1 Corinthians (Written)

Thursday, 19 June 2014

Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 1 Corinthians 6:3

There is much debate and an almost perceived fear among commentators as to what Paul is referring to here. Some say that because there is no qualifier before “angels” it must be referring to the “good” angels. In other words, he doesn’t say the “fallen” angels or the “bad” angels. Others disagree and say he must be speaking about the leaders of churches – pastors, priests, etc. The term can be used this way, but it would make no sense at all because he is writing to a body with elders already in place and he himself is an apostle.

The plain sense of the verse demands that we look at it in no other way than that he is speaking of heavenly messengers, good or bad, that will be judged by the saints. If a sentence is to be pronounced on a fallen angel, believers will be the ones qualified to make that judgment. The good angels will be excluded from such judgments because there was no fault in them. Thus, in actuality, judgment is rendered on both. One judgment is “no” judgment necessary. The other judgment will be according to their fallen nature and evil deeds.

But for what could believers judge fallen angels? The answer is that they are the afflicters of believers now. They are the ones who wreak havoc among the weak, making miserable those believers who are susceptible. They are also those who completely possess non-believers and torment them as demons. Because of the angels’ interactions with man, redeemed man will be allowed judicial authority over them.

Likewise, the “good” angels have been “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews1:14). Because of this, their ministrations will be noted by those who finally see what good they wrought among men before their glorification.

Understanding this verse from this perspective then makes all the sense in the world. What we don’t even perceive now will become clear to our eyes in the future. God has given those who believe an opportunity to actively participate in a realm that we now only passively participate in. And if this is so, then “how much more, things that pertain to this life?”

In other words, if we will someday judge angels who are in a completely different order of being than we are, then shouldn’t we be able to handle the judgments of this life in the order we now perceive and understand! The answer begs for a positive response. Yes, we should be in control of our judgments now, not handing them over to non-believers when they fall entirely within the parameters of those who will inherit eternal life and the right to judge eternal beings.

Life application: Imagine the great honor of being one of the redeemed of the Lord. And likewise, imagine the great responsibility that accompanies that honor. Let us never take lightly our duty to govern our own affairs in the church and among believers.

Lord God, it’s not to angels that you have put in subjection the world to come, but to man, and more especially one Man. All of the authority of heaven and earth is granted to Your Son, my Lord Jesus. As this is so, then why should I worry about a single thing that happens in this life, from stubbing my toe to losing my most beloved, surely all things are within the control of Your capable hands. If the future is already granted to Jesus, then all of this life is being prepared for that day. Thank You for this sure hope. Amen.

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 1 Corinthians 6:2

Paul is showing the utterly absurd nature of the saints going before the ungodly for their judgments. His words confirm that their counsels are merely earthly and bear little weight. In contrast to them are the judgments of the saints. “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” The very people to whom the Corinthians were going to resolve petty matters between the believers are the same people who will be judged by the saints someday!

Paul is showing that the religious matters bear immensely higher weight than the earthly issues we find so important. It is to the “saints” that the religious decisions will be rendered. This verse, along with so many others in the New Testament, shows us that those termed “saints” are not decided upon by a council or a pope, but rather it is a term for “believers.” All who are saved by Christ are, by default, saints. And these saints will “judge the world.”

And so, to continue to help these saints think clearly, Paul continues with, “And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” The folly of those in Corinth is made clear! How can we hold to the promises of the future with all of its honor and power, and not reasonably consider it in our deliberations now? These niggling little matters (which seem so important at this time, but which actually have no true importance when considered against the backdrop of eternity) that arise between believers are minute compared to what we will someday decide.

So how can it be that we can’t even decide them now? Paul asks them to think! And it is all the more relevant to believers today. Those in Corinth didn’t have the New Testament epistles to rely on. All they had was whatever instructions they received and their faulty memories. Now, we have the whole counsel of God given to us and ready for reference, decision, and action. What an immensely valuable tool for guidance – and yet we still neglect it and we still fall into the same error today that those in Corinth fell into prior to the publication of the Bible.

Life application: What priority is Scripture in your life? Just how willing to rely on God’s instruction are you? Do you know more than He? Are your judgments more valuable than His?  We know the answers, and so let us continue to learn and apply this precious gift to our every step.

Lord, what seems so important in this life actually has very little importance compared to what is coming. So how can we fight over the miniscule things that arise and pester us each day when the true life ahead promises us eternal rest and contentment? Help us to focus on the sure promises that You have given and in this we will be able to keep the little things of this life in proper perspective. You have it all taken care of; and because of Jesus our end is assured. In this, let us remain content! Amen.

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 1 Corinthians 6:1

In Chapter 5, Paul detailed “judging” for both those inside the church and noting that the church isn’t the arbiter of matters outside the church. Now he is turning the same thought around. The reason for this isn’t explicitly stated, but it is alluded to in verse 6:6 which is just ahead.

Just as the church is to judge matters which occur within the church, the church is not to have such matters judged by those outside the church. It is a point of obvious grief to him and he will detail why as he proceeds. To stress the magnitude of the issue, he asks “Dare any of you…?” It is a note of rebuke or a note of extreme warning. In essence, as Bengel notes, it “implies treason against Christian brotherhood.” What he will continue with is something bordering on sacred.

And so he continues, “Dare any of you, having a matter against another…” There will always arise disputes between people. This has occurred since the beginning and it will continue throughout the age. People perceive things differently and feel they have a right to a legal remedy for injustices committed against them. But within the body of believers, Paul demonstrates that when such a thing arises, they should not even dare to “go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints.”

The absurdity of following such a course will be explained, but even before reaching those verses, it is possible to think through many reasons why this shouldn’t occur. If the saints are declared righteous, then how could a fair legal decision be rendered in a court ruled by the unrighteous? Suppose a believer has wronged another believer and is unwilling to own up to his wrong. What would preclude him from bribing an unrighteous judge to maintain his supremacy in the matter?

Additionally, what kind of example would a church or church member be setting if he were to take such matters before a non-believing body? What will be the perception of those non-believers concerning the power of Jesus, the charitableness between believers, or the ability for a church to handle matters of even greater weight (meaning spiritual matters)? If they can’t handle earthly problems, why should they be trusted with the eternal issues that religion is supposed to handle.

For these and other reasons, it is entirely inappropriate for believers within a church to not attempt to arbitrate their differences within the church setting.

Life application: How important is a matter that you would be willing to bring discredit upon the name of Jesus? At what point does an offense justify degrading Him in the presence of the unrighteous. Paul’s words ask us to consider this and to act accordingly.

Heavenly Father, You have forgiven me for so much and You have done so without holding it over my head. In Your great grace and mercy, You have forgotten my misdeeds because of what Jesus did for me. Now Lord, help me to act in the same way towards those who come to me asking for forgiveness and reconciliation. Help me not to turn my heart away from such an act, but to accept terms of peace and harmony. How can I withhold forgiveness over such little offenses when You have granted it for a life of disobedience against You. Help me in this Lord. Amen.

Monday, 16 June 2014

But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” 1 Corinthians 5:13

There is a difference between “judgments” and “judging.” We as Christians are to continuously make right “judgments.” We are to abstain from evil, recognize evil, identify that which is evil, and work against evil. However, as a body we are not given authority over those outside the church. Though we may make judgments on their conduct, we are not the judges over their conduct. Societies come and go and moral perversion is an inevitable part of them, usually increasing as the society ages.

Because the church is not the judge of societal wickedness, Paul begins with the word “But.” This is given in contrast to what he just said in 1 Corinthians 5:12 –

“For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?”

Those outside are excluded from church judgment, but they are not free from judgment! Instead, “those who are outside God judges.” There is no pass for wickedness and perversion. Instead, it will be handled in a separate manner by the ultimate Judge of all men. On the other hand, we are given authority over matters of disobedience within the church. It is the responsibility of the church to make judgments and then to pass judgment on those who violate the precepts laid out in Scripture.

To confirm this, Paul says “therefore.” Because the church is given this authority, it must use it properly and exercise it without fail. For those in Corinth, the decision is rendered by Paul – “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

The most severe judgment of the church is directed. The offender is to be put out of the fellowship and regarded as a pagan to those in the church. He has no rights within the body at all. He has been delivered over “to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” as Paul noted in verse 5.

Unfortunately, a consequence of living in a society where there are many churches and denominations in any given town is that the offender in the world today can simply cross the street and sit in a different church. However, the sentence if properly imposed on him should hopefully be of such weight that he would repent and turn from his wickedness.

Life application: The church has a moral responsibility to uphold God’s word, to keep the body pure, and to expel those who flagrantly disobey what God expects. Let us endeavor to stand boldly on the principles of Scripture and be strong in our moral convictions lest we be found wanting in our adherence to what the Lord expects.

Lord God, chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians instructs the church to stand firm on the moral principles laid out in Scripture. Those who flagrantly abuse Your guidance are to be removed from the fellowship. In today’s world, this is becoming increasingly difficult due to the immense amount of moral perversion within society and even within the church. This is especially true when our national leaders have grown so corrupt. Help us to look not to their example, but to Yours. Help us to stand fast on what is morally right and to act in accordance with Your will. Amen.

Sunday, 15 June 2014

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 1 Corinthians 5:12

Pay close heed to Paul’s words in this verse and remember them as you conduct your daily affairs. In all analyses of the Bible, context is of paramount importance and it is the one aspect which is most disregarded by those who are either not Christians or who are biblically uninformed Christians who use the Bible as a tool to set their own personal agenda concerning any given issue. Today’s verse is an exemplary response to the misuse of Matthew 7:1,2 which says –

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

What is the context of Jesus’ words? Who was He speaking to? Under what dispensation was He speaking? And just as notable, what does He then ask His audience to do just four verses later? He asks them to make right moral judgments. Here are His words –

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Matthew 7:6

Almost every time Matthew 7:1, 2 is cited, it is ripped out of its context in an attempt to silence vocal Christians who make moral judgments against perversion within society, government, or even in the church. None of these apply to what Jesus intended and understanding this will allow the Christian to feel secure in their proper, healthy, and God-honoring moral judgments.

In confirmation of this approach, we have Paul’s words which begin with, “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside?” His words are showing that he is not the arbiter of the conduct of those outside the church, nor does he sit in judgment of them. This does not mean that what he says about their conduct is not valid, but that he is not the one who will decide their fate for their conduct. If Paul speaks of a non-believer as a licentious or perverted person, he is within his rights as a Christian. But he will not be the one to either forgive them or to cast them into hell. That right belongs to the Lord.

On the other hand, there are these types of people within the church. They act out perversion, they are divisive, vulgar, contentious, slanderous, etc (such as he has already mentioned). In those cases, he not only has a right to make a moral judgment about them (as Jesus indicated in Matthew 7:6), but he also has a right to make a punitive judgment as well. And this right extends to the church as a whole. This is made clear by the words, “Do you not judge those who are inside?”

It is a rhetorical question which demands a positive answer. If not they, then who? Unfortunately, in our society, Christians are trapped into believing that they are somehow to be silent over the ever-increasing moral wickedness displayed by those in society – from school teachers and college professors, to actors and musicians, and all the way up to congressmen, senators and, even as becomes ever more prevalent, the President of the United States.

To be a supporter of moral perversion has reached the height of fashion for the liberal left in our nation and it has grown to epidemic proportions. But Christians are continuously told to be silent based on Jesus’ words which have been torn out of context and held up as a banner for the need for “tolerance” against things that are wholly intolerable.

Life application: Right moral judgments do not stop as one exits the doors of the church. Instead, they are to be upheld at all times and against all forms of perversion. However, the punitive judgment for those perversions is not at the discretion of the church. God will judge the immoral and he will condemn them for their wickedness. He is not slack in this either, but is patient, allowing many to humble themselves and turn from their wickedness. Someday though, He will turn and fight against it when the sins have reached their fullness.

Heavenly Father, You have instilled in man a moral compass to know what is right and what is wrong. However, we suppress the truth in our unrighteousness and act out our will against You. Help Christians to realize that we are not to condone this, but to speak out against it, stand up for righteousness, and make right moral judgments which are in line with Your will and Your intent for the people You have created. Help us to act with intestinal fortitude against immorality and perversion as You have laid out in Your word. Amen.