Posts from July 2020
1 Corinthians 6: But you were washed, sanctified and justified
Chapter 6 continues Paul’s admonition to discernment, as he rebuked the brethren for taking one another to court to settle their disputes. He contrasted this practice with the fact that the saints (Christians) would judge the world and angels. This being the case, even if brethren could not handle their own disputes, there ought to be at least one brother capable of making judgments regarding their petty affairs. Paul admonished them to suffer wrong and allow themselves to be cheated,…
1 Corinthians 5: Their spiritual brains fell out
“Don’t be so openminded that your brains fall out.” This was the case with the spiritual discernment of the church at Corinth. Desiring a permissive culture’s approval, their tolerance of sin reached epic and ungodly proportions, as they allowed fornication that was not even mentioned among the Gentiles. Whether the man under consideration was involved with his mother or stepmother is not as material as the fact that it appears that the father was still living and enduring this wrong…
1 Corinthians 4: Servants of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God
1 Corinthians 4 is a beautiful chapter but oft-overlooked when one ponders this magnificent epistle. I would love to compose a half dozen blogs on this chapter, but my chapter a day format won’t permit it. Here are a few summary thoughts: Verses 1-6: The text of our title. The opening line cannot be separated from the preceding context, namely unity. Paul pleads with the brethren to consider Apollos and himself as nothing more than servants (those who own nothing)…
1 Corinthians 3: Paul returns to unity
After a brief detour from his opening salvos on unity (1:10-17), Paul returns to this all-important subject. Revisiting the division revealed in “I am of Paul” and “I am of Apollos,” Paul accused the brethren of being carnal and immature (vv 1-4). Any division for any reason is a tragedy. But division that involves the personality of preachers is especially egregious. This is why Paul said he was happy that he had only baptized a handful of the Christians at…
1 Corinthians 2: Paul’s Preaching, Eye has not Seen
One of the things that impress me when I read about the preaching of Paul is the simplicity with which he preaches. While we know Paul was a highly educated man (Acts 22:3), he preached with a laser-like focus on Christ and Him crucified. He was not interested in making creative arguments or “owning” his opponents with clever retorts, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom…” (v 4). Paul was satisfied to be…
1 Corinthians 1: I was not sent to baptize, but to preach the gospel
1 Corinthians 1:17 is one of the most oft-cited passages in attempts to deny the essentiality of baptism for salvation. But is it really the silver bullet they believe it to be? What does the text say? “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” Some have mistakenly assumed that Paul’s statement is somehow a refutation of the necessity…
Romans 16: Gathering, Division, Obedience
Family greetings aside, the kiss as a form of greeting has never been a primary part of traditional American culture, though the culture of the deep south is a bit of an exception. However, we continue to see it practiced today in parts of Europe, especially in the Mediterranean regions. The kiss was a common form of greeting in Bible times and likely practiced similarly to today, namely, a kiss on the cheek or touching of cheeks. This is certainly…
Romans 15: “Ya can’t please everybody, so ya got to please yourself.”
So sang Ricky Nelson in his 1972 hit, “Garden Party.” But Paul had other ideas in Romans 15. Not that we should please everybody (cf Luke 6:26), but we should do our best to live in such a way as to edify our neighbors (v 2). Verse 3 is an interesting statement, as Jesus is held up as the prime example of living to please others. Christ certainly didn’t please everyone, but the welfare and good of others was a…
Romans 14: Of Liberty and Scruples
Continuing our theme of the American mind, we now embark on the journey to self-discipline wherein we intentionally restrict ourselves from practices that are permissible but create difficulties in the consciences of others. One thing that must be established at the outset is that we are not talking about matters of sin. These are matters of liberty and conscience. In days gone by, most Americans were willing to make personal sacrifices and sacrifice personal liberties for the sake of their…
Romans 13: Be subject to the governing authorities
As secularism continues its encroachment upon our society and government, it is difficult for professed believers in America to come to grips with submitting to a government so far removed from its religious moorings. The false claims of infidels and God-haters notwithstanding, America’s roots are firmly in religious thought and expression. But we would do well to remember that the church was born in a time and place that gave her no governmental protections nor any guaranteed liberties. The church…