A Layman's Commentary On the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Composed In 31 Lessons by T.O.D. Johnston Dedicated for knowledge, understanding, and inspiration as we seek to follow Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Also available on Aa!on.co as a beautiful, professionall" bound & printed trade paperback book, and a #$.%% indle e'book(
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2 T.O.D. Johnston's Commentary on Corinthians Legal Information Copyright Information Johnston, T.O.D. A Layman's Commentary on The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians!eligious "on#fi$tion %st E&ition Copyright 2%2 All !ights !eser(e&. This (ersion of the )oo* may )e freely use& for non#$ommer$ial non#profit purposes. This in$lu&es personal use, sen&ing it to others, $lassroom an& $hur$h use, an& )rief +uotations in re(ies. This (ersion of the )oo* may not )e use& $ommer$ially or mo&ifie& in any ay. -oe(er, if you are intereste& in reselling the tra&e paper)a$* )oo* (ersions of our pu)li$ations, please get in tou$h ith me an& e $an set up &is$ount pri$ing on )ul* or&ers. Conta$t me httpsplus.google.$om%/01%%0031204%/2%a)out Another option is )e$ome a Create5pa$e Dire$t !eseller https.$reatespa$e.$ompu)l$reatespa$e&ire$t.&o6 rerite7true This )oo* is )ase& on 8i)le stu&y lessons that the author taught at Paran 8aptist Chur$h in La*e City, 5C. Please $he$* out our main site for free resour$es an& information http.paran)aptist$hur$h.$om All of T.O.D. Johnston's 8i)le stu&y lessons ill )e pu)lishe& as )oth free online PD9 files, as ell as tra&e paper)a$* )oo*s an& :in&le e#)oo*s. The :in&le e#)oo*s ill all )e sol& at the lo pri$e of ;2.44. E(ery sale helps us meet our aim to help share the lo(e of
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/ T.O.D. Johnston's Commentary on Corinthians Ta)le of Contents Prefa$e
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I Corinthians ? %4 Lessons Lesson I Lesson II Lesson III Lesson I Lesson Lesson I Lesson II Lesson III Lesson I Lesson Lesson I Lesson II Lesson III Lesson I Lesson Lesson I Lesson II Lesson III Lesson I
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II Corinthians ? %2 Lessons Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson 8i)liography
I II III I I II III I I II
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A Layman's Commentary On The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians Compose& In /% Lessons %st E&ition 2%2 ritten )y T.O.D. Johnston Pu)lishe& )y Oen Johnston httpholy)i)lestu&ies.)logspot.$om http.paran)aptist$hur$h.$om De&i$ate& for *nole&ge, un&erstan&ing, an& inspiration as e see* to follo Our Lor& 5a(ior Jesus Christ.
3 T.O.D. Johnston's Commentary on Corinthians Prefa$e After rea&ing many s$holarly $ommentaries on &ifferent )oo*s of 5$ripture, it )e$ame my mental ha)it to sift through the minute &is$ussions of in&i(i&ual or&s an&or phrases, an& the +uoting of (arious s$holars of the past of many &iffering opinions, an& $enter on the most logi$al an& inspirational truths that remaine&. Thus I relie& on the stu&ie& s$holarship of those ho ha& learne& the srcinal ha& rea& all the pre(ious of s$holars that ha& I, ritten languages to get thean& )est possi)le un&erstan&ing 5$ripture that as a non#s$holar, $oul&. It seeme& that most $hur$h mem)ers oul& not attempt to rea& s$holarly or*s # )ut oul& )enefit from their *nole&ge if presente& in a plain an& straightforar& manner, the truths they ha& per$ei(e&. The folloing $ommentary is my attempt to &o this. Fay
I Corinthians # Lesson I Intro&u$tion. The $ity of Corinth as one of the most famous an& prosperous $ities of
ourney HA$ts %0,%4. Outline of the Epistle. I. The intro&u$tion ? %%#4. II. Dealing ith &issensions ? %% through $hapter /. III. The $ase of in$est ? $hapters 3#@. I. The +uestion of eating things offere& to i&ols ? $hapters 0#%. . !egulation ithin the $hur$h ? $hapters %%#%1. I. The resurre$tion of the &ea& ? $hapter %1. II. Fis$ellaneous eGhortations, salutations, $ommen&ations, et$.
@ Lesson I $ontinue& I Corinthians %%#%@. oine& together in the same min& an& in the same >u&gment. %% 9or it hath )een &e$lare& unto me of you, my )rethren, )y them hi$h are of the house of Chlo'e, that there are $ontentions among you. %2 "o this I say, that e(ery one of you saith, I am of PaulB an& I of Apol'losB an& I of CephasB an& I of Christ. %/ Is Christ &i(i&e&6 as Paul $ru$ifie& for you6 or ere ye )apti=e& in the name of Paul6 %1 I than*
0 Lesson I $ontinue& erse 2. A&&resse& to the Chur$h of u&gment against the un)elie(ing Jes an& the &estru$tion of that nation, Jerusalem an& the Temple, an& the &ispersion of the population. This oul& ta*e pla$e un&er 2 years after the &ate this letter as ritten. erse 0. As they ha& shon their $omplete un&erstan&ing an& a$$eptan$e of the
4 Lesson I $ontinue& that of
% Lesson I $ontinue& erse %. Also, the househol& of 5tephanas. They are i&entifie& in $hapter %%3 as the first $on(erts in the hole region of A$haia an& )apti=e& )y Paul. There ere no others in that hole region of Corinth that Paul )apti=e&. erse %@. To prea$h put )aptism in its ? the mission of of souls. Paul as to the
%% I Corinthians ? Lesson II I Corinthians %%0#/%. ourney unto eternity ith
%2 Lesson II $ontinue& erse 2. The people here ? the ise, the s$ri)e, the &isputer, refer to those that $laim is&om Has a prophet. The s$ri)e $laims great e&u$ation an& *nole&ge, the &isputer see*s higher interpretation of s$riptures, allegori$al, mysti$al, e(en $a)alisti$ se$rets a)out the future. Their metho&s a&&e& multitu&es of tra&itions that o)s$ure& an& ma&e the plain truth of e$te& -im, a stum)ling )lo$* to them. The usti$e an& mer$y, pro(i&ing the ay of sal(ation, that no man $oul& e(er earn. erse 23. hat seems foolish to men, is a$tually iser than anything man $oul& $ome up ith on his on. hat seems ea* to men,
%/ Lesson II $ontinue& erse 2. ou re$ogni=e the state of gra$e an& )lessing that you ha(e )een in(ite& to. Thin* a)out ho you are. Are you a$$ounte& )y the orl&ly as ise, ealthy, or poerful6 The Jes a$$ounte& the ise, poerful, an& ealthy as those espe$ially )lesse& )y e$te& as the only people $hosen of u&gment, an& righteousness, in the earth for in these things I &elight, saith the LO!D.'
%1 Lesson II $ontinue& All goo& things are of an& from oy that $ome from our hea(enly 9ather )egins here an& gros an& matures fore(er. Amen.
%3 I Corinthians ? Lesson III I Corinthians 2%#%. Paul eGplains the purpose for his manner of prea$hing. Pro$laiming Christ Cru$ifie& % An& I, )rethren, hen I $ame to you, $ame not ith eG$ellen$y of spee$h or of is&om, &e$laring unto you the testimony of u&geth all things, yet he himself is >u&ge& of no man. % 9or ho hath *non the min& of the Lor&, that he may instru$t him6 8ut e ha(e the min& of Christ. erse %. Paul )egins )y &es$ri)ing hat he &i& not &o in his first spea*ing to them. -e &i&n't $ome ith the fan$y an& elo+uent arts of rhetori$ use& )y those famous e$t is ma&e more for$eful an& important )y the ay it is &eli(ere&, ith su$h flam)oyant an& high soun&ing 'eG$ellen$y of spee$h.'
% Lesson III $ontinue& In $ontrast, Paul &e$lare& unto them the testimony of
%@ Lesson III $ontinue& sa$rifi$ial system, rites, an& $eremonies. -oe(er, no one ha& )een a)le to re$ogni=e or $omprehen& it. On$e the fulness of time $ame, Jesus fulfille& those prophe$ies, promises, the la, $eremonies an& sa$rifi$es, an& -is final sa$rifi$e on$e for all. hat ha& )een hi&&en as ma&e plain an& gloriously fulfille& )y Christ, an& this as the message pro$laime& )y the Apostles. erse 0. rites &ire$tly $on$erning the Jeish nation. hate(er -ere Paul &egree of e&u$ation or $laime& is&om an& un&erstan&ing of its 'prin$es' or rulers, hether priests, pharisees, ra))is or mem)ers of the 5anhe&rin, they sho no per$eption or re$ognition of
%0 Lesson III $ontinue& 5pirit of ority of Jeish tea$hers, ho loo*e& for an& taught the $oming of a orl&ly Fessiah ho oul& set up a orl&ly *ing&om. They interprete& the Ol& Testament (erses that The mentione& -im on in the thisother sense. apostles, han&, ha(e )een freely gi(en the )ountiful an& eG$ellent things u&ges all things from a spiritual perspe$ti(e. -e $an &is$ern the truth $on$erning the natural man's false an& pointless a$ti(ities. The natural man $annot un&erstan& or appre$iate the or&s or a$tions of the spiritual person. erse %. "o natural man has or $oul& e(er per$ei(e or un&erstan& the min& of the Lor&. This also refers to Isaiah %1%/. 8elie(ers, on the other han&, re$ei(e& the min& of Christ, )eing )orn again of -is 5pirit. Only then $an a person tea$h the things of
%4 Lesson III $ontinue& In Closing. This $hapter gi(es a goo& eGample of ho a minister of the
2 I Corinthians ? Lesson I I Corinthians /%#2/. Paul a&&resses the Corinthians' immaturity as folloers of Christ. La)orers Together ith
2% Lesson I $ontinue& erse %. Paul &es$ri)es them as still infants in their un&erstan&ing of spiritual things. They are still '$arnal', un&er the $ommon influen$e of the fleshly appetites. -e uses the term ')a)es in Christ'. They are >ust )eginning, hi$h they ha(e shon )y their la$* of >u&gment in the $hur$h. erse 2. reason, Paul has only )een instru$ting them in the 9or this )asi$ elements of the Christian faith, the simplest an& easiest to un&erstan&, &es$ri)e& as 'mil*'. These things ere so unfamiliar that they ha& great &iffi$ulty in grasping them. They ere not yet $apa)le of $omprehen&ing the higher truths of the u&ging must ha(e )een only in outar& personal appearan$e, or elo+uen$e, or personality. This pro(e& that their fo$us as purely superfi$ial. Knfortunately, this is still true in $hur$hes in our time. erse 3. The true perspe$ti(e is only per$ei(e& hen measure& from
22 Lesson I $ontinue& no poer in an& of themsel(es. Only
2/ Lesson I $ontinue& erse %/. There ill )e a time hen this &ifferen$e ill )e $learly an& finally re(eale&, openly, as )y fire. The fire ill try the or*, )urning up the impure an& false or*. erse %1. The &ay of this re(elation seems to &es$ri)e the Ju&gment 5eat of Christhere afterrear&s the gathering ofgi(en. the Chur$h in hea(en after the !apture, shall )e 5ome s$holars ha(e suggeste& that Paul may )e referring to the soon $oming &estru$tion of the Jeish nation, people, an& Temple as >u&gment against their re>e$tion of Christ, an& also of the Ju&ai=ers among )elie(ers that re+uire& a&heren$e to $ir$um$ision an& other Fosai$ las as ne$essary to sal(ation. This oul& en& the hole Temple ser(i$e, an& the remnant of the people oul& )e s$attere& o(er the fa$e of the earth. The Christian Chur$h oul& remain as most (alue& )y u&gment, not that of a nation. Ea$h person's or* for the Chur$h of Christ ill sho its (alue, as )y fire. If it remains, a rear& ill )e gi(en. erse %3. The fire oul& $onsume the oo&, hay, or stu))le. This most li*ely means that that person's or* ill )e ta*en aay as ha(ing no (alue from uring, or &isrupting. u&gment ill )e ithout mer$y. Consi&er yoursel(es as holy, honor
21 Lesson I $ontinue& re$ognition an& un&erstan&ing of u&ges it as (anity, sin$e none of it lea&s to *nole&ge of the true situation, hi$h is u&gment, the ho an& the hen. Chapter I.
23 I Corinthians ? Lesson I Corinthians 1%#2%. Ju&gment ? ho an& hen. The Finistry of the Apostles % Let a man so a$$ount of us, as of the ministers of Christ, an& stear&s of the mysteries of u&ge& of you, 8ut or of man's >u&gment yea, I >u&ge not mine on self. 1 9or I *no nothing )y myselfB yet am I not here)y >ustifie& )ut he that >u&geth me is the Lor&. 3 Therefore >u&ge nothing )efore the time, until the Lor& $ome, ho )oth ill )ring to light the hi&&en things of &ar*ness, an& ill ma*e manifest the $ounsels of the hearts an& then shall e(ery man ha(e praise of
2 Lesson $ontinue& erses %,2. Paul is $ontinuing his su)>e$t of thin*ing too highly of one person o(er another. Christians are to $onsi&er any minister, apostle, prea$her, or tea$her not as hea&s or $hiefs, )ut as e+ual representati(es, ser(ants, an& folloers un&er the authority an& lea&ership of Christ. They all or* for -im, are $alle& an& appointe& )y -im, an& re$ei(e $ompensation from -im. They un&er are stear&s of the mysteries of u&gment' most li*ely refers to )eing )rought )efore a >u&ge or magistrate. Paul also has no $on$ern of this possi)ility. "or &oes he >u&ge himself. -e, in all his or&s an& a$tions, $ounts himself a$$ounta)le only to u&gment ill )e $orre$t. erse 3. People are not to >u&ge, either themsel(es or anyone else. Only u&ges, if you are pure an& upright in $on&u$t an& moti(e, then you ill re$ei(e praise from -im. If not, then you must $onsi&er yoursel(es no, an& measure your on $on&u$t an& >u&gment of others.
2@ Lesson $ontinue& erse . Paul &es$ri)es ho he has )een using his on name an& that of Apollos to sho the error of their &i(isions. -e ants them to not (alue any in&i(i&ual, espe$ially ministers of Christ, as anything a)o(e or more than the reality, that they are e+ual ser(ants of the Li(ing oy that status also. erse 4. 8ut, o)(iously, that is not the reality. Paul here &es$ri)es the situation of the apostles $ompare& to the !oman pu)li$ spe$ta$les ith il& )easts an& gla&iators. Those that ere $hosen to )e in those spe$ta$les ere 'appointe& to &eath' in the sense that if one sur(i(e& one mat$h, they only sa(e& themsel(es to )e in the last mat$h, or until they ere finally put to &eath. This as in $oliseums, here the pu)li$ $ame to at$h. Paul &es$ri)es his an& his fello la)orers as )eing in a similar ay, in the theater of the orl&, here all people at$h their a$ti(ities, as a spe$ta$le. Angels are also o)ser(ing hat happens to them, an& ho they are treate& )y men. At that time, many of the apostles an& many )elie(ers in Christ, ha& )een put to &eath, in pu)li$ an& $ruel ays. erse %. Continuing his $omparison of the !oman pu)li$ spe$ta$les, he &es$ri)es the pu)li$'s )eha(ior toar& those in the ring, so to spea*. They ere ma&e fun of, hoote& at, mo$*e&, insulte& )y the spe$tators, a$$ounte& fools for Christ's sa*e, )oth ea* an& &espise&. The Corinthians, on the other han&, a$te& li*e they ere
20 Lesson $ontinue& ise, strong, an& honora)le. erse %%. The (ery nature of )eing Christ's ministers, tra(eling to pla$es un*non, in$lu&e& physi$al un$ertainties ? ill they ha(e regular meals, $lothing, or pla$es to stay6 They &o so )e$ause of hat they ha(e in ure their $hara$ter, to )ring them harm. They only try to 'entreat', to eGplain the truth. hen Paul tal*s a)out their )eing a$$ounte& as filth an& off# s$ouring, he is allu&ing to a heathen pra$ti$e. hen some great pu)li$ $alamity stru$*, a sa$rifi$e as nee&e& to eGpiate the go& &eeme& responsi)le. The loest of men ere reser(e& to )e this sa$rifi$e. They ere heape& upon ith all the $urses of the $ountry, hippe&, )urne& ali(e, their ashes thron into the sea. The people oul& &e$lare the e(il eGpiate&. These ere ret$he& )eings $onsi&ere& fit for nothing )ut their sa$rifi$e to infernal go&s for the )enefit of others. Paul is saying that he an& his $ompanions ha(e )een treate& in a similar ay, as $onsi&ere& of no (alue or use in themsel(es. erses %1,%3. Paul insists that he is not riting these things to shame them, )ut that they are his )elo(e& sons. -e arns them to )e more at$hful in ho they listen to an& follo. They must not )e &ran aay )y anyone $laiming to the the only, )est, or famous tea$her. They must *eep their memory an& eGperien$e in min& of those that first presente& them ith the
24 Lesson $ontinue& those ith orl&ly moti(es an& pursuits, ho $learly re(eal their ultimate goals as orl&ly fame, poer, influen$e, et$. To gi(e them the )est help he $an, he is sen&ing Timothy, another )elo(e& son in the Lor&. Paul himself, is not a)le to $ome at this time. Timothy as one of his most faithful an& $lose &is$iples. -e ill )e a)le to instru$t them in the )roa& areas an& in the &etails of ho Paul regulates an& instru$ts e(ery Chur$h. hat he re+uires ofis them the same as all the others. The manner of &is$ipline theis same. erses %0,%4. Paul here emphasi=es that some may )e a$ting out, 'puffe& up', as though he oul& not $ome, )ut he ill )e $oming, an& shortly, if the Lor& ills it. The phrase 'if the Lor& ill' parti$ularly emphasi=es that it is
to ith ho not.
A)out Apollos. A$ts %021,23. 21
An& a $ertain Je name& Apol'los, )orn at AleGan&ria, an
elo+uent man, an& mighty in the 5$riptures, $ame to Ephesus. 23 This man as instru$te& in the ay of the Lor&B an& )eing fer(ent in the spirit, he spa*e an& taught &iligently the things of the Lor&, *noing only the )aptism of John. -e as a Je from AleGan&ria, Egypt. In the summer of 31 A.D., he $ame to Ephesus. -e as a learne& man ho a$$urately spo*e an& taught the things $on$erning Jesus. -is tea$hing as in$omplete, only *noing the )aptism of John. -e as further instru$te& )y A+uila an& Pris$illa. -e ent to A$haia, as en$ourage& )y the Ephesian Chur$h. hile he as there, Paul rea$he& Ephesus an& hear& a)out Apollos' prea$hing an& tea$hing there. Paul staye& there more than to years H3,3@ A.D., &uring hi$h time he rote I Corinthians Hspring of 3@. Paul faulte& the Corinthians for their fa$tions, not for any fault or error from Apollos, a$*nole&ging him as 'atering' hat he
/ Lesson $ontinue& ha& plante&. Apollos is last mentione& in Titus /%/, here he is sometimes re$ommen&e& along ith Menas to Titus. "eGt. In the folloing $hapters, Paul $ontinues to &es$ri)e the many irregularities that ere seriously &etrimental to the $hur$h, an& hi$h must $ease. they &on't, he ill stop them ith his presen$e an& authority fromIf
/% I Corinthians ? Lesson I I Corinthians 3%#%/. A spe$ifi$ s$an&alous sin must )e &ealt ith +ui$*ly. Ju&gment of Immorality % It is reporte& $ommonly that there is forni$ation among you, an& su$h forni$ation as is not so mu$h as name& among the u&ge& alrea&y, as though I ere present, $on$erning him that hath so &one this &ee&, 1 in the name of our Lor& Jesus Christ, hen ye are gathere& together, an& my spirit, ith the poer of our Lor& Jesus Christ, 3 to &eli(er su$h a one unto 5atan for the &estru$tion of the flesh, that the spirit may )e sa(e& in the &ay of the Lor& Jesus. our glorying is not goo&. :no ye not that a little lea(en lea(eneth the hole lump6 @ Purge out therefore the ol& lea(en, that ye may )e a ne lump, as ye are unlea(ene&. 9or e(en Christ our passo(er is sa$rifi$e& for us 0 therefore let us *eep the feast, not ith ol& lea(en, neither ith the lea(en of mali$e an& i$*e&nessB )ut ith the unlea(ene& )rea& of sin$erity an& truth. 4 I rote unto you in an epistle not to $ompany ith forni$ators % yet not altogether ith the forni$ators of this orl&, or ith the $o(etous, or eGtortioners, or ith i&olatersB for then must ye nee&s go out of the orl&. %% 8ut no I ha(e ritten unto you not to *eep $ompany, if any man that is $alle& a )rother )e a forni$ator, or $o(etous, or an i&olater, or a railer, or a &run*ar&, or an eGtortionerB ith su$h a one, no, not to eat. %2 9or hat ha(e I to &o to >u&ge them also that are ithout6 &o not ye >u&ge them that are ithin6 %/ 8ut them that are ithout u&geth. Therefore put aay from among yoursel(es that i$*e& person. erse %. Paul )egins ith the pu)li$ly (oi$e& report a)out illi$it seGual pra$ti$es )eing engage& in )y a mem)er of their $hur$h. An eGtreme $ase ? not e(en pra$ti$e& among the
/2 Lesson I $ontinue& una$$epta)le. The person must )e re>e$te& from felloship. erse /. 9rom the spiritual point of (ie, though Paul as not there physi$ally, it as perfe$tly $lear that this guilty person must )e &ealt ith imme&iately for the sa*e of the $hur$h. erse 1,3.must meet 'in the name of our Lor& Jesus Christ', ho Th $hur$h is the hea& an& sustainer, un&er hose authority all &e$isions must )e ma&e. Also in$lu&ing the poer of Paul's gui&an$e an& &ire$tion hi$h $omes from the poer of our Lor& Jesus Christ. The eGtreme situation of &eli(ering 'su$h a one' o(er to satan for the &estru$tion of the flesh is uni+ue to this one instan$e. It for$efully suggests the punishment for this serious sin shoul& )e physi$al suffering, lea&ing to a painful &eath. The person's soul oul& )e sa(e& )y usti$e, an& the &estru$ti(e poer of satan. erse . The $hur$h's pri&eful a$ti(ities are not goo&. They must )e aare of the $ommon saying that a little lea(en lea(ens the hole lump. This ill )e the effe$t of alloing the in$estuous person to stay. If this is alloe&, then all ill assume that anything goes, an& all *in&s of other sinful )eha(ior is also permissi)le in that $hur$h. erse @. As the $ustom of the Jes, )efore ea$h Passo(er, all the ol& lea(en as purge& from their houses. "o in li*e manner they are to get ri& of this sinner an& his influen$e. They must *eep in min& that they &o this for their on 'passo(er', the Lam) of e$t, is not $lear. The point, nonetheless, is to not $ompany ith forni$ators. erse %. he here pro$ee&s to eGpan& upon the su)>e$t )y ma*ing the
// Lesson I $ontinue& startling o)ser(ation of the $ommon pra$ti$es of the population of that $ity. In or&er to $arry on the normal a$ti(ities of life there, they $ame in $onta$t ith this list of people ? the $o(etous, eGtortioners, i&olaters, railers, &run*ar&s. To a(oi& all these, they oul& ha(e to lea(e the orl&. To interpret his or&s this ay as rong an& not his intent. erse -e as%%. only referring to the felloship ithin the $hur$h. Possi)ly the most familiar oul& )e the felloship of the 'lo(e feast'. They must not *eep $ompany ith any of the former listing of forni$ators, $o(etous, et$. Do not eat ith su$h a one. This must )e $lear to all ? the Chur$h of Christ &oes not tolerate s$an&alous $on&u$t from those that profess faith in Christ. erses %2,%/. Paul +uestions hether it is his responsi)ility to pass senten$e on those that are not mem)ers of the $hur$h. 8y no meansN u&ge, not Paul. 8ut, those ithin the $hur$h ha(e the responsi)ility to >u&ge their on mem)ers. Therefore, they must put aay the e(il from amongst themsel(es. This is similar to the language in Deuteronomy %@@ here li*e &ire$tion is gi(en to the $ongregation of Israel a)out a person foun& guilty of i&olatry. '8ut them that are ithout u&geth.' As e ell *no, those outsi&e the $hur$h mer$ilessly pass >u&gment on those in the $hur$h. '-ypo$rite' is the $ommon term applie&. e are $alle& to a higher stan&ar& of spee$h an& $on&u$t to maintain the reputation of &is$iples of Christ. If one is $ut off from the Chur$h, *eep $ommuni$ation ith that person, gi(ing your )est a&(i$e an& heartfelt prayer in turning them )a$* to the right ay, as ell as forgi(eness an& a el$oming )a$* into felloship. 8ut it is ne$essary to separate 'that i$*e& person' for the sa*e of the $hur$h. I Corinthians %#%%. ust, an& not )efore the saints6 2 Do ye not *no that the saints shall >u&ge the orl&6 an& if the orl& shall )e >u&ge& )y you, are ye unorthy to >u&ge the smallest matters6 / :no ye not that e shall >u&ge angels6 ho mu$h more things that pertain to this life6 1 If then ye ha(e >u&gments of things pertaining to this life, set them to >u&ge ho are least esteeme& in the $hur$h. 3 I spea* to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a ise man among you6 no, not one that shall )e a)le to >u&ge )eteen his )rethren6 )ut )rother goeth to la ith )rother, an& that )efore the un)elie(ers. @ "o therefore there is utterly a fault among you, )e$ause ye go to la one ith another. hy &o ye not rather ta*e rong6 hy &o ye not rather suffer yoursel(es to )e &efrau&e&6
/1 Lesson I $ontinue& 0 "ay, ye &o rong, an& &efrau&, an& that your )rethren. 4 :no ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the *ing&om of ustifie& in the name of the Lor& Jesus, an& )y the 5pirit ofye our ust'. -o $oul& su$h a person, most li*ely $orrupt in their present position, )e a)le to >u&ge anything )eteen to mem)ers of the Christian Chur$h6 It oul& also $ause the pu)li$ to on&er hy these 'Christians' $oul& not ha(e unity among themsel(es, &e$i&ing their &ifferen$es pri(ately an& not putting their $ontentions to open ri&i$ule. Those in the $hur$h are $alle& to )e saints, )elie(ers in spirit an& truth, an& to li(e a$$or&ingly. The things of u&ge& )y the saints of u&ge angels.' This most li*ely refers to the time the fallen angels ill )e >u&ge& after the 5e$on& Coming, that Christians ill ha(e a part in it. H!e(elation %4%4,2B 2%. There are no further &etails on this. et, if that is in&ee& a future responsi)ility, then it follos that you must )e a$ti(e no in eGer$ising >u&gment a)out things that pertain to this life. erse 1. It as legal for them to settle $i(il matters amongst themsel(es. To $hoose the 'least esteeme&' oul& mean those most neutral, not a$ti(ely in(ol(e& in any &isputes, therefore ithout personal )ias. They oul& in effe$t )e ar)itrators. erse 3. They shoul& )e ashame& of themsel(es, as if they ere a&mitting that there as no person ise enough in their hole $ongregation to settle these &isputes )eteen )rethren. erse . As a result, )rother as ta*ing )rother to $ourt ith a lasuit against him, an& this as in pu)li$, in front of un)elie(ers. hat *in& of itness as this presenting, of the (alue of their ne faith6
/3 Lesson I $ontinue& erse @. This results in a pu)li$ s$an&al against the Chur$h of Christ. This is a)solutely rong. here are the e(i&en$es of their faith ? of pea$e, re(eren$e, lo(e of the )rethren, forgi(eness, mer$y, for)earan$e, an& re(eren$e for oint heirs ith Christ H!omans 0%@. erses 4,%. Those that are not $hil&ren of ustifie& in the name of the Lor& Jesus, an& )y the 5pirit of our
/ I Corinthians ? Lesson II I Corinthians %2#2. The a)solute importan$e of the )o&y )eing $onsi&ere& the temple of the -oly 5pirit. oine& to a harlot is one )o&y6 for to, saith he, shall )e one flesh %@ 8ut he that is >oine& unto the Lor& is one spirit. %0 9lee forni$ation. E(ery sin that a man &oeth is ithout the )o&yB )ut he that $ommitteth forni$ation sinneth against his on )o&y. %4 hatN *no ye not that your )o&y is the temple of the -oly ust )e$ause there ere not $i(il las against $ertain pra$ti$es among the Corinthians, that &oes not mean they are in any ay a$$epta)le among Christians. '"ot eGpe&ient' means that they are not &e$ent, proper, or pure, an& must not )e alloe& in Christ's Chur$h. E(en if they are not outlae& )y men, they are for)i&&en )y
/@ Lesson II $ontinue& Christians oul& also )e resurre$te& ? )y the same poer of oin ith a harlot oul& &ishonor an& &egra&e the )o&y, that is a mem)er of Christ. oining of a man an& a oman seGually is &es$ri)e& in ust a physi$al a$t. Christians ha(e >oine& into a ne union ith the Lor&, )oth physi$ally an& spiritually. Christians must not )e '>oine& to harlot' # &ishonoring oine& unto the Lor& is one spirit.' erse %0. One must run aay from any su$h sensual sins. Don't pon&er it, only turn aay. These types of sins $an ha(e serious physi$al $onse+uen$es ? (enereal &iseases, A.I.D.5., et$. These are &estru$ti(e to the )o&y, therefore that person $an )e sai& to sin against his on )o&y. erse %4. -as this gotten your attention yet6 Thin* on this ? >ust as
/0 Lesson II $ontinue& li*eise also the ife unto the hus)an&. 1 The ife hath not poer of her on )o&y, )ut the hus)an& an& li*eise also the hus)an& hath not poer of his on )o&y, )ut the ife. 3 Defrau& ye not one the other, eG$ept it )e ith $onsent for a time, that ye may gi(e yoursel(es to fasting an& prayerB an& $ome together again, that 5atan tempt you not for your in$ontinen$y. 8ut an&as not $omman&ment. @ 9or I I spea* oul& this that )y allpermission, men ere e(en I of myself. 8ut e(ery man hath his proper gift of e$t, Paul mentions that he ha& re$ei(e& a letter from this Chur$h, hi$h in$lu&e& +uestions on this su)>e$t. The first +uestion as*s if it is alright for a man to marry, $onsi&ering the present &iffi$ulties in that Chur$h. oul& it )e )etter for a man not to tou$h a oman6 erse 2. The only proper pla$e for seG in ugal &uty, )oth, mutually ren&er. If not, the $onse+uen$e ill )e alienation. This ultimately lea&s to see*ing affe$tion elsehere,
/4 Lesson II $ontinue& thus a&ultery is the result. The eG$use of ')eing too holy or spiritual' is not a$$epta)le. erse 1. The responsi)ility ea$h has is not to refuse the spouse in $on>ugal matters. There is no eG$use )efore e$t of marriage. The $ouple must $ome together again, after the )rief separation for spe$ial an& spiritual o)ser(an$e. Otherise, satan may tempt one, ta*ing a&(antage of their a)stinen$e, to see* seG illi$itly. In$ontinen$e means not ha(ing the strength to resist su$h sensual temptations. Though this or& is not hear& in our &ay, yet hat it &es$ri)es is o)ser(e& throughout our 'mo&ern' $ulture. erse . Paul's pre(ious stern arning an& &ire$tions are from his on >u&gment, not from any of ust his opinion. At this time, &i(or$es ere easily o)taine& )y either party, or mutual $onsent. To remarry as also as easily &one. This as $ontrary to ustifi$ation for &issol(ing the marriage
1 Lesson II $ontinue& as if one spouse $ommitte& forni$ation. This &estroye& the (os of marriage. Otherise the hus)an& ha& no right to put aay his ife. Knfortunately at that time the Jes easily grante& &i(or$es for the simplest &isagreements. erses %2,%/. 9urther a&(i$e from Paul ? 'not the Lor&'. This is $on$erning )elie(ers marrie& to un)elie(ers. asas, a ne o$$urren$e)eing in the )eginning $hur$h. The This measure ifan& the$ommon spouse is $ontent, or 'please&' to &ell ith the )elie(ing partner, then they shoul& remain together. erse %1. The un)elie(ing spouse is 'san$tifie&' )y their )elie(ing partner. The )elie(er's moral an& spiritual $hara$ter oul& )e impute& to the un)elie(ing spouse. The influen$es of the )elie(ing one oul& )e strong enough to rea$h agreement ith the spouse for the sa*e of the $hil&ren. They $oul& )e then el$ome& in the Chur$h. Otherise they oul& )e $onsi&ere& 'un$lean' an& not el$ome in the Chur$h. erse %3. In the opposite situation, if the un)elie(ing spouse lea(es, as a permanent re>e$tion of that marriage, the other party must a$$ept it. This situation &issol(es the marriage. This is the ay to *eep pea$e ith the remaining )elie(er an& any family, as e$t of marriage, Paul gi(es a simplifie& &es$ription of his tea$hing on this su)>e$t ? to hate(er state e$ts to the general rules in Christian so$ieties.
1% I Corinthians ? Lesson III I Corinthians @%0#1. Continue& &is$ussion of general rules of $on&u$t in Christian so$ieties. %0 Is any man $alle& )eing $ir$um$ise&6 let him not )e$ome un$ir$um$ise&. Is any $alle& in un$ir$um$ision6 let him not )e $ir$um$ise&. %4 Cir$um$ision is nothing, an& un$ir$um$ision is nothing, )ut the *eeping the man $omman&ments of u&gment, as one that hath o)taine& mer$y of the Lor& to )e faithful. 2 I suppose therefore that this is goo& for the present &istress, I say, that it is goo& for a man so to )e. 2@ Art thou )oun& unto a ife6 see* not to )e loose&. Art thou loose& from a ife6 see* not a ife. 20 8ut an& if thou marry, thou hast not sinne&B an& if a (irgin marry, she hath not sinne&. "e(ertheless su$h shall ha(e trou)le in the flesh )ut I spare you. 24 8ut this I say, )rethren, the time is short it remaineth, that )oth they that ha(e i(es )e as though they ha& noneB / an& they that eep, as though they ept notB an& they that re>oi$e, as though they re>oi$e& notB an& they that )uy, as though they possesse& notB /% an& they that use this orl&, as not a)using it for the fashion of this orl& passeth aay. /2 8ut I oul& ha(e you ithout $arefulness. -e that is unmarrie& $areth for the things that )elong to the Lor&, ho he may please the Lor& // )ut he that is marrie& $areth for the things that are of the orl&, ho he may please his ife. /1 There is &ifferen$e also )eteen a ife an& a (irgin. The unmarrie& oman $areth for the things of the Lor&, that she may )e holy )oth in )o&y an& in spirit )ut she that is marrie& $areth for the things of the orl&, ho she may please her hus)an&. /3 An& this I spea* for your on profitB not that I may $ast a snare upon you, )ut for that hi$h is $omely, an& that ye may atten& upon the Lor& ithout &istra$tion. / 8ut if any man thin* that he )eha(eth himself un$omely toar& his (irgin, if she pass the floer of her age, an& nee& so re+uire, let him &o hat he ill, he sinneth not let them marry. /@ "e(ertheless he that stanð stea&fast in his heart, ha(ing no ne$essity, )ut hath poer o(er his on ill, an& hath so &e$ree& in his heart that he ill *eep his (irgin, &oeth ell. /0 5o then he that gi(eth her in marriage &oeth ellB )ut he that
12 Lesson III $ontinue& gi(eth her not in marriage &oeth )etter. /4 The ife is )oun& )y the la as long as her hus)an& li(ethB )ut if her hus)an& )e &ea&, she is at li)erty to )e marrie& to hom she illB only in the Lor&. 1 8ut she is happier if she so a)i&e, after my >u&gment an& I thin* also that I ha(e the 5pirit of e$t of $ir$um$ision. It as a great $ause of &is$or& )eteen Jeish $on(erts to Christianity an& the un$ir$um$ise& ustifi$ation hi$h oul& )e afterar& re$ei(e& )y faith. In itself, it neither furthers nor hin&ers oy. On the other han&, if a free person is $alle&, they must $onsi&er themsel(es property of the Lor&, to li(e a$$or&ing to -is ill an& true to -is $omman&ments, a yo*e hi$h is light in&ee&. erse 2/. ou ere pur$hase& from the )on&age of sin an& &eath )y the )loo& of Christ. A(oi& all possi)ility of )e$oming sla(es to men. erse 21. In hate(er situation a person is in hen $alle& )y e$t, in&i$ates that there must ha(e )een $on(erte& sla(es at Corinth an& some $onfusion ha& resulte&.
1/ Lesson III $ontinue& erse 23. As su)se+uent (erses in&i$ate, the or& (irgin is use& for pure, unmarrie& persons of )oth seGes. Paul has no $omman&ment of the Lor&. et he $onsi&ers his >u&gment as gui&e& )y the 5pirit of truth, hi$h is faithful to tea$h others. erse 2. &es$ri)es the present time tri)ulation, as the $hur$h )eing in This &istress. This -e or& signifies perse$utions, $alamity. often $ame from heathen $i(il lea&ers, among others. Therefore, the $i(il authorities offere& no prote$tion, an& sometimes ere the perse$utors themsel(es. At su$h a time, it oul& )e eGtremely &iffi$ult for a man to ha(e a ife an& $hil&ren, an& pro(i&e for them, as ell as for himself. To remain unmarrie& oul& ma*e it easier for a person to ta*e $are of their on safety, as they oul& not )e en$um)ere& ith a family. 9or this reason it as )etter to remain single. erse 2@. If you are in a marriage, that is a )on&, a $ontra$t. 5tay so, &o not try to get out of it. If you ha(e no ife, &on't loo* for another. Again, stay single. erse 20. 8ut *eep in min& ? there is no la against marriage. hether man or oman, )oth are free to marry. Among the many se$ts an& &isputing groups in Corinth, there must ha(e )een some that taught $eli)a$y as a ay to a(oi& sin Htherefore not to marry. Again, Paul &es$ri)es the trou)le that oul& )e en$ountere& from the orl&, referring to perse$ution. This oul& ma*e &iffi$ulties in pro(i&ing for an& *eeping a family safe. Paul spares them from any &es$ription of the $oming most &iffi$ult perse$utions, as too hea(y a )ur&en to orry a)out, mu$h less prepare for. erse 24. The time is short. The emperor "ero as soon to $arry out his plot ? )y )laming the Christians for the trou)le, re)ellion, an& lalessness, he oul& $all for the perse$ution an& *illing of Christians. This oul& &e(astate the Chur$h. At that time, those marrie& oul& ha(e no time to plan for or $arry out the $are or safety for their family. They must )e as free from earthly $on$erns as possi)le. They must )e prepare& to es$ape for their life, or to )e put to &eath. The $ourt oul& re+uire Christians to &eny their faith in Christ, or )e put to &eath. erse /. hate(er pri(ate $on$erns, hether happy or sa&, ill )e o(er$ome )y the greater general perse$ution. E(en so, $ontinue &aily a$ti(ities, )ut *eep in min& that hate(er ill happen, hate(er you )uy, ill )e ta*en aay ? the property or your life. erse /%. Earthly things are important to 'those that use this orl&', hether property, >o), an& so forth. They shoul& )e $ons$ientious in
11 Lesson III $ontinue& their responsi)ilities, )eing aare of the transitory nature of earthly things. The present state of the orl&, possi)ly &es$ri)ing the Jeish nation, as to pass aay in the near future. erse /2. All these things are un&er the plan an& poer of or $on$ern an& a$ti(ity. An unmarrie& H(irgin oman $an )e holy in )o&y an& spirit, an& ser(e the Lor& fully. erse /3. All these instru$tions are for the profit of the Chur$h at Corinth, the uni+ue situation they ere in at that parti$ular time. To not $ast a snare means that Paul as not trying to &eman& $omplian$e, )ut gi(e >u&i$ious a&(i$e to ma*e it easier for them to ser(e the Lor& in &iffi$ult $ir$umstan$es, ithout &istra$tion. erse /. Different meanings of this (erse ha(e )een suggeste&. %. The tra&ition among Jes an& Christians as the father ha& poer o(er their &aughters. This in$lu&e& hether or not to gi(e them in marriage. If he *eeps her past, her prime of life, an& she ishes to marry, it oul& )e rong to for$e her to stay. 2. Another meaning $onsi&ers the or& '(irgin' to the $on&ition '(irginity'. This he *eeps if he gi(es himself to the Lor&'s ser(i$e. This &epen&s on the purpose in his heart an& the poer of his ill. If at some point, he thin*s that it oul& )e )etter to gi(e aay his (irginity, if he has rea$he& the age that tra&ition re+uires a man to marry. The Jes $onsi&ere& the proper time limit from %,%@ to 2.
13 Lesson III $ontinue& erse /4. To anser the +uestion, shoul& a oman remarry if her hus)an& is &ea&6 The reply ? if the hus)an& is ali(e, the la )in&s her to him. If he is &ea&, she oul& )e free to remarry. erse 1. To $ontinue in life as a i&o, Paul $onsi&ers it the )etter $hoi$e, she ill )eThis happier if she so, an& again $onsi&ering the &istressful times. remains the&oes i&o's $hoi$e, ha(ing )een single an& marrie&, she $an >u&ge her on eGperien$e as to hi$h state she oul& prefer. It is not rong either ay. Paul again emphasi=es that his a&(i$e is un&er the inspiration an& gui&an$e of the -oly 5pirit. This shoul& $arry enough eight to $on(in$e his rea&ers that they shoul& hee& his instru$tions. "eGt, the su)>e$t of things offere& to i&ols.
1 I Corinthians ? Lesson I I Corinthians 0%#%/. Things offere& to i&ols, an& so forth. 9oo& Offere& to I&ols % "o as tou$hing things offere& unto i&ols, e *no that e all ha(e *nole&ge. :nole&ge puffeth up, )ut $harity e&ifieth. 2 An& if any man thin* that he *noeth any thing, he *noeth nothing yet as he ought to *no. / 8ut any man lo(e e$t as a $ontinuing $on$ern to the Corinthians. They ha& as*e& for Paul's a&(i$e. It oul& )e helpful to first eGplain this $ontro(ersy. To opposing groups of Jes &ispute& o(er hether it as laful to )enefit or ta*e some a&(antage from things use& )y e$t. On the other han&,
1@ Lesson I $ontinue& an& offen& others. This *nole&ge an& free&om ten&s to 'puff up' in su$h a ay that is (ery a*in to pri&e, an& $on&emning those still s$rupulous a)out this su)>e$t. To pro&u$e $harity is )est, to e&ify an& help along those that &on't yet un&erstan& the Christian perspe$ti(e on this su)>e$t. erse 2. The person that *nos li)erty must ta*e also into follo 'lo(e his thy neigh)or as thyself.' This the means they must a$$ount )rother's ten&er $ons$ien$e $on$erning foo& an& )eha(ior an& a$t a$$or&ingly, $ausing no &is$omfort or torment. "ot &oing this means, 'he *noeth nothing yet as he ought to *no.' erse /. Any man ho lo(es e$t.
10 Lesson I $ontinue& erse 4. The only spiritual (alue relate& to this su)>e$t is to not offen& ea* )elie(ers )y eating things offere& to i&ols. This e(en though you reali=e that i&ols are not real, an& ha(e no influen$e. That is your li)erty, &o not use it to $reate a stum)ling )lo$* for the ea*. erse %.of goo& reputation, for *nole&ge of the True
14 Lesson I $ontinue& greatness of ure a ea*er )elie(er's $ons$ien$e, or $ause any others to thin* less of Christ )e$ause of a Christian's )eha(ior. The orl& is at$hing an& >u&ging.
3 I Corinthians ? Lesson I Corinthians 4%#2@. The rights of apostleship. The !ights of Those ho Prea$h the
3% Lesson $ontinue& are ithout la. 22 To the ea* )e$ame I as ea*, that I might gain the ea* I am ma&e all things to all men, that I might )y all means sa(e some. 2/ An& this I &o for the gospel's sa*e, that I might )e parta*er thereof ith you. 21 :no ye not that they hi$h run in a ra$e run all, )ut one re$ei(eth the pri=e6 5o run, that ye may o)tain. 23 An& "o e(ery man stri(eth the mastery is temperate in all things. they &othat it to o)tain for a $orrupti)le $ronB )ut e an in$orrupti)le. 2 I therefore so run, not as un$ertainlyB so fight I, not as one that )eateth the air 2@ )ut I *eep un&er my )o&y, an& )ring it into su)>e$tion lest that )y any means, hen I ha(e prea$he& to others, I myself shoul& )e a $astaay. erse %. Completely ne su)>e$t. There must ha(e )een some +uestioning of Paul's apostleship. -e )egins as if ansering # 'Am I not an apostle6' As if stating that he is an apostle, an& possesses all the rights an& pri(ileges of an apostle. -e also sa the risen Christ our Lor& an& as $ommissione& )y -im. This as the ne$essity of the apostoli$ offi$e. The fa$t of the Corinthian $on(erts un&er the prea$hing are his or* in the Lor&. This as proof of
32 Lesson $ontinue& $lergy. Chapter @ of this epistle &es$ri)es the proper )enefits of marriage, o(er staying single. erse . Paul +uestions hether only he an& 8arna)as ha(e no right to )e supporte& )y their $on(erts. This shos that the apostles in general &i& not support themsel(es )y their on or*. Paul an& 8arna)as, on the theyother ere.han&, ha& a tra&e they $oul& $on(eniently pra$ti$e here(er erse @. Other $ases of or*ers hose la)or in$lu&es )eing pro(i&e& ne$essities. This is $ommon sense, proper, an& uni(ersally pra$ti$e&. O)(iously, sol&iers &on't pay for their on sustenan$e. A (intner oul& not raise grapes, then ha(e to pay for their use. 5o also a shepher& shoul& not ha(e to pay for mil* of the flo$*. erse 0. Paul +uestions if these o)ser(ations are purely orl&ly, of human reasoning only, or &oes the la of Foses sho e$t. erse 4. EGample one from the La ? 'Thou shalt not mu==le the mouth of the oG that treað out the $orn.' HDeuteronomy 231.
ritten for man's he that plos or fruit of that la)or. of
erse %%. To )ring this &is$ussion to spiritual things, $onsi&er that e ha(e son the or& of
3/ Lesson $ontinue& erse %/. Again, Paul points out the ell#*non Jeish religious system. Those that ser(e& e$t this $alling oul& )ring &ire $onse+uen$es. erse %@. To '&o this thing illingly, I ha(e a rear&.' If otherise he $an only eGpe$t $ompensation from those he prea$hes to. This oul& )ring no spe$ial rear& from
31 Lesson $ontinue& instan$e, in A$ts 2%2 # he purifie& himself in the Temple. -e &i& not a$tually $onsi&er himself un&er the la. -is moti(e as, again, that others may )e rea$he& to re$ei(e sal(ation from
refers to the Olympi$ type games, espe$ially the -e a&(ises all to run earnestly, ith their )est in an earthly ra$e, only one oul& get the pri=e, )ut oul& 'o)tain.'
erse 23. Again, the earthly runner &i& serious an& &iffi$ult eGer$ise an& preparation to )e the )est runner in the ra$e. They are temperate in all things. They ha& to )e $areful in &iet, an& a(oi& all earthly &istra$tions from their goal. This as all &one to in 'a $orrupti)le $ron'. At that time, the pri=e as a $ron o(en from lea(es of a plant, usually laurel or oli(e. They )egan to ither hen $ut from the plant an& ha& no lasting (alue. The Christian's rear& as in $omplete $ontrast ? 'in$orrupti)le', an& therefore as e(erlasting. erse 2. Again, in the foot#ra$e, all ran not *noing ho oul& in, therefore 'un$ertainly'. "ot so ith the Christian. A &es$ription of the )oGer, ho is pra$ti$ing 'sha&o)oGing' or one ho &oes so for sho, )eats the air. Paul's efforts are not so )ut aime& an& ell $arrie& through, as if fighting for his life.
33 Lesson $ontinue& erse 2@. hat is ne$essary to )e )est prepare&, e(en as an athlete. The )o&y must )e &is$ipline& a$$or&ing to the $ontest, *ept alert, strong, ith great en&uran$e. This also &es$ri)es the opposite a$ti(ities ho are $onforme& to the (alues an& pra$ti$es of the orl&, here e(ery physi$al passion is pursue& an& in&ulge& in. Paul insists that he has an& oul& $ontinue to fo$us his efforts on spiritual matters, his responsi)ilities in li(ing a$$or&ing to his $alling. -e a(oi&e& those physi$al temptations, )ringing his ')o&y into su)>e$tion', to
3 I Corinthians ? Lesson I I Corinthians %%#//. Fysteries in Jeish history an& the u&ge ye hat I say. % The $up of )lessing hi$h e )less, is it not the $ommunion of the )loo& of Christ6 The )rea& hi$h e )rea*, is it not the $ommunion of the )o&y of Christ6 %@ 9or e )eing many are one )rea&, an& one )o&y for e are all parta*ers of that one )rea&. %0 8ehol& Israel after the flesh are not they hi$h eat of the sa$rifi$es parta*ers of the altar6 %4 hat say I then6 that the i&ol is any thing, or that hi$h is offere& in sa$rifi$e to i&ols is any thing6 2 8ut I say, that the things hi$h the ealousy6 are e stronger than he6 Do All to the
3@ Lesson I $ontinue& 21 Let no man see* his on, )ut e(ery man another's ealth. 23 hatsoe(er is sol& in the sham)les, that eat, as*ing no +uestion for $ons$ien$e' sa*e 2 for the earth is the Lor&'s, an& the fulness thereof. 2@ If any of them that )elie(e not )i& you to a feast, an& ye )e &ispose& to goB hatsoe(er is set )efore you, eat, as*ing no +uestion for $ons$ien$e' sa*e. 20 8ut if not any for man his saysa*e untothat you,shoe& This is offere& in$ons$ien$e' sa$rifi$e unto i&ols, eat it, an& for sa*e for the earth is the Lor&'s, an& the fulness thereof 24 $ons$ien$e, I say, not thine on, )ut of the other for hy is my li)erty >u&ge& of another man's $ons$ien$e6 / 9or if I )y gra$e )e a parta*er, hy am I e(il spo*en of for that for hi$h I gi(e than*s6 /% hether therefore ye eat, or &rin*, or hatsoe(er ye &o, &o all to the glory of ourney. It as a pillar of fire to light the $amp at night. It as also a $o(ering )y &ay, to prote$t them from the s$or$hing rays of the sun, almost as sprin*le& upon them. This )apti=e& them into Foses, the $o(enant hi$h )rought them un&er o)ligation to follo those pre$epts
30 Lesson I $ontinue& $ontinue& to pro(i&e ater for them. This as the opinion of the an$ient Jes. Otherise the ro$* represente& Christ's presen$e ith them. erse 3. 8ut many of them ere o(erthron in the il&erness. All eGperien$e& ority of that generation &ie& in the il&erness, not a$$ounte& orthy to enter the promise& lan&. erse . Again Paul emphasi=es that these things shoul& )e re$ogni=e& as eGamples for the present $hil&ren of u&gments against them. The situation in Corinth as $onsi&ere& )y Paul to )e so &angerous an& eGtreme that these &ire$t an& &ramati$ eGamples must )e a$$epte& as arnings to them. They must not murmur against
34 Lesson I $ontinue& erse %%. These things happene& an& ere re$or&e& an& must )e $onsi&ere& eGamples to learn from an& )e gui&e& )y. 'Kpon hom the en&s of the orl& are $ome.' It seems most li*ely that Paul, here, refers to the en& of the time in$lu&e& in the &uration of the Fosai$ e$onomy. Those things that happene& near the )eginning are eGamples to those no eGperien$ing the en& of that age. It has also )een suggeste& that )oth 'ages' in$lu&e a 1 yearof &uration. Thegoing Israelites 1 years in or the'en&s' il&erness. The nation Israel as to en&ere in @ A.D., 1 years from the en& of Christ. 8oth ere punishments of e$te& an& a(oi&e&. erse %3. Paul a&&resses the Corinthians as ise, an& that they shoul& rea&ily un&erstan& the propriety of re>e$ting i&ol orship, as ha(ing no a$tual (alue. I&ols $an &o nothing, either for or against anyone. 9or the Christian, any asso$iation ith any su$h things is una$$epta)le. erse %. To sho the $omplete $ontrast that Christians are parta*ers of, Paul &es$ri)es the union ith Christ through the Lor&'s 5upper. In Communion, the $up representing -is )loo&, the )rea&, -is )o&y. This is in felloship an& remem)ran$e of -im. erse %@. The many are >oine& together, the one )rea& or loaf, signifying one )o&y, e are all part of the )o&y of ChristB in this manner e
Lesson I $ontinue& $ele)rate an& $ommemorate -is sa$rifi$ial &eath for us to atone for our sins. erse %0. Another eGample $on$erns the Jes ho offer sa$rifi$es, su$h as the Passo(er Lam), parta*e of those sa$rifi$es, a $onfirmation of their $onne$tion an& )eliefs $on$erning ho the sa$rifi$es are for ? their oin in rites of i&ol orship are in(ol(ing themsel(es ith the )aser poers of &ar*ness an& e(il, &emons. These rites in(ol(e gross an& eG$essi(e passions an& fleshly appetites, all a)ominations to ure their ea* $ons$ien$es, or offen& them. This oul& not help or e&ify them, an& so it ill not )e &one. erse 21. The life prin$iple that Paul is tea$hing is that of see*ing the elfare of others first, not their on )enefit. erse 23. The meat that as left o(er from the sa$rifi$es as gi(en to the priests ho often sol& it in the pu)li$ meat mar*et. This as a$$epta)le to Paul. It no longer ha& any $onne$tion ith the rites of i&ol orship. here the meat $ame from as of no importan$e, so &on't as*. A(oi& any $han$e of feeling guilty 'for $ons$ien$e' sa*e'. This
% Lesson I $ontinue& mainly refers to the Jeish $on(erts that )rought ith them their many s$ruples $on$erning eating ? here the foo& $ame from, ho it as prepare&, ho it as ser(e&, ho they ate ith, an& so on. erse 2. To free them from all su$h $onsi&erations, Paul suggest they $onsi&er the fa$t that ure their $ons$ien$e. This e(en though you )elie(e in u&ge& against )e$ause he has li)erty in the
2 I Corinthians ? Lesson II I Corinthians %%%#%@. Irregularities in the Corinthian pu)li$ orship. %
8e ye folloers of me, e(en as I also am of Christ.
The Co(ering of omen's -ea&s 2 "o I praise you, )rethren, that ye remem)er me in all things, an& *eep the or&inan$es, I &eli(ere& / 8ut I oul& ha(e youas *no, that thethem hea&to ofyou. e(ery man is ChristB an& the hea& of the oman is the manB an& the hea& of Christ is
/ Lesson II $ontinue& erse /. O)(iously, all mem)ers of this $hur$h &i& not. -e starts ith ? '8ut I oul& ha(e you *no'. Then the proper or&er of things ? Christ is hea& of e(ery man. The man is the hea& of the oman, an& the hea& of Christ is e$tion the erse 1. To )egin, in pu)li$ orship, e(ery man ho a$ts in praying, or prophesying Hhi$h in$lu&es to tea$h, eGhort, $omfort, or prea$h, must not ha(e his hea& $o(ere& H)y $ap, tur)an, or any other $o(ering. Any $o(ering as $onsi&ere& a sign of su)>e$tion. This as $ontrary to the role of stan&ing as Christ's minister or representati(e to spea* the or& of e$tion to the man as ust one &ay in a large $ity in the K.5. erse @. The $ommon $ustom among
1 Lesson II $ontinue& authority of the man in the home an& family, e(en as he has authority o(er the earth, the use of plants, animals, an& so forth. erse 0. The man must not )e $onsi&ere& as )elonging to the oman, )ut the oman to the man. erse oine& to one man Hhus)an&, an& un&er his authority. erse %%. 8oth are e+ually &epen&ent on the other, as in
3 Lesson II $ontinue& humiliation or )eing omanish. Therefore it as $onsi&ere& a shame for a man to ha(e long hair. erse %3. A oman's long hair is an ornament or a 'glory' to her, a&&ing to her attra$ti(eness. 8oth nature an& Paul agree on this. Also in $ertain $ir$umstan$es the hair $oul& )e $onsi&ere& a $o(ering an& ser(e as a (eil. erse %. This appears to ha(e $ause& &istur)an$es among the $hur$h mem)ers at Corinth. Anyone ho argue& against these gui&elines must )e informe& an& a$$ept the fa$ts ? neither among Jeish Christians or e$t, Paul &ire$tly rites # 'I praise you not.' They shoul& )e $oming together an& trying to &o hat is )etter, )ut they seem to )e &oing the opposite, ha(ing arguments an& &istur)an$es, all of hi$h is orse. "eGt, in the folloing (erses, Paul turns his attention to the irregularities, e(en heresies $on$erning their o)ser(an$e of the Lor&'s 5upper.
I Corinthians ? Lesson III I Corinthians %%%0#/1. Paul $on&emns $ertain errors that ha(e $rept in &uring his a)sen$e. 9irst, the $ele)ration of the Lor&'s 5upper. %0 9or first of all, hen ye $ome together in the $hur$h, I hear that there )e &i(isions among youB an& I partly )elie(e it. %4 9or there must )e also heresies among you, that they hi$h are appro(e& )e ma&e manifest among you. 2 hen may ye $ome together therefore into one pla$e, this is not to eat the Lor&'s supper. 2% 9or in eating e(ery one ta*eth )efore other his on supper an& one is hungry, an& another is &run*en. 22 hatN ha(e ye not houses to eat an& to &rin* in6 or &espise ye the $hur$h of u&ge oursel(es, e shoul& not )e >u&ge&. /2 8ut hen e are >u&ge&, e are $hastene& of the Lor&, that e shoul& not )e $on&emne& ith the orl&. // herefore, my )rethren, hen ye $ome together to eat, tarry one for another. /1 An& if any man hunger, let him eat at homeB that ye $ome not together unto $on&emnation. An& the rest ill I set in or&er hen I $ome. erse %0. Paul has re$ei(e& information a)out &i(isions in their $hur$h. Three &ifferent groups ha(e maintaine& their separate pra$ti$es, espe$ially $on$erning the Lor&'s 5upper.
@ Lesson III $ontinue& erse %4. This must spring from serious &isagreements a)out ell as $eremonies to )e pra$ti$e& in the $hur$h. hat a$te& upon, agree& upon an& a$te& out in unity as not $hur$h as or*ing on. Their &i(isions an& $ontentions $ontinuing.
&o$trine as shoul& )e hat the ere
erse 2. Apparently, hen they met together, they first of all ate a regular meal an& not the Lor&'s Communion until sometime after that. erse 2%. In a&&ition, they &i& not share an& ha(e a $ommon meal. Ea$h one )rought hat they $oul& for themsel(es. 5ome ha& a gran& feast, others &i& not ha(e enough to satisfy their hunger, an& some ere &run*. These groups may ha(e )een &i(i&e& along $lass lines. erse 22. All of this as a s$an&al an& a shameful pra$ti$e for the $hur$h of
0 Lesson III $ontinue& &o so, that person in effe$t is guilty of $on&emning an& agreeing ith the $ru$ifiGion of the Lor& Jesus. This has serious $onse+uen$es as Paul &es$ri)es in (erses 24 an& /. erse 20. 8efore parta*ing of Communion, ea$h person must eGamine themsel(es, that they )elie(e an& a$$ept the )rea& an& ine as representing the )ro*en )o&y an& spille& )loo& of Christ. erse 24. To eat an& &rin* 'unorthily' ill )ring >u&gment an&or punishment. This is meant as $hastisement or $orre$tion as a father punishes mis)eha(ior of his $hil&ren, to *eep them on the right path an& in u&ge& or punishe& for that in&is$retion. erse /2. To not >u&ge oursel(es, then e are >u&ge& )y e$t, from no on, hen the )rethren $ome together to $ele)rate this or&inan$e, they must ait for all to assem)le an& parta*e in unity, not in &i(erse &isputing groups. Also it must )e limite& to )rea& an& ine, ith no other foo& or &rin* ? no other meal in(ol(e& in it. erse /1. If anyone is hungry, they must eat in their home for their physi$al nee&s. The Communion ser(i$e is sa$re& an& spiritual. To &o otherise )rings negati(e $onse+uen$es as alrea&y &es$ri)e&. To $lose this su)>e$t, Paul promises to $lear up, 'to set in or&er', any other &etails, hen he a$tually $omes there. This is his serious intention. It is generally )elie(e& that he &i& (isit them a)out a year later from the time of this letter.
4 Lesson III $ontinue& I Corinthians %2%#@. 5piritual e$t of spiritual gifts. -e ants to )e $ertain that they *no an& un&erstan& the essentials. It appears that they ha& $orrespon&e& ith him on this su)>e$t, espe$ially relate& to persons. It also appears that there ere some &issensions on the su)>e$t. Paul ants them to *no the sour$e, the purpose ? that ea$h person may ser(e the Chur$h a$$or&ing to
@ Lesson III $ontinue& erse . Operations refers to influen$e on others, hether punishment or healing $ome from
@% I Corinthians ? Lesson I I Corinthians %20#/%. Details a)out spiritual gifts. 0 9or to one is gi(en )y the 5pirit the or& of is&omB to another the or& of *nole&ge )y the same 5piritB 4 to another faith )y the same 5piritB to another the gifts of healing )y the same 5piritB % to another the or*ing of mira$lesB to another prophe$yB to another of spiritsB to another &i(ers *in&s of tonguesB to another &is$erning the interpretation of tongues %% )ut all these or*eth that one an& the selfsame 5pirit, &i(i&ing to e(ery man se(erally as he ill. %2 9or as the )o&y is one, an& hath many mem)ers an& all the mem)ers of that one )o&y, )eing many, are one )o&y so also is Christ. %/ 9or )y one 5pirit are e all )apti=e& into one )o&y, hether e )e Jes or oi$e ith it. 2@ "o ye are the )o&y of Christ, an& mem)ers in parti$ular. 20 An&
@2 Lesson I $ontinue& erse 0. All spiritual gifts are gi(en )y the 5pirit for the manifol& )enefit of the hole )o&y of )elie(ers that ma*e up the Chur$h. The or& of is&om refers to the re(ealing of the mystery of our re&emption, also $alle& the manifol& is&om of ustifying faith in response to hearing the u&gments, or any a$tion of a supernatural effe$t on others. Prophe$y has to meanings. %. The pre&i$tion of future e(ents. This Paul ha& eGperien$e& se(eral times. 2. The a)ility to tea$h or eGpoun& the 5$riptures for the spiritual )enefit of the listeners. The &is$erning of spirits ? this refers to the spiritual gift of per$ei(ing the &ifferen$e )eteen false an& true mira$les, a false 'preten&er' from one in&elt )y the -oly 5pirit. It may also eGten& to &is$erning a false professor to faith in Christ from a true one. Consi&er Peter ith Ananias an& his ife. Di(erse *in&s of tongues ? &ifferent languages. The -oly 5pirit ga(e Has at Pente$ost the inspiration of a language un*non to the spea*er, )ut *non )y people from &ifferent $ountries atten&ing Christian meetings. Also ne$essary, along ith the one spea*ing in a foreign language to a minority of those present, that another person as there that oul& )e gi(en the gift of translating to the remaining ma>ority of people, hat as )eing sai& in the foreign language. The o)(ious intention as that all present shoul& re$ei(e the message of
@1 Lesson I $ontinue& nee&ing the han&, or the hea& not nee&ing the feet. -o a)sur& this soun&sN erse 22. The true perspe$ti(e re$ogni=es the essential importan$e of parts $onsi&ere& more fee)le. This oul& in$lu&e the organs not seen among others. They oul& not )e thought of as honora)le. They are not as strong as arms or legs, )ut a)solutely ne$essary. erse 2/. A person may lose an eye, arm, or leg, yet remain ali(e. "ot so ith those parts su$h as the stoma$h, heart, lungs, an& so forth. Those parts are $o(ere& an& prote$te&, )e$ause they are essential to life. 5o also ithin the Chur$h, ea$h mem)er is to )e $are& for an& prote$te& ? treate& as essential. erse 21. our outar& or attra$ti(e parts nee& no spe$ial $are or attention. ury to )oth part an& the hole )o&y. If one mem)er suffers in>ury, the hole )o&y also suffers. If one is honore&, all re>oi$e ith it. erse 2@. This &es$ri)es ho it shoul& )e in the Chur$h. The Chur$h is the )o&y of Christ an& ea$h person is a mem)er in parti$ular. Ea$h is ne$essary for the others, to re>oi$e or mourn together. "ot one is useless or unne$essary. All must or* together for the )uil&ing up of the hole. This oul& in$lu&e all gi(ing of time, money, prayer, (isiting the si$*, an& so forth, as ell as the more (isi)le an& outar& fun$tions of tea$hers, prea$hers, musi$ians, an& so on. erse 20.
@ I Corinthians ? Lesson I Corinthians %/%#%/. The more eG$ellent ay ? unselfish lo(e. Lo(e % Though I spea* ith the tongues of men an& of angels, an& ha(e not $harity, I am )e$ome as soun&ing )rass, or a tin*ling $ym)al. 2 An& though I ha(e the gift of prophe$y, an& un&erstan& all mysteries, an& all *nole&geB an& though I ha(e all faith, so that I $oul& remo(e mountains, not $harity, I ampoor, nothing. / An& though I )esto an& allha(e my goo&s to fee& the an& though I gi(e my )o&y to )e )urne&, an& ha(e not $harity, it profiteth me nothing. 1 Charity suffereth long, an& is *in&B $harity en(ieth notB $harity (aunteth not itself, is not puffe& up, 3 &oth not )eha(e itself unseemly, see*eth not her on, is not easily pro(o*e&, thin*eth no e(ilB re>oi$eth not in ini+uity, )ut re>oi$eth in the truthB @ )eareth all things, )elie(eth all things, hopeth all things, en&ureth all things. 0 Charity ne(er faileth )ut hether there )e prophe$ies, they shall failB hether there )e tongues, they shall $easeB hether there )e *nole&ge, it shall (anish aay. 4 9or e *no in part, an& e prophesy in part. % 8ut hen that hi$h is perfe$t is $ome, then that hi$h is in part shall )e &one aay. %% hen I as a $hil&, I spa*e as a $hil&, I un&erstoo& as a $hil&, I thought as a $hil& )ut hen I )e$ame a man, I put aay $hil&ish things. %2 9or no e see through a glass, &ar*ly, )ut then fa$e to fa$e no I *no in partB )ut then shall I *no e(en as also I am *non. %/ An& no a)ið faith, hope, $harity, these threeB )ut the greatest of these is $harity. -a(ing pre(iously instru$te& them a)out the gifts of the 5pirit, an& the proper or&er of the Chur$h hierar$hy, his purpose as to get them to $ease their &i(isions an& petty >ealousies. 8ut to ha(e the true unity in a Chur$h there is one $entral +uality ne$essary. This as the )asis an& moti(e ithin, ithout hi$h all else as empty an& ithout effe$t. This 'more eG$ellent ay' Paul $alls '$harity'. Fost mo&ern translations use the or& 'lo(e'. The ma>or reason is that '$harity' has )e$ome limite& in its usage of &es$ri)ing 'gi(ing of money to the less fortunate.' Personally, I thin* it helpful to use to or&s ? 'unselfish lo(e', sin$e the single or& 'lo(e' has too many uses that &es$ri)e $ompletely &ifferent relationships. EGamples ? lo(e of things Hselfish lo(e, lo(e of family, )rotherly sisterly lo(e, lo(e of the eroti$ nature, romanti$ lo(e, an& unselfish lo(e ? as the lo(e of
@0 Lesson $ontinue& erse 3. The list $ontinues. . It is ne(er unseemly or ru&e ? alays has goo& manners. @. It ne(er see*s its on )ut alays see*s the )enefit of others e+ually. 0. It is not easily pro(o*e&. The sense means unselfish lo(e &oes not ta*e offense, or )e$ome irritate&. 4. 'Thin*eth e(il.' This to not supposing that another's or&s or no a$tions ha(e anpoints e(il moti(e. "o e(il intention ? )ut only thin*ing the )est of others, is the point. erse . %. !e>oi$eth not in ini+uity. This implies seeing no )enefit in falsehoo& or e(il that $omes upon others. %%. !e>oi$ing in the truth ? this in$lu&es the sprea& of the true
@4 Lesson $ontinue& spiritual realm. e prophe$y in part. This spea*s to hat prea$hers an& tea$hers are a)le to pass on to those ho listen to them. This is limite& an& )arely tou$hes on the eternal state. Ea$h )elie(er shoul& pursue pri(ate stu&y an& prayer, to learn of
0 Lesson $ontinue& fulfills the spirit of the La. This as the great tea$hing of Jesus in -is earthly ministry, hi$h -e also fulfille& ith -is a$tions, in perfe$t o)e&ien$e to ust
0% I Corinthians ? Lesson I I Corinthians %1%#1. 9ollo $harity, an& &esire spiritual gifts. 5pea*ing in % 9ollo that ye may 2 9or he
Tongues after $harity, an& &esire spiritual gifts, )ut rather prophesy. that spea*eth in an un*non tongue spea*eth not unto men,
)ut unto
02 Lesson I $ontinue& 2% In the la it is ritten, ith men of other tongues an& other lips ill I spea* unto this peopleB an& yet for all that ill they not hear me, saith the Lor&. 22 herefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that )elie(e, )ut to them that )elie(e not )ut prophesying ser(eth not for them that )elie(e not, )ut for them hi$h )elie(e. 2/ If therefore hole $hur$h )e $ome an& all spea* iththe tongues, an& there $ome together in those into that one are pla$e, unlearne&, or un)elie(ers, ill they not say that ye are ma&6 21 8ut if all prophesy, an& there $ome in one that )elie(eth not, or one unlearne&, he is $on(in$e& of all, he is >u&ge& of all 23 an& thus are the se$rets of his heart ma&e manifestB an& so falling &on on his fa$e he ill orship u&ge. / If any thing )e re(eale& to another that sitteth )y, let the first hol& his pea$e. /% 9or ye may all prophesy one )y one, that all may learn, an& all may )e $omforte&. /2 An& the spirits of the prophets are su)>e$t to the prophets. // 9or
0/ Lesson I $ontinue& it, then only
01 Lesson I $ontinue& in its soun&s an& meaning among the (arious nations. erse %%. 8ut if I &on't *no the meaning, an& that person &oesn't un&erstan& hat I am saying, e ill not *no hat is )eing $ommuni$ate&. The or& ')ar)arian' at that time, as use& to &es$ri)e anyone that &i& not spea* the $ommon languages of the !oman Empire ? oin in the a$t an& in the spirit of praise an& &e(otion to ourneys is not re$or&e&.
0 Lesson I $ontinue& ill fall on his fa$e an& orship u&ge if hat as spo*en as proper an& $orre$t. This as to a(oi& any false or mislea&ing &o$trine to )e )rought into the Chur$h. erse /. If someone sitting near)y says that they ha(e something re(eale& to them to say, then the one spea*ing shoul& allo them to say it. erse /%. As to go one )y one, anyone that has something to e&ify or $omfort others then anyone an& e(eryone shoul& &o so. All oul& )enefit. erse /2. All that spea* shoul& )e $onsi&erate of the others, not pushing themsel(es forar&, an& not interrupt. erse //.
0@ Lesson I $ontinue& to +uestion, fin& fault, or &ispute ith men spea*ing. Jeish men &i& this in the synagogues, often for selfish moti(es an& $ause& tumult an& &isruption. "o one ? man, oman, or $hil& ? un&er
in
erse /. Di& these Corinthian Christians thin* they are the only sour$e of the or& of
00 I Corinthians ? Lesson II I Corinthians %3%#/2. The
04 Lesson II $ontinue& 2 The last enemy that shall )e &estroye& is &eath. 2@ 9or he hath put all things un&er his feet. 8ut hen he saith, All things are put un&er him, it is manifest that he is eG$epte&, hi$h &i& put all things un&er him. 20 An& hen all things shall )e su)&ue& unto him, then shall the 5on also himself )e su)>e$t unto him that put all things un&er him, that eopar&y e(ery hour6 /% I protest )y your re>oi$ing hi$h I ha(e in Christ Jesus our Lor&, I &ie &aily. /2 If after the manner of men I ha(e fought ith )easts at Ephesus, hat a&(antageth it me, if the &ea& rise not6 let us eat an& &rin*B for tomorro e &ie. erse %. 9rom Paul's &etaile& &es$ription of the resurre$tion, there must ha(e )een some at Corinth that +uestione& or &enie& it. -e lays out the e(i&en$e from the 5$riptures an& from eyeitnesses. This is the asB an& thou hast )rought me into the &ust of &eath. % 9or &ogs ha(e $ompasse& me the assem)ly of the i$*e& ha(e in$lose& me they pier$e& my han&s an& my feet. %@ I may tell all my )ones they loo* an& stare upon me. %0 They part my garments among them, an& $ast lots upon my (esture. H5ee also Fatthe 2@/3B Far* %321B Lu*e 2//1B John %421. erse 1. An& that -e as )urie& an& arose on the thir& &ay, a$$or&ing to the 5$riptures. This is the triumph of
4 Lesson II $ontinue& as )rought ali(e from the mount the thir& &ay. This as a figure of the 5on of ustify manyB for he shall )ear their ini+uities. %2 Therefore ill I &i(i&e him a portion ith the great, an& he shall &i(i&e the spoil ith the strongB )e$ause he hath poure& out his soul unto &eath an& he as num)ere& ith the transgressors an& he )are the sin of many, an& ma&e inter$ession for the transgressors. H5ee also Far* %320 an& Lu*e 22/@. erse 3. -e as first seen )y Peter HLu*e 21/1, then of the tel(e apostles HFatthe 20%@B Far* %%1B Lu*e 21/B John 2%4,2B A$ts %1%. erse . After that he as seen )y more than 3 )elie(ers at on$e. Fost of these ere still ali(e at the time of Paul's letter, )ut some ha(e 'fallen asleepB in the Lor&. 6This most li*ely as in oine& the apostles as )e$ame important in the Jerusalem Chur$h ere gi(en as to hen or here this too* all of the apostles together.
)rother of Jesus. -e, ith mentione& in A$ts %%1. -e HA$ts %3%/. "o &etails pla$e, nor the appearan$e to
erse 0. The $all of an apostle ne$essarily in$lu&e& &ire$t eGperien$e ? to ha(e seen an& $on(erse& ith Christ. This is re$or&e& in A$ts 41# @, the Damas$us !oa& re(elation. There is no re$or& of any personal appearan$e of Jesus after this. 8ut his $alling as long after that of the tel(e, as singular an& 'out of &ue time.' erse 4. -e as an 'eGtra' apostle an& in a separate $ategory sin$e he ha& perse$ute& the Christian faith an& its folloers. Thus he $alls himself the least an& &ifferent from the Apostles ho ha& )een faithful to Christ. erse %. ourneys, tra(eling an&
4% Lesson II $ontinue& prea$hing, starting $hur$hes in (arious pla$es, an& the perse$utions an& suffering he has eGperien$e&, then he $an say he la)ore& 'more a)un&antly than the Tel(e.' All of this not )e$ause of his on ill, is&om, or poer, )ut )y ustifi$ation. -is resurre$tion as the ple&ge for all )elie(ers. erse %2. There is a ma>or pro)lem. The message of Christ in$lu&es -is resurre$tion. hy ere there some saying that there is no resurre$tion of the &ea&6 This is false &o$trine, possi)ly from influen$e from the 5a&&u$ees. erses %/,%1. To sho the result of su$h a lie, Paul lays out the argument. If there is no resurre$tion, then Christ is not risen. If -e is not risen, then no one ill )e raise& from the &ea&. All prea$hing an& faith oul& )e pointless an& ha(e no )enefit or (alue. erses %3,%. If, as some say, oying no )enefit of our hope here, an& hereafter. erse 2. 8ut the truth remains ? the fa$t of Christ an& -is resurre$tion. "o proof or eyeitness has refute& this esta)lishe& e(ent. Paul also testifie& as an eyeitness. The fa$t that Christ is risen esta)lishes -im as the first#fruits of them that slept. -is resurre$tion )egins an& guarantees that of all )elie(ers as part of the har(est. erse 2%. This as
42 Lesson II $ontinue& naturally &ie& )e$ause of A&am, is the fa$t that all )elie(ers ill )e raise& again )y Jesus Christ. erses 2/,21. There is an or&er here ? first, Christ arose )y -is on poer. 5e$on&, those that )elong to Christ at -is $oming Hthe !apture. Thir&, the en& oul& )e after Christ's 5e$on& Coming to the earth an& -is millennial reign, -ean& ill rule an& su)&ue hole orl& ? 'shall ha(e put &onherein all rule all authority an& the poer.' Then -e ill &eli(er 'up the *ing&om to
4/ Lesson II $ontinue& life to &eath. This oul& ha(e no purpose if there as no resurre$tion of Christ to life eternal. erse /. To stan& in >eopar&y e(ery hour. hy shoul& e put oursel(es in &anger of losing our li(es, or other suffering or perse$ution6 e ha(e no fear of )eing )apti=e& ? for the &ea&, into &eath, an& )urial ? )e$ause e *no an& a$$ept the promise of resurre$tion unto life eternal e(en as Christ. erse /%. E(en as you re>oi$e in your sal(ation, so also I re>oi$e ith you for hat e all ha(e in Christ Jesus our Lor&. Ea$h &ay I approa$h as if it $oul& )e my last, )e$ause of hat $omes neGt in our Lor& ? to )e ith -im in -ea(en. erse /2. To use the $ommon forms of spee$h, Paul &es$ri)es his eGperien$e at Ephesus as ha(ing fought ith il& )easts. Fost s$holars a$$ept that he is &es$ri)ing those men, Demetrius an& his fello $raftsmen, ho $ause& su$h a pu)li$ uproar against Paul's fello or*ers. They a$te& in sa(age hostility, threatening their li(es, as if they ere )easts. There is no other referen$e, )y Lu*e or Paul, a)out Paul's a$tually fighting ith )easts at Ephesus. The point remains ? it is another eGample of here his life ha& )een in >eopar&y. Again, ho oul& &o this 'if the &ea& rise not6' If that as true, then the )est poli$y oul& )e to 'eat an& &rin*B for tomorro e &ie.' This $omes from Isaiah 22%/. The
4@ Lesson III $ontinue& erse 1. The natural or organi$, earthly )o&y as first, ith the $reate& )o&y of A&am. The spiritual )o&y is the last, prepare& for eternal life. erse 1@. In the $reation of A&am, his )o&y as ma&e from the earth's elements, from the therefore earthly He$t to illness, in>ury, an& &eath. All those in hea(en ill )e fit for life in hea(en. erse 14. As human )eings e ere )orn as &es$en&ants of A&am, in his earthly image an& $on&ition. hen in hea(en, human )eings ill )e in the image of the in$orrupti)le an& immortal image an& $on&ition of Christ after -is resurre$tion. erse 3. The o)(ious $on$lusion is that human flesh an& )loo& $annot $ontinue in the *ing&om of
40 Lesson III $ontinue& erse 33. This +uotes -osea %/%1. The 'sting' as a &agger or goa& that the oG#&ri(er oul& use to irritate an& urge on the oG. Thus &eath $ontinually irritates an& urges those things H&iseases an& so forth that ill $ause people to fall into his &omain ? -a&es or the gra(e. -a&es is thus the (i$tor, ultimately $on+uering all human life.
%% Lesson I $ontinue& erse %. If Timothy $omes, treat him ell, as he is a true messenger of the Lor& as is Paul. erse %%. Don't allo anyone to treat him harshly, or spea* against his $alling. -elp him on his >ourney that he ill safely $ome to Paul. -e an& the )rothers ith him ere loo*ing for Timothy's arri(al eGpe$tantly. erse %2. A)out 'our )rother Apollos', Paul ante& him to go to Corinth ith 'the )rethren'. -e as not going to $ome at this time. -e ill $ome at his $on(enien$e. The possi)le reason for this may )e that he as aare of the fa$tion set up as his parti$ular folloers an& he &i& not ant to en$ourage or gi(e strength to this )y his presen$e. erse %/. :eep a at$h, )e on guar&. at$h o(er ea$h other in lo(ing $are ? )e aare of e(il influen$es to a(oi&. Alays *eep in min& an& heart the
%2 Lesson I $ontinue& that gather in their house. These to ha(e )een mentione& )efore ? A$ts %02,%0,2 an& !omans %/. erse 2. All the )elie(ers say 'hello' to you. The holy *iss as the a$$epte& greeting of frien&s an& family among the Christians, as sha*ing han&s is ith us. erse 2%. Paul personally rote ith his on han&, this an& the folloing (erses. The rest he &i$tate& to someone else to rite. erse 22. This is &ire$te& against the Jes. As mentione& in Chapter %2/, there ere Jes that $laime& to )e inspire& )y u&gment against those that re>e$te& Christ, hi$h as soon $oming to that hole people in @ A.D. erse 2/. Our Lor& Jesus Christ )e ith you in -is gra$e ? -is ten&er mer$y, lo(ing#*in&ness, -is influen$e in your life an& $on(ersation. erse 21. Paul $loses )y remin&ing them that his reason for riting an& his serious $on$ern for their )est elfare as a struggling Chur$h as for only one reason an& moti(e ? his sin$ere lo(e for them in Christ Jesus. Amen. The main point of this letter &es$ri)es the Corinthians as possessing great *nole&ge, e&u$ation, stu&ies in s$ien$e, elo+uen$e, an& (arious gifts, as in our &ay many fo$us their efforts in rites an& o)ser(an$es, the &etails of &enominations. Paul's $omplaint is that these ha(e left )ehin& that hi$h remains foremost ? the unselfish lo(e gi(en )y
%/ II Corinthians ? Lesson I Intro&u$tion. The generally a$$epte& time of this letter to the Chur$h at Corinth as a)out a year after the first. -e apologi=es for not intering there as he ha& planne& to &o. This oul& )e his se$on& trip to Fa$e&onia mentione& in A$ts 2/. The $losing of this epistle mentions that it as ritten in Philippi, an& sent a relati(ely short time hat )efore he rites ent toa)out them.in this letter in&i$ates that his first Paul letter ha& a poerful effe$t on that Chur$h. Titus ha& >oine& Paul in Fa$e&onia, relating the reforms that resulte& from his first letter H$hapter @3. They ha& ta*en his or&s (ery seriously an& le& them to $arefully s$rutini=e their pra$ti$es an& )eha(ior. They also greatly appre$iate& Paul's sin$ere $on$ern for their spiritual an& orl&ly elfare in Christ, an& seriously respe$te& his is&om an& authority. Paul rites this letter to $ommen& their response to $omfort them, an& to finish the >o) that he ha& starte&. One thing as to $omplete the offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem. -e also ants to ma*e soli& their un&erstan&ing of his Apostoli$ stan&ing. The thir& thing as to &eal ith the 'preten&e& apostle' that ha& le& them astray for some perio& of time. Outline. I. The prefa$e Chapter %%#@. II. The ma>or su)>e$ts of his &is$ourse. %. The perse$ution he suffere& in Asia, hi$h he as mira$ulously res$ue& from. Chapter %0#%1. 2. -is purpose to (isit them %%3#21. /. -is sa&ness o(er their &iffi$ulty ith the eG$ommuni$ation of the in$estuous person an& their resulting sorro Chapters 2, an& @. 1. -e sets forth his $alling an& authority $ompare& to the false apostle. -is &o$trine ? /#%0. -is $on&u$t ? 1%#. -is physi$al pro)lems, 1@B 3. 3. EGhortation to $all them to holy li(ing ? $hapters 3 an& . III. The alms $olle$tion. I. -is pointe& &efense against the false apostle an& anyone else that spo*e against him HPaul. Chapters %#%2. . Fis$ellaneous matters an& $losing ? $hapter %/. e nee& to )e remin&e& that neither s$holars nor those that &i(i&e& this letter into $hapters an& (erses a&& mu$h help to our un&erstan&ing of this $ommuni$ation. Paul &i& not $ompose it in that ay, )ut as it o$$urre& to his thin*ing.
%3 Lesson I $ontinue& erse 2. oy in felloship an& unity, an& espe$ially pea$e in heart an& min&, ith
% Lesson I $ontinue& erses 4,%. They ha& no hope of es$aping this 'senten$e of &eath' in themsel(es. Only oi$e in this ? the testimony of our $ons$ien$e. The inner (oi$e, the influen$e of the -oly 5pirit, shos the simpli$ity, sin$erity, an& $ertainty of oi$e )e$ause of it. Paul an& his fello messengers of the oi$e o(er their $on(ersion, no )eing )rethren in the Lor&, )oth no an& fore(er Hin the &ay of the Lor& Jesus. "eGt, Paul's plan to (isit them an& spea* only the plain truth of
%0 Lesson II $ontinue& erse 2%. They must re$ogni=e oy of those )lessings. 8y faith they stan& an& that in oi$eB ha(ing $onfi&en$e in you all, that my >oy is the >oy of you all. 1 9or out of mu$h affli$tion an& anguish of heart I rote unto you ith many tearsB not that ye shoul& )e grie(e&, )ut that ye might *no the lo(e hi$h I ha(e more a)un&antly unto you. 9orgi(eness for the Offen&er 3 8ut if any ha(e $ause& grief, he hath not grie(e& me, )ut in part that I may not o(er$harge you all. 5uffi$ient to su$h a man is this punishment, hi$h as infli$te& of many. @ 5o that $ontrariise ye ought rather to forgi(e him, an& $omfort
%4 Lesson II $ontinue& him, lest perhaps su$h a one shoul& )e salloe& up ith o(ermu$h sorro. 0 herefore I )esee$h you that ye oul& $onfirm your lo(e toar& him. 4 9or to this en& also &i& I rite, that I might *no the proof of you, hether ye )e o)e&ient in all things. % To hom ye forgi(e any thing, I forgi(e also for if I forga(e any thing, to hom I forga(e it, for your sa*es forga(e I it in the person of ChristB %% lest 5atan shoul& get an a&(antage of us for e are not ignorant of his &e(i$es. Paul's AnGiety at Troas %2 9urthermore, hen I $ame to Tro'as to prea$h Christ's gospel, an& a &oor as opene& unto me of the Lor&, %/ I ha& no rest in my spirit, )e$ause I foun& not Titus my )rotherB )ut ta*ing my lea(e of them, I ent from then$e into Fa$e&onia. Triumphant in Christ %1 "o than*s )e unto oi$eB he has great $onfi&en$e in all of them, that hen he &oes $ome they $an re>oi$e together. erse 1. -e ants to assure them that it ha& not )een his $hoi$e or &esire to rite hat appeare& as a (ery harsh an& authoritati(e letter. It as in no ay easy or pleasant. It as ith 'mu$h
%% Lesson II $ontinue& affli$tion an& anguish of heart...ith many tears.' -is moti(e as in no ay inten&e& to hurt or upset them, )ut his lo(e for them to )e shon )y eGplaining the &angers an& potential &istress of their present situation. -e sin$erely as see*ing their )enefit only. erse 3. Only some ha(e $ause& him grief, a part. -e is not saying that they all ha(e, )ut only those ho ere $ausing the &istress. erse . A parti$ular $ase that ha& )een &ealt ith ? the in$estuous man. -e ha& )een put out of the Chur$h. This as punishment enough. -e ha& &eeply repente&. The apostle is going to plea& for him e(en as a lo(ing parent oul&. erse @. The punishment has sol(e& the pro)lem of his sin. -e ha& turne& from it an& no he as possi)ly in so mu$h anguish that he might &estroy himself in &esperation. They ought to forgi(e him an& $omfort him, restore him to the felloship of the Chur$h. erse 0. This oul& sho an& $onfirm their sin$ere lo(e for him. 9or he sa*e of the e$t his sin, )ut )y his repentan$e they must $onfirm his )eing forgi(en ith renee& felloship an& lo(ing a$$eptan$e. Christ's sa$rifi$e ha& pai& for this sin also. erse 4. This is an eGample of one of the purposes of his riting to them. To see if they oul& follo his &ire$tions ? 'hether ye )e o)e&ient in all things.' erse %. -e also forgi(es this person if they forgi(e him. ith Christ's authority Paul forgi(es the sin. They also no shoul& restore him to the Chur$h an& its $ommunion. This is for the )enefit of all. erse %%. e must not let anything )e left unresol(e& that $oul& )e use& against the $ause of Christ. The enemy see*s su$h a&(antages, his metho&s are ell *non. The &is$ipline of the Chur$h must )e seen as to restore an& not &estroy, a measure of lo(e an& re$on$iliation, not hate an& re>e$tion. erse %2. In the time sin$e his first letter, the Lor& ha& opene& a &oor hen he $ame to Troas to prea$h Christ's ourneye& into Fa$e&onia. There Titus &i& $ome ith a goo& report of their a$$eptan$e of Paul's message. HDetails in $hapter 0,@.
%%% Lesson II $ontinue& erse %1. ith great >oy an& gratitu&e Paul offers than*s to oi$ing. Paul )eing &es$ri)es the result e$t
%%2 II Corinthians ? Lesson III II Corinthians /%#%0. Finisters of the "e Co(enant % Do e )egin again to $ommen& oursel(es6 or nee& e, as some others, epistles of $ommen&ation to you, or letters of $ommen&ation from you6 2 e are our epistle ritten in our hearts, *non an& rea& of all men / forasmu$h as ye are manifestly &e$lare& to )e the epistle of Christ ministere& )y us, ritten not ith in*, )ut ith the 5pirit of the li(ing
%%/ Lesson III $ontinue& There ere letters of $ommen&ation use& in the primiti(e $hur$h, $on$erning those lesser than the apostles. This as to pre(ent false tea$hers or prea$hers from imposing themsel(es on Chur$hes. erse 2. Paul has no nee& of something ritten to *eep them in his memory. They are ritten in his heart, a lo(ing an& >oyful memory. here(er he goes, he shares this ith others. erse /. They are the epistle of Christ. It as through oy in their hearts. Paul as the messenger, the penman. They are hat as ritten ? Christ as an& is the message. ritten not ith in*, )ut )y the 5pirit of the lo(ing e$t of the Ol& Testament, the La, the sa$rifi$es, types, an& $eremonies. The Jes ha& &epen&e& on the letter an& not the spirit of all these things, an& re>e$te& Christ. It is only the 'spirit that gi(eth life.' Are there Christians also that only )elie(e in the letter of the "e Testament an& not in the spirit6 erse @. hat Paul here names the 'ministration of &eath' is the gi(ing of the La as the &uty of man to perform )efore
%%3 Lesson III $ontinue& Testament 5$riptures ere rea& alou&. The one rea&ing oul& $o(er their hole hea& ith a (eil, 'the tallith'. They $hose to &o this, )ut Paul &es$ri)es this as a sign of misinterpreting 5$ripture an& misun&erstan&ing its spiritual meaning. That (eil is only put asi&e in a$$epting Christ. erse %3. theirAgain, heart.up to this &ay, hen Foses is rea&, the (eil remains upon erse %. "e(ertheless, hen the nation of Israel turns to the Lor&, the (eil ill &isappear, the true light ill shine through to un&erstan&ing the plain message of oying the lo(e, forgi(eness an& pea$e of min& an& heart that $ome only from
%%@ Lesson I $ontinue& guilt. This oul& in$lu&e any physi$al sin. HIn$est ha& )een pre(iously alloe& in the Corinthian Chur$h. Also, they shoul& not )e snea*y ? 'al*ing in $raftiness' ? $le(er $unning, as false tea$hers ho miGe& truth ith their fa)ri$ate&, misgui&e& &o$trines. They also &i& not use the or& of u&i$e, fashion, et$. Paul an& $ompanions spea* the truth, an& this from the e$ting -is light, their un&erstan&ing ill )e &ar*ene&, their min&s )lin&e&. Christ, as the )rightness of
%%0 Lesson I $ontinue& erse @. This treasure from ourneys. E(en as Jesus, in alays telling the truth, as in &anger of losing -is life, so also Paul an& his $ompanions li(e in the same *in& of situation )y itnessing for uries the rest of their li(es. The as$en&e& Jesus, through the su$$esses of their ministry, $ontinues to pro(e the poer of
%2 II Corinthians ? Lesson II Corinthians 3%#2%. % 9or e *no that, if our earthly house of this ta)erna$le ere &issol(e&, e ha(e a )uil&ing of u&gment seat of ChristB that e(ery one may re$ei(e the things &one in his )o&y, a$$or&ing to that he hath &one, hether it )e goo& or )a&. The Finistry of !e$on$iliation %% :noing therefore the terror of the Lor&, e persua&e menB )ut e are ma&e manifest unto u&ge, that if one &ie& for all, then ere all &ea& %3 an& that he &ie& for all, that they hi$h li(e shoul& not hen$eforth li(e unto themsel(es, )ut unto him hi$h &ie& for them, an& rose again. % herefore hen$eforth *no e no man after the flesh yea, though e ha(e *non Christ after the flesh, yet no hen$eforth *no e him no more. %@ Therefore if any man )e in Christ, he is a ne $reature ol& things are passe& aayB )ehol&, all things are )e$ome ne. %0 An& all things are of
%2% Lesson $ontinue& erse %. 8y earthly house, the apostle e(i&ently is riting a)out our earthly )o&y, in hi$h the soul is &elling &uring this life. This en&s at &eath, hen this '&elling' or 'ta)erna$le' is &issol(e&. The use of the or& 'ta)erna$le' refers )a$* to the pla$e of orship &uring the EGo&us. hen the $ongregation as to mo(e, the ta)erna$le as &isassem)le& an& $arrie& in parts to the neGt pla$e of rest here it as put together again. The ar* of $o(enantas asreassem)le&. separate an&In prote$te&, $arrie& )y itself until thethe ta)erna$le this ay, Paul suggests that the soul, hen separate& from the )o&y, ill )e safely $o(ere& an& $arrie& until the ne spiritual )o&y it ill re$ei(e at the resurre$tion. The only un&erstan&ing e $an ha(e is that it is a $o(ering prepare& )y ust an en& to this Hmeaning to )e un$lothe&, ithout the physi$al ta)erna$le or &elling pla$e of the )o&y. e fo$us on the eternal state of glory, to that life hi$h )rings us into the light, from the sha&os. The life in
%21 Lesson $ontinue& erse %4. 5imply put ?
am)assa&ors for Christ, his spo*espersons, an& in this orl&. Paul rote # '"o then e are Christ, as though
erse 2%. ustifie& )efore
%2 Lesson I $ontinue& erse %. 'e then, as or*ers together ith him, )esee$h you also that ye re$ei(e not the gra$e of eopar&y for the )rethren, an& glorifying
%2@ Lesson I $ontinue& erse @. 8y the true or& of oi$ing. As poor, yet ma*ing many ri$h. As possessing nothing, yet possessing all things. Content in any $ir$umstan$e, ha(ing the 9atherhoo& of
%20 Lesson I $ontinue& &es$ri)es as )eing une+ually yo*e&. This $oul& )e the first step in gi(ing into temptation an& $an lea& in only one &ire$tion. erse %3. The $ontrast $oul& not )e more &ramati$ an& opposite. erse %. The temple of
%24 II Corinthians ? Lesson II II Corinthians @%#%. The )enefi$ial effe$ts of Paul's first letter &es$ri)e& to them. % -a(ing therefore these promises, &early )elo(e&, let us $leanse oursel(es from all filthiness of the flesh an& spirit, perfe$ting holiness in the fear of oyful in all our tri)ulation. 3 9or, hen e ere $ome into Fa$e&onia, our flesh ha& no rest, )ut e ere trou)le& on e(ery si&eB ithout ere fightings, ithin ere fears. "e(ertheless oi$e& the more. 0 9or though I ma&e you sorry ith a letter, I &o not repent, though I &i& repent for I per$ei(e that the same epistle hath ma&e you sorry, though it ere )ut for a season. 4 "o I re>oi$e, not that ye ere ma&e sorry, )ut that ye sorroe& to repentan$e for ye ere ma&e sorry after a go&ly manner, that ye might re$ei(e &amage )y us in nothing. % 9or go&ly sorro or*eth repentan$e to sal(ation not to )e repente& of )ut the sorro of the orl& or*eth &eath. %% 9or )ehol& this selfsame thing, that ye sorroe& after a go&ly sort, hat $arefulness it rought in you, yea, hat $learing of yoursel(es, yea, hat in&ignation, yea, hat fear, yea, hat (ehement &esire, yea, hat =eal, yea, hat re(engeN In all things ye ha(e appro(e& yoursel(es to )e $lear in this matter. %2 herefore, though I rote unto you, I &i& it not for his $ause that ha& &one the rong, nor for his $ause that suffere& rong, )ut that our $are for you in the sight of oye& e for the >oy of Titus, )e$ause his spirit as refreshe& )y you all. %1 9or if I ha(e )oaste& any thing to him of you, I am not ashame&B )ut as e spa*e all things to you in truth, e(en so our )oasting, hi$h I ma&e )efore Titus, is foun& a truth. %3 An& his inar& affe$tion is more a)un&ant toar& you, hilst he remem)ereth the o)e&ien$e of you all, ho ith fear an& trem)ling ye re$ei(e& him. % I re>oi$e therefore that I ha(e $onfi&en$e in you in all things. erse %. This $ontinues the thought of the pre(ious three (erses ? 'ha(ing therefore these promises' ?
%/ Lesson II $ontinue& an& a&opting us as -is on $hil&ren. -e a&&resses the )elie(ers as '&early )elo(e&', eGpressing his &eep affe$tion for them. Our o)ligation that shoul& result from all these )lessings is to &o our part in >oining ealousy, lust of the eyes, as it affe$ts the heart, unholy thoughts an& imaginations that lea& to temptation to sin. e must stri(e against sin, as the -oly 5pirit or*s in us to gui&e, empoer, an& purify our inner thoughts an& &esires, an& our outar& $on(ersation an& a$tions. All this lea&s to 'perfe$ting holiness in the fear of oy as ay )eyon& normal ? e(en eG$essi(e ? >oy )eyon& or&s to &es$ri)e. This is felt e(en in spite of all the tri)ulations an& )ur&ens. erse 3. After lea(ing Ephesus, he ha& tra(ele& to Troas an& staye& there for some time, then he $ame to Fa$e&onia, here he rote this letter. The situation as trying, a$$or&ing to earthly (alues ? 'our flesh ha& no rest.' Aroun& him there as opposition from many &ifferent groups an& in&i(i&uals, su$h as the pagans, Jes, an& false )rethren. These un$ertainties $ause& some fears.
%/% Lesson II $ontinue& erse . "e(ertheless, oi$ing. erse 0. -ere Paul eGplains his miGe& feelings a)out the possi)le results of that letter. It as painful to him to ha(e to rite su$h a se(ere arning, )ut it as ne$essary. "o he is gla& )e$ause it )rought a)out a goo& result. The sorro as )ut for a short time. erse 4. "o he re>oi$es, not )e$ause they ere 'ma&e sorry', )ut that 'oy, yet more eG$ee&ingly )e$ause it as the result of their positi(e response to his first letter. They ha& o)(iously eGpresse& their affe$tion for Paul to Titus. erse %1. Paul ha& pre(iously )oaste& to Titus a)out this Chur$h an& their
%/2 Lesson II $ontinue& $loseness ith him. "o that the &isruption has )een settle&, his )oasting is foun&e& in truth, so he is not ashame&. erse %3. Titus has no a 'more a)un&ant' lo(e )e$ause of hat too* pla$e hen he (isite& them. They ha& re$ei(e& him ith 'fear an& trem)ling' )eing $ompletely respe$tful an& so seriously $on$erne& to follo the &ire$tions Paul, ho a$$epte& lo(e& their apostle an&of minister of they the oi$e an& ha(e full $onfi&en$e in them in all things. -e is no fully persua&e& that all s$an&als ha& )een &ealt ith an& put out of the $hur$h. Those fa$tions that ha& $ause& &isruptions an& &i(ision ere no put &on or put out. This also ga(e assuran$e that they oul& no *no ho to spea* an& a$t so that this oul& ne(er )e alloe& to happen again. They ere firmly set in the simpli$ity an& purity of the eGample of Christ, the gui&an$e an& poer of the -oly 5pirit an& the )rotherly lo(e for one another. They oul& not )e tosse& to an& fro )y e(ery ne or $ontrary in& or &o$trine. There as also the &anger of the false &o$trines, hi$h in$lu&e& &enying the resurre$tion of the &ea&. It $oul& ha(e &one further &amage to the other Chur$hes in oi$ing in$lu&es relief an& renee& $onfi&en$e. "eGt ? $hapter 0. A $olle$tion for the Jerusalem saints.
%// II Corinthians ? Lesson III II Corinthians 0%#21. The $all for a $olle$tion for the poor saints of the Jerusalem Chur$h. The Offering for the 5aints % Foreo(er, )rethren, e &o you to it of the gra$e of oy an& their &eep po(erty a)oun&e& unto the ri$hes of their li)erality. / 9or to their poer, I )ear re$or&, yea, an& )eyon& their poer they ere illing of themsel(esB 1 praying us ith mu$h entreaty that e oul& re$ei(e the gift, an& ta*e upon us the felloship of the ministering to the saints. 3 An& this they &i&, not as e hope&, )ut first ga(e their on sel(es to the Lor&, an& unto us )y the ill of
%/1 Lesson III $ontinue& pro(e& &iligent in many things, )ut no mu$h more &iligent, upon the great $onfi&en$e hi$h I ha(e in you. 2/ hether any &o in+uire of Titus, he is my partner an& fello helper $on$erning you or our )rethren )e in+uire& of, they are the messengers of the $hur$hes, an& the glory of Christ. 21 herefore sho ye to them, an& )efore the $hur$hes, the proof of your lo(e, an& of our )oasting on your )ehalf. erse %. A $hange of su)>e$t. Paul ishes them to )e aare of the generous an& unselfish $ontri)utions that ha& )een gi(en )y the Fa$e&onian Chur$hes. This ha& )een &one as their response to the gra$e of oi$ing at the opportunity to help those that ere more perse$ute& an& impo(erishe& than they ere. In spite of their situation, they ere gla& to gi(e li)erally. erse /. To gi(e out of one's )asi$ li(ing nee&s goes )eyon& only gi(ing of one's a)un&an$e. They illingly $hose to &o this so that the poorer ones oul& at least ha(e enough for their ne$essities. erse 1. Paul &i& not ha(e to $all upon them to pro(i&e su$h a gift, )ut they as*e& for -im to a$$ept their offering, an& ma*e sure it got to those saints in nee& ? 'Praying us ith mu$h entreaty.' erse 3. Their a$tion as a)o(e an& )eyon& hat ha& )een hope& for. They $onse$rate& themsel(es to ser(e
%/3 Lesson III $ontinue& erse 0. This is not a &ire$t or&er. This $on$erns your pri(ate property. Paul has no right or authority o(er this. This is a $all for a free ill offering. The forar&ness of others again refers to the )ounty of the Fa$e&onian Chur$hes in gathering an offering for the &estitute Jerusalem saints. As he is so $on$erne& for this offering, so also shoul& they )e, as they eGpresse& lo(e toar& him. parti$ipation oul& )e aha(e proof of theirtheir sin$ere affe$tion for This him. erse 4. The ultimate eGample of a selfless gift is the 'gra$e of our Lor& Jesus Christ', the gift of
%/ Lesson III $ontinue& a)ility or infirmity oul& re+uire this sharing to pro(i&e& for e(eryone e+ually. This Paul pro(i&es as the eGample for the Corinthians to ta*e to heart an& follo in their present situation. erse %. Paul gi(es earnest than*s to
%/@ Lesson III $ontinue& Titus is his partner an& fello helper in ministering to them ? his only purpose an& role. If any in+uire a)out the other )rethren, they are also messengers of the Chur$hes an& their fo$us is also to Christ's glory ith no other purpose or moti(e. erse 21. They are to )e el$ome& an& treate& a$$or&ingly as true an& truste& thesin$erity Lor&, ith open an& arm this ay, let)rethren them seein your an& rea&iness toaffe$tion. share ithIn those less fortunate, as Paul has )oaste& a)out them $on$erning their $harity. "eGt, $ontinuing a)out the gift, to )e rea&y, ho to &o it, an& the )enefit an& )lessings it )rings.
%/0 II Corinthians ? Lesson I II Corinthians 4%#%3. Continuing a)out fathering the gift, its )enefits an& )lessings. % 9or as tou$hing the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to rite to you 2 for I *no the forar&ness of your min&, for hi$h I )oast of you to them of Fa$e&onia, that A$hai'a as rea&y a year agoB an& your =eal hathha(e pro(o*e& (ery / et I sent themany. )rethren, lest our )oasting of you shoul& )e in (ain in this )ehalfB that, as I sai&, ye may )e rea&y 1 lest haply if they of Fa$e&onia $ome ith me, an& fin& you unprepare&, e Hthat e say not, ye shoul& )e ashame& in this same $onfi&ent )oasting. 3 Therefore I thought it ne$essary to eGhort the )rethren, that they oul& go )efore unto you, an& ma*e up )eforehan& your )ounty, hereof ye ha& noti$e )efore, that the same might )e rea&y, as a matter of )ounty, an& not as of $o(etousness. 8ut this I say, -e hi$h soeth sparingly shall reap also sparinglyB an& he hi$h soeth )ountifully shall reap also )ountifully. @ E(ery man a$$or&ing as he purposeth in his heart, so let him gi(eB not gru&gingly, or of ne$essity for e$tion unto the gospel of Christ, an& for your li)eral &istri)ution unto them, an& unto all menB %1 an& )y their prayer for you, hi$h long after you for the eG$ee&ing gra$e of
%1% Lesson I $ontinue& the Lor& hath gi(en us for e&ifi$ation, an& not for your &estru$tion, I shoul& not )e ashame& 4 that I may not seem as if I oul& terrify you )y letters. % 9or his letters, say they, are eighty an& poerfulB )ut his )o&ily presen$e is ea*, an& his spee$h $ontempti)le. %% Let su$h a one thin* this, that, su$h as e are in or& )y letters hen e are a)sent, su$h ill e )e also in &ee& hen e are present. %2 9or e &are not ma*e oursel(es of the num)er, or $ompare oursel(es ith some that $ommen& themsel(es )ut they, measuring themsel(es )y themsel(es, an& $omparing themsel(es among themsel(es, are not ise. %/ 8ut e ill not )oast of things ithout our measure, )ut a$$or&ing to the measure of the rule hi$h e$ture, )ut ha& no foun&ation in
%12 Lesson I $ontinue& uni(ersal an& eternal truth a)out $reation, or a)out man an& his true $on&ition. This )e$ame so $lear hen $onfronte& ith the truth of
%1/ Lesson I $ontinue& athleti$ ra$es, the length of the $ourse, the finish line. -e follos
%11 II Corinthians ? Lesson II Corinthians %%%#//. The Con$ern that the Corinthians stay in the simple truth of the ealous o(er you ith go&ly >ealousy for I ha(e espouse& you to one hus)an&, that I may present you as a $haste (irgin toI Christ. / 8ut fear, lest )y any means, as the serpent )eguile& E(e through his su)tilty, so your min&s shoul& )e $orrupte& from the simpli$ity that is in Christ. 1 9or if he that $ometh prea$heth another Jesus, hom e ha(e not prea$he&, or if ye re$ei(e another spirit, hi$h ye ha(e not re$ei(e&, or another gospel, hi$h ye ha(e not a$$epte&, ye might ell )ear ith him. 3 9or I suppose I as not a hit )ehin& the (ery $hiefest apostles. 8ut though I )e ru&e in spee$h, yet not in *nole&geB )ut e ha(e )een thoroughly ma&e manifest among you in all things. @ -a(e I $ommitte& an offense in a)asing myself that ye might )e eGalte&, )e$ause I ha(e prea$he& to you the gospel of
%13 Lesson $ontinue& also. 22 Are they -e)res6 so am I. Are they Israelites6 so am I. Are they the see& of A)raham6 so am I. 2/ Are they ministers of Christ6 HI spea* as a fool, I am moreB in la)ors more a)un&ant, in stripes a)o(e measure, in prisons more fre+uent, in &eaths oft. 21 Of the Jes fi(e times re$ei(e& I forty stripes sa(e one. 23 Thri$e as I )eaten ith ro&s, on$e as I stone&, thri$e suffere& shipre$*, a night an& a &ay I ha(e )een in the &eepBI 2 in >ourneyings often, in perils of aters, in perils of ro))ers, in perils )y mine on $ountrymen, in perils )y the heathen, in perils in the $ity, in perils in the il&erness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false )rethrenB 2@ in eariness an& painfulness, in at$hings often, in hunger an& thirst, in fastings often, in $ol& an& na*e&ness. 20 8esi&e those things that are ithout, that hi$h $ometh upon me &aily, the $are of all the $hur$hes. 24 ho is ea*, an& I am not ea*6 ho is offen&e&, an& I )urn not6 / If I must nee&s glory, I ill glory of the things hi$h $on$ern mine infirmities. /% The ealousy o(er them in the Lor&. -e &es$ri)es it in terms of a father $aring for his young H(irgin &aughter ? )ringing her up righteously in e&u$ation, purity, an& training toar& a oine& them in faith to one hus)an&, e(en Jesus Christ. They ha(e )een prepare& in the simple purity of the
%1 Lesson $ontinue& ith all *in&s of greater gifts an& )enefits than the -oly 5pirit. -e $laims )ig a&(antages, poer, positions, spe$ial spiritual *nole&ge to )e prou& of. The only reason for them to follo this man oul& )e if this as the srcinal
%1@ Lesson $ontinue& their a$tual moti(es as only see*ing their on gain. erse %/. The preten&ers, ha(ing no $alling or mission from Christ, spea* an& a$t as genuine as they ha(e a)ility. -oe(er, they only &o so ith their on self#interest in min&. They are false, &e$eitful, misgui&e&, an& mislea&ing. They miG hat little they *no of the truth ith $ompli$ations an& )ur&ens that lea& the people to $ontri)ute to them materially. erse %1. They shoul& not )e sho$*e& or surprise& at this. Is not this the manner of the one they really follo6 The father of lies himself ? satan. -is )est tri$* is miGing truth ith lies. 9rom the )eginning in the
%10 Lesson $ontinue& these others to lor& it o(er them, eGalting themsel(es. These )elie(ers oul& e(en not rea$t to )eing slappe& in the fa$e. The attri)utes of those ho oppress them in great measure &es$ri)e the )eha(ior an& attitu&es of the Ju&ai=ing tea$her, insisting on his on superiority o(er these former heathens an& that they must follo his e(ery &ire$tion an& rule. -e oul& )rag a)out his lineage from A)raham an& therefore of higher honor an& importan$e than any of them. -ethe oul& treat all gentiles ith no respe$t, &es$ri)e& as a slap in fa$e. erse 2%. -e is thus shoing reproa$h, in effe$t saying that they ha(e no &ignity, as un$ir$um$ise& an& profane. -e $onsi&ers them inferior in these things. If this person is so )ol& in these matters, Paul $an also )e )ol& He(en if he is $onsi&ere& foolish )y &oing so. Though he is not a$$ounting these things as (alua)le, or gi(ing him a&(antage o(er others, he is going to set the re$or& straight. erse 22. The $omparison ? Paul is also a -e)re, an Israelite, a &es$en&ant of A)raham. erse 2/. As they $laim to )e ministers of Christ, they also trie& to in$orporate their Jeish tra&itions an& for$e the
%14 Lesson $ontinue& erse 2. -e tra(ele& often, as he ha& no home or fiGe& a)o&e. -e as eGpose& to &anger hen $rossing ri(ers. -is on $ountrymen plotte& to *ill him HA$ts 2/%2. In ourneys. erse 20. To a&& to all those outar&, orl&ly $on$erns an& $on&itions ere his &aily $on$erns a)out the Chur$hes ? their &i(isions, their &o$trine, an& &is$ipline ? to gui&e, en$ourage, fee&, an& nurture their groth an& maturity in the Lor&. A&& also the $on$ern of their sharing their faith an& $ontinuing to sprea& the
%3 Lesson $ontinue& outsi&e of the $ity all. Apparently, houses )uilt neGt to the $ity alls ere alloe& to ha(e small in&os high off the groun&. This e(ent is reporte& )y Lu*e in A$ts 42/#23. "eGt ? re(elations from the Lor&, an& a thorn in the flesh.
%3% II Corinthians ? Lesson I II Corinthians %2%#2%. !e(elations from the Lor&, an& a Thorn in the 9lesh. Paul's Thorn in the 9lesh % It is not eGpe&ient for me &ou)tless to glory. I ill $ome to (isions an& re(elations of the Lor&. 2 I *ne a man in Christ a)o(e fourteen years ago, Hhether in the )o&y, I $annot hether out ofthir& the )o&y, I $annot tell
%32 Lesson I $ontinue& %4 Again, thin* ye that e eG$use oursel(es unto you6 e spea* )efore ourneys, an& eGperien$es, for the honor of the ourney or hile in Jerusalem that this happene&. -is &es$ription +uestions hether he as in an e$stati$ tran$e an& gi(en the (ision, or his spirit $arrie& to hea(en for the re(elation, he $annot tell. Only
%3/ Lesson I $ontinue& earthly language. It may )e also gi(en to him uni+uely to $onfirm his faith an& his Di(ine mission, an& so personal as for his )enefit alone. At the same time, this ga(e him the strength an& $ertainty of his $alling an& his message, spea*ing of Di(ine Truth as a fa$t, not interpretation or $on>e$ture as some &i&. The Jes ha& a tra&ition of not spea*ing the Di(ine "ame, )ut rather saying 'A&onai' or the Lor&. -is name shoul& alays an& only )e spo*en ith the proper re(eren$e an& respe$t. "ot as is so $ommon among so many. erse 3. In a most mo&est fashion &es$ri)es this as of another person's eGperien$e, )ut it oul& )e impossi)le to &es$ri)e su$h intimate &etails, )ut only as himself. This as an eGalting eGperien$e as he oul& )oast of, )ut he &i& not see* his on glory in it. -e oul& only $hoose to )oast of his ea*nesses to sho forth e$t, lest anyone oul& 'thin* of me a)o(e that hi$h he seeth me to )e, or that he heareth of me.' Only a ise person *nos hen to spea*, hen enough is spo*en, an& hen to )e silent. erse @. One &anger as his )eing eGalte& )y his frien&s or )y himself 'through the a)un&an$e of the re(elations'. -e ishes his frien&s to $ontinue in the $losest relationship on e+ual footing as alrea&y eGpresse&. "o he &es$ri)es a physi$al $on&ition, 'a thorn in the flesh', a negati(e influen$e, satan the sour$e. The purpose as to $ontinually aggra(ate him, in this outar& an& fleshly manner oul& *eep him groun&e&, an& thus *ept on the same le(el as all others, therefore no eGalting 'a)o(e measure'. 5ome ha(e suggeste& that he is allu&ing to the false apostle at Corinth as the thorn, the messenger of satan to sprea& lies, thus se(erely aggra(ating Paul. Others $onsi&er this thorn to )e an infirmity of the flesh, outar&ly (isi)le an& unattra$ti(e, therefore pre(enting him from )eing 'puffe& up' or )ig hea&e& or eGalte& )y others. erse 0. Three times he praye& to the Lor& that this thorn )e remo(e& from him. This refle$ts the three times Jesus praye& to the 9ather that the $up of his suffering might &epart from -im. The thir& as ansere& an& a$$epte& as
%31 Lesson I $ontinue& o)ser(e& in Paul's ea*ness. Paul's su$$esses ill )e praise& as oy. In his ea*ness,
%33 Lesson I $ontinue& erse %3. -e is happily prepare& to 'spen& an& )e spent' for them. -e ill gi(e them of his goo&s an& of his time an& affe$tion ithout measure. -e $hooses this, hile re$ogni=ing that all of his efforts may not )e a$$epte& an& )e returne& )y them. This )rings to min& the pro&igal son or the lost sheep. erse 5o )e %. it. -e &i& not )ur&en them. 8ut apparently Paul's &etra$tors ha(e &es$ri)e& his metho& an& purpose as to )eguile them ith his $raftiness. -e taught them for his on )enefit an& not theirs. erse %@. here's the proof or any e(i&en$e6 E(en those he sent to them ne(er re+uire& or suggeste& that they gi(e to them to )ring )a$* to him anything at all. erse %0. -e ha& only sent Titus an& a )rother to them. -e as*e& for nothing, either for himself or Paul. -e )eha(e& in the same ay as Paul ha&, in the same spiritual attitu&e an& &emeanor. erse %4. Again, he is not ma*ing an apology or eG$use. E(erything he says is *non unto
%3 II Corinthians ? Lesson II I Corinthians %/%#%1. Paul's thir& plan to (isit them, an& hat he hopes to fin& hen he arri(es. % This is the thir& time I am $oming to you. In the mouth of to or three itnesses shall e(ery or& )e esta)lishe&. 2 I tol& you )efore, an& foretell you, as if I ere present, the se$on& timeB an& )eing a)sent no I rite to them hi$h heretofore ha(e sinne&, an& to all other, that, if I $ome again, I ill not spare / sin$e ye see* a proof of Christ spea*ing in me, hi$h to you# ar& is not ea*, )ut is mighty in you. 1 9or though he as $ru$ifie& through ea*ness, yet he li(eth )y the poer of
%3@ Lesson II $ontinue& )eing &ealt ith. erse 2. -e no &ire$ts his or&s, hat he ha& tol& them )efore, an& no rites again, to those 'hi$h heretofore ha(e sinne&, an& to all other.' -is $oming ill )ring punishment ? he ill not spare. -e ha& mentione& in I Corinthians 12% ? '5hall I $ome ith a ro&...' ust as you oul& not ta*e $ounterfeit money for the real thing. The or&s here $ome from the purifi$ation of metals Hsil(er an& gol& here one &is$erns hether the $oin they see is pure or is a&ulterate& an& impure. Paul is suggesting that they must &is$ern false &o$trine an& re$ogni=e it as 'repro)ate'. If they $annot, then he says this means they are repro)ates. erse . Paul emphasi=es that
%30 Lesson II $ontinue& erse 4. -is greatest &esire for them is their groth an& maturity in their faith an& Christian (irtues, e(en their perfe$tion in the gifts an& gra$es of the -oly 5pirit. -e &esires this for them, e(en if that situation oul& ma*e him appear ea* or &efi$ient. -e oul& )e gla&. The or& 'perfe$tion' means an a$tion that puts together that hi$h as &islo$ate& or out of or&er. This suggests not only ithin an in&i(i&ual, )ut also to $hange ithin a Chur$h of putting e(erything in or&er, in the felloship, e+uality, an& unity. This oul& in$lu&e putting asi&e anything that oul& $ause &issension, &istra$tion, or &isruption. erse %. This is his only moti(e in this message ritten to them. hen he $omes to them he ishes to fin& them thus reforme&, so that he may $ontinue his tea$hing an& )uil&ing them up. This is prefera)le to for$ing them to )e 'sharp' or $utting off in ha(ing to infli$t punishment a$$or&ing to the poer he has from the Lor&. -e ants to )uil& them up He&ifi$ation, not tear them &on H&estru$tion. erse %%. "o at the en&, he a&&resses them as )rethren an& fareell, eGpressing his &esire that they mo(e forar& an& prosper. Again, to )e perfe$t &es$ri)es harmony an& unity. Paul's a&(i$e an& &esire is for their )eing $omforta)le in the Lor&, a)i&ing in an& )y the truth of the
%34 8i)liography %. The "e Testament of Our Lor& an& 5a(ior Jesus Christ Authori=e& Translation ith a Commentary an& Criti$al "otes olume II !omans # !e(elation 8y A&am Clar*e, LL.D., 9.5.AB $ K A)ing&on#Co*es)ury Press, ".. %0/2 2. The EGpositor's 8i)le Commentary ith "I translation olume % ? !omans #
A Layman's Commentary On the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians Composed In 31 Lessons Author( ).O.D. Johnston *ublisher( Owen Johnston The author as li$ense& to prea$h the oys spen&ing his time ith his ife, an& at his stu&io on %%0 5auls 5t. The pu)lisher Oen Johnston stu&ies an& tea$hes *arate in 5outh Carolina. http.>ohnston*arate.$om e oul& all li*e to than*
