage to satisfy our God-given desires, and when we abstain, we must be even more diligent in prayer and perhaps fasting to guard against desires that become even stronger.
The final thought Paul leaves us with is that of wishing we were all as he is, without the burden of these extra concerns by remaining single and committed only to God's kingdom. But he understands God has distributed unique gifts to each one and we must live accordingly.
2. Marriage Vows and Divorce
I will divide this passage up into 2 parts: God's decree concerning divorce and then Paul's application of the principle to a specific situation.
First, God's decree is simply that a wife is not to depart from her husband. But, if she does depart let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. That is the black and white of the situation according to our God. He hates divorce. In this instance Paul may be dealing with some specific issue in the corinthian church where the people were abusing different liberties concerning marriage and divorce. Paul is now writing to correct them and show them what they should be doing.
Paul then goes on to give his advice in a specific situation. I say this because he begins with "I, not the Lord, say:" His first point is that if a couple has one spouse who is not a believer, then the other spouse should not divorce him or her, because the unbelieving spouse and the children are sanctified by the believing spouse. This is an interesting point that I didnt have any understanding of before becoming acquainted with infant baptism. In infant baptism the children are given the all the priveledges of the covenant community, which is a huge blessing. Their will be prayers on their behalf, they will here the Word of God preached, the gospel, they will receive instruction...and as a result will be holy or set apart. In this same way, an unbelieving spouse and children may be sanctified by a believing one.
Paul goes on to bring up the situation of an unbeliever leaving the marriage. This implies that however bad things get, the believer is never to dissolve or depart from the marriage. (is there an exception for adultery?) Paul says in such a case the beliver is not under bondage to pursue them. He then uses a phrase that could be taken either as serious or sarcastic: "For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?" In my opinion as hard as it would be, I would think a main point from my limited reading of scripture would be that it is always desireable whenever possible to uphold the marriage vow whatever it takes! I also acknowledge though that this is not always the case and Paul here and elsewhere has given us practical guidelines to help us with this difficult issue.
3. Live as You are Called
I think it is very interesting that after the discussion on divorce, that Paul inserts this passage on living in our present situation. I could definitely be wrong, but if I just hypothesized for a minute, I could see many in the Corinthian church who had been led astray by a misunderstanding or just by sin concerning divorce and were now in a situation that was prohibited or atleast not desireable. So what do they do now, well Paul is going to tell us (I could definitely be wrong about this because Paul does not specifically reference the marriage problem in his challenge to live as we are called)
I think the main point of this passage is summed up well with the statement: "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commeandments of God is what matters." We are not to worry and complain about our present positions, but rather be good stewards of what we currently have."
4. To the Unmarried and Widows
This is an interesting and kind of difficult passage. There may be and probably is much more to it than I will get a surface reading of it. But to me Paul seems to be continuing with the theme I discussed in the first point. To him it is better to remain unmarried, for the simple reason that the unmarried person's first concern is how they may please God. The married person's first concern is how they may please their spouse. Nevertheless Paul acknowledges the need to be married, mainly to control our passions, but he wishes everyone were as he is, so that he would spare them the troubles in the flesh that marriage brings.
He inserts a final comment about widows...that they are free to remarried to whomever she wishes, but only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remains as she is.
Monday, June 25, 2007
1 Corinthians 6
1. Appointing Unbelievers to Judge
2. Purity of the Church
3. Sexual Immorality Condemned
Appointing Unbelievers to Judge
Two aspects I found interesting in this passage. First the connection between Paul's previous discussion of the immorality present in the church that has not been dealt with (the man with his father's wife). Paul gets back to the topic of immorality in verse 9, but for now takes a rabbit trail to discuss this issue of allowing the unrighteous to judge matters between Christians. At first, it would seem he has switched topics, but the root issue is actually the same. A weak doctrine of the church is the problem in both cases. There was no discipline before, now there is no one wise enough to judge. If the church is performing its duties, it takes responsibilities in both of these areas.
The second aspect of this passage was the absurdity of not judging within the church. "Do you not know that we shall judge angels?" If the smallest Christian will take part in judging the world with Christ, then why can't we make decisions between ourselves? It is really pretty ridiculous that we would take a fellow believer before the civil authorities instead of pursuing a solution within the church if it is too great for us to solve.
The final thing about this passage is the final statement Paul makes, "Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?" That is the real test. If it went so far as to no solution, and you being left cheated or to go before civil authorities, would you not rather protect the purity of the church and be wronged. That goes against everything we know as americans. We have rights! We must be avenged! That is the message that everything we see cries out with, but here Paul is saying, hey if you can't take it before the church, then just be wronged and suffer loss if necessary. It is a better alternative than going before the unrighteous who are the least fit to judge. Not quite sure all of the implications for this, it seems at first reading to be applied only to decisions between believers.
Purity of the Church
Picking up with the final point of the last topic above, we began to talk about the importance of the purity of the church. This is probably a recurring theme throughout scriputure and Corinthians. But Paul emphasizes this by talking about the individual paying the price instead of the church. We are so apt to let the church have the shame and suffer the wrong to protect ourselves instead of embracing the idea that we should suffer. Paul goes on to state that we not only do not protect the purity of the Church, but we actively destroy it when we lie and cheat our fellow Christians. Then he inserts a warning. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be decieved. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor theives, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." Paul wants us to be sure we understand, that we need not be confused, those who continue in sin will not be part of the kingdom of God. We cannot serve God with our minds or confess Him as Lord and Savior and then behave in a contrary way. Paul's final words are comforting: "but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified..." We have been saved from that previous life of sin, and now we should live to God. We must not continue in a pattern of sin, but we must strive to become more holy. And these issues are one small part of that pursuit!
Immorality Judged
Paul ends the the previous passage with the statement: "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in teh name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." He is referring to the list of sins that he just put forth. He wants the Corinthian church to understand their supposed present standing. They have been set apart to be true worshipers of the true God. Paul is confident that the Corinthians are true believers, justified and sanctified, and that their present misbehavior is an anomaly that can be corrected. But it must be corrected. Persistance in widckedness would be and indication that their faith is false and that they have no place in the kingdom. This is how I need to question myself, who am I? Am I persisting in wickedness or am I repenting from the sin that so easily entangles? God leads us to repentance.
The next verse I have always thought of in a different light than what my commentary brings up. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them." The commentary suggests that these may have been sayings that were common in the Corinthian church. Paul goes on to seek to correct these views that the body will be destroyed and has no present significance. There may have been those in the church who viewed sexuality as somehting inherintly evil and those that viewed it as acceptable because the body was not important. Paul wants them to see that our bodies are not our own, they were bought with a price and we are to glorify God with them. Paul focuses on this issue of sexual immorality and seeks to give the church a better understanding of sexual immorality that when we commit this sin we are actually combining the members of Christ with a harlot! He ends with the warning to FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY. Paul wants the church to understand that sin cannot be commited without consequence and non-chalantly like the church at Corinth was guilty of and like I am often guilty of. This is probably where the topic of antinominoism comes in, but that is a topic for another day. We must be on guard against these sins that seem so harmless, but according to Paul prohibit us from inheriting the kingdom of God.
2. Purity of the Church
3. Sexual Immorality Condemned
Appointing Unbelievers to Judge
Two aspects I found interesting in this passage. First the connection between Paul's previous discussion of the immorality present in the church that has not been dealt with (the man with his father's wife). Paul gets back to the topic of immorality in verse 9, but for now takes a rabbit trail to discuss this issue of allowing the unrighteous to judge matters between Christians. At first, it would seem he has switched topics, but the root issue is actually the same. A weak doctrine of the church is the problem in both cases. There was no discipline before, now there is no one wise enough to judge. If the church is performing its duties, it takes responsibilities in both of these areas.
The second aspect of this passage was the absurdity of not judging within the church. "Do you not know that we shall judge angels?" If the smallest Christian will take part in judging the world with Christ, then why can't we make decisions between ourselves? It is really pretty ridiculous that we would take a fellow believer before the civil authorities instead of pursuing a solution within the church if it is too great for us to solve.
The final thing about this passage is the final statement Paul makes, "Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?" That is the real test. If it went so far as to no solution, and you being left cheated or to go before civil authorities, would you not rather protect the purity of the church and be wronged. That goes against everything we know as americans. We have rights! We must be avenged! That is the message that everything we see cries out with, but here Paul is saying, hey if you can't take it before the church, then just be wronged and suffer loss if necessary. It is a better alternative than going before the unrighteous who are the least fit to judge. Not quite sure all of the implications for this, it seems at first reading to be applied only to decisions between believers.
Purity of the Church
Picking up with the final point of the last topic above, we began to talk about the importance of the purity of the church. This is probably a recurring theme throughout scriputure and Corinthians. But Paul emphasizes this by talking about the individual paying the price instead of the church. We are so apt to let the church have the shame and suffer the wrong to protect ourselves instead of embracing the idea that we should suffer. Paul goes on to state that we not only do not protect the purity of the Church, but we actively destroy it when we lie and cheat our fellow Christians. Then he inserts a warning. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be decieved. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor theives, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." Paul wants us to be sure we understand, that we need not be confused, those who continue in sin will not be part of the kingdom of God. We cannot serve God with our minds or confess Him as Lord and Savior and then behave in a contrary way. Paul's final words are comforting: "but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified..." We have been saved from that previous life of sin, and now we should live to God. We must not continue in a pattern of sin, but we must strive to become more holy. And these issues are one small part of that pursuit!
Immorality Judged
Paul ends the the previous passage with the statement: "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in teh name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." He is referring to the list of sins that he just put forth. He wants the Corinthian church to understand their supposed present standing. They have been set apart to be true worshipers of the true God. Paul is confident that the Corinthians are true believers, justified and sanctified, and that their present misbehavior is an anomaly that can be corrected. But it must be corrected. Persistance in widckedness would be and indication that their faith is false and that they have no place in the kingdom. This is how I need to question myself, who am I? Am I persisting in wickedness or am I repenting from the sin that so easily entangles? God leads us to repentance.
The next verse I have always thought of in a different light than what my commentary brings up. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them." The commentary suggests that these may have been sayings that were common in the Corinthian church. Paul goes on to seek to correct these views that the body will be destroyed and has no present significance. There may have been those in the church who viewed sexuality as somehting inherintly evil and those that viewed it as acceptable because the body was not important. Paul wants them to see that our bodies are not our own, they were bought with a price and we are to glorify God with them. Paul focuses on this issue of sexual immorality and seeks to give the church a better understanding of sexual immorality that when we commit this sin we are actually combining the members of Christ with a harlot! He ends with the warning to FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY. Paul wants the church to understand that sin cannot be commited without consequence and non-chalantly like the church at Corinth was guilty of and like I am often guilty of. This is probably where the topic of antinominoism comes in, but that is a topic for another day. We must be on guard against these sins that seem so harmless, but according to Paul prohibit us from inheriting the kingdom of God.
Monday, June 18, 2007
1 Corinthians 5
Immorality in the Church
This chapter is a quick excerpt of Paul on condeming the church's approval of sins, instead of them seeking to purge themselves of sin and keeping the church pure. This specific example of the case of a man who has his father's wife. The details are not known, but either way, it is a forbidden relationship, that "is not even named among the Gentiles." Paul is judging their response to this great sin in their midst, they did nothing, he tells them to "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." This sounds pretty harsh, but we must remeber that is what we all need. To destroy the flesh that the spirit may be saved despite our sin. The larger picture is that we are already saved by Christ thru faith, but our flesh wars against our new nature as a child of God, innocent. This case, the man may or may not be a believer who is either caught up in sin, or knows nothing but sin if he is not a believer. Either way, the act of discipline here by the church would reveal that and would be a sanctifying device in his life to purge his sinful flesh and point him to what is right and pure and true.
The Church's Sin
Paul is also criticizing the church for endorsing such a sin, or any sin for that matter. The church is not being faithful in upholding her duties as the bride of Christ. She is to work to sanctify, not endorse and accomodate sin. "A little leaven leavens the whole lump" is the statement Paul uses to show that it doesnt take much to ruin the batch. Even in the life of the individual we see this as truth. One small sin can lead to much bigger and more horrendous things. We should as believers and especially as members of the church, seek to purge our congregations and teachings of error of doctrine as well as tendencies that harm. Also, we should be careful not to accomodate or condone sin, but to call sin sin and to take appropriate actions to aid in destroying sin in the member's lives. Lord, renew our church's to practice appropriate discipline and to teach truth that is applicable to our lives!
Clarification on Previous Instruction
Paul then quickly clarifies on a point that he made in an earlier letter to the Corinthians. He wanted them to know that when he said not to keep company with sexually immoral people, he meant people in the church. Not only sexually immoral either, but "covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person." The people who are not in the church, I guess Paul is acknowleding we will not be able to avoid and they cannot be expected to know and practice sanctification if they are not believers. To these people we go with the gospel. But to believers, we go with correction on the areas of big sin, if they do not listen, then the church institutes discipline. This is necessary for the Christian's sanctification! If only we as believers and churches understood the principles of church discipline and practiced them. Lord, clarify this area in my life as I seek to understand your word better. Paul ends with - "But those who are outside God judges. Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person.'"
This chapter is a quick excerpt of Paul on condeming the church's approval of sins, instead of them seeking to purge themselves of sin and keeping the church pure. This specific example of the case of a man who has his father's wife. The details are not known, but either way, it is a forbidden relationship, that "is not even named among the Gentiles." Paul is judging their response to this great sin in their midst, they did nothing, he tells them to "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." This sounds pretty harsh, but we must remeber that is what we all need. To destroy the flesh that the spirit may be saved despite our sin. The larger picture is that we are already saved by Christ thru faith, but our flesh wars against our new nature as a child of God, innocent. This case, the man may or may not be a believer who is either caught up in sin, or knows nothing but sin if he is not a believer. Either way, the act of discipline here by the church would reveal that and would be a sanctifying device in his life to purge his sinful flesh and point him to what is right and pure and true.
The Church's Sin
Paul is also criticizing the church for endorsing such a sin, or any sin for that matter. The church is not being faithful in upholding her duties as the bride of Christ. She is to work to sanctify, not endorse and accomodate sin. "A little leaven leavens the whole lump" is the statement Paul uses to show that it doesnt take much to ruin the batch. Even in the life of the individual we see this as truth. One small sin can lead to much bigger and more horrendous things. We should as believers and especially as members of the church, seek to purge our congregations and teachings of error of doctrine as well as tendencies that harm. Also, we should be careful not to accomodate or condone sin, but to call sin sin and to take appropriate actions to aid in destroying sin in the member's lives. Lord, renew our church's to practice appropriate discipline and to teach truth that is applicable to our lives!
Clarification on Previous Instruction
Paul then quickly clarifies on a point that he made in an earlier letter to the Corinthians. He wanted them to know that when he said not to keep company with sexually immoral people, he meant people in the church. Not only sexually immoral either, but "covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person." The people who are not in the church, I guess Paul is acknowleding we will not be able to avoid and they cannot be expected to know and practice sanctification if they are not believers. To these people we go with the gospel. But to believers, we go with correction on the areas of big sin, if they do not listen, then the church institutes discipline. This is necessary for the Christian's sanctification! If only we as believers and churches understood the principles of church discipline and practiced them. Lord, clarify this area in my life as I seek to understand your word better. Paul ends with - "But those who are outside God judges. Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person.'"
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
1 Corinthians 4
With a brief look at this chapter, I would divide it into (4) parts:
1. Stewards
2. You can't boast if it was a gift.
3. Foolishness of your thinking
4. Imitate me
Stewards
The commentary suggests that this indicates that the Corinthians had criticized Paul and he was answering their criticisms by showing his authority and that their judgement did not really even matter. In the process he brings up the concept of a steward. Paul says that he is a "steward of the mysteries of God." This simply means he has possesion granted by God of the things once hidden that are now revealed. This would indicate some type of authority to be trusted with the wealth of that knowledge. It is kind of like Joseph who was made a steward of Pharoh's house and was found faithful. Even though Pharoh judged him wrongly, ultimately it did not matter, because only the Lord knows the hearts and brings to light the hidden things. Joseph's and Paul's praise will come from God, not men.
It is similar for us, we have been trusted with much more knowledge as stewards than were first century Christians and Israelites who trusted in the promises of God. We have been given things that we often take for granted. We must remember that we are stewards of those things that God has given us and we will have to account for them one day, not to men, but to God. This is a sobering thought, but should motivate and spur us on to serve our God with more zeal.
Boasting
"And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (vs. 7) That statement kind of encompasses this whole idea of our position as recipients of the everything good. The Corinthians had become "puffed up on behalf of one against the other" and Paul is saying why do you pride yourselves on things that you did not even come up with. You are not the originator of your theology, God is. God has "enriched you in all utterance and all knowledge" He is due the honor and glory and we are on level ground. I think we must take this passage to be a call to us not to think too highly of ourselves lest we forget that Christ is the owner and sustainer of our faith and not only our faith, but all that we have. He has rooted us in Himself for His own glory. If we would think this way, we may not be so inclined to division between ourselves as we are now. Father, help us to see that you are the giver of good gifts and your sovreignty is over all creation. We are merely temporary stewards of your possesions. Help us to realize this in our dealings and relationships
with others and to honor you first and come to that common ground with fellow believers.
Foolishness of your thinking
This point kind of dovetails the previous point about boasting be excluded. Paul gets pretty sarcastic with his speech here to show the Corinthians how absurd they are being. He basically shows the view of the apostles in this world and their treatment, and he contrasts that with the manner in which these Corinthians think they should be treated. And he uses this biting irony to show them the foolishness of thinking the student is above the teacher. They boast as if they did not receive the truth from Paul even! But Paul is not writing in a manner in order to shame them, but he wants to admonish them in love. In this case though he does resort to using pretty serious language to get his point across. This should be an example to me that when I see a serious sin in someone's life that I am close to, I would address it in a loving but serious manner. Paul is not concerned with being politically correct or sparing someone's feelings as much as he is with sparing their souls from hellfire. We need to face sin head on and bring to light the need for repentance. Father, even though I am not in the position that Paul was or I don't have the authority that Paul does, I pray that when a situation arises that I need to be bold and condemn sin in someone's life that I would not shy away from it. I pray that I would lovingly show them their faults and call them to repentance and you would work in their hearts to convict them of their straying and cleanse them from it. Thank you father for examples such as Paul and letters to churches to show us what we need to become more holy and to glorify you more. Help me to soak in this letter to the Church and Corinth and become thoroughly familiar with it in order to better serve you. Thank you Father.
Imitate Me
Paul has just really shown the Corinthians their error, but wants them to know that it was done out of love for them. It is as his "beloved children" that he warns them. His reason, he is their father in the sense that it was thru him that they were given the gift of the truth. He tells them, not to boast, but so they will respect and not hurl criticisms at their father in the faith. Paul is telling the Corinthians that although they may have 20 different allegiences among them about who identifies with which teacher of the faith the most, Paul has a unique relationship among them. It is really thru him that they were saved. This is testimony to me to be careful not to criticize the men and women and church in which I grew up in, because although they had some doctrinal errors, it was thru them that I came into the knowledge of the truth. Of course, God saved me 100%, but he used those means to accomplish His purposes.
Paul's second aspect of telling the Corinthians this is for them to now desire to imitate him. He will send Timothy, his student to remind them of "his ways in Christ". That is a big measuring stick, to live the same as Paul and to strive to think in the same manner!
The final thing that this passage indicates to me is the issue of accountability. Paul states that he will come shortly. He says he can either come with a rod for discipline or with a spirit of gentleness. If Paul were to come into my life right now, which would he bring. I should always remember the need to be accountable to someone who can bring the rod of discipline or a spirit of gentleness. I should also take heed not to act one way around a church member or the church and another when in the world. I should be striving to imitate Paul, Christ...in every aspect of my life. That is what Christ as Lord looks like.
1. Stewards
2. You can't boast if it was a gift.
3. Foolishness of your thinking
4. Imitate me
Stewards
The commentary suggests that this indicates that the Corinthians had criticized Paul and he was answering their criticisms by showing his authority and that their judgement did not really even matter. In the process he brings up the concept of a steward. Paul says that he is a "steward of the mysteries of God." This simply means he has possesion granted by God of the things once hidden that are now revealed. This would indicate some type of authority to be trusted with the wealth of that knowledge. It is kind of like Joseph who was made a steward of Pharoh's house and was found faithful. Even though Pharoh judged him wrongly, ultimately it did not matter, because only the Lord knows the hearts and brings to light the hidden things. Joseph's and Paul's praise will come from God, not men.
It is similar for us, we have been trusted with much more knowledge as stewards than were first century Christians and Israelites who trusted in the promises of God. We have been given things that we often take for granted. We must remember that we are stewards of those things that God has given us and we will have to account for them one day, not to men, but to God. This is a sobering thought, but should motivate and spur us on to serve our God with more zeal.
Boasting
"And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (vs. 7) That statement kind of encompasses this whole idea of our position as recipients of the everything good. The Corinthians had become "puffed up on behalf of one against the other" and Paul is saying why do you pride yourselves on things that you did not even come up with. You are not the originator of your theology, God is. God has "enriched you in all utterance and all knowledge" He is due the honor and glory and we are on level ground. I think we must take this passage to be a call to us not to think too highly of ourselves lest we forget that Christ is the owner and sustainer of our faith and not only our faith, but all that we have. He has rooted us in Himself for His own glory. If we would think this way, we may not be so inclined to division between ourselves as we are now. Father, help us to see that you are the giver of good gifts and your sovreignty is over all creation. We are merely temporary stewards of your possesions. Help us to realize this in our dealings and relationships
with others and to honor you first and come to that common ground with fellow believers.
Foolishness of your thinking
This point kind of dovetails the previous point about boasting be excluded. Paul gets pretty sarcastic with his speech here to show the Corinthians how absurd they are being. He basically shows the view of the apostles in this world and their treatment, and he contrasts that with the manner in which these Corinthians think they should be treated. And he uses this biting irony to show them the foolishness of thinking the student is above the teacher. They boast as if they did not receive the truth from Paul even! But Paul is not writing in a manner in order to shame them, but he wants to admonish them in love. In this case though he does resort to using pretty serious language to get his point across. This should be an example to me that when I see a serious sin in someone's life that I am close to, I would address it in a loving but serious manner. Paul is not concerned with being politically correct or sparing someone's feelings as much as he is with sparing their souls from hellfire. We need to face sin head on and bring to light the need for repentance. Father, even though I am not in the position that Paul was or I don't have the authority that Paul does, I pray that when a situation arises that I need to be bold and condemn sin in someone's life that I would not shy away from it. I pray that I would lovingly show them their faults and call them to repentance and you would work in their hearts to convict them of their straying and cleanse them from it. Thank you father for examples such as Paul and letters to churches to show us what we need to become more holy and to glorify you more. Help me to soak in this letter to the Church and Corinth and become thoroughly familiar with it in order to better serve you. Thank you Father.
Imitate Me
Paul has just really shown the Corinthians their error, but wants them to know that it was done out of love for them. It is as his "beloved children" that he warns them. His reason, he is their father in the sense that it was thru him that they were given the gift of the truth. He tells them, not to boast, but so they will respect and not hurl criticisms at their father in the faith. Paul is telling the Corinthians that although they may have 20 different allegiences among them about who identifies with which teacher of the faith the most, Paul has a unique relationship among them. It is really thru him that they were saved. This is testimony to me to be careful not to criticize the men and women and church in which I grew up in, because although they had some doctrinal errors, it was thru them that I came into the knowledge of the truth. Of course, God saved me 100%, but he used those means to accomplish His purposes.
Paul's second aspect of telling the Corinthians this is for them to now desire to imitate him. He will send Timothy, his student to remind them of "his ways in Christ". That is a big measuring stick, to live the same as Paul and to strive to think in the same manner!
The final thing that this passage indicates to me is the issue of accountability. Paul states that he will come shortly. He says he can either come with a rod for discipline or with a spirit of gentleness. If Paul were to come into my life right now, which would he bring. I should always remember the need to be accountable to someone who can bring the rod of discipline or a spirit of gentleness. I should also take heed not to act one way around a church member or the church and another when in the world. I should be striving to imitate Paul, Christ...in every aspect of my life. That is what Christ as Lord looks like.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
1 Corinthians 3 Part 3 - Worldly Wisdom
This is a good one. This is something that I definitely struggle with, the balance between being a good steward of my talents and the pursuit of the "wisdom of this age." Paul begins the passage by making the statement: "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." This sets the tone for the two OT passages he will quote as well as the final point that "all things are yours." We have seen previously in chapter 2 the discussion of true wisdom. There Paul is discussing the wisdom that is known by Christians. It is the difference between the natural man and the spiritual man, because it is only thru the Spirit of God that it has been revealed to us. I think Paul here is addressing the Christians and alerting them to the foolishness of pursuing the "wisdom of this age." So what is the answer: "let him become a fool, that he may become wise." As we previously discussed, it is necessary to become foolish in the eyes of a world that has its focus on obtaining human wisdom. It is actually a natural byproduct of following Christ and pursuing truth. We tend to see the error in the world's way and the world's value system as truth is revealed to us by the Spirit and we cannot help but to dismiss the world's ideas, thus becoming foolish to the world.
Paul continues with two quotes from the OT. The first is from Job 5.13. Job is praising God for his faithfulness and grace to His people. In context:
He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning quickly comes upon them. (vs. 12-13).
Job acknowledges the foolishness of worldly wisdom. God will frustrate our thinking, and we cannot outsmart or out think our creator. It is a little scary to read that last phrase, "the counsel of the cunning quickly comes upon them." Basically to me that says that you cannot outsmart with worldly wisdom all dangers and adversity in this life, and be careful not to think you can, because that is when it may just flood in. Look at Job, he was God's most faithful steward around, and yet extreme adversity, Satan himself tempted Job. And yet (foolish looking to the world) Job praised God for his grace and mercy. If that isn't foolish looking to the world, I don't know what is.
The second OT account is from David in the Psalms. David is basically teaching us through his lament to the Lord, that it is futile to pursue human wisdom, especially if you think you are "outsmarting" God. He states, "He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?...The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile." David as well in this passage shows us that while the punishment for sin may not be immediate, the unrighteous may profit for a time. However, they will pay for their crimes. This is also a stern warning to us not to continue in sin or in pursuing what is foolishness to our God. God knows all!
The final point Paul makes is that it ultimately is foolish to pursue worldly wisdom because all things already belong to us anyway. We all belong to Christ and Christ to God. Therefore, there is really nothing that we must obtain in this life that we do not already have stake in. We are coheirs with Christ, what higher privilege is there. Why would we complain and bicker over our identity in different ministers of the word, if we are united in Christ. This same issue surfaces in chapter 6 about lawsuits. "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?" If that is the case why would we argue about judging such small matters. We have such a higher calling.
Finally we should praise God as Job and David did and thank Him primarily for our salvation, but He heaped on the blessings by giving us "all things." What a generous and gracious God we serve. May this motivate us to pursue Godly wisdom and to dismiss the fading wisdom of this world.
Paul continues with two quotes from the OT. The first is from Job 5.13. Job is praising God for his faithfulness and grace to His people. In context:
He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning quickly comes upon them. (vs. 12-13).
Job acknowledges the foolishness of worldly wisdom. God will frustrate our thinking, and we cannot outsmart or out think our creator. It is a little scary to read that last phrase, "the counsel of the cunning quickly comes upon them." Basically to me that says that you cannot outsmart with worldly wisdom all dangers and adversity in this life, and be careful not to think you can, because that is when it may just flood in. Look at Job, he was God's most faithful steward around, and yet extreme adversity, Satan himself tempted Job. And yet (foolish looking to the world) Job praised God for his grace and mercy. If that isn't foolish looking to the world, I don't know what is.
The second OT account is from David in the Psalms. David is basically teaching us through his lament to the Lord, that it is futile to pursue human wisdom, especially if you think you are "outsmarting" God. He states, "He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?...The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile." David as well in this passage shows us that while the punishment for sin may not be immediate, the unrighteous may profit for a time. However, they will pay for their crimes. This is also a stern warning to us not to continue in sin or in pursuing what is foolishness to our God. God knows all!
The final point Paul makes is that it ultimately is foolish to pursue worldly wisdom because all things already belong to us anyway. We all belong to Christ and Christ to God. Therefore, there is really nothing that we must obtain in this life that we do not already have stake in. We are coheirs with Christ, what higher privilege is there. Why would we complain and bicker over our identity in different ministers of the word, if we are united in Christ. This same issue surfaces in chapter 6 about lawsuits. "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?" If that is the case why would we argue about judging such small matters. We have such a higher calling.
Finally we should praise God as Job and David did and thank Him primarily for our salvation, but He heaped on the blessings by giving us "all things." What a generous and gracious God we serve. May this motivate us to pursue Godly wisdom and to dismiss the fading wisdom of this world.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
I thought this would be a good verse for me to memorize:
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
~I Corinthians 3:12-13
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
~I Corinthians 3:12-13
1 Corinthians Chapter 3 Part 2
Ministers of the Word
Paul's main thrust so far in the letter to the Corinthians has been a reprimand of their disunity and the division amongst themselves. He challenged them to see that their basis for unity is the cross of Jesus Christ and not in themselves, or in "more spiritual" pursuits. It is because of their divisions and foolish pursuits that Paul is forced to treat them as unbelievers. They have in effect hardened themselves to the gospel. They think that they are beyond that and in need for some super spiritual wisdom. Paul corrects them by showing us that the same gospel that saves the believer also works constantly in the life and sustains the believer or spiritual man to use Paul's language.
Continuing on the theme of the Corinthians pursuit of "silver-tongued orators", Paul now shifts to a discussion of himself and other ministers of the gospel. He begins by asking the question: "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?" So Paul wants to drive home the point that ultimately the teacher is of little significance compared to the One who "gave the increase." God is the one in ultimate control. Paul and Apollos faithfully fulfilled their differing duties, but they were only effective because God is behind them. To use the same analogy of plant life, its the same as planting a garden. I can plant seeds, I can water the seeds, I can even add fertilizer, but I cannot cause them to grow into plants. That is where I need the sun, which I have no control over. In the same way, God is ultimately in control of the Corinthians growth and spirituality. It is foolish to identify with a specific teacher, who is just that, only a teacher. Rather, we should identify with the God of the universe.
Paul finishes this discussion on ministers by pointing out that despite the ultimate weakness that teachers have, nonetheless they are important as a God-given means to grow the church. Paul shifts into discussing the responsibilities and corresponding standards to which teachers are judged. This is really a neat passage of scripture to me, being in the construction industry. Paul here uses a metaphor of building to convey this idea of ministers. He says; "we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building." Paul calls himself a wise master builder who has laid the foundation (which is Jesus Christ). It is like a foundation constructed with cast in place piles and concrete with twice the code required minimum standards. He takes time to do it right, so there will be no problems later. Another builds on Paul's foundation. These are like the subcontractors of the Word. They are each responsible for different trades in building. One frames the walls and roof, one finishes the roof covering, one applies brick veneer to the outside, one finishes the inside of the building, one paints, one runs electrical work...all important to the finished task. Some are seen in the world's eyes as more prestigious than others, but they are all important to the final picture. Paul inserts a word of caution here though; "But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay that that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Continuing with the building analogy, it would be foolish to tear up the foundation and put in a new one, but the existing foundation is already laid. Then Paul finishes with a stern warning, "...each one's work will be tested..." This is to stimulate us to do our best work as ministers of the word. Be cautious the building materials and workmanship you choose to use as you construct God's people. It is not without consequence.
Tomorrow I will focus on the topic of avoiding worldly wisdom, something that is so easy to get caught up in.
Paul's main thrust so far in the letter to the Corinthians has been a reprimand of their disunity and the division amongst themselves. He challenged them to see that their basis for unity is the cross of Jesus Christ and not in themselves, or in "more spiritual" pursuits. It is because of their divisions and foolish pursuits that Paul is forced to treat them as unbelievers. They have in effect hardened themselves to the gospel. They think that they are beyond that and in need for some super spiritual wisdom. Paul corrects them by showing us that the same gospel that saves the believer also works constantly in the life and sustains the believer or spiritual man to use Paul's language.
Continuing on the theme of the Corinthians pursuit of "silver-tongued orators", Paul now shifts to a discussion of himself and other ministers of the gospel. He begins by asking the question: "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?" So Paul wants to drive home the point that ultimately the teacher is of little significance compared to the One who "gave the increase." God is the one in ultimate control. Paul and Apollos faithfully fulfilled their differing duties, but they were only effective because God is behind them. To use the same analogy of plant life, its the same as planting a garden. I can plant seeds, I can water the seeds, I can even add fertilizer, but I cannot cause them to grow into plants. That is where I need the sun, which I have no control over. In the same way, God is ultimately in control of the Corinthians growth and spirituality. It is foolish to identify with a specific teacher, who is just that, only a teacher. Rather, we should identify with the God of the universe.
Paul finishes this discussion on ministers by pointing out that despite the ultimate weakness that teachers have, nonetheless they are important as a God-given means to grow the church. Paul shifts into discussing the responsibilities and corresponding standards to which teachers are judged. This is really a neat passage of scripture to me, being in the construction industry. Paul here uses a metaphor of building to convey this idea of ministers. He says; "we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building." Paul calls himself a wise master builder who has laid the foundation (which is Jesus Christ). It is like a foundation constructed with cast in place piles and concrete with twice the code required minimum standards. He takes time to do it right, so there will be no problems later. Another builds on Paul's foundation. These are like the subcontractors of the Word. They are each responsible for different trades in building. One frames the walls and roof, one finishes the roof covering, one applies brick veneer to the outside, one finishes the inside of the building, one paints, one runs electrical work...all important to the finished task. Some are seen in the world's eyes as more prestigious than others, but they are all important to the final picture. Paul inserts a word of caution here though; "But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay that that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Continuing with the building analogy, it would be foolish to tear up the foundation and put in a new one, but the existing foundation is already laid. Then Paul finishes with a stern warning, "...each one's work will be tested..." This is to stimulate us to do our best work as ministers of the word. Be cautious the building materials and workmanship you choose to use as you construct God's people. It is not without consequence.
Tomorrow I will focus on the topic of avoiding worldly wisdom, something that is so easy to get caught up in.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
1 Corinthians Chapter 3 - Part 1
I wanted to break this chapter into three larger themes:
1. The carnal Christian?
2. Proper view of ministers
3. Worldly Wisdom
However, I have become a little bogged down with the topic of the carnal Christian. I found two conflicting views on this passage, and both are rather convincing. So I have been slowly sorting thru the differening viewpoints to decide which I believe is more biblical. I am inclined to go with the discussion I found on the website of a PCA church, but I don't want to dismiss to quickly that of the other author. So here goes:
View 1 - A Third Group
The main point in the author's writing is that the carnal christian constitutes a third category of Christian. There is the natural man, the spiritual man, and now the carnal man. Paul begins the passage by calling them "brethren" and "babes in Christ". This would provide evidence for this point of view, that they are Christians but are only acting immaturely. The author goes on to state that "Of course, the flesh does not dominate every aspect of their life...but Paul is addressing issues where they clearly are thinking and acting in a carnal - that is, fleshly - manner." Finally, "The carnal Christian is a child of God, born again and on his way to heaven, but he is traveling third class." (Redpath) So we have this idea that there is a class of Christian that is born again and has the same salvation and standing with God as the spiritual man, but who is mastered by the flesh. Is this right? Can a man remain in this category and be a Chrisitian? Can he have any expectation of going to heaven?
View 2 - A Need for Repentence
Another viewpoint begins by reminding us of the tone of the book thus far. Paul has confronted the Corinthians with their love of "silver tongued orators whose speech seemed better than the simple preaching of Christ crucified for sinners." This is the core issue here, the need for real wisdom and that it is found only in the cross of Christ. He agrees that the recipients are Christians, because they are called "brethren". But the tone of the passage is different than that of the first author. The first view shows almost a complacency and acceptance of this idea of the carnal Christian. It acknolwedges that the carnal "Christian" is not up to par, but makes no strides to improve that. This author actually takes the stance that Paul is confronting this group once more with their sinfulness and demanding repentance. "These are not second class Christians who need to grow up. These are God's people with reprehensible lifestyles who need to repent." So we shift from the creation and acceptance to a third type of Christian to an analogy of their behavior and need for repentance.
In conclusion, I think by not looking at this passage in isolation, we are forced to see the continuing theme of Paul confronting the Corinthians with their sinful lifestyle and their barriers to the simple gospel truth that they need. There is not a third class of Christian who just scrapes by, but there are Christians who have lifestyles that are not pleasing to the Lord, and need to repent. This will guard against us thinking or worse teaching that you can come into fellowship with God and then continue in the sins you previously commited and be classified as safe. We have a higher calling to live in obedience to our King.
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
~Micah 6:8
1. The carnal Christian?
2. Proper view of ministers
3. Worldly Wisdom
However, I have become a little bogged down with the topic of the carnal Christian. I found two conflicting views on this passage, and both are rather convincing. So I have been slowly sorting thru the differening viewpoints to decide which I believe is more biblical. I am inclined to go with the discussion I found on the website of a PCA church, but I don't want to dismiss to quickly that of the other author. So here goes:
View 1 - A Third Group
The main point in the author's writing is that the carnal christian constitutes a third category of Christian. There is the natural man, the spiritual man, and now the carnal man. Paul begins the passage by calling them "brethren" and "babes in Christ". This would provide evidence for this point of view, that they are Christians but are only acting immaturely. The author goes on to state that "Of course, the flesh does not dominate every aspect of their life...but Paul is addressing issues where they clearly are thinking and acting in a carnal - that is, fleshly - manner." Finally, "The carnal Christian is a child of God, born again and on his way to heaven, but he is traveling third class." (Redpath) So we have this idea that there is a class of Christian that is born again and has the same salvation and standing with God as the spiritual man, but who is mastered by the flesh. Is this right? Can a man remain in this category and be a Chrisitian? Can he have any expectation of going to heaven?
View 2 - A Need for Repentence
Another viewpoint begins by reminding us of the tone of the book thus far. Paul has confronted the Corinthians with their love of "silver tongued orators whose speech seemed better than the simple preaching of Christ crucified for sinners." This is the core issue here, the need for real wisdom and that it is found only in the cross of Christ. He agrees that the recipients are Christians, because they are called "brethren". But the tone of the passage is different than that of the first author. The first view shows almost a complacency and acceptance of this idea of the carnal Christian. It acknolwedges that the carnal "Christian" is not up to par, but makes no strides to improve that. This author actually takes the stance that Paul is confronting this group once more with their sinfulness and demanding repentance. "These are not second class Christians who need to grow up. These are God's people with reprehensible lifestyles who need to repent." So we shift from the creation and acceptance to a third type of Christian to an analogy of their behavior and need for repentance.
In conclusion, I think by not looking at this passage in isolation, we are forced to see the continuing theme of Paul confronting the Corinthians with their sinful lifestyle and their barriers to the simple gospel truth that they need. There is not a third class of Christian who just scrapes by, but there are Christians who have lifestyles that are not pleasing to the Lord, and need to repent. This will guard against us thinking or worse teaching that you can come into fellowship with God and then continue in the sins you previously commited and be classified as safe. We have a higher calling to live in obedience to our King.
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
~Micah 6:8
Saturday, May 12, 2007
1 Corinthians 2
I divided this chapter into 3 parts:
1. Wisdom of men vs. Christ crucified
2. Real wisdom
3. Revealed thru the Spirit
1. The church at Corinth had probably criticized Paul, because they were situated in a time and place that prided themselves on their reasoning skills and knowledge. Paul "...did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom..." Paul wanted to demonstrate the Spirit's power thru man's weakness. He even admits his timidity and fear, and yet God still used him to show his strength and to bring the message of the gospel to the church at Corinth. His goal is that the church not find its strength "in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
As I wrote in the previous post about finding our identity only in Christ and not in our own wisdom, this idea continues that theme. Paul had already criticized the church for the divisions among themselves in chapter 1. We have to be careful not to find our strength and power in the wisdom and craftiness of men, rather in the Spirit. We can even feel free to embrace our weakness and fear and see the Spirit work. I guess that this is the definition to humility and it is necessary for the Spirit to work.
2. Real Wisdom: Paul continues with the theme of wisdom but clarifies it is not the wisdom of this world that has any merit. He does not dismiss wisdom and the pursuit of it, but shows us that real wisdom is knowledge of His son Jesus Christ our savior. The "rulers of this age" have one type of wisdom that is blinded to the work of God in Christ. Paul says if they had understood the "mystery" "...they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
The next point that brings up is that God is the supplier of real wisdom. Apart from God, we would know nothing. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." So no man can seek out God and find Him completely. We can discover aspects of Him, but apart from his provision, we are blind. This brings us to the next issue.
3. Revealed thru the Spirit: God's chosen means for revealing His truth to His children is thru the Spirit. Paul uses the analogy of our own spirit. He points out that the spirit of man is the real essence of knowledge about ourselves. And Paul is showing us it is the same with God, the Spirit "searches the deep things of God." And now Paul says, "we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." This is the climax: revel in the priveledge we have to posess the Spirit of God and to receive all the spiritual knowledge that accompanies Him. This isn't something to be taken lightly, we have "the mind of Christ". This sets us apart from unbelievers, who cannot discern spiritual things, it is foolishness to him. But to us it is the power and wisdom of God.
1. Wisdom of men vs. Christ crucified
2. Real wisdom
3. Revealed thru the Spirit
1. The church at Corinth had probably criticized Paul, because they were situated in a time and place that prided themselves on their reasoning skills and knowledge. Paul "...did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom..." Paul wanted to demonstrate the Spirit's power thru man's weakness. He even admits his timidity and fear, and yet God still used him to show his strength and to bring the message of the gospel to the church at Corinth. His goal is that the church not find its strength "in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
As I wrote in the previous post about finding our identity only in Christ and not in our own wisdom, this idea continues that theme. Paul had already criticized the church for the divisions among themselves in chapter 1. We have to be careful not to find our strength and power in the wisdom and craftiness of men, rather in the Spirit. We can even feel free to embrace our weakness and fear and see the Spirit work. I guess that this is the definition to humility and it is necessary for the Spirit to work.
2. Real Wisdom: Paul continues with the theme of wisdom but clarifies it is not the wisdom of this world that has any merit. He does not dismiss wisdom and the pursuit of it, but shows us that real wisdom is knowledge of His son Jesus Christ our savior. The "rulers of this age" have one type of wisdom that is blinded to the work of God in Christ. Paul says if they had understood the "mystery" "...they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
The next point that brings up is that God is the supplier of real wisdom. Apart from God, we would know nothing. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." So no man can seek out God and find Him completely. We can discover aspects of Him, but apart from his provision, we are blind. This brings us to the next issue.
3. Revealed thru the Spirit: God's chosen means for revealing His truth to His children is thru the Spirit. Paul uses the analogy of our own spirit. He points out that the spirit of man is the real essence of knowledge about ourselves. And Paul is showing us it is the same with God, the Spirit "searches the deep things of God." And now Paul says, "we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." This is the climax: revel in the priveledge we have to posess the Spirit of God and to receive all the spiritual knowledge that accompanies Him. This isn't something to be taken lightly, we have "the mind of Christ". This sets us apart from unbelievers, who cannot discern spiritual things, it is foolishness to him. But to us it is the power and wisdom of God.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
1 Corinthians Chapter 1
I divided the chapter into 4 parts:
1. Our identity as believers
2. The need for unity in the body of Christ
3. Foolish message of the Cross
4. Not many wise are called
1. I think the primary thing Paul stresses to the church in Corinth is their new standing with God. "...those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints..." "...you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge...so that you come short in no gift..." Paul wanted to give the foundation for his rebuke of the sin in the church the sure footing of our identity with Christ. He stresses that we are not to live in bondage to the flesh. Later he reminds us: "Or do you not know...you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." We have been set apart for God's glory as believers and this is our purpose in life. Not only does the burden lie on us to serve out of duty or responsiblity, but Paul goes on to show us that Christ has enriched us in everything as well. We have receieved new life and life abundantly. As an aside, keep in mind Paul is addressing the corporate body here.
2. Now Paul begins his rebuke of certain practices within the church at Corinth that were troubling to him. The issue of unity is challenged by groups within the church identifying themselves with various ministers of the Word. Paul's concern is that the church would recognize that no one should base their identity on anything except Jesus Christ. Further, Paul explained he was not sent to establish a church that clung to him, but rather he was sent to preach the gospel of Christ to them, and not with "wisdom of words", but simply the message of the Cross. This issue is particulary relevant to myself and my family as we seek to be content in our local congregation. In a time of information overload and availability of every preacher's sermons and pictures of every congregation around the globe, it is easy to identify yourself with a style and method of preaching and church setting that you like. But I have found that the danger in this indentity is a discontentment with your local church. It is encouraging for me to read the words of Paul and take heart that my identity is tied to Christ and no other. And from this basis I can battle the sin of covetousness that lies in my own heart and seek contentment with serving and worshiping with my local church.
3. The next theme I found interesting was the subject of the Cross. Paul claims, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." What do I belive concerning the cross? Do I understand the cross as the center of power in my life? This was the beginning of my true life, Christ's death and ressurection. I think Paul is challenging the church to see that they seek so often to achieve understanding and power thru their own reasoning and through miraculous happenings. "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom." Paul shows us that our understanding and our power are rooted in Christ and His accomplishment. This is offensive to a modern culture that prides itself in accomplishments and education. This sets up Pauls next point.
4. The final theme of chapter 1 was "that no flesh should glory in His presence." Paul has set us up to see that "not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise..." Paul is showing us that God's plan is different than ours. We think that to progress in life, we must pursue education and acheivements to find purpose. Paul suggests no you don't, you find your purpose in your identity with Christ. Running after those things will only distance you from Christ. Therefore, it is my challenge then to always remind myself of this passage. This is a warning to me, that no matter how succesful or destitute I become according to the world's standards, my identity and my accomplishments are only in Christ Jesus. I should not glory in my own flesh.
1. Our identity as believers
2. The need for unity in the body of Christ
3. Foolish message of the Cross
4. Not many wise are called
1. I think the primary thing Paul stresses to the church in Corinth is their new standing with God. "...those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints..." "...you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge...so that you come short in no gift..." Paul wanted to give the foundation for his rebuke of the sin in the church the sure footing of our identity with Christ. He stresses that we are not to live in bondage to the flesh. Later he reminds us: "Or do you not know...you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." We have been set apart for God's glory as believers and this is our purpose in life. Not only does the burden lie on us to serve out of duty or responsiblity, but Paul goes on to show us that Christ has enriched us in everything as well. We have receieved new life and life abundantly. As an aside, keep in mind Paul is addressing the corporate body here.
2. Now Paul begins his rebuke of certain practices within the church at Corinth that were troubling to him. The issue of unity is challenged by groups within the church identifying themselves with various ministers of the Word. Paul's concern is that the church would recognize that no one should base their identity on anything except Jesus Christ. Further, Paul explained he was not sent to establish a church that clung to him, but rather he was sent to preach the gospel of Christ to them, and not with "wisdom of words", but simply the message of the Cross. This issue is particulary relevant to myself and my family as we seek to be content in our local congregation. In a time of information overload and availability of every preacher's sermons and pictures of every congregation around the globe, it is easy to identify yourself with a style and method of preaching and church setting that you like. But I have found that the danger in this indentity is a discontentment with your local church. It is encouraging for me to read the words of Paul and take heart that my identity is tied to Christ and no other. And from this basis I can battle the sin of covetousness that lies in my own heart and seek contentment with serving and worshiping with my local church.
3. The next theme I found interesting was the subject of the Cross. Paul claims, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." What do I belive concerning the cross? Do I understand the cross as the center of power in my life? This was the beginning of my true life, Christ's death and ressurection. I think Paul is challenging the church to see that they seek so often to achieve understanding and power thru their own reasoning and through miraculous happenings. "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom." Paul shows us that our understanding and our power are rooted in Christ and His accomplishment. This is offensive to a modern culture that prides itself in accomplishments and education. This sets up Pauls next point.
4. The final theme of chapter 1 was "that no flesh should glory in His presence." Paul has set us up to see that "not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise..." Paul is showing us that God's plan is different than ours. We think that to progress in life, we must pursue education and acheivements to find purpose. Paul suggests no you don't, you find your purpose in your identity with Christ. Running after those things will only distance you from Christ. Therefore, it is my challenge then to always remind myself of this passage. This is a warning to me, that no matter how succesful or destitute I become according to the world's standards, my identity and my accomplishments are only in Christ Jesus. I should not glory in my own flesh.
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