Eph 1:1-4

• Background:
  
  • Prison epistle (w. Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians)
    
  • First imprisonment in Rom (62 AD). Acts 28-16-31
    
  • Second imprisonment (2 Timothy)
    
  • Strong emphasis on "mystery" and the church, and love
    

  Outline (reference, Constable, 2010 -- here and throughout the notes)
  

• Salutation 1:1-2
  
• The Christian's calling 1:3—3:21
  
  • Individual calling 1:3—2:10
    
    • The purpose: glory 1:3-14
      
    • The means: knowledge 1:15-23
      
    • The motive: grace 2:1-10
      
  • Corporate calling 2:11-3:19
    
    • Present unity 2:11-22
      
    • Past ignorance 3:1-13
      
    • Future comprehension 3:14-19
      
  • Doxology 3:20-21
    
• The Christian's conduct 4:1—6:20
  
  • Spiritual walk 4:1—6:9
    
    • Walking in unity 4:1-16
      
    • Walking in holiness 4:17-32
      
    • Walking in love 5:1-6
      
    • Walking in light 5:7-14
      
    • Walking in wisdom 5:15—6:9
      
  • Spiritual warfare 6:10-20
    
• Conclusion 6:21-24
  

  Eph 1:1-2 (NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
  

  To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
  

  2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  

• The term "apostle" has a general meaning and a specific meaning.
  
  • It means "sent one"
    
  • It also refers to the 12 or Paul, those who had seen the risen Christ
    
• Paul calls the recipient "saints" (Gr, hagiois, meaning holy ones)
  
  • While the letter here is addressed to Ephesus, there is some argument that the letter was meant to be circulated among the churches
    
  • Very little personal information
    
• Grace and peace were common in Paul's greetings
  
  • Grace, Gr charis, meaning God's unmerited favor
    
  • Peace, Gr eiren,is our condition resulting from God's grace
    

  Eph 1:3-10 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
  

• Verses 3-14 are one sentence in the Greek text.
  

God and Father	Blessed us in heavenly realms	Every spiritual blessing in Christ
	Chose us before the creation of the world	To be holy and blameless in his sight
	Predestined us	To be adopted as his sons
In Him (the son)	Redemption (through his blood)
	Forgiveness of sins
	Lavished on us (the riches of God's grace)	With all wisdom and understanding
	Made known to us	The mystery of his will

• What does it mean he chose us?
  
  • "It [election] involves a paradox that the New Testament does not seek to resolve, and that our finite minds cannot fathom. Paul emphasizes both the sovereign purpose of God and man's free will." (Francis Foulkes)
    
  • Here is a vast host of people hurrying down the broad road with their minds fixed upon their sins, and one stands calling attention to yonder door, the entrance into the narrow way that leads to life eternal. On it is plainly depicted the text, 'Whosoever will, let him come.' Every man is invited, no one need hesitate. Some may say, 'Well, I may not be of the elect, and so it would be useless for me to endeavor to come, for the door will not open for me.' But God's invitation is absolutely sincere; it is addressed to every man, 'Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely' (Rev. 22:17). If men refuse to come, if they pursue their own godless way down to the pit, whom can they blame but themselves for their eternal judgment? The messenger addressed himself to all, the call came to all, the door could be entered by all, but many refused to come and perished in their sins. Such men can never blame God for their eternal destruction. The door was open, the invitation was given, they refused, and He says to them sorrowfully, 'Ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life.' (H A Ironside)
    
• What does it mean to be predestined?
  
  • Predestination is the mean by which God chose to save us. Election emphasizes the people, and predestination the means
    
  • God predetermined the final destiny of the elect, namely, that we would be His full-fledged sons (cf. Rom. 8:15, 23; Gal. 4:4-7). Jesus Christ was the agent who made that adoption possible by His death. Sons adopted in Roman culture received the same rights and privileges as children born into the family. Likewise our adoption does not imply an inferior status in relation to God. God predestined us to adoption because He delighted to bless us in this way. (Constable)
    
• What is redemption? (Chart from Constable, Notes on Ephesians, 2010)
  

  
  

  • New testament uses 6 different words for redemption. We were bought back (interesting concept) by a ransom price. The price was blood, representative of life, from a perfect sacrifice
    
    • Immediate result is forgiveness
      
    • Adoption gives us immediate access to our inheritance
      
• What is the mystery of his will?
  
  • First, what is a mystery? The NT uses the term "mystery" to refer to a truth previously hidden but now made known by divine revelation
    
  • The mystery is that God's purpose is to bring everything into submission to the son
    
  • When does this happen?
    
    • The word for administration is oikonomia, and is not translated in the NIV, means dispensation, arrangement, or administration
      
      • Eph 1:9-10 (NASB) He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
        
    • Word for times is kairos, meaning particular times, rather than the passage of time
      

  Eph 1:11-14 (NIV) In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of his glory.
  

• In this section, there is a "we" and a "you." Any thought as to what Paul was referring?
  
  • "We" could be Jewish believers
    
  • "You" could be Gentile believers
    
  • The "also" shows continuity while also marking the discontinuity
    
• So, given that understanding, what would predestined being referring to?
  
  • God chose the Jews to believe first because they were always part of his plan to take the message to the world
    
  • Acts 3:25-26 (NIV) And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."
    
  • Rom 1:16 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
    
• This is a strong statement (vs 11) about the sovereignty of God. What does sovereignty mean to you?
  
  • He allows
    
  • He intervenes when appropriate to his will
    
  • He lets people experience the consequence of their sin AND
    
  • He lets people experience the general effect of sin (so that they repent or seek God)
    
• What is the result of believing?
  
  • Being sealed by the Holy Spirit
    
• When does the sealing occur?
  
  • At the same moment of belief, and not a separate event
    
  • Whereas "filling" is a repeatable event (not a single event)
    
    • Eph 5:18 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
      
  • Are only Gentile believers "sealed?" No, it says "you also"
    
• Deposit, Gr word arrabon, was a regular feature of the Greek business world. The arrabon was a part of the purchase price of anything paid inadvance as a guarantee that the rest of the price should in due time be paid."(Barclay)
  
• The nine spiritual blessings Paul identified in verses 3-14 are election, predestination, adoption, grace, redemption, forgiveness, knowledge, sealing, and inheritance. Stott summarized them as three: past election, present adoption, and future unification.

Class Notes, 2 Cor 7:5-9:15

2 Cor 7:5 (NIV) For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn — conflicts on the outside, fears within.

• How does Paul's description of his life contrast with the health and wealth gospel that some churches preach? In definite contrast
• How would they respond to this verse? Persecution is different from other sufferings
• If persecution is accepted under the health and wealth gospel, that raises two questions
  • Why is it that the ones who walk more closely to Christ are more likely to be persecuted?
  • And, doesn't that encourage a shallow walk with God, since health and wealth come to those who believe but don't live in a way to upset the apple cart?
• QT NOTE: Paul had a very tough life. There were joys but quite often it was difficult. It was far from the health and wealth gospel that some would like to preach. Of course, people make a distinction between troubles that are the result of persecution and non-persecution. It is as if that those who suffer persecution have no rescue from their troubles, but those who face trials not caused by persecution have the promise of healthy bodies and fixed circumstances. So, the really godly, those who are often the victim of persecution are consigned to live lives of pain and suffering, and those who are not persecuted get the good life. How illogical. Why is it we believe such things. Don't we realize that the evil and pain in this world is the result of this world's rebellion to God that started in the garden. This world is not our home. We are aliens and sojourners in it. We are, as the song says, "just a passin through." And, "our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue." Why is it we must have our reward here and now? Why is it that we cannot wait for our reward?
  2 Cor 7:6-16 (NIV) But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. 
  8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it — I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.
  In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you. 
• This is another very personal section. We learn two things from this section
  • Paul had sent a hurtful letter to the Corinthians
  • The Corinthians had responded with godly sorrow and repentance
• Regarding Paul's letter, he did and he didn't regret it. What is he saying?
  • He regretted it because he did not want to hurt them
  • He didn't regret it because he knew they needed it
• What does Paul's attitude tell you about how he saw his relationship to the Corinthians?
  • He was like a parent. He doesn't want to hurt, but he knows it is the best thing
• How do the Corinthians respond?
  • Hurt
  • Deeply sorrowful (godly sorrow)
  • Alarm, indignation, longing, concern, and readiness to see justice done
• How could the Corinthians responded?
  • Bitterness and resentment
  • Superficial repentance
• It is not clear what Paul means by "innocent" since they were genuinely sorrowful ...
• QT NOTE: Paul is extremely joyful because of the response of the church to a very harsh letter now lost. It hurts when your children, physical or spiritual, make poor choices. And there is no greater joy than seeing them repent and make correct choices. I pray that for my own children. That they would learn to seek God with all of their heart, and that they would learn that what this world offers is not worth the sweat it costs. But knowing God is worth every penny and then more. 
• QT NOTE: Some people wonder how a good God can allow evil in the world. I would offer, how can a good God not allow evil. Evil is a reminder of our rebellion and the only hope that we might turn from our selfish course and pursue God, who created Eden, but has let us experience this life in order that we would repent of our rebellion and return to him. Evil is the proof that life is not the way that God intended, nor the way to a relationship with God that will completely fulfill a person. If God was to take away every evil action or result, what we would learn, what would we do? The one thing it would not do is cause us to seek Him. It didn't work in the garden, it won't work today.
  2 Cor 8:1-9 (NIV) And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 
  8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
• A number of principles for giving come out of this passage -- what do you see?
• V1. Giving is an act of grace (which differentiates it from something in or out of the law, ie, it can not be compared to tithing)
• V2. Circumstances (wealth or poverty) do not dictate giving
• V2,3. Giving is sacrificial
• V3,4. Giving is a personal decision. It is a privilege and not a command
• V5. Giving is between the giver and God (and no one else's business)
• V4-8. Giving is not commanded
• V8. Giving is a measure of our love for others
• APPLICATION: The church today is so hung up on tithing and the ten commandments (the law), that we forget one of the most essential truths of the new covenant. We are not under the law but grace. Giving is done freely, voluntarily, and between God and the giver. It is a joy and not a burden.
  2 Cor 8:10-15 (NIV) And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 
  13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." 
• From an observation point of view, verse 10 tells us what? The Corinthian church led in the project to help the Jewish church
• The mentioning of their start may also be communicating a problem (at the same time)? They may have dropped the project
• What are some addition principles of giving?
  • V11-12. It does not matter how much you give, the important thing is "willingness"
  • V13. God does not want others to get rich at the giver's expense (think televangelist)
  • V14-15. Giving out of your plenty is not wrong. But holding back can result in having too little later
  2 Cor 8:18-21 (NIV)
  18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
• What are some additional principles related to giving?
  • V18,19. Choose men of good character and acceptable to the body to handle the money
  • V20,21. Go the extra mile to avoid criticism in the use of church funds
  • V20,21. Do what is right in the eyes of the Lord and in the eyes of men
  2 Cor 9:1-15 (NIV) There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we — not to say anything about you — would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 
  6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
  "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
  his righteousness endures forever." 
  10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 
  12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 
• Why was this church giving project so important?
  • It was an example to smaller churches
  • It reflects on the name of Christ (implied)
  • (not mentioned) It shows Gentile concern for Jewish needs
  • It is needed by the poor in Jerusalem
• Additional giving principles
  • V5-7. Giving is done willingly, and not grudgingly
  • V6-9. Giving is sowing
  • V11-12. Giving expresses thankfulness to God
• What are God's promises regarding giving?
  • V6. There is a blessing to those who sow generously
  • V6. There is a "curse" to those sow sparingly
  • V7,8. God promises to make grace abound to the giver
  • V10-11. God promises to enlarge your harvest of righteousness
  • V11. God promises to make you rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion (?)
• The last point doesn't seem to fit and can be misinterpreted
  • Gal 6:7-9 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
  • Rich in every way does not mean financially wealthy, otherwise there would be no reason to give to the Jerusalem church. From verses in other letters, God does expect the "rich" to give generously
  • (Constable, p81, 2010) Preachers of "prosperity theology" have used these verses to support their contention that God will inevitably give you more material goods if you give what you presently have to Him. They often urge their hearers to give to God through their ministries. However Paul was comparing what God does on the physical plane with what He does spiritually. The farmer who plants a crop gets back more seed than he sowed. Similarly, Paul argued, those who sow spiritually by giving sacrificially to others will receive more spiritual seed, namely, divine enablement to help more people (vv. 8-9). Moreover God will not just supply more spiritual seed, but He will multiply it.
    Generally what we give away is what we get back. That is the principle in view. However this is not a promise that we will inevitably get more wealth if we give away our wealth. The opposite usually happens. In Galatians 6:7 the emphasis is on "that" rather than "reap." Paul's point there was that we reap in kind what we sow (cf. Gal. 6:8). He did not say that we will get back more of whatever we sow. "In everything" implies that God may give generous Christians more material resources that they can pass on to others. However, we should remember that the context is primarily dealing with righteousness that comes back to the person who sows righteous acts, not Rolls Royces and Rolex watches.

1 Cor 15:1-16:24

1 Cor 15:1-8 (NIV) Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

• This section starts out differently than most of the previous sections. What is different and what does that tell us?
  
  • It does not start with "now concerning," so it is not referencing their previous letter
    
  • Either this is an observation that Paul has concerning some, or some others have provided this information, or it would be natural to think this way based on the Corinthian culture
    
• An interesting question, what are the minimal requirements for belief leading to salvation versus belief in vain?
  
  • Minimal:
    
    • Christ died for our sins
      
    • Burial emphasizes the fact that Christ died
      
  • Not necessary for salvation, but salvation is worthless without:
    
    • Christ rose from the dead on the third day conquering death
      
      • "Though the resurrection is part of the gospel message, it is not part of the saving work of Christ on the cross. The resurrection is stated as proof of the efficacy of Christ's death. Having accomplished redemption by His death, Jesus Christ was 'raised because of our justification' (Rom. 4:25). The fact that Jesus Christ is alive is part of the Christian's good news, but individuals are saved by His death, not by His resurrection." [1]
        
    • Knowledge of who and how many saw him after the resurrection
      
• While it is not necessary for salvation to know who and how many saw him after the resurrection, Paul emphasizes this point -- for what reason?
  
  • The resurrection is an established verified historical fact. At the time of the letter, you could talk to eye-witnesses of the event
    
  • Paul's experience as an eye-witness, although in more unusual circumstances, and much later, established his credentials as an apostle
    
• Paul calls himself "the abortion"
  
  • Unusual phrase, since it includes the article "the"
    
  • Some think that it may have been a derogatory term used by the Corinthians and others
    
  • Others have suggested it is a play on Paul's name -- Paulus, "the little one" or "dwarf" [2]
    

  1 Cor 15:9-11 (NIV) For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
  

• How does Paul view himself?
  
  • Very undeserving (grace), but still an apostle
    
• Verse 10, is interesting. The verse begins and ends with the word "grace," but in between, Paul says he worked harder …. How does that fit together?
  
  • Grace means we are undeserving
    
  • Work in not done alone or in our own strength
    
  • Grace provides what we don't have, but does not dismiss the need for work. This is a really hard concept. I'm not accepted on the basis of anything I did. Jesus did it all. Not only was I undeserving, I was deserving death. God provides the himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit to come along side and help me. I do not deserve to be a temple of His presence. But I still have to choose to work. And as I choose, he provides what is necessary to succeed -- something that I also don't deserve. It really is an issue of a mindset of understanding ...
    
• In the final analysis, who preached the message is irrelevant. There is only one message to believe (the point of verse 11)
  

  1 Cor 15:12-24 (NIV) But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
  

  20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
  

• Part of the problem is that the typical Greek accepted the immortality of the soul, they would have never dreamed of the resurrection of the body [3]
  
• Paul starts out arguing from the negative point of view. What are his negative points?
  
  • If no resurrection
    
    • Christ did not raised from the dead
      
    • Paul's preaching is useless (so is their faith)
      
    • Apostles are false witnesses about God
      
    • Faith is futile
      
    • We are still in our sins
      
    • The dead are lost forever
      
    • We ought to be the most pitied group among men
      
• What are the arguments for the resurrection?
  
  • It happened
    
  • Jesus is the firstfruits of all who ever died
    
    • The use of the firstfruits is a reference to a Jewish concept. The Jews offered a sacrifice of firstfruits the day after Passover (Saturday). The then feast of firstfruits occurs 50 days later (Pentecost)
      
    • Jesus was the firstfruit, a spiritual firstfruit
      
    • The disciples were firstfruits of a new kind of person
      
  • Adam, a man, brought death. Jesus, a man, brings life
    
  • Adam, all die. Jesus, all will live (actually, all people will be resurrected, even the ungodly. The difference is so will go onto eternal punishment)
    

  1 Cor 15:35-49 (NIV) But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
  

  42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
  

  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.
  

• What is another way of asking the question in verse 35, a way a skeptic might ask it?
  
  • Are they raised looking like their age? What happens if a fish eats them? What if they die in a house fire?
    
  • Paul describes these arguments as foolish, probably because they ignore God and look at things from a human perspective
    
• So what will our body look like?
  
  • Whatever God has determined (verse 38)
    
  • Rarely does the grown plant look like the seed
    
  • The splendor of spiritual is different from the splendor of the earthly
    
  • It will be imperishable (suggests an immaterial form)
    
  • Jesus' resurrection seems to provide some hints (also we will bear the likeness of the man from heaven -- Jesus)
    
    • It was and it wasn't completely recognizable
      
    • It was full grown
      
    • It was material and immaterial
      
    • It could experience food (don't know if it required food)
      

  1 Cor 15:50-58 (NIV) I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
  

  55 "Where, O death, is your victory?
  

  Where, O death, is your sting?"
  

  56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  

  58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
  

• Paul mentions "a mystery" -- one of 8 mysteries in the NT
  
  • A mystery is something revealed in the NT that was hidden or unknown in the OT
    
• Rapture is a mystery
  
  • Occurs at the last trumpet -- 2 views of the last trumpet
    
    • The first is the mid-trib view which views the term as the last of the seven trumpet judgments in Revelation
      
      • I don't think this view is consistent with other verses of scripture and requires too much adjustments to make work
        
      • Also, Revelation was not written nor revealed yet, so few readers would have made that assumption
        
    • The second view is the more common to moving an Army out into battle. Everyone and thing steps out with the last trumpet blast
      
  • The rapture occurs as follows
    
    • Jesus descends and meets believers in the air (which is why it is not the second return, since Jesus never comes to earth, as mentioned at the end of Revelation)
      
      • The dead (perishable) in Christ rise first and are change to imperishable bodies
        
      • The alive or mortal in Christ rise next and are given immortal bodies
        
    • Not clear if there is a distinction between imperishable and immortal
      
  • At that point, at least for believers, death has lost its sting, which is sin. Our new bodies, free from the flesh, are not subject to temptations of the flesh (for me, this is hard to imagine, since I see my flesh so intertwined with everything I do)
    

  [1] Thomas L. Constable, "The Gospel Message," in Walvoord: A Tribute, p. 203
  

  [2] Fee, The First …, P.733
  

  [3] Barclay, The Letter …, p.156
  

1 Cor 12:1-14:40 (pt 2)

• Up to this point, Paul has discussed
  
  • Unity (one body) 2. Diversity (many gifts) 3. And now maturity (love)
    

  1 Cor 13:1-3 (NIV) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
  

• From the first few verses, what is the issue that Paul is addressing?
  
  • To me: Corinthians believed that their spiritual gifts (especially tongues) indicated spiritual maturity
    
• Without love, what do the spiritual gifts give you?
  
  • For tongues -- resounding gong or clanging symbol (annoying)
    
    • Very common in pagan cults of the time were the use of gongs and cymbals
      
    • Noise, but gibberish (today, many churches just have gibberish)
      
  • For prophecy, knowledge, faith, giving, etc -- nothing
    
• Why the two gifts as examples?
  
  • Tongues is the one the Corinthians exalted
    
  • Prophecy and faith (miracles) are in Paul's list above tongues
    
• APPLICATION: Spirituals gifts without love are useless and worthless. Possession of the gifts is not a sign of spirituality, but rather the expression of love in the person's life
  
  • So knowledge of the word is not a measure of spirituality. Knowledge of the word ought to lead a person, by way of conviction, to a more loving lifestyle, but not necessarily
    
• Love is not just a concern for a Pentecostal-type church but can be an even greater concern for a non-Pentecostal church, why?
  
  • In a Pentecostal church, emotions are sometimes over emphasized, more likely to express love
    
  • In a non-Pentecostal church, without a lot of emotion, it can seem cold and sterile. The letter of the law, rules, and traditions can trump the spirit of the law, which really revolves around love
    

  1 Cor 13:4-7 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
  

• But what is love?
  
  • Is patient
    
    • NT:3114 makrothumeo (mak-roth-oo-meh'-o); from the same as NT:3116; to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient [1]
      
    • Patience is a passive response [2]
      
    • Long-suffering is an attribute of God
      
  • Is kind
    
    • NT:5541 chresteuomai (khraste-yoo'-om-ahee); middle voice from NT:5543; to show oneself useful, i.e. act benevolently [1]
      
    • Kindness is active, and often initiated [2]
      
    • First two are positive, then 7 negative statements (first five are clearly characteristic of the Corinthian church)
      
  • Does not envy
    
    • NT:2206 zeloo (dzay-lo'-o) or zeleuo (dzay-loo'-o); from NT:2205; to have warmth of feeling for or against [1]
      
  • Does not boast
    
  • Is not proud
    
  • Is not rude (me-first or doesn't consider others important -- proud)
    
  • Is not self-seeking (me-first attitude)
    
  • Is not easily angered (overly sensitive or demanding own way)
    
  • Keeps no record of wrongs (bitterness)
    
  • Does not delight in evil
    
    • Even toward my enemies
      
  • Rejoices in truth
    
  • Protects people
    
  • Trusts (God, but probably also people)
    
  • Hopes (Again God, but also in people)
    
  • Perseveres (Whatever the situation, but also does not give up on people)
    
• APPLICATION: You will be burned by people with this love. But, the mature Christian is more concerned about others and serving God than in what can happen to themselves
  

  1 Cor 13:8-13 (NIV) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
  

  13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
  

• The main point is what?
  
  • Love will continue, even into the next age
    
  • But the gifts will pass away
    
• Some commentators have argued on the basis of the verbs used here that tongues passes away before prophecy or knowledge
  
  • The verb Paul used to describe what will happen to prophecy and knowledge is in the passive voice in Greek and means "shall be terminated" (from katargeo; cf. 2:6). The verb he used to describe what will happen to tongues is in the middle voice and means "automatically cease of themselves" (from pauo). [3] The passive voice points to God terminating prophecy and knowledge when we see Him. The middle voice suggests that tongues will peter out before we see God. [4] Church history testifies that this is what happened to the gift of tongues shortly after the apostolic age. [5] [2]
    
• It is not clear what Paul is referring to here when he discusses perfection, thoughts?
  
  • Some think it is the word of God, or the completion of the New Testament canon
    
    • Also, James suggest that the word is like a mirror
      
  • Others that it is when we are with Jesus (either via the rapture or the second coming)
    
• Either way, the gifts are temporary. Faith, hope, and love endure, but the greatest is love
  

  1 Cor 14:1-5, 12 (NIV) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
  

  ...
  

  12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
  

• Verses 1 and 12 imply that not all gifts are bestowed at conversion
  
  • Also, you can desire a gift
    
• What is the problem with the gift of tongues?
  
  • By itself, it does not edify the hearer, it requires interpreters
    
  • On Pentecost, interpreters were not needed, because people heard the message in their native languages
    
• In this passage, Paul uses tongues and languages interchangeably. This is an important argument that tongues were actually languages and not babbling. Although in 13:1, Paul writes of the "tongues of men and angels," so that would argue that they were not all understood
  
• Tongues do have some positive value, what is it?
  
  • It can edify the individual
    
  • It does not edify the church without an interpreter
    
  • So, Paul's application is what?
    
    • Speak in tongues at home
      
    • Speak in a way that edifies others in the church
      

  1 Cor 14:20-25 (NIV) Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:
  

  "Through men of strange tongues
  

  and through the lips of foreigners
  

  I will speak to this people,
  

  but even then they will not listen to me,"
  

  says the Lord.
  

  22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
  

• This passage seems to contract itself until you think it through. What is the prophecy in the OT saying?
  
  • That God will use tongues as a sign of his kingdom
    
  • And he did, in Acts on the day of Pentecost
    
  • So, tongues were a sign for unbelievers (the Acts story will continue past the Rapture)
    
• But now, an unbeliever comes to your church, and what does he think when he sees people speaking in all different tongues?
  
  • "These people are out of his mind"
    
• What has more impact on an unbeliever and why?
  
  • Prophecy, the sharing of the word of God and it's impact on a person's life
    
  • BECAUSE IT IS TRUTH
    
  • Truth cannot be hidden unless it is not understood (in a different tongue)
    
• The next few paragraphs discuss order in the church
  
  • One at a time sharing
    
  • Tongues if there is an interpreter (but only two or max three)
    
  • Two or three prophets should speak
    
  • There should be order
    
• The role of women
  
  • Women can speak / share in the church (11:5)
    
  • But in the service, the prophecy or teaching role was the responsibility of men. Why?
    
    • I think it goes back to Adam's failure to lead spiritually
      
    • Men are supposed to be the spiritual head of the family
      
    • When the spiritual head of a church is a women, it basically communicates that the spiritual head of the family can also be a women
      
    • Too many households have that as the issue because the men do not want to assume their role
      
    • In fact, the reasons they discuss it with their husband is so that the husband would assume the role God has given him
      

  [1] Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.
  

  [2] Constable, Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Corinthians, 2010.
  

  [3] Robertson, Word Pictures of the New Testament, Vol 4:179, 1931.
  

  [4] See Stanley D. Toussaint, "First Corinthians Thirteen and The Tongues Question," Bibliotheca Sacra 120:480 (October-December 1963):311-16.
  

  [5] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, 1:236-37. See also George W. Dollar, "Church History and the Tongues Movement," Bibliotheca Sacra 120:480 (October-December 1963):316-21; and the series of four articles by F. David Farnell, "Is the Gift of Prophecy for Today?" Bibliotheca Sacra 149:595 (July-September 1992):277-303; 596 (October-December 1992):387-410; 150:597 (January-March 1993):62-88; and 598 (April-June 1993):171-202.

1 Cor 8:1-11:34

1 Cor 8:1-6 (NIV) Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God.

4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

• This is a fascinating discourse which really needs to be understood in the entire context, but let's start with the first paragraph to understand the particulars
  
• The "now about" or "now concerning" refers to what?
  
  • Goes back to the letter the Corinthians wrote to him
    
• The topic is "food sacrificed to idols," but the discussion seems unrelated. What is going on?
  
  • The have made an argument about why eating meat sacrificed to idols should not be an issue
    
  • Their reasoning and argument is good but it ignores other factors
    
    • Reasoning doesn't solve all issues
      
  • In fact, reasoning can lead to two faults
    
    • Thinking you know it all
      
    • Becoming puff up or prideful. Wiersbe writes "Some Christians grow, others just swell"
      
  • What is missing from their "reasoning" is the aspect of love and building others up (which actually good reasoning can also lead you to, but only if your are seeking to love others)
    
• And one last point in the first few verses is that God can not be found in knowledge (a collection of information), but rather through a relationship (knowing versus knowledge of)
  
• So Paul goes back in verses 4-6 to the letter, which suggests that he is in part agreeing with their letter. The gist of their point and Paul's agreement is what?
  
  • One can eat meat sacrificed to an idol or false god, since the false god does not exist. If the meat is sacrificed to something that is meaning less or non-existent, how can that be bad (besides it was probably cheaper meat)
    
  • There is only one God
    

  1 Cor 8:7-13 (NIV) But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
  

  9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
  

• Verse 7 starts out with a critical "but" or "however" suggesting what? There is more to the argument than what has been discussed
  
• What is wrong with the previous reasoning?
  
  • One, not everyone knows these facts
    
  • Two, some have come out of heavy idol worship, and it affects their conscience to go back
    
  • Three, since food is not essential to our relationship with God, being denied meat sacrificed to idols does not change the status of our relationship
    
  • But, four, eating meat could change the status of someone else's relationship
    
  • Five, the consequence then of eating meat sacrificed to idols is? We sin against our brothers, and we sin against Christ
    
• What started out as a very simple thing with no implications of sin, on the basis of logic, reasoning, and love, has turned into sinning against others and against God
  
• Paul's logical conclusion: I will never eat meat (sacrificed to idols) again
  
• APPLICATION: What is it that we know is technically not a sin but if someone else saw us doing it might casus them to doubt? And what are we going to do about it?
  
  • We live in a culture that exalts personal rights
    
  • Our willingness to follow this example reveals our true love for God and for people (Constable, 2009, p. 91)
    

  1 Cor 9:1-12 (NIV) Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
  

  3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don't we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?
  

  7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8 Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more?
  

• This section is missing what? The "now concerning"
  
  • Therefore, it would seem to be a continuation of the previous thought applied in a new context
    
  • The previous discussion opens up a discussion on Paul's authority
    
• Paul starts out by making a claim, what is it and why can he make the claim?
  
  • He is an apostle (claim). And he is an apostle to them at a minimum
    
  • He has seen Jesus (criteria for an apostle, also why some do not think the gift or position is valid today)
    
• Paul says he has rights. What are they?
  
  • Food and drink (free board)
    
  • Take a wife along (free room?)
    
    • We learn that Peter, James, and at least one other of Jesus' brothers has a wife
      
    • Also, reiterates that Jesus had brothers (in contrast to Catholic doctrine), otherwise Paul is saying he doesn't consider Cephas a brother
      
  • Salary, in addition to room and board
    
  • Paul makes six different arguments in this passage (v7, it was customary; v8-9 OT support; v11, principle of community reciprocity; v12 precedent of other leaders; v13 practice of the priesthood; v14 Jesus teaching)
    
• But Paul makes the point, that while he has those rights, he hasn't chosen to take advantage of those rights
  

  1 Cor 9:12-18 (NIV) But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
  

  15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. 16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.
  

• What is the application here?
  
  • Just because you have a right to something doesn't mean you should take advantage of it
    
  • We can sacrifice our rights for others, especially if the goal is higher
    
  • Paul sacrificed his personal rights so that he would not hinder the advance of the gospel by charges of getting rich or whatever people might say
    
• APPLICATION: So Paul gives up the right to money, out of love for God and people. That really makes our complaints seem petty
  

  1 Cor 9:19-27 (NIV) Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
  

  24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
  

• What is Paul saying in verses 19-23?
  
  • I will do whatever it takes and sacrifice whatever is important to my personal comfort to win others for Christ
    
  • This reminds me of the missionary Hudson Taylor, who gave up western clothes to wear the clothes of the Chinese because he saw his clothing as a hindrance to the gospel. The other missionaries were aghast
    
    • Tell story of the button in the back
      
• Paul follows with a slightly different argument, what is it?
  
  • There are eternal rewards for living for people
    
  • It is not aimless and it is not just sacrificial, it is purposeful. And the purpose must be God's glory and a love for people
    
  • If those aren't the reasons, you are wasting your time …
    

  1 Cor 10:1-10 (NIV) For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
  

  6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did — and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did — and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did — and were killed by the destroying angel.
  

• What is Paul's point in verses 1-5?
  
  • You can do all the right things, at least on the surface, and still displease God
    
• The Israelites were believers, but they were idolaters, sexually immoral, testing God, and grumbling. And what does verse 6 say?
  
  • They serve as examples to us to be careful on setting our hearts on evil things
    

  1 Cor 10:23-24 (NIV) "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
  

• We are skipping over a discussion on why participating in a idol feast would not be appropriate
  
• But this seems to summarize much of the discussion
  
  • Yes, everything is permissible
    
  • But not everything is beneficial
    
  • And not everything is constructive
    
  • So, seek the good of others in determining your actions
    

 

• Notes on head coverings
  
  • In Greek and Roman culture, men and women covered their heads in worship
    
  • Christian men did not cover their heads
    
  • Prostitutes wore their hair very short and did not wear a head-covering in public
    
  • Short hair was considered a shame (Jewish law required adulterers to cut their hair)
    
  • Paul uses five arguments for women wearing head coverings in that culture
    
    • Divine order: God, Christ, man, and woman (3-6)
      
    • Creation (7-9)
      
    • Angels (10)
      
    • Nature (13-15)
      
    • Universal church practice (16)
      
  • In light of 10:23-24, it would seem that this is a cultural norm, and Paul is expecting them to follow some cultural norms
    
    • Today, items of clothing do not identify a woman's acceptance or rejection or her role in God's administrative order (at least in western culture) (Constable, 2009, p. 120)
      
    • The important thing is her attitude and how she expresses it, not the clothes she wears
      
• Notes on the Lord's supper
  
  • They did not write about it, verse 18 says he heard about it
    
  • Verse 17-22 suggest an abuse of the poor
    
    • One commentator thought each was bringing his own food and eating it there rather than sharing with each other
      
    • Or, certain people were eating without considering others behind them
      
  • Verses 23-26 describe the Lord's supper
    
    • A remembrance
      
    • A time to give thanks
      
    • A time to proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again
      
  • Verses 27-32 warn about partaking in an unworthy manner
    
    • Not recognizing sin
      
    • Not judging self
      
  • Verses 33-34
    
    • Suggest letting the poor go first
      
    • Thinking of others ahead of self 

1 Cor 7:1-40

• Paul qualifies his remarks, by telling us what is his opinion versus something that comes directly from God. I don't know of any other place in scripture that we see this, except for Proverbs, which Solomon calls "wise sayings." Maybe also Ecclesiastes, which for the most part is life viewed under the sun
  

  1 Cor 7:1-7 (NIV) Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
  

• As we start out this chapter, what has precipitated the discussion here as opposed to the previous chapters?
  
  • Previous chapters were things Paul had heard about
    
  • The rest of the book seems to deal with issues raised by letter from the Corinthians (six times -- "now concerning")
    
  • It is very likely, that rather than asking a question, they were suggesting some point -- i.e., "why can't we?"
    
• What is the real issue or the statement that Paul is replying to?
  
  • He appears to be agreeing with one part and disagreeing with another
    
  • In chapter 6, he dealt with sexual libertines, in chapter 7, he deals with sexual ascetics
    
    • Some seem to be arguing that sex is to be avoided
      
    • Maybe, some of the divisions revolve around sexual liberty versus sexual abstention
      
• So is singleness or marriage better?
  
  • He doesn't actually say, at least in terms of a comparison
    
  • He says "it is good for a man not to marry"
    
  • He says (paraphrase) "because of so much immorality, each man and woman should have a spouse"
    
• Now this whole section is caveated, what is the caveat and what is the implication?
  
  • Paul says that his rules about marriage and sexual abstention (only for a time) are by way of concession and not as command
    
  • So, we need to be careful in using this section of verses to justify marriage doctrine
    
• Also, what does Paul say that singleness and marriage have in common, at least by implication?
  
  • Both are a gift
    

  1 Cor 7:8-16 (NIV) Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
  

  10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
  

  12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
  

  15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
  

• This section also begins with the phrase "pertaining to," suggesting that this was also in the letter
  
• Paul breaks this section up into three groupings, what are the groupings?
  
  • Unmarried and widows
    
  • Married, both believers
    
  • Married, one a believer, one is not a christian
    
• Paul also differentiates the authority of his comments for each group. And let's also list the main instruction to each group
  
  • 
    

Unmarried and widows	"it is good… it is better"	Stay unmarried or marry if burning with passion
Married, both believers	"not I, but the Lord"	Do not separate. If must, remain unmarried or reconciled. No divorce
Married, one a believer, one is not a christian	"I, not the Lord"	If unbeliever willing to stay, do not divorce. If unbeliever leaves, let them. A man or woman is not bound

• Let's discuss the group "married, both believers"
  
  • What did Jesus teach?
    
    • Jesus did say that adultery is a cause for divorce. So this statement is not a complete statement, but either a subset of the total teaching or more likely, the general principle, that is God hates divorce
      
    • There is some controversy regarding our understanding of Jesus' statements in regard to divorce since the were made to a specific question that ran counter to years of Jewish practice. Jewish culture always required the man to provide for, care for, and love his wife. Failure was a grounds for divorce. And because of the fallen nature of man, sin, God (through Moses) allowed divorce in the OT law. The problem is that the Jews re-interpreted Moses statement to mean "no-fault divorce," that is, a man can divorce his wife for any and every reason. This was the accepted but controversial position of the majority of scribes at the time. So when Jesus is asked if a man can divorce his wife for any reason, Jesus is responded to a very specific question of practice, and not to the question of whether there were reasons for divorce. Jesus responds that divorce was never God's intention when he made man and woman, although at that time, there was no sin. And Jesus dismissal of "any and every reason" could also be viewed as a return to the more standard reason for divorce, there had to be a cause. This is a very difficult issue.
      
    • Some argue separation only, on the basis of this verse. One problem with that view, is that the term separation in the Greek is commonly seen as divorce. So Paul does seem to concede that divorce can happen among unbelievers
      
    • I think since it ignores adultery, it must be viewed as the basic principle
      
    • I think there are potentially some other grounds for divorce, such as physical abuse, which clearly fall under the previous Jewish interpretation
      
• Regarding marriage where one is a believer and one is not, what is the "advice?"
  
  • Don't seek divorce
    
  • Stay together, if possible
    
  • You might be able to save your unbelieving spouse
    

  1 Cor 7:17-24 (NIV) Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you — although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
  

• Interesting, Paul uses the word "called" to describe everyone
  
• What is Paul's basic or general principle
  
  • Stay in the situation you are in
    
• Now we need to understand this principle a little more clearly or I think we can misinterpret it
  
  • First of all, the context refers to what? Marriage and singleness
    
  • Second. Paul adds circumcision -- a key issue in a number of churches where Judaizers were saying that a person needed circumcision
    
  • Thirdly, Paul adds slave -- but what does he really say?
    
    • Don't let it trouble you
      
    • If you can gain your freedom -- do it (which actually violates his basic rule to all the churches, so he is not saying to stay a slave if you can get out of it)
      
    • A slave is a freeman in Christ
      
  • Lastly, he talks to the freeman
    
    • You are Christ's slave (your life has already been bought)
      
    • Don't become a slave
      
• Why might someone become a slave voluntarily?
  
  • To pay off debt
    
  • To purchase something
    
• APPLICATION: As freemen, we all need to be careful in regards to debt, because debt does make you a slave to someone else
  

  1 Cor 7:25-40 (NIV) Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. 27 Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
  

  29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
  

  32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs — how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world — how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world — how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
  

  36 If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin — this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better.
  

  39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is — and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
  

• How is this last group different from the other groups?
  
  • One last group that may have been mentioned in their previous letter, and that would be virgins. So there are not just unmarried, but never-married-unmarried
    
• First of all, Paul qualifies the teaching to this group
  
  • He has no command from the Lord
    
  • He gives his judgment
    
• How is it different?
  
  • It is the same, don't change, but it is no sin to change your status
    
  • Essentially his argument is singleness has advantages in regards to serving the lord
    
• What is his reasoning?
  
  • The time is short
    
  • This life is ending -- seems much more true today than in Paul's time, but the point is valid. We should live for eternal things ant temporal things
    
• Implications?
  
  • If you buy something, use it, but don't think it is yours to keep (example of a one car family this last week -- Luke's car went to Sarah; drove 6 hours to deliver it and then 6 hours to get back; yesterday travelled 12 hours to retrieve it. The last part of this month and first part of next, some missionary friends needed to borrow our 2010 van. Result: one car for three drivers. But the cars are not ours anyway.)
    
  • It is okay to use the things of the world, just don't get engrossed in them. Today, that would probably apply to technology, television, software, etc
    
• APPLICATION: The key is that the most important thing is always our relationship to God. Some things necessarily impact that: work, marriage, children; but that does not change their importance. The key is finding the balance and not trading God for the world

1 Co 5:1-6:20

1 Cor 5:1-6 (NIV) It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?

• Let's start with the issue, which is incest, but we know a little bit more about the issue as well, what do we know?
  
  • Some of this is based on the Greek words used
    
  • Probably step-mother, since does use the word "mother"
    
  • Probably separated or divorced from the Father, since it does not appear to involve adultery
    
  • Probably, woman is not a member of the church, but son is a member
    
  • Probably living together, since he does mention married
    
  • Not accepted under Mosaic law, Greek culture, and prohibited by Roman law (Fee, 1987, pp. 199-200)
    
• How are the Corinthian church viewing this event?
  
  • Evidence of their liberty in Christ
    
  • Extending freedom in Christ toward sexual restraints
    
• What is the problem in the church?
  
  • Lack of discipline
    
• Notice that the issue is public, known, and accepted in the church. Church is proud of the event. Paul uses this episode to claim his authority over the church. What is his response?
  
  • The person should be confronted
    
  • The person should be cast out of the church (example: share issue in CMA church and how the person needed to be forgiven)
    
  • Should treat the believer as an unbeliever -- key point, it does not say the person is not saved or that the person loses his salvation
    
  • Let Satan discipline the man. Like the hedge around Job, the hedge is completely removed around this man. Turned over to Satan, could also mean death, the complete destruction of the flesh. I actually have know one case of this happening
    
  • APPLICATION: I wonder if each of us has a hedge around us, and if our refusal to deal with sin can result in the removal of the hedge. In some cases, our circumstancse are the result of our sin -- BUT not in all cases
    

  1 Cor 5:9-13 (NIV) I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
  

  12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
  

• First of all, how does these verses fit with Paul's earlier statement in 4:5?
  
  • 1 Cor 4:5 (NIV) Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
    
  • We are not to judge others as a general rule. But what is different in this case, is that it is blatant sin in the church. But, who decides when something is blatant sin?
    
    • Most times, it is obvious
      
    • I believe it falls upon the spiritual leadership of the church. Therefore, the Corinthians had a problem with the leadership administering spiritual discipline
      
• Even today, many people have misunderstood these verses. As believers, they have separated themselves so much from the world, that many Christian cannot identify one single non-Christian friend or acquaintance
  
• We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. Now this does pose some problems, what are they?
  
  • Sometimes being in the world can lead to temptation -- we do need boundaries
    
  • Sometimes we let the world influence us instead of our influencing it -- we need to identify with our faith early, or it becomes harder the longer we are in the setting
    
    • Example: work. Do you place a bible on your desk or not?
      
    • Example: Do you bring up some aspect of God's work in your life even with simple statements like, "God was gracious …; I thank God …, etc"
      

  1 Cor 6:1-8 (NIV) If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another — and this in front of unbelievers!
  

  7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
  

• What is the problem and why is it a problem?
  
  • What: believers are taking other believers to court
    
  • Why: there is a lack of spiritual leadership
    
  • Why: it exposes your petty squabbles to the unbeliever and shows them that Christ doesn't make life any different
    
    • Actually, this is true statement from the point of the Corinthian church, but what is the false logic behind it
      
    • People who truly are living for God do have lives that are different. The fact that some carnal believer's lives are not different from the world does not dismiss the fact that God can change lives
      
• What is the reason for Paul's statements in verses 7-8, "completely defeated" and "why not be wronged … (or) cheated?"
  
  • Complete defeat is because we have the wrong value system
    
  • We see our reward here on earth and not in heave
    
  • We are more interested in getting than giving
    
  • If we truly are focused on the unseen and eternal things, what does it really matter anyway?
    
    • If we want the person to be disciplined for his good -- that is probably a good motive
      
    • Example: I knew a couple of Christians who were in a great dispute over some money that one invested in the other. It was a very difficult situation. The one person was overly optimistic and oversold things (which could be a fault). The other person saw it as lying and realizing it was unlikely he was going to get any of his money back. If you are going to invest money with a believer, I think you need to realize, even more so than with an unbeliever, that you may lose it all -- that is probably the best advice
      

  1 Cor 6:9-20 (NIV) Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
  

  12 "Everything is permissible for me"-but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"-but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"-but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
  

  18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
  

• So the leadership has failed to deal with an issue of blatant sin and to resolve disputes between members. But there is another issue here, and this issue is directed to believers. What is the issue, and how do we know Paul is talking to the believer?
  
  • Sexual immorality is the issue
    
  • Paul talks about their freedom in Christ, but draws the line on sexual immorality
    
  • Sexual immorality and our bodies being united with Christ
    
  • Sexual immorality and our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit
    
• Paul starts with the obvious, that those engaged in the lifestyle of the world, who do not know the savior will not inherit the kingdom of God. Many in the church came from this background, but what had happened?
  
  • They were washed -- sins take away
    
  • They were sanctified -- God worked in their hearts to change their desires and motivations. They are a changed people
    
  • The were justified. Their sins are no longer held against them
    
• But what happened?
  
  • It appears that they let teaching about their freedom in Christ allow them to let these sins back into their life
    
  • Argument goes -- "If there are no restrictions on food, one appetite of the body, why must there be in sexual things, another physical desire (Johnson, 1962, p.1238)?"
    
  • Some apparently argued that prostitution is okay. Some commentators have suggested that maybe it was allowed in the church as was in some Greek Temples
    
• The quotes maybe quotes from Corinthian culture that were used as arguments
  
• What are the arguments against sexual immorality?
  
  • The body is the Lord's. He will raise the body to life someday (some did not believe in the resurrection, a point he will deal with later in the letter)
    
  • Our bodies are members of Christ himself. Uniting our self with a prostitute makes us one with the prostitute
    
  • Sexual sins are unlike all other sins, because they are committed against the body
    
  • The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
    
  • The body was bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. We do not own our body
    
• APPLICATION: Sexual sins are unlike any other sin a Christian can commit. We need to fully understand that our bodies were bought at a price, they are not our own, and they are a temple for God
  

  Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New
  

  Testament series. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987.
  

  Johnson, S. Lewis, Jr. "1 Corinthians." In The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, pp. 1227-60. Edited by Charles
  

  F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison. Chicago: Moody Press,1962.