1 Corinthians (Written)

Monday, 1 December 2014

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 1 Corinthians 12:1

Paul will now begin a completely new segment of his epistle. After treating the issue of the Lord’s Supper, he next moves into the area of “spiritual gifts.” This is probably a response to the next item in the letter he referred to in 1 Corinthians 7:1 which said, “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me…” In this verse, the word “gifts” is not in the original. Rather, it is inserted by translators. In essence, the verse more accurately reads, “Now concerning (things) spiritual…”

“Spiritual gifts” are gifts which have been given by the Spirit for the building up of the church and for the edification of believers. Some of these gifts were certainly apostolic in nature (meaning that they occurred only during the apostolic age which ended with the word “Amen” in Revelation 22:21). Others are gifts which may be seen highlighted at certain special times during the church age when revival is needed. And others are gifts which are common and needed for the church at all times.

The gift of “tongues” is possibly one of the most abused of all of the supposedly received “gifts” within the church today. It is given extended treatment by Paul, particularly in chapter 14. This specific gift is so commonly misused in comparison with how it is defined in Scripture that nothing other than the term “embarrassing” can be applied to its use in churches, particularly in recent times. If the word of God was held in any regard at all, there wouldn’t be such a humiliating display of its supposed use. But apparently, Paul went through the same behavior in his time and his words of instruction which were intended to correct the problem have been largely ignored.

There are several certainties concerning gifts which will be detailed now and then evaluated in the coming verses –

1) Non-Christians cannot claim their comparable abilities as gifts. They may have them as natural human abilities, but not as spiritual gifts. If it is a true gift, it is given by the Holy Spirit for the glory of God, and the Holy Spirit is only given to true believers in Christ. This is implied by the term “brethren” in this particular verse.

2) Regardless of what gift is given, they all have the same divine Source. Therefore, they are all intended to bring glory to God, not to the individual who receives the gift.

3) If a “gift” is used in a church and its use contradicts the words of the Bible (which has been given by the Spirit), then it cannot be a true exercising of that gift. Rather than exalting God, it therefore discredits the person who is misusing the supposed “gift.”

4) Each gift is intended to work cohesively within the body and for the body, not independently of the body. Supposed “gifts” which are disruptive or self-highlighting are not gifts at all, but are unwarranted displays.

And so, in expectation of very important instruction from him concerning the issue of spiritual things he says, “I do not want you to be ignorant.” It is the same thought he gave when beginning his discourse of chapter 10 which dealt in detail with sexual immorality and idolatry. Paul’s words here contain the same weight and the same heartfelt desire to ensure the glory of the Lord is maintained.

Life application:

Question – How can you know if a certain type of conduct or supposed “gift” which is seen in a church is acceptable or not?
Answer – By reading and knowing your Bible, which is given for this very purpose, and then comparing that knowledge to how the “gift” or conduct is used.
Remedy for bad doctrine – Rightly divide and properly apply the words of the Bible to your church gatherings.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom to worship You in a way which is comfortable for those I gather with. The one thing I would ask is that we would never do something contrary to Your word. For sure, we would desire Your glorification above all else. I know there is plenty of room to glorify You while remaining faithful to Your word. So help us in this and we will be sure to praise You with all our soul! Amen.

Sunday, 30 November 2014

But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come. 1 Corinthians 11:34

As is evidenced here, the gathering at Corinth was one which eventually evolved into something like a pot-luck supper. The term for it was an agape or “love” feast. But as the ceremony evolved, it quickly left behind the very purpose that the Lord’s Supper was intended to convey. Instead of remembering the Lord and His work, it was a chance to eat and be merry. To avoid this, Paul’s words of instruction are specific that “if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home.”

A regular meal belongs in a regular place. The Lord’s Supper belongs among the Lord’s people. Paul wanted the two kept separate in order to maintain the dignity of the occasion. He had already noted the consequences of having not treated the ceremony in a dignified way (in that some were weak, sick, or even dead) and he didn’t want that to continue lest they also “come together for judgment.”

Again, Paul’s words here imply that it is a temporal, not a spiritual judgment. Some translations incorrectly say “condemnation” here. It is a bad choice of words because as Paul says elsewhere, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1). Paul has the best intent for those in Corinth concerning both their continued earthly health and prosperity as well as their spiritual growth in Christ. And his words are recorded to help us in this same manner as well.

In closing out chapter 11 he finishes with, “And the rest I will set in order when I come.” There were other instructions, probably unique to the situation at Corinth, that needed to be set in order. However, they either weren’t pressing or maybe they were of a delicate nature that he didn’t want included in a public letter. What is apparent is that he fully intended to go to Corinth to meet with them in person.

Life application: The directions for the Lord’s Supper are given in 1 Corinthians 11 and are based on the words of the Lord as found in the gospels. There is specific instruction and yet there is much detail which is left open to individual choice for the arrangement of the rite. Adhering to what is given and not trifling over things that are left unstated will lead to a sound and healthy memorial which will also be accommodating to time, place, culture, and personal choice.

Lord, I’m so thankful for the freedom we have to arrange churches in a way which accommodates our style of worship, cultural preferences, and spiritual needs. And yet, there is also a given amount of order and structure in Your word to keep us from devolving into something not pleasing to You. Thank You for the freedom to worship You in a way which fits who we are as individuals. May our hearts be united in a worship of spirit and truth regardless of the externals. Amen.

Saturday, 29 November 2014

Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 1 Corinthians 11:33

“Therefore” is given to sum up all of Paul’s thoughts starting in verse 17. In that verse, he noted that those in Corinth had “come together not for the better but for the worse.” In explanation of that, in comments intended to correct the problem, and in justification of why his directions were so important, he laid out his points in an orderly fashion until verse 32. In an overall summery statement he then gives them his curative recommendation by beginning with “my brethren.”

The addressees, despite their mishandling of the matter thus far, were still considered among the fellowship. The loss of salvation because of their conduct is not even a consideration. And so to these brethren he says, “when you come together to eat, wait for one another.” Instead of hurriedly gobbling up the food that was brought to the meal, they should wait until all had arrived and would be willing to fellowship with others and share in what was available.

In this, the believers would truly be a united group and they would be more likely to focus on the Lord and His work rather than on their stomachs. A good way to consider how this is true would be to think of a prayer meeting. If people are continuously walking in and out, then the prayer will by its very nature be dysfunctional. Concentration will be lost, there will be a repetition of prayers already offered, and there may even be resentment by those who had been trying to concentrate because of the stream of interruptions.

Life application: A church which is not run in an orderly and pious fashion will inevitably fail to unite in mind and heart on the Lord. The worship will become less “He” centered and more “me” centered. In all things, let us remember that it is the Lord who is to be exalted during praise and worship.

Heavenly Father, Glorious God – Forgive me for my often self-centered attitude in life. I seek prosperity and ease even though I know others have such difficult times. Is my time at church really focused on You, or is it about me and what I like? My times of prayer are inevitably distracted by a thousand things which fly through my mind. Lord, help me to conduct myself in a manner which honors You every moment and in all ways. Grant this that You will receive the glory you are due. Amen.

Friday, 28 November 2014

But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:32

This verse shows us that those who are noted in verse 30 as being “weak,” “sick,” or who even “sleep” (meaning have died) were still saved despite their incorrect actions which led to the judgment rendered by the Lord, termed here as being “chastened.” It then shows that the term “damnation” used by the King James translation was in fact an immensely poor choice of words.

There is still salvation for believers who erred in this way because salvation is eternal. When someone believes, they are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that they will never again come again under condemnation. Thus Paul makes a distinction between believers and “the world” (meaning unregenerate people). For those in Christ, there is the surety of salvation; for those in the world, there is the surety of condemnation.

The chastening of believers is noted in a detailed way in Hebrews 12 and further explains Paul’s thoughts in this verse –

“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” ⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. ¹¹ Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:6-11

Life application: Chastening from the Lord has a purpose that is intended to mold us further to His image and to correctly align our lives with His intent for us. Let us look with gratitude to the Lord that His chastening proves that we are legitimate children.

Lord God, it sure is painful to face Your corrective hand, but at the same time, it lets me know that I am truly Yours. When You discipline me as a son, it means that I am Your child. And so even in this, I will be sure to accept what comes my way with gratitude, knowing that You are molding me for Your glory. Thank You for this. Amen.

Thursday, 27 November 2014

For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 1 Corinthians 11:31

In this verse, Paul makes a change to include himself in his words by saying “we.” It is a way of identifying with the Corinthians in the struggle of life and the fight against sin. And how true his words ring in any situation! “For” ties the thought directly to his previous words that “many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” It is a type of disciplinary judgment which has been rendered upon the church at Corinth to get them to realize their state. In realization, they should then contemplate, and in contemplation, they should act.

The reason for having laws is more often than not a way of keeping people from harm. If we ignore the law, we are bound to get harmed. However, if we are caught in the act, we may receive whatever punishment the law mandates in order to get us to consider and correct our ways. The same is true with the precepts of the Bible. There is an expected standard, often explicit and often implicit. In the case of the Lord’s Supper, the standard was and is explicit. We know this because of what Paul said earlier in verse 23, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you.”

Therefore, in the verbal instruction of the Lord’s Supper he would have given all that was necessary to avoid the judgments which had come upon them. If they had considered their ways, there would have been no weakness, sickness, or death that could be attributed to their improper conduct. However, at the same time, there would have been no instructions for the Lord’s Supper in writing for future generations either. So even in the discipline of the Corinthians, a good result has arisen. With the inclusion of these written instructions, all churches have the same information with which to conduct this rite.

Because we have this specific instruction, how much more accountable to the Lord are we! Therefore, let us judge ourselves so that we will not be judged. With your proper knowledge, don’t hesitate to note what needs correction in your own church.

Life application: Be sure to read, contemplate, and then apply the precepts of the Bible. In so doing, you will avoid many of the pitfalls which it is trying to keep you from.

How I cherish my time with You O God!
Each moment as I live, You are here with me
Every single step that I take on the path which I trod
You illuminate it so that I can see

Your word is a lamp to my feet, it is true
It is a light to my path, wherever I go
There is never a time that I am without You
I have hidden Your word in my heart, I cherish it so

Yes Lord, thank You for the sound council and guidance in Your word. As I apply it to my life, I know that I can avoid many trials and pits which would otherwise come my way. And in the times of trials that do come, I have the perfect assurance that it is being used for a good end. I don’t need to worry or fret, but to simply place those things in Your capable hands and rest in You! Thank You for this blessed assurance. Amen.