The famous love text is set in the midst of discussion on spiritual gifts. Paul tells the Corinthians that the gifts serve a very temporary purpose in the “in-between” times before Christ’s return, but love will endure.
The Gifts Will End But Love Will Endure Read More »
Paul takes up spiritual gifts. Much like in the time of Corinth, today spiritual gifts are sources of division within the church body instead of unifying sources of grace and blessing. Every believer has a gift and it was given for the “common good.” We should not deprive the people of God of our gifts, but use them in love.
Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ Read More »
Paul takes up Corinthian abuses at the Lord’s Supper. The Corinthian’s behavior is so bad at this meal in fact, Paul says that it is no longer worthy to be called the “Lord’s Supper.” The Supper is intended to proclaim the Lord’s sacrificial death, instead, their meals just reflect the values of the pagan culture around them.
The Lord’s Supper Proclaims Read More »
For reasons unbeknownst to us, Corinthian women were flouting social conventions that were bringing shame upon their “heads”. Paul says the offense was as serious as a man wearing pagan headress while praying or prophesying to God. We learn from this text that even culture can be a place from which Christians should take their cues on certain issues.
After three chapters of commentary about food sacrificed to idols, Paul says all should be done to the glory of God, even eating and drinking. At the heart of the Christian faith is a meal, the Lord’s Supper. Paul illustrates the incompatibility of idol worship with Christ worship, but also wants to show that God’s glory can be found in the everyday.
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Paul elaborates on his comments about disqualification from chapter nine. He lays out ways in which the Corinthian’s habits of eating meat in idol temples is dangerously close to many of the sins Israel was judged for in the wilderness. He warns them to take heed lest they fall, but also reminds them that God’s grace is sufficient in the face of temptation and persecution.
