1 Corinthians 11:27–34

²⁷ Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. ³⁰ For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. ³¹ For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. ³³ Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴ But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

Commentary

Vs. 27 "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."

The Apostle Paul now moves into the manner with which we are to partake of the Lord's Supper. Reverence then is the only disposition and behavior to have when we partake of it. For it's not just a meal, or a ceremony, it is our solemn remembering the Lord's suffering Crucifixion death for us all. Therefore to eat or drink of this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. For only one who has not received Christ's Substitionary death for themselves would be so reckless as to observe it in an unworthy and irreverent manner. 

Vs. 28 "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup." 

Thus each believer is to examine themselves, to see if their hearts are right with God before partaking of it. And thus confess whatever sins need confessing, make right whatever wrongs need to be made right, and generally make a self-assessment of oneself to see if one is living right and true with the Lord. Because the Lord's Supper is holy. And when we partake of it we should likewise be reverent in our hearts, minds, and lives. Now all believers are invited to eat of the bread and drink of the cup once they have examined themselves, and thus have prepared themselves to do so in reverent way. 

Vs. 29 "For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body." 

To knowingly partake of the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner (that is not treating it, and thus the Lord's death for oneself with reverence) is to only drink and eat judgment upon oneself! Because one does not discern the Lord's body, that is the bread we eat and cup we drink symbolizes the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ's broken body for the remission of our sins. Thus to partake of it in an unworthy manner is at the very least to treat the Lord's Crucifixion with irreverence, and at the very worse as a common thing (Heb. 10:29-30), and thus is only to eat and drink judgment upon oneself. 

Vs. 30 "For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep." 

Sleep here is a polite way of saying many have died for their irreverence. These then must have been the worst of the offenders. For just as God judged Israel in their wilderness sojourn, so He still judges His people today when they take hold of irreverence, which in the Corinthians case had become extreme. 

Vs. 31-32 ³¹ For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Again a honest self-assessment is always a good idea. For as the Apostle Paul says, "if we would judge ourselves we would not be judged." Now the Lord's judgment here was not eternal, for no believer will ever be condemned for their irreverence or anything else. That said, God may have to chasten us if we continue on in our sin. God doesn't want too, but if an individual believer will not judge themselves, and thus take a corrective action to move out of it, then God may have too so that we are not condemned with the world. 
Vs. 33 "Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another."

The Apostle Paul now lightens and brightens things up with a simple exhortation to wait for each other, that is don't take your remembrance before others, because the Lord's Supper is a communal meal, and thus a communal remembrance.

Vs. 34 "But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come." 

Paul's finial word on the matter is if there are any who are hungry let them eat at home rather than turn the Lord's Table into a place of self-indulgence, and thus turn their coming together into a time of judgment rather then blessing.
Word Studies
Vs. 27 unworthy; Str 371; GK 397; LN 65.19; 66:7 (2x). Though this word focuses on the individual, it is the individuals heart and mind, and thus their attitude towards the Lord's Supper that is at question. Thus to treat the Lord's Supper as if it were just a "common meal" or some sort of ceremonial religious ordinance that people have to observe is to be utterly disqualified from partaking of it. For the Lord's Supper is our recalling Christ's broken body and shed blood for our sins and transgressions and should be treated as such at all times and in all places. 

Additional Resources Consulted
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26

²³ For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; ²⁴ and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁵ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Commentary 
Vs. 23-24 ²³ For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; ²⁴ and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

The Apostle Paul having refuted the Corinthians irreverence and inappropriate behavior during the Lord's Supper now declares to them how he himself received from the Lord the institution of the Lord's Supper and the significance of it for us all who believe. And so it is that on the night Jesus was to be betrayed that He took bread and broke it, and when He had given thanks for the bread He said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Above all else then our keeping the Lord's Supper or taking Communion is so that we who believe in Him remember what He has done to redeem us all from sin and death. Thus it is not an ordinance by which one seeks God's favor or salvation by keeping it. It is an ordinance given so that we who believe (and thus are already saved) will always remember Christ's Crucifixion death for us all, and thus the high cost of our redemption. It is then sacred, it is holy, it is our remembering the Lord Jesus Christ above all else as the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2). Thus Christ gave us the the Lord's Supper to remember, proclaim, and honor His Person and Crucifixion by, not Lent and Advent. 

Vs. 25-26 ²⁵ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

After Jesus broke the bread to symbolize His body broken for our sins and transgressions, He then distributed the bread amongst the disciples, telling them eat the bread. Now by doing so they were acknowledging to God that this was so. That they, and now we when we do so, have likewise a need, and have received the Lord Jesus Christ's substitutionary Crucifixion death on our behalf. Thus when we partake of the Lord's Supper (or Communion) we are proclaiming Jesus Christ's broken body and shed blood is the only means of being redeemed, and that we have personally received Him, and thus His salvation for ourselves. Now the cup's importance is that it signifies Christ's blood. And it is the Lord Jesus Christ's blood which not only provides us cleansing from all our sins (Rev. 1:5), it is the means by which God has ushered in the New Covenant (Matt. 26:27-28). Just as blood brought the Israelites into the Old Covenant with God (Ex. 24:8). Thus the bread signifies Christs body, while the cup signifies Christ's blood. And it is Christ's blood which brings us into a New Covenant relationship with God. Which is distinguished by the Old Covenant in that the Old Covenant was essentially a works based covenant that required the Israelites to keep every aspect of it to remain in a right relationship with God (consider Lev. 18:5; Deut. 27:26). While the New Covenant is not based upon ones works; because you don't do something to come into God's favor; or keep doing something to remain there; rather under the New Covenant it is based on ones faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has already done through His suffering Crucifixion death and thus His broken body and shed blood to bring us all who believe in Him into a right relationship with God, and ultimately keep us in a right relationship with God, because Jesus not only suffered Crucifixion death in our place, making atonement for us all, He also rose from the dead, and 40 days later ascended back to God the Father in heaven, where He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father making continual intercession for us all who believe in Him (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25). Thus one cannot stress enough the importance of Christ's body broken and His blood shed for us all. Therefore our keeping the Lord's Supper in manner worthy of the Lord is our solemn declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death and shed blood for our redemption from sin and death. And not only our redemption from sin and death but every person who likewise sees their own need for God's salvation, and in faith calls upon the Name of the Lord, will likewise be saved from God's wrath and judgment to come (Rom 10:13). Yet not only saved from wrath, but also transformed by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit of God making them fit for an eternity with God (Titus 3:5).  

The only question then is have you received the Lord Jesus Christ for yourself? Trusting Him and Him alone for your own redemption from your sins and transgressions. If not then please do so now. By a simple prayer of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ He will come into your person and life and not only redeem your soul from God's wrath and judgment to come, but He will transform your person and life by His Holy Spirit, which will indwell you the moment you repent and believe in Him. If you believe then please pray this prayer, or something from your own heart inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life (Rev 3:20). Therefore in faith pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that You willingly suffered Crucifixion death for me, so that You could redeem me from all my sins and transgressions, and ultimately save me from an eternity in hell. But also you did so that by Your Holy Spirit You could transform my person and life, and bring abundant life into my person and life, by Your coming into my person and life, here and now (John 10:10). Therefore I now invite You Lord Jesus Christ into my heart and life, to be my Lord and Savior, in Jesus' Name, amen. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

1 Corinthians 11:17–22

¹⁷ Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. ¹⁸ For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. ¹⁹ For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. ²⁰ Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. ²¹ For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. ²² What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. 

Commentary

Vs. 17 "Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse." 

Though the Apostle Paul praised the Corinthians for keeping the traditions which he delivered to them (11:2). Now he must address another area where the carnal and their carnality was being manifested. And that was by the divisions amongst them (vs. 18-19), as well in their keeping the Lord's Supper (or Communion), there was a lot of self-serving taking place, when they should have been serving and sharing with each other in love. Therefore the Apostle Paul cannot praise them for their coming together, because it was not honoring to God when they did so, nor was it enriching the lives of the people there, for it was serving and propagating the selfishness, and the selfish interests of the carnal there.  

Vs. 18-19 ¹⁸ For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. ¹⁹ For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 

The Apostle Paul having heard a report of divisions amongst them, and knowing the Corinthians inclinations towards worldliness and worldly values, says in part he believes it! Now in chapter one the Apostle Paul rebuke and corrected their divisions over their aligning themselves into various groups and such under the men through whom they believed the Gospel, and or were being discipled by. Here their divisions may have been more socio-economic then theological, (otherwise Paul could not have praised them at the beginning of this chapter for keeping the "traditions", i.e. ordinances and decrees as he delivered them to them. Thus these divisions may have been social divisions, "cliques" and such which carnal men and woman often start and propagate to establish or maintain their own social standings and order, and or cultural distinctiveness. Or sometimes even to propagate their own standing (or agendas) in the church by their excluding, or speaking ill of others (consider 3 John 9-11). Therefore since the church is not immune to such misguided values and or evil occurrences, these things must always be readily addressed. And that is what the Apostle Paul is doing here, exposing all such things as sin against God and disobedience towards Christ, when he says, "For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you." vs. 19 Thus the very factions which the carnal propagate to distinguish themselves, or serve their own interests and agendas, these are the very means by which they themselves are exposed as such. As Jesus said of them, "by their fruits you will know them" (see Matt. 7:15-19). Though in quoting that passage one must exercise careful discernment so as to make right a distinction between those who are only ignorant and misguided in their doing so, (as the Corinthians were here), and those who can and will cause real harm to a church fellowship by their doing so as Jesus warns us in Matthew.

Vs. 20-22 ²⁰ Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. ²¹ For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. ²² What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

Therefore in light of the Corinthians selfishness, recklessness, and indifference towards the poor amongst them when they were partaking of the Lord's Supper, the Apostle Paul cannot call their gathering together in one place as their partaking of the Lord's Supper, since the Lord's disposition of reverence, humility, and seeking the well being of others was absent from their communal meal. Now in regards to our being reverent when we assemble to partake of it, consider Lev. 10:3; in regards to humility, Micah 6:8; and our considering the poor amongst us, Deut. 26:12-15 as principals.
For that's what Jesus did when He instituted and partook of it with the twelve on the night He was to be betrayed. He took the bread (which symbolized His body) and the cup (which symbolized His blood) and He gave them to the disciples saying, "do this in remembrance of Me." Thus He wasn't thinking about Himself on that night, He was thinking about you and me, and what it would cost Him to redeem you and me from sin and death; His own death on a cross! And so when we partake of it, we must be reverent in it. Otherwise we are not honoring Christ, nor serving God when we do. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted 

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Word Studies 

Vs. 17 divisions, Str 4978; GK 5388; TDNT 7.963; TDNTA 1130; LN 19.28; 39:13 (John 7:43; 9:16; 10:16; Rom 6:17; 1 Cor 1:10; 11:18; 12:25 "schism"; Gal 5:20) 8x

1 Corinthians 11:2–16

² Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. ³ But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. ⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. ⁶ For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ⁷ For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man is not from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. ¹⁰ For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. ¹² For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. ¹³ Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴ Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? ¹⁵ But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. ¹⁶ But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

Commentary
Vs. 2 "Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you."

The Apostle Paul now balances out some of his critiques of the Corinthians with some praises. Sure the Corinthians were a young congregation (that is new to the faith, and specifically new to the One true God) and thus their previous lives were marked by their cultures social "norms" and religious cultures practices, specifically the idolatrous feasts and immoral practices associated with their worship of idols. That said, what makes their faith commendable is there desire to follow Christ according to the commandments of Christ given to us all through His Biblical Apostles. And that is what the Apostle Paul is praising them for here. Now that they remember Paul in all things is not just a sentimental remembrance of his person, but of his just and sound conduct In Christ which wonderfully modelled for them what faith In Christ should look like. And so in remembering the Apostle Paul, they also remembered what he taught them, (in word and deed), specifically here Paul says the traditions that they themselves were keeping, just as Paul had delivered them to them. Thus they neither added anything to them, nor took anything away from them. They simply kept them, just as the Apostle Paul had delivered them to them, just as he himself received them from God (consider 2 Thess. 2:15). Now these traditions would have included all of what Paul had already taught them, yet it seems that the Apostle Paul's emphasis here was on the Lord's Supper (vs. 17-33). However before he can address their conduct there, he must first address another pressing issue, and that was the Corinthians subjection to God and how God has ordained that we all do that. Thus before he can address that, he must first address and fix the foundation.

Vs. 3 "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God."

The Apostle Paul now reaffirms God's Divine arrangement of us all, and thus how we are to submit ourselves to God by submitting ourselves to His Divine arrangement of rule and authority for us all. Now Christ is the head of every man, because Jesus Christ is Lord of all, and all things were created through Him and for Him (Col. 1:16). While man is the head of woman because God created Adam first, and then God took one of Adam's ribs and made woman from man as mans helpmate, not his head, thus man is woman's head because woman came through man (see 1 Tim 2:11-13). Now God is the head of Christ, and so though there is an equality of Person in the Godhead (as there is in the Body of Christ with all men and all women), there is still an order of subordination that all in the Godhead or Trinity follow. Thus Jesus submitted Himself too and obeyed God the Father in all things (consider John 5:30; 6:38; 8:55; 15:10 etc). Now what is being stated here is not tyranny of one over the other, rather our wilful subjection to God by submitting ourselves to God's Divinely given order.

Vs. 4 "Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head."

Since Christ is the head of man, a man who prays or prophecy's with his head covered is only dishonoring his own head; or Christ as his head. Either interpretation applies. Since by his doing so he is in effect knowingly placing something between himself and Christ, and thus rejecting God's rule and authority over himself through Christ.

Vs. 5-6 ⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. ⁶ For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. 

In light of what the Apostle Paul has just reasoned and commanded regarding men and their having their heads uncovered while praying or prophesying. It is logical that all woman have their heads covered while praying or prophesying. The reason reason they are to do this is to show their subordination to God and their husbands (and or male authority in the home) and thus his Divine principals of headship for us all. Now that Paul says for a woman not to do so "...is one and the same as if her head were saved", is referring to the Corinthians culture where immoral women (and or temple prostitutes) deliberately wore their hair short, or shaved their heads completely! Therefore if a woman will not cover her head while praying or prophesying let here be shorn! That is let her rebellion against God and her head the man (or husband) be exposed as such. For if she will not obey this simple statute (respecting God's will and designs for her while in the worship of Him) then let her rebellion and shamefulness be known to one and all. 

Now what is at stake here is not head coverings per-say, (for we do not have temples and temple prostitutes today by which a Christian woman might be confused with if she were to wear her hair short or have her head uncovered while praying or prophesying) rather what is at stake with this statute (indeed every N.T. statute) is ones disposition of heart towards God through it. That is what matters, for even the Pharisees kept God's commandment for the Jews about wearing colored tassels on their robes and phylacteries (little leather boxes worn on the forehead or hands containing excerpts of the Scriptures inside of them). Yet their doing so was only a engrossed public display of their own "piety" and had very little to do with their hearts disposition towards God as Jesus said of them (Matt. 23:5-7). And so outward appearances is never the measure of ones own heart and obedience towards God. Something to keep in mind when we look at these sorts of statutes, for it's always ones disposition towards and God and His will for us through them that matters, because outward appearances does not always reflect someones inward reality.

Vs. 7-9 ⁷ For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man is not from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. 

Returning then to the passage, the Apostle Paul now states why a man should not cover his head while praying or prophesying, The reason he gives is simple and to the point, man is the image and glory of God. That is man being created first bears the image of God, specifically the worlds Savior and Redeemer Christ Jesus the Lord (1 John 4:14), who came into this world as a male human being, who before this world or anything was created was foreordained to do so (1 Peter 1:20). Thus when God created man he was in fact creating the image and glory of the Christ who would come.
While woman being taken from the man bears the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man (vs. 8). That is she came afterwards being formed from him and was made for him as his helpmate, not as his head (vs. 9). Thus to try to circumvent that is only to circumvent and deny God's Divine order and will for us all:
Father;
Son;
man;
woman.
For role reversal has mislead this world into the deplorable and degenerate state that we now see it in, where homosexuality finds itself now justified, and gender distinction is no longer a God given prerogative.

Vs. 10 "For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels." 

The Apostle Paul now gives another reason for the woman's head being covered while in prayer or prophesying because by it she shows herself in subjection to her head, and this she does not just before other human beings, but also before the angels, who also observe our worship of God and conduct before Him.

Vs. 11-12 ¹¹ Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. ¹² For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

Even though God made man woman's head, man is not independent of woman, nor is the woman independent of the man, in the Lord. For the Body of Christ requires both to function well, just as creation does. For again just as woman first came through man, man now comes through the woman, thus there is no independence of gender (whether male or female), we both need each other; not just for procreation, but for healthy and balanced living. Now this is self evident to all, for it came from God. The unique qualities and attributes that each gender brings to our relationships in the home, in our lives, and in greater society is necessary for one and for all.

Vs. 13-16 ¹³ Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴ Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? ¹⁵ But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. ¹⁶ But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

The Apostle Paul now reasons according to what is known naturally (as well as what is practiced according to church custom) in verses thirteen to fifteen. And so in verse thirteen the Apostle Paul asks them to judge for themselves, "Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?" This he states having already reasoned that the pagan temple priestesses and or immoral woman of the day wore their hair short or shaved, and so to make a positive distinction between Christian woman and them; as well as the Spiritual reality of angels being present when we pray too and worship God; and thus as a sign of ones wilful subordination to ones head; woman should be covered. Thus whether or not a woman should be covered is not at question, Paul's question is a rhetorical one, and so what is at question is what form this head covering took. Now looking at verse fourteen and fifteen it is clear that the Apostle Paul sees a natural distinction to be made between the genders by the hair, and thus the hair itself can be the means by which a women submits herself to God's designs for her, or she shows herself in rebellion against Him. Same with the man. And so though an external covering is worn, and in all likelihood should be worn by the woman when she prays or prophesies to show herself in submission to God's designs for her. Just as the man should remove from his head all hats and such before he prays, so as to show due respect and regard for Christ who is his head and whose image he bears. Yet if a head covering is not warn by the woman it is not the head covering per-say that matters, rather it is the woman's disposition of heart towards God and His designs for her that ultimately matters. Thus her wearing her hair in a manner that distinguishes her person as a Godly female can serve as her covering (vs. 15). Just as the man should wear his hair in such a manner that distinguishes himself as a Godly male person (vs. 14, also consider Ezekiel 44:20). Therefore I see no reason to follow the culture norms of any society or people when these confuse our unique roles, as unique genders, with uniquely given Godly purposes.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 450). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1785). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: An Extraordinary Guide to Understanding the New Testament, Frank Viola, Destiny Image Publishers, page 135

1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1

²³ All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. ²⁵ Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; ²⁶ for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” ²⁷ If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. ²⁸ But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” ²⁹ “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? ³⁰ But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? ³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ³² Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. ¹ Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Commentary

Vs. 23-24 "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."

Though all things are lawful for me (that is all morally indifferent things) because we are not under the law (Rom 6:14), exercising ones liberty In Christ is not always helpful; that is advantageous, beneficial (NIV), for another believers spiritual growth or someones potential faith. Thus needlessly offending anothers customs, culture, or another believers conscience when exercising ones liberties In Christ is never a good thing. Therefore though all things are lawful for me not all things edify, that is edify other believers; and thus consideration of others must always come into play before we exercise our liberties In Christ regarding all morally indifferent things. Since Godly edification is always about seeking each others edification, not ones own (vs. 24). 

Vs. 25-26 ²⁵ Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; ²⁶ for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 

Having already condemned idolatry and their idolatrous sacrifices as worship of demons, and thus something no believer should ever partake in. The Apostle Paul now has to address a very real dilemma for the Corinthians whose meat markets were the places where such sacrificial meat was often disposed of, being sold to the general public for consumption. And so rather than weakening their consciences by putting some sort of restrictions on them, the Apostle Paul exhorts them all to eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (quoting Psalm 24:1). That is God is Creator of all things and He has given us all things in the animal and plant kingdoms for our sustenance, nothing then is to be refused if it is partaken of in faith, and with thanksgiving (Genesis 9:3-4; Rom. 14:23; 1 Tim 4:4). Therefore even if meat came from a sacrifice made to an idol, "the earth is the Lord's and all it's fullness", which effectively sanctifies all foods for our well being, since God is also the One who is sanctifying us. Therefore rather than fussing about where some meat came from in the market, the Apostle Paul commands the Corinthians to eat whatever is sold in the markets asking no questions for consciences sake. Thus rather than turning the Corinthians into social outcasts within their own societies, the Apostle Paul realizes the Sovereignty of God over all things, and thus commands them to do the same, to eat and enjoy whatever is sold in the markets, asking no questions for consciences sake, either their own consciences, or anybody else's. 

Vs. 27-30 ²⁷ If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. ²⁸ But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” ²⁹ “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? ³⁰ But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 

The Apostle Paul now presents another very real scenario where unbeliever invites a believer to dinner, whether in their home or in some sort of public setting. In such a case a believer if they desire to go are absolutely free to go and dine with whomever they please, wherever they please. Which in the ancient Corinthian culture would again more than likely consist of eating meat that had been offered to idol (which Paul addressed in verses 25-26). Therefore if a believer goes and meat is served to them they are to ask nothing about it for consciences sake. However if someone says to them this was offered to an idol, though they are liberty to do so, they are not to eat of it, for the sake of the who told them and for consciences sake (vs. 27-28). Again it's not ones own conscience that is at risk, since “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” rather it is for the sake of the weak conscience of the one who told them (vs. 29). Therefore we should not exercise our liberties In Christ in such a way so as to cause a needless offense, and thus bring us under the scrutiny of others. Now the Apostle Paul's statement, "...For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? ³⁰ But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?

Thus Paul does not validate the weak persons conscience, or those who judge unjustly. Indeed a Christians liberty regarding foods is above all scrutiny when it is exercised in thanksgiving towards God and in consideration of others. That said our liberty in Christ is not a "license" to do as one pleases, just as our liberties through Christ should not be held hostage too, or condemned by the weak consciences of others, when we exercise them properly.  

Vs. 31-11:1³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ³² Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. ¹ Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

The Apostle Paul now sums it all up by not giving us new statues and regulations that we are to meticulously follow. Rather the Apostle Paul commands that whether we eat or drink (or whatever else we do), do all to the glory of God (vs. 31). Give no offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God means that we have an obligation to deny ourselves when we know doing something might be offensive to others. For as the Apostle Paul says of himself that he does not seek his own profit, rather the profit of many, thus he seeks to please all men in all things that they may be saved (vs. 32).
Therefore "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" is a glorious exhortation to model our own conduct after the most godly, sincere, just and compassionate people that we know, or have observed being so. Thus it might also be said of all pastors and church leaders and everyone who names Jesus Christ as Lord as, "Imitate me only so far as I imitate Christ." 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Word Studies 

Vs. 23 helpful, Str 4851; GK 5237; TDNT 9.69; TDNTA 1252; LN 65.44 (17x)

Additonal Resources Consulted 

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, pp. 624–625). New York: United Bible Societies.

1 Corinthians 10:14–22

¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶ The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? ¹⁷ For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. ¹⁸ Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? ¹⁹ What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? ²⁰ Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. ²² Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Commentary

Vs. 14 "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." 

In light of the end of ages coming upon us, the Apostle now warns us all to flee from idolatry. That is the worship, the rituals, and or the sacrificial meals and drink associated with an idol/s. Something that was rampant in the ancient world, and still exists today in various forms and manifestations, just as it will exist at the end (see Rev. 13:11-18, vs. 14). And so we are all told to flee from idolatry, to have nothing to do with it, because partaking in an idol's worship, feast, or "festival" is akin to practicing spiritual adultery towards God. For that is how God viewed O.T. Israel's doing so, and that is how He will view our doing so, if we are so careless to do so. Therefore all who are in church, who name Jesus Christ as Lord, must flee from idolatry (consider 2 Cor 6:14-7:1).

Vs. 15 "I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say."

The Apostle Paul knew the Corinthians were not devoid of discernment. By their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ they themselves were now born-again by the Spirit of the Living God, and thus their eyes had been opened and spiritual senses awakened. Thus the Apostle Paul will now through rhetorical questions ask them to use their God given wisdom and judge what he is about to say. 

Vs. 16 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"

The cup of blessing, which we bless, refers to the Lord's cup, and thus it represents our communion with God and each other through the blood of Christ. Similarly the bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ. Now these things are symbols of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us all through His shed blood and broken body. Thus when we partake of the cup we are gratefully acknowledging our communion with Christ (and by default each other) through His blood. Same with the bread which we break; for it was our sins and transgressions which broke Christ's body; yet it was through Christ's shed blood and broken body that we have been redeemed from sin and death, and restored to God Himself by Christ Himself. And so when we partake of these material things we are in fact declaring the Spiritual realities of all of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus our Communion with God and Christ and each other in One Body. Therefore to have, or seek to have communion with any other so called "deity" is unconscionable and utterly unthinkable.

Vs. 17 "For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread." 

The Apostle Paul now draws a metaphor for us using the Communion bread of Christ to make us see that we are all one people In Christ. For we all share in the same Communion bread of Christ because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the Communion bread we partake of, wherever and whenever we partake of it, speaks not only of our mutual redemption, but also our mutual fellowship In Christ. There is then only one bread and one body, and thus one Communion, for all who exclusively believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore our partaking of the cup and the bread of Christ makes our partaking of anothers "cup" or "bread" or table impossible. Now to make this point the Apostle Paul will now briefly look at Israel. 

Vs. 18 "Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?" 


The Apostle Paul having clearly established our Communion with God and Christ and each other through Christ's blood and body symbolized by the Communion cup and the bread, now moves to strengthen his point by drawing for us an example from Old Covenant Israel (refereed to here as "Israel after the flesh").  And so when the Israelites offered their sacrifices to God through the priests on the altar of God, a portion of it was laid aside for the priest, and a portion for the worshippers, and thus when they ate of their sacrifices they all became partakers of the altar. That is they all identified themselves as God's people through it. And thus so do we by exclusively partaking of the Lord's table just as He commanded us, not by practicing Lent or Advent or any other man-made religious day/s. 

Vs. 19-22 ¹⁹ What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? ²⁰ Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. ²² Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

The Apostle Paul had already stated that idols were in of themselves nothing, that they themselves have no power to do good or to do evil. However demon spirits are associated with idols/idolatry and these can do very real spiritual and or psychological harm. Therefore Apostle Paul is warning all believers that we cannot have fellowship with Christ and demons, we cannot partake of the Lord's table and then partake of an idols feast (consider Rev 18:1-4). 


Additional Resources Consulted
Hindson, Edward E., and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

1 Corinthians 10:1–13

¹ Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, ² all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ³ all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. ⁵ But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. ⁶ Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. ⁷ And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” ⁸ Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; ⁹ nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; ¹⁰ nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. ¹¹ Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. ¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Commentary

Vs. 1 "Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea" 

Continuing on from why he disciplines his own body and brings it into subjection, the Apostle Paul now states: Moreover (gr. gar=for), all our fathers, (i.e. the Israelites, the forerunners of us all in the faith), were under the cloud, all passed through the sea. The fact that they were all under the cloud refers to the Lord's Authority over them all (Exodus 13:21-22). Now God by that same cloud not only protected them from the pursuing Egyptians when they left Egypt (Exodus 14:19-20), but it was an ongoing shelter to them, and guide for them, as they journeyed forty years in the wilderness (Exodus 40:34-38). Again when God spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai He made His Presence known to all the Israelites by bringing His thick cloud over the mountain when they met (Exodus 19:9; 24:16, 18; 34:5-8). And so God's ongoing Presence with them was made known to them by His cloud always being over the Tabernacle of Meeting where He would continue to meet with Moses (Exodus 40:38). 

Similarly all passed through the sea. That is all the Israelites were safely brought through the Red Sea when God parted it by the hand of Moses, while the pursuing Egyptians who sought to do so were only drowned and consumed by it (Exodus 14:21-31). Now that they all passed through the sea indicates God's desire to save them all, yet as we will see though all passed through the sea, and all were under the cloud, and thus experienced God's deliverance out of Egypt, yet not all would enter the Promised Land, because some in their rebellion and unbelief would desire to return to Egypt, and so they would be condemned to die in the wilderness (1 Cor 10:5; Hebrews 3:16-19; Jude 7). 

Vs. 2 "all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea" 

When Moses parted the Red Sea at God's command and all the Israelites entered it, they were "baptized" into Moses, that is Moses became the agent through whom God brought their deliverance from Egypt. Same with the cloud being over them as shelter by day and light by night and then over the Tabernacle of Meeting where God met with Moses, that was God's sign to them that it was Moses, and Moses alone, through whom God would lead them to the Promised land. That said God would not bring them into the Promised land through Moses, that would be assigned to Joshua whose name points us to Jesus. Thus all were "baptized" into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Brought to cusp of the Promised Land by him, yet the Israelites did not enter the Promised Land through him, that would come by God leading them through Joshua. Thus no-one enters the Kingdom of heaven through Moses, (i.e. via the Law) but only by faith in and obedience towards the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Vs. 3-4 ³ all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.


And so all ate the same spiritual food (that is the manna, the bread which God gave to sustain them in the wilderness, see Exodus 16:35). Which Jesus later used as a metaphor of Himself, which we must all metaphorically eat (i.e. believe on and live on) if we want to have everlasting life (John 6:22-70). Similarly all the Israelites drank the same spiritual drink (see Exodus 17:5-6), that is the water which flowed from the rock that the Lord stood upon as Moses struck it, and it sprang forth much needed waters to the wilderness sojourners. The metaphor there is of Christ Himself being stricken for our sins and transgressions, so that rivers of living waters would flow out of the hearts of all who believe in Him (see John 7:38-39) and thus we become a blessing to others as well. Thus, though all the Israelites were under the cloud and passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink, Yet not all entered the Promised Land. As the Apostle Paul recalls in verse five.

Vs. 5 ⁵ But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

And so it is through the Israelites failings to believe and obey God that the Apostle Paul is warning us all not to do (Numbers 14:11-38). For simply having fellowship and sharing the same spiritual beliefs (and thus coming under the Headship of Christ) does not equate with a universal salvation for one and for all. People in the church need to know that. Belonging to a church, or being water baptized, or taking communion, or going to Bible study, or serving in Christian ministry in some way does not always equate with genuine repentance and faith, and thus being baptized into the Body of Christ. For as good as those things are, they can ever supplant God's commandments through Christ as what is required of us all as being true Christian living and discipleship. For you can have "the ceremony" (that is all the outward appearances of being a Christian) but not have the substance, who is Christ Himself, who lives in and whose Spirit works through everyone who believes in and obeys Him. 

Vs. 6 ⁶ Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 

The Apostle Paul is now referring to the Israelites becoming dissatisfied with the manna God provided for them in the wilderness and yielding to their intense cravings for meat, and all the foods they ate, or imagined they ate, when they were slaves in the land of Egypt (Num. 11:4-34, vs. 4-6, also Psalm 106:14-15). And so the Scripture says they tested God in the wilderness by lusting after evil things; not that food is evil; but in being dissatisfied with God's manna provisions for them, they turned their hearts against God, and turned them right back to Egypt where God had delivered them from. The lesson for the Corinthians (and us all) is do not lust after anything so strongly that you would abandon your own faith in God, or the destroy the faith of others, in your desires for it. 

Vs. 7 ⁷ And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 

When Moses was 40 days on Mount Sinai with God, Aaron and people with him became restless and made for themselves a golden calve, worshipped it, and celebrated it (Exodus 32:1-35), as if it it had delivered them from Egypt! The lesson for us is that while we wait on Christ's return from His Holy Sojourn with God the Father, that we also not begin to eat and drink and get drunk and "rise to play", as Jesus' warns about happening to some (see Matt 24:45-51). Now for the Corinthians idolatry wasn't just the worship of the idol, it was all of the carousing and licentiousness that went with it, that made it so enticing to them. 

Vs. 8-10 ⁸ Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; ⁹ nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; ¹⁰ nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 

Sexual immorality is not unique to those who worship idols, nor the Israelites in their wilderness sojourn (see Num 25:1-9). In this degenerating world where sexual immorality (and now homosexuality) is so openly and brazenly promoted, praised, and practiced that one greatly fears for the generation that is growing up in it all. For it all carries with it very far reaching consequences that will have many dire consequences on both individuals and societies well-being. Therefore the church collectively, and we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ individually, must always choose to take a different course of life, and shine a far more liberating light than putting darkness for light, and saying what is eternally wrong in the eyes of God, is now somehow right. Because as the Apostle warns us all here, just as God's judgment against His people practicing sexual immorality was very decisive then, it will also be very decisive against those who continue to practice such things in the end (Psalm 9:17; Micah 5:15; Rev. 21:8).

The Apostle Paul now recalls the Israelites tempting Christ (Num 21:4-9). Notice it's Christ they tempted since it was Christ who was the Rock who followed them (vs. 3). Not literally as a piece of Rock, but Spiritually it was Christ through whom their deliverance came and ultimately their (and our) eternal salvation has come, and thus whose Presence was always with them, just as His Spirit's presence always remained amongst them, even while God was chastening them (see Isaiah 63:9-10; Haggai 2:5). And so it was Christ Himself who was sustaining them, both through the manna, as well as by the water which flowed from the Rock for them. Thus when those Israelites said that their souls loathed God's manna they were in essence rejecting Christ Himself. For God's manna was itself a symbol of Christ Himself, who again was sustaining them in the wilderness through it. Therefore when they irreverently spoke against the manna, rejecting it, they were in fact speaking against the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. And with that God sent fiery serpents amongst the Israelites and cut off from Himself twenty thee thousand in one day. For they by their own irreverence brought His just and swift judgment down upon themselves (consider Isaiah 5:19; Jer. 17:15; 2 Peter 3:3-7 etc.). The Israelites then are a clear example for us all of what not to do when we too are faced with the various trials of life that we all will face during our own "wilderness sojourn" down here. For asking God "why" and thus seeking to understand His dealings with oneself is one thing, but saying one's soul loathes God's provision and or salvation for oneself is quite another. Now the finial admonition is the Apostle Paul recalling the Israelites complaining against God Himself. Which manifested itself by their rejection of God's leadership of them through Moses, God's chosen servant for them (Num. 16:41-49). And so though these are not all being recalled in chronological order, they are being recalled so that we all learn from them, and do not be like them. Because grumbling and complaining and whining in this world is as common as the cold, and as contagious as the flu, and when people in the church also give themselves licence to do so, irreverence and rebellion is sure to follow.   

Vs. 11 ¹¹ Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Again the Israelites are examples to us, whose history with God is recorded for us in the Scriptures so that we as God's children by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ  (John 1:12) might learn from their mistakes. For truly the ends of the ages have come upon us with God's salvation coming down to us in the Person of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. And so with Jesus Christ's Crucifixion Death, Resurrection from the dead, and Ascension back to heaven, all the Scriptures regarding our sins atonement have been fulfilled. And so with God's Spirit's outpouring into the world, and thus into everyone who believes the Gospels Good News of remission of all sins and everlasting life for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, the end of the ages has come. The urgency then of the Gospel is that we all repent and believe, and thus receive the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus enter the Kingdom of heaven while we can.  Because this world is rapidly coming to its end; for the mystery of lawlessness is already so strongly at work that one wonders how much more degenerate and violent it can all get before the Lord calls His people home with the great trumpet blast, and then only those who repented and believe (and thus who are sealed with His Spirit) will be taken. Those who remain unbelieving and unrepentant will have to face God's eternal wrath and Day of Judgment which will come upon this world, it's ruler, and all who follow him at Armageddon.

Vs. 12-13 ¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

The Apostle Paul's warning is for us all, since no one stands by their own righteousness, obedience, or resolve. We are all dependent upon the Lord for our salvation and sanctification. Thus Paul is warning us all about becoming complacent on one hand, which is a very real danger for us when things are going well (vs. 12), while encouraging those who are struggling on the other (vs. 13). Verse thirteen then is a promise that we all need to take to heart and apply to our lives. 


Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Resources Consulted
Lowery, D. K. (1985). 1 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 526). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992.

Hindson, Edward E., and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994.