Sep 27 2015

Titus’s Affection for the Corinthians – 2 Cor 7-8

In chapter 7, Paul continues to urge them to get past the problems of the past; and he again assures them of his love for them. He tells them that although he is not glad of their grief from the chastisement in his first letter, he does rejoice that their grief had led to repentance. By this, they had proved their innocence, as he said:

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. Therefore we are comforted.

It is here that he refers to Titus having visited, and had been “refreshed” in spirit by doing so. Paul declared that Titus had proved that Paul’s boasting about him was not misplaced; and Titus had even greater affection for them as a result.

Paul is sincerely proud of them, and in chapter 8 he reminds them of the collection for the poor in Jerusalem that was being gathered. He had first spoken to them about it several months ago (verse 10), and they had been happy to commit to doing it. Paul knows that this effort will be good for them as well.

Paul also points out the generosity of the brethren of Macedonia in this effort, of which McGarvey writes: “The only Macedonian churches known to us were those at Philippi, Thessalonica and Beroea. The district of Macedonia had suffered in the three civil wars, and had been reduced to such poverty that Tiberius Cæsar, hearkening to their petitions, had lightened their taxes. But in addition to this general poverty, the churches had been made poor by persecution (2 Thess 1:4).” As the Corinthian brethren were, by and large, substantially better off, Paul encourages their generosity as well, quoting Exodus 16:18 in verse 15. In verses 16-22, he stresses the point that trusted brethren will be carrying these gifts, so that there could be no hint of impropriety. One of those – the “brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching” of verse 18 – is thought by some to be Luke, but we do not know.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

2 Cor 7, 2 Cor 8, 2 Cor 9, 2 Cor 10, 2 Cor 11

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 25 2015

The Lord is Our Anchor – 2 Cor 6

In chapter 6, Paul speaks of r

English: Drügi Liszt k Korinthusánczom (Second Epistle to the Corinthians) from the prekmurian Nôvi Zákon (1848) Magyar: Drügi Liszt k Korunthusánczom (A korintusiakhoz írt második levél) a vend Nôvi Zákonból (1848) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

eceiving God’s grace in vain. This refers to having been saved and now running the risk of slipping away. He points out that they experience great persecution unjustly (verses 8-10), but they endure hardships and adversities by the gifts of the spirit within them. Verses 14-18 are often taken to mean that Christians should not have any associations with unbelievers, but such is not the case since he tells us in 1 Corinthians 5:10 that we would have to “go out of the world” in order to do that; and we must be “in the world” in order to spread the gospel. Jesus prayed about being “in the world” but not “of the world” in John 17:15-16. But their association with idol worshipers is problematic; and it may drag many back into its clutches (verses 14-18)s.

The applications for us are 1) that our faith in Jesus as Lord is our anchor when we suffer adversity and 2) that if we have a sinful inclination that we have overcome, we should not put ourselves in a position to be taken back into that sin. Just as it would be a mistake for someone who had been an alcoholic to return to frequenting bars for company, those who had previously worshiped idols should not return to spending time at those temples.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

2 Cor 2, 2 Cor 3, 2 Cor 4, 2 Cor 5, 2 Cor 6

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 22 2015

Matters of the Heart – 2 Cor 4-5

In chapter 4, Paul further addresses the false teaching that has occurred, and contrasts it with the right teaching of the gospel, saying “we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” He also speaks of persecution and suffering, which he has himself experienced recently, and of the type that they themselves were now under. The encouragement given at the end of the chapter is just as much hope for us today:

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

In chapter 5, Paul compares this earthly body and life to a tent, while calling our heavenly life a building from God. For this reason, he says, it is not what makes up the outer body that is important, but what is in the heart.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

2 Cor 2, 2 Cor 3, 2 Cor 4, 2 Cor 5, 2 Cor 6

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 20 2015

Trouble at Corinth – 2 Cor 2-3

In verse 1 of chapter 2, Paul refers to a painful visit. It is not altogether apparent to what visit he refers. it could be one that he had made before writing the first letter, as verse 3 might imply. But it could also be another visit made in the interim between the two letters. The nature of the “pain” is not certain, but it could very well have to do with challenges to Paul’s apostleship by someone there. verses 5-11 do seem to indicate a particular wrong that had been directed at him. As we would expect, Paul urges forgiveness.

Chapter 3 also seems to indicate that some of those false teachers at Corinth that had caused some much trouble there had come forward with letters of recommendation from other brethren and/or churches that lent credence to their positions, while claiming that Paul was falsely promoting himself as a spiritual authority that had no basis in reality. He responds in verses 2-4 by saying that the brethren at Corinth are his letter of recommendation “written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” The transformation of their hearts and their lives (not to mention the spiritual gifts given them by the Spirit) served as their own testament to the fact that Paul was “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God (2 Corinthians 1:1).”

Paul’s points in verses 4-11 are that it was not anything in himself or his brethren that made a difference, but the sufficiency given by God as ministers of the new covenant. The old covenant (the law of Moses , which was deficient only because of man’s sins) was the ministry of condemnation (because man could not uphold the law). But the end of the old covenant is marked by the removal of the veil (which also could allude to the veil of the temple), which is removed through Christ, revealing the glory of the Lord (verses 14-18).

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

2 Cor 2, 2 Cor 3, 2 Cor 4, 2 Cor 5, 2 Cor 6

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 18 2015

Paul’s Change of Plans – 2 Cor 1

In this second letter to the brethren at Corinth, Paul begins by speaking about the hardships that he and those with him had experienced in Asia – so much so, that they “despaired of life.” He also spends some time defending his change of plans, whereby he had not come back to them as he had intended. It is this fact that some suppose to be the source of some of the trouble that had erupted, in which Paul’s apostleship was being challenged. He will continue this thought in chapter two. In verses 17-23, he assures them of the fact that he is guided by the Holy Spirit in his ministry, and verse 23 appears to state that hone reason he had not come to them was in order to avoid fanning the flames of such strife.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Cor 13, 1 Cor 14, 1 Cor 15, 1 Cor 16, 2 Cor 1

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 15 2015

On the Resurrection and Giving – 1 Cor 15-16

In chapter 15, Paul now moves to the subject of the Resurrection of the dead; and he has much to say to them on the subject, making this the longest chapter of all his epistles. There were some at Corinth saying that there is no resurrection of the dead. Despite the nature of some of the problems Paul has had to address with them, this was probably the most troubling, since it is among the most basic facts of the gospel. We do not know the source of these false teachings. It is plausible that it was Sadducee influence among the brethren, but it just as likely came from the philosophic influence from those of Greek origin. It seems somewhat hard to imagine this lapse of faith accompanying a continued practice of their Christianity – and so soon after they had been converted, as well as blessed with spiritual gifts!

English: folio 950 recto of the codex with text of 1 Corinthians 1;1-21 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In any case, Paul points out that denial of resurrection would necessarily include that of Jesus; and if Jesus was not raised, their entire faith is futile (verses 16-17). Paul most aptly states the obvious in verse 19 – “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” He then recounts the eyewitness accounts by the apostles of Jesus death and his appearances to them after he was raised. Then he makes the point that they (the apostles) were all threatened and constantly in danger of losing their lives for continuing to boldly bear that witness to others. It was absurd to suggest that they would continually risk their lives for an outright lie!

Verse 29 seems to be a very difficult passage, and is interpreted by some as indicating Paul’s approval of people being baptized (by proxy) for the dead. Whether or not this verse is actually talking about such baptisms is disputed by many. Parsing the Greek for the words translated “for the dead” in this verse has led many to different theories, but we can reach the proper conclusion easily by taking these and other scriptures into account for what Paul and the other apostles taught about baptism. Advocating the baptism of living people in place of those who have died would run contrary to the importance of the active profession of faith and of repentance that the Scriptures require (Acts 2:38, John 3:18), as well as the conscious act of putting on Christ that Paul speaks of in relation to baptism in Galatians 3:27.

So then in verse 35, Paul turns to the question of what sort of body the risen will have if we are truly to be raised from the dead. He uses the seed as an illustration of this, as they are well familiar with the fact that the seeds that are buried and decompose become reborn into something more magnificent – that God gives it a body just as he has chosen. Paul reveals that the resurrection body will be incorruptible, glorious, powerful and spiritual, and that even those who are living will be transformed at the same time when Christ comes again (verse 51 – “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…”).

The Lord, who has created all things, is certainly able to accomplish this promise to have the mortal and perishable body put on immortality (verses 53-54). Just as we bear the image of the first Adam while we are here, we will bear the heavenly image of the last Adam (Jesus), who became a life-giving spirit (verses 45-49). Paul refers to Hosea 13:14 in verse 55 then, as verse 26 promised, says in verse 57 “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” What comfort!

Together with other passages such as Philippians 4, chapter 16 gives us instruction on how funds are to be collected for the work of the church. He closes this letter by acknowledging the work of specific brethren, and asks them to “give recognition to such people.” It is not just good manners and a loving gesture to acknowledge brethren for their work, it is scriptural.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Cor 13, 1 Cor 14, 1 Cor 15, 1 Cor 16, 2 Cor 1

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 13 2015

Worship Must have Meaning – 1 Cor 13-14

In chapter 12, Paul wrote to the Corinthians in part concerning the envy among them that arose from jealousy of some for the spiritual gifts that others had been given. These feeling were contributing to the divisions that had developed among them.

In chapter 13, he is making the point to them that brotherly love will endure, but spiritual gifts will pass away (verse 8). Some of the churches throughout the land had letters written to them or circulated from churches in other location. But nobody in the Apostolic age had the completed New Testament. So these spiritual gifts not only served the purpose of building faith, but of giving them part of the knowledge of God’s truth they needed.

When Paul says in verse 9 “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away,” he refers to the fact that these gifts will no longer be needed when the recorded word of the Lord is complete. The partial knowledge of the word, that these gifts provide, will no longer be required (note the words “all the truth” in John 16:13). This makes their envy meaningless; and that is why Paul is cultivating their love for one another. When he says in verse 11 “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways,” he means that the maturity of knowledge due to its availability will be the driving force that will allow these gifts to cease.

In chapter 14, Paul has much to say about their use of spiritual gifts. Much of this my seem to not have any application to us today, but it actually does. The main points that he is driving home to them have to do with relevance and order in worship. The worship of the Lord cannot be done properly if what is done has no relevance to that purpose. Such worship has no meaning.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Cor 13, 1 Cor 14, 1 Cor 15, 1 Cor 16, 2 Cor 1

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 11 2015

Paul Speaks About Spiritual Gifts – 1 Cor 12

At first reading of chapter 12, one might be inclined to see little application for us today. Paul is speaking to the Corinthians about “spiritual gifts” – the likes of which ended with the age of the apostles. But Paul is stressing to us here that we are all unified as one body in Christ. The church is not the building we worship in, but rather the body of saved Christians (living or dead). Furthermore, everyone has their own talent even today. Some make good elders, others preach the gospel, others teach bible classes. Still others, visit the sick or cook meals for shut-ins. Everyone serves in their own way, and uses their own “gifts” as part of the body of the church.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Cor 8, 1 Cor 9, 1 Cor 10, 1 Cor 11, 1 Cor 12

___________________

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 8 2015

Paul Warns and Rebukes the Corinthians – 1 Cor 10-11

Though most of the Corinthians were Gentiles, Paul refers to the Israelites led by Moses as “our fathers”, because all Christians share the same spiritual ancestry (Galatians 3:7-8, 29). The word “for” in the first sentence connects this chapter to the points that Paul has been speaking to in chapters 8-9 that, among other things, declares that Christians must be willing to “give up” things that they may even see as their own “rights,” if that behavior is detrimental or a stumbling block to others. Concerning verse 7, McGarvey says “The ‘playing’ which Paul refers to (quoted from Exodus 32:3-6, 19, 25) was familiar to the Corinthians, who had indulged in such licentious sportfulness in the worship of Bacchus and Venus…Eating at the feast of idols was the very privilege for which the Corinthians were contending.”

English: the first of the Epistles to the Colossians (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The wrongness of that behavior should be obvious to them, but even eating at the idol temples, as many would, could present a temptation to fall into the old ways of idolatry and sexual immorality. Therefore, Paul says in verse 12 “…let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” But he continues in verse 13 by saying that “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” These words should be a comfort to the faithful. No matter what temptation we are presented with, God will always provide a way out – but we have to choose to take it!

Finally, in verses 23-33, Paul deals with the issue of eating food that had been sacrificed to idols. Much of the meat that was sold in the markets could have come from such a source. Paul makes it clear that idols are nothing in reality, and that eating such would not be a sin by itself. But if it was a matter of conscience, that was different; and the conscience referred to might be that of a brother in Christ. For if someone else believed it was wrong to eat such food, the Christian should not do it in their presence or in a view that would offend or jeopardize the salvation of someone else. Our own liberty does not include damaging the sensibilities or faith of another.

Paul speaks of a very important tradition in verses 17-33 of chapter 11 – one that was instituted by the Lord Himself – the Lord’s Supper. Incredibly, they had turned the observance of the Lord’s Supper into a meal, with some even becoming drunk. Just as bad, the wealthy would bring enough food to be gluttons, and leave the poor hungry. This was not fellowship, and it was not “in remembrance” of the Lord; and by doing this, one was eating and drinking “judgment on himself.” Paul admonishes them not only to observe the Lord’s Supper properly, but with reverence, with each one “examining” himself while doing so.

It is difficult for many of us to realize at times the complete turn-around that many of these Corinthians had made, or the struggles that they continued to have in doing so. The society they lived in, and had participated in fully, was pagan; and idol-worship, drunkenness and revelry, as well as promiscuity, were a way of life. It was certainly not any easier for them to be holy than it is for us today.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Cor 8, 1 Cor 9, 1 Cor 10, 1 Cor 11, 1 Cor 12

___________________

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Sep 6 2015

Paul Speaks About Caring for the Souls of Others – 1 Cor 8-9

Chapter 8 has Paul dealing with the subject of meat that has been offered to idols. This would have been a common practice in Corinth at that time. Paul makes a point to emphasize that they, as Christians, know that idols are not representative of anything that really exists, and that they serve the one true God and the Lord Jesus Christ. So they do no sin by eating meat that has been offered to idols. But if someone who is weak and lacks knowledge sees them doing so, they may be caused to stumble. The lesson is clear to us also that we must take care. There may be things we do that are not sinful, but if they seem sinful to someone else, we must be sensitive to how our example might represent (to them) an excuse for sinful behavior on their part.

In chapter 9, Paul basically tells the Corinth brethren that he gives up his “right” to support by them. Those who proclaim the Gospel have the right to be supported for that work, just as any laborer. But Paul does not want that support to be a source of strife within the congregation, particularly in light of those who already are causing strife.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Cor 8, 1 Cor 9, 1 Cor 10, 1 Cor 11, 1 Cor 12

___________________

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.