Epistles (written)

Sunday, 31 August 2014

My defense to those who examine me is this: 1 Corinthians 9:3

The NKJV (cited here) phrases this verse as Paul’s introduction to his defense when in fact he has already made his defense. The terms he uses for “defense” and “examine” are legal in nature, used during an inquiry. He had been legally challenged and he has legally defended his position. Therefore, this verse is referring not to what follows, which is a series of questions on which he bases his defense. Instead, they are a series of rhetorical questions in confirmation of what he has defended.

This verse then should end with a period, not a colon because the subsequent verses are merely rhetorical questions given as a follow up to these previously submitted facts:

1) He is an apostle (verse 1)
2) He is free (verse 1)
3) He has seen Jesus Christ our Lord (verse 1)
4) Those in Corinth are his work in the Lord (verse 1)
5) The Corinthians are the seal of his apostleship in the Lord (verse 2)

He has been challenged and he has responded in a manner which proves his apostleship. From this springboard of his certified status, he will next show what rights he is entitled to in that status.

Life application: Understanding Paul’s method of writing allows us to more accurately interpret his words. He was trained under the law and was skilled at identifying an issue and then defending that issue preemptively. This is an excellent way of handling a sensitive discussion which will keep others from thinking they have outwitted you. Thinking of contingencies that may arise and responding to them in advance will usually bolster one’s viewpoint in the end.

Be my defense O God as I face the enemy’s darts
When they speak against me, fill me with Your word
Though they may have graphs, notes, and charts
You are on my side; my Defender is my Lord

Knowing Your word is a most valued tool
Because it was given by You to guide me through each trial
Against the vain utterings of the wicked and the fool
By standing on it, the attacks will end after a short while

Every good lesson given there is a great defense for us
Because they are lessons which reflect the very heart of Jesus

Lord God, the more I read Your word, the clearer the difficult issues of this life become. I can see why bad things happen, even to the best of people. I understand that wickedness has an end. I find there hope and solace in times of depression and trial. In Your word I find these and so much more. Help me to direct others to this wonderful tool, guide, and path of sound reason where they also can find sure footing and contentment. This I pray that they will be edified and You will be glorified. Thank You for your precious, superior word. Amen.

Saturday, 30 August 2014

If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 9:2

It can be inferred from these words of Paul that there were people who had come to Corinth and accused Paul of not being a true apostle. Some have speculated that it was from the camp of Peter, but this is unlikely, unless it was at a time before Peter fully grasped the nature of Paul’s ministry. In his second epistle, Peter wrote the following words concerning Paul. They conclusively show that he believed in and supported Paul’s apostleship, including the authority of his letters which he actually places on the same level as all other Scripture –

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ¹⁵ and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, ¹⁶ as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:14-16

Whoever it was who was attempting to undermine Paul’s authority, he gives his own defense here to show that his ministry is a valid one. Beginning with “If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you.” So what if others don’t accept his status as an apostle? This shouldn’t matter at all to those in Corinth because those in Corinth were brought to Christ through his ministry. If they had called on Christ after hearing his words, then their actions validate that he was a minister of Christ. One cannot lead someone to Christ if they are talking about someone other than Christ!

In substantiation of this, he continues by saying, “For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.” Their conversion is the proof needed that he is, in fact, an apostle. He has already shown that he meets all of the requirements of being an apostle. Using that status, his work resulted in their conversion and thus “sealed” those necessary requirements of the office; they were a convincing demonstration of his apostolic authority. The “seal” (or Greek sphragis), is a seal, signet ring, or impression of the seal or ring which attests to the validity of what was conveyed. His words show that they are the attestation of his office, one that was sure and irrevocable.

Understanding this seal in the Corinthians, we can then rightly deduce that Paul’s words are valid for doctrine, reproof, and correction. His letters, included in the pages of Scripture, are fully authoritative and they have been attested to by those who came to Christ through his ministry. Like Peter’s comments about Paul above, the Bible is a self-validating document. It is a marvel and a treasure and it gives us the certainty that we are on the right track in the pursuit of our faith.

Life application: If you come to a time of doubt in your faith, the best place to go is to the Bible. The more you open it and read it, the surer you will be of He whom you have trusted. God has organized it in such a way that it will resolve your doubts, edify your walk, and correct your thinking. Be content in the fact that you have properly trusted in God’s provision when you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ!

Well Lord, another day is here and I’m still waiting on Your return. Instead of worrying about that, I will rejoice in it. You have shown that I have another day to tell others about Your goodness. I won’t waste it speculating on whether you’ll be back tomorrow or the next day. Instead, I’ll use the time You have granted in the way in which You intended… to glorify You, to give You praise, to tell others about Your offer, and to faithfully work in the job in which You have placed me. You’ll be back at the right moment. Until then, I am content to wait. Amen.

Friday, 29 August 2014

Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?1 Corinthians 9:1

This first verse of chapter 9 appears to both look back to the concluding statement of chapter 8 and also forward to the main subject area of chapter 9 which concerns Paul’s apostleship. Looking back, he has just noted that “if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” Even as an apostle, which indicates that he had personally seen and been commissioned by the Lord, he was willing to make such a concession for his “weaker” brethren. If he was willing to give up such rights in this way, it should be considered an example for those in Corinth.

Looking forward, there are those who may have questioned his apostleship, something he will immediately defend in order to dispel such a thought. Additionally, there are those who may have felt he was abusing his rights, overstepping his authority, or unnecessarily inserting himself into their local affairs. He will defend himself concerning these and other issues as he progresses through the chapter.

And so to begin, he asks rhetorically, “Am I not an apostle?” In essence he is saying, “I am an apostle.” He meets the requirements of apostleship and he carries the commission of the office. Continuing, he asks, “Am I not free?” Elsewhere, he calls himself “a bondservant of Christ.” This is not what he is speaking of, but rather that he has the freedom found in Christ that all other Christians also possess, including those freedoms which belong to the office of apostle. He should be free from working for money, but rather should be paid for his ministry. However, he will discuss later why he didn’t exercise that right. This is the type of freedom he speaks of.

After that, a third rhetorical question, “Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?” The answer is with all certainty, “Yes.” He saw the Lord on the road to Damascus; he saw Him in Arabia (as can be inferred from Galatians 1:17); he saw Him in Jerusalem (see Acts 22:17); he saw Him there at Corinth (see Acts 18:9); and, he had seen Him at least one other time as well (see 2 Corinthians 12:1). In having seen the Lord and been commissioned personally by Him (see Acts 9:15, 16), he met the necessary requirements of the office of Apostle.

Finally in this verse, he asks, “Are you not my work in the Lord?” The answer is surely once again, “Yes.” He established the church in Corinth and was their “father” in the faith as he noted earlier in this epistle –

“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 4:15, 16

Paul is taking the time to note that he bears the apostolic authority because he meets the requirements of an apostle. He is doing this in order to logically defend his words and his position on important matters. All of this can ultimately be traced back to the beginning thoughts of the epistle which spoke of divisions within the church. As an apostle, he was working for harmony within the church, not divisions. There is one Lord and He is not divided. Therefore, in order to demonstrate that his words were intended as a unifying and valid set of instructions, he is taking the time to defend his position as an apostle.

Life application: There are certain requirements necessary in order to claim the title of “apostle.” These were for a set duration of time known as the “apostolic age” of the church. There are no longer any true apostles within the church and people claiming such a title only demonstrate that they are not qualified to bear the title because they have not properly understood the very basis for claiming the title. Hold fast to what is sound and in accord with Scripture and don’t be led astray by those who make claims to titles which sound impressive, but which bear no weight or authority.

Lord God, I do not mind doing menial labor or taking on otherwise seemingly boring jobs. You have given us this world in which we live and if someone doesn’t pick up the trash, then Your world will be trashy. If someone doesn’t clean the restrooms, then the restrooms of Your church won’t be pleasant. If the trees don’t get trimmed, then the house will appear shabby. Whatever work I do, I know that it can be something to reflect Your order, intent for that which is beautiful, and also a willing heart to not be proud or lifted up. In all my tasks, I will endeavor to bring You honor and glory so that others see it and praise You. Amen.

Thursday, 28 August 2014

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. 1 Corinthians 8:13

This is the last verse of the chapter which has dealt with “things offered to idols.” However, right at the introduction of the thought, Paul divided that major subject into two over-arching issues. The first was knowledge and the second was love. He then explained how the two do not always work harmoniously together and that love is the preferred avenue to follow when knowledge in a weaker brother is lacking.

The exercise of knowledge without love can lead to sin and so the words of chapter 8 have been given to help the one with knowledge concerning a matter in order to consider it in a way which promotes love first and foremost. The issue of “things offered to idols” was the main area of discussion because it came response to a question submitted to him by those in Corinth. However, the concept rings true in whatever situation one may face, be it any liberty we have but which is not understood by the weaker brother.

To sum up his thoughts, he begins with “therefore.” In this then we can see his final conclusion on this subject. It is an issue he also treated in Romans 14:19-22. Those verses perfectly compliment his thoughts in this chapter. He will also again speak on this subject in his words to the Corinthians. For this portion of the letter however, his conclusion is that “if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat.”

The eating of meat no matter how tasty and delicious, and even if what he proposes to eat is actually acceptable, is not worth causing another to fall into sin because of what he knows to be right. Love towards the weaker brother is more important than what is consumed at mealtime. And this isn’t just for one meal, but – as the Greek reads – “to the age.” It is a term which means “forever.” Paul would gladly give up on his liberties for all his days instead of causing his brother stumble.

If stumbling is an offense, and if he is the cause of the stumbling, then he is actually causing the offense. This is a lesson for each of us as we consider our actions before our weaker brothers. Whatever gain we think we might have from an action, if it causes another to stumble, then it is not worth it.

Life application: The old saying “little eyes are watching” isn’t just true with children who see the example of their elders. It is also true of those who are “little” in the faith. Let’s endeavor with all of our heart to keep our actions in line with this precept in order to keep those less informed from stumbling.

Lord, as I come before You in prayer, I know that I have erred in so many ways since my last prayers to You. My life is a constant stream of hoping to please You and yet continuously falling short of that goal. My words, actions, and interactions with others show me how desperately I need Jesus. Thank You for providing the wondrous salvation that could come in no other way. Thank You for my Lord, His work, His cross, and His resurrection. In that, I know that my erring ways are covered, forgiven, and cast away. Amen.

Wednesday, 27 August 2014

But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 1 Corinthians 8:12

This verse begins with “but” which is set in contrast to what he just said. The preceding verse asked, “And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?” The answer is actually stated by Paul in an interesting way. No, they won’t “perish” in the sense of a loss of salvation as follows below:

“When you sin against the brethren” implies that we have caused an offense to occur. This person is weaker in their knowledge and thus more prone to falling or failing than another may be. Their lack of knowledge may cause them to act against their conscience in a matter that they are unsure of. Paul shows in Romans that any action which isn’t in faith is sin –

“But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23

Therefore, to act in a manner contrary to conscience (which means that faith is lacking in action) is to act in sin. The conscience is wounded because there is a lack of proper understanding and this has led to an action which was taken which was not in faith. What is immensely important in this is that “when you sin against the brethren” in this way “you sin against Christ.” The person is “in” Christ, having been saved by Him and having been brought into the family of God.

John Chrysostom asks, “What can be more ruthless than a man who strikes one who is sick?” What is needed is the healing power of right doctrine, not an arrogant display of knowledge about freedoms in Christ which are not clearly understood by the weaker brother. To sin against another believer (in this or any way) is to actually sin against Christ. In this case, it was because of an exercise of knowledge instead of a demonstration of love. What is needed is to instruct in right knowledge (which is certainly loving) and then to act together as faithful believers in Christ and in adherence to His words.

Understanding this verse confirms that the previous verse was not speaking of a loss of salvation. Paul had asked “shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?” His answer is implicitly “No.” The reason is because if we sin against Christ when we sin against the brother, it implies that the brother is “in Christ.” If he is “in Christ” then he is safely in that position. The offense affects both the weaker brother and Christ. In essence, it would be no less possible for that weaker brother to lose their salvation than it would for it to happen to Christ.

Life application: When we are saved, we move from Adam to Christ. We are once and forever united to Him and are positionally “in Christ.” Therefore, when we sin against another believer, the offense is also against Christ. This is a sobering thought for us to consider and to remember. Let us act charitably towards those who are the redeemed of the Lord as we conduct our affairs.

Heavenly Father, to be “in Christ” is the sweetest place to be. We are covered by the most precious Sacrifice. We are granted and given the most beautiful Garment. We are seated in the most sacred place. We have the greatest Defender and the most marvelous Mediator. We are secure in the mightiest hand and uplifted by the Giver of all grace. There is no end to the glory of what Jesus has done for us. To be in Christ is the sweetest place of all. Thank You for this honor.  Hallelujah and Amen!