1 Corinthians (Written)

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!1 Corinthians 6:8

This verse should be looked at in connection with the previous verse for a full understanding of what Paul is relaying –

“Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!”

He had just asked them why wouldn’t they accept wrong and even be cheated instead of going to law against one another. In his written words, it is as if he were speaking without giving them time to even explain themselves because their actions were inexcusable. And so he continues with the same thought, stating a fact that they cannot ignore – “No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat.”

They are in essence caught with their hands in the cookie jar. He has identified openly that their actions are harmful and wrong towards one another. There is a root of bitterness between the believers which has been allowed to enter into the congregation. It is something that is warned against in Hebrews 12 –

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…” Hebrews 12:14, 15

This “root of bitterness” is explicitly stated by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians as something which should not be allowed. Here are his words to them –

“…no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” 1 Thessalonians 4:6

The fact that they were cheating and doing wrong is bad enough, but what was more vile to him is that “you do these things to your brethren!” If this is how they were treating one another, then how much more disgraceful must be their actions to those who weren’t considered as brothers! It is the Lord Jesus they represent. And yet because of the things they were doing, those outside the church would certainly be inclined to say, “I want no part of that religion.”

Life application: Would you apply for a job in a company that was known for employees cheating one another and suing one another? Would you willingly join such a company, knowing in advance that there was nothing but infighting and division? Of course not! If this is the case with work, how much more do you think people will reject coming to Christ if they go into a church and see nothing but the same between believers. Our actions in church have real significance to the eyes of those who come in seeking answers to their questions about the Lord.

Lord, help me to remember that people are watching my actions and evaluating You based on what I say and do. It is so easy to forget this as distractions arise, deadlines need to be met, and as my thoughts wander to things that come to mind. Fill me with Your Spirit and keep me attuned to who I am in You so that others will see and want to know You because of how I act. This I pray to bring glory to You. Amen.

Monday, 23 June 2014

Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6:7

“Utter failure” is well translated here. Paul is telling those in Corinth that their lawsuits against one another demonstrate that they have missed the mark in Christian fellowship and in maintaining a sense of fraternity within the faith. It is true that when one sues another, it is generally because a wrong has been committed. Suppose someone lends $5000 to another believer. When it isn’t paid back, the normal and expected course of action would be to go to them and attempt to get the money back. When that fails, a suit might be the next logical step to follow.

However, Paul is saying that doing this is contrary to what should be expected of a Christian, especially if the suit is conducted in non-Christian mediation. Paul says that instead, “Why do you not rather accept wrong?” And then to further that word, he repeats the thought to confirm what he meant – “Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” It seems contrary to the normal order of business because it is contrary to the normal order of business. Something more noble is expected of those within the faith.

We may suffer from being cheated, but God is not unaware of it. Our faithfulness to His precept will be rewarded in due time. He will handle all wrongs and correct all offenses, either in this life or in the true life which is to come, but He is asking us to stand on the principles He has laid down.

Having noted this, the passage makes no commentary on interactions with non-believers, governmental agencies, corporations, or the like. When harm is suffered at the hands of a non-believer, there are venues for handling such things.

Life application: How difficult it can be to set aside grievances that have been levied against us by other believers. But how much more satisfying should it be to know that we are following the wishes of the Lord by doing so! Let us stand firmly on God’s word and not be weakened in our determination to be obedient to the knowledge we possess; mixing in practice to what we have learned.

Lord, my brother has offended me
But You have said that I should let it go
Is it not better that I be wronged
Than to take him to court for all the world to know?

Surely the offense has me upset as You can see
But in the end Your word is my rule and guide
Should I consider my offence more important?
Should I so lift myself up and be filled with pride 

Rather, I will stand upon my guide, Your written word
And thus be obedient to You, my precious Lord

Lord God, you know those who are counted as brothers in the faith who have offended me in one way or another, but Your word has asked me to consider my position in You as more important than the loss I have suffered. Help me to put Your word into practice and to allow You to handle the matter in Your wise way. I know that what You will decide will be perfectly just and so why should I worry? I place such things in Your capable hands. Amen.

Sunday, 22 June 2014

But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 1 Corinthians 6:6

In the previous verse, Paul asked this question: “I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?”

Verse 6:6 is not a continuation of the question, but rather a reply to it. It is a rebuke that there “is not a wise man among you, not even one…” Instead of displaying wisdom (which will someday be used even to judge the angels), he notes that “brother goes to law against brother.” Instead of this, they should be willing to sit down and responsibly work out their differences among each other, not even involving the church for mediation.

Rather than this though, they not only fail to settle their differences, they were skipping right over the church for mediation and going directly to civil trial where judgment was rendered “before unbelievers.” It was an utter failing of their position in Christ and the knowledge, fraternity, and faith that they should have exhibited.

Albert Barnes notes that according to Flavius Josephus, “the Romans (who were now masters of Corinth) permitted the Jews in foreign countries to decide private affairs, where nothing capital was in question, among themselves.” How could it be that if they had this right, that they wouldn’t exercise it? They were considered a sect of Judaism at this time (see the dispute which arises in Acts 18 and the judgment rendered by the proconsul in Acts 18:14 concerning this) and so they had the legal right to mediate many such private affairs.

Remembering that 1 Corinthians is included in the Bible, it is a prescriptive letter from Paul explaining our responsibilities within the church during the church age. We should consider how to act in similar matters based on his words here and abide by them.

Life application: Of what true value is it to gain the upper hand in petty matters which arise between believers that we would violate the words of Scripture in order to bring suit against our brethren in the church? Looking at these things from the eternal perspective, it is better to let go of such offenses than it is to bring discredit upon ourselves as believers and, more importantly, the name of Jesus.

Lord Jesus, I would pray for wisdom in how to handle offenses which come between me and other believers in You. I know for certain that in comparison to the things I have been forgiven by You, the petty differences which arise are utterly insignificant. And so Lord, help me to view our disagreements from an eternal perspective and not from the displeasure of the moment. Grant me a heart of wisdom in such things so that You will be glorified in my actions. Amen.

Saturday, 21 June 2014

I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 1 Corinthians 6:5

The irony abounds. Paul has been speaking to those in Corinth who would allow believers within the congregation to carry out lawsuits against one another in pagan tribunals. His words have shown that it is not only inappropriate, but it makes no sense based on their positions in Christ. He now says, “I say this to your shame.” They have disgraced themselves over this matter and his words anticipated them feeling the disgrace because of it.

And then comes the ironic question – “Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?” It is to this same group that he has now written 5 full chapters of doctrine based on their “divisions” of allegiance. In chapter 4, he said this to them –

“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!” 1 Corinthians 4:10

How can it be that they are “wise in Christ” and yet they cannot make simple decisions concerning matters of dispute between believers? It is a scathing rebuke on the wisdom they feel they possess when in fact they are demonstrating none at all! His letter is intended for them to think these things through. Line after line is one which asks them (and thus us) to consider rationally our position in Christ and then to act in a manner according to that high status.

But,,,, it is so much easier to watch a movie or sit in the lawn and gaze at the birds as they flit about. This book is our guide, it is our “constitution” for living, and it is that which reveals our Lord. We should pick it up, read it, and cherish its words each day.

Life application: When someone says, “There are many ways to interpret the Bible” they are indicating that man holds sway over what God intends. In fact, there is one proper way to evaluate the Bible, but every one of us fails to do so to some degree or another. Our failure in no way negates what God determines. It shows that we need to study more.

Heavenly Father, the most common expression about your word today is that “there are many ways to interpret the Bible.” But this is from our perspective, not Yours. You have one truth and one presentation of that truth. Our failure to correctly understand what You intend simply means that we need to study more. And so Lord, give me the aching desire to properly handle Your word; to rightly divide it; to hold fast to its truths; and to never, never compromise its moral judgments. I desire to please You, not have harmony with those who would diminish the power of Your superior word. Amen.

Friday, 20 June 2014

If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 1 Corinthians 6:4

Paul is continuing on with his same train of thought concerning judgments – who should judge matters in what context? The believers in Corinth had taken civil matters, such as lawsuits, (things pertaining to this life) to the pagan courts to be settled. He has shown them the utter folly of this and now goes on with that line of thought.

He says “If then you have judgments…” In this, he is saying that these things have arisen and will from time to time arise. It is natural for there to be disputes. At the time of Moses, while in the wilderness, there was a constant stream of such matters which were brought to him. This is recorded in Exodus 18. It was at a time when people were living in tents and not even settled into a home with land and a large number of possessions. How much more is it expected that such things would arise among those living a regular life in a community.

And so when such judgments “concerning things pertaining to this life” would arise, there would need to be a judge. It is inevitable and natural. But who would be the judge? Who would be chosen to preside over such petty matters of “this life?” Paul wants them to think the issue through based on what he said in the previous verse, that as believers “we shall judge angels.”

And so he says the following words, which need a careful evaluation – “…do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?” The verb for “appoint” is the Greek word kathizete. It is actually unclear whether Paul wrote it in the imperative mood (meaning a command) or in the indicative mood (meaning interrogatively). And so a couple possibilities arise –

1) If a command, he is telling them: You are to appoint those who are the least esteemed by the church to judge (meaning the least knowledgeable in the church would still be preferable to appointing unbelievers over them for such judgments).

2) If interrogatively, he is asking them if they would actually dare to “appoint those who are least esteemed by the church” (meaning unbelievers).

The debate over which is his intent has continued on since the letter was written and scholars disagree, but in the end the thought is clear either way. It is a rebuke to them for their unsound practices. It could be that Paul was intentionally ambiguous in his wording so that we would look at this from different angles and still come to the same conclusion. The practice of going outside the church for judgments was wrong and even the least informed in the church would be preferable to the most knowledgeable outside of it.

Life application: Disputes within the church and among fellowshipping believers should be mediated by those within the church. It is a concept which seems all but forgotten today, but when thought of from the eternal perspective, it is the one that certainly makes the most sense.

Lord, as I sit here, tired from the load of work and the pressures of life, I still have a wonderful sense of joy about my situation. It’s a feeling which transcends the pains and difficulties that come my way. When times aren’t right, I keep remembering that You have promised an end to the trials and have given us a much better hope of things to come. Yes, the world wears me down, but the thought of being with You some wondrous day fills me with joy. I just can’t wait for it to come. Yes, come Lord Jesus. Amen.