Saturday, October 31, 2015

2 Corinthians 1:1–7

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. 

Commentary
Vs. 1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia"

Paul begins this epistle, as he does several other epistles, by stating that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God (see Gal 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 1 Tim 1:1, 2 Tim 1:1). Thus Paul from the beginning not only authenticates this epistle as coming from himself, but more importantly his being an apostle of Christ as coming by the will of God. For then, as now, there are always those who want to be regarded as apostles of Christ, but are not (2 Cor 11:12-15). The Apostle Paul's call though was not by the will of man, or through man, (see Gal 1:1), rather it was by the Lord Jesus Christ who first set Paul apart from the womb (Gal 1:15), and then called Paul on the Damascus road to be His eye witness everywhere (see Acts 9:1-30; 22:1-21; 26:1-32). Now Paul also mentions Timothy, his young protege, whom Paul calls "our brother" affirming Timothy to them as well. For Timothy was not just a servant of Christ with Paul, but he was also personally known to the Corinthians, having ministered the Gospel to them. And so at the time of Paul's writing this epistle to them, Timothy must now have been with Paul, having returned from them. The Apostle Paul having introduced himself and Timothy now addresses his epistle, "To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia". Notice that in spite of all the the Corinthians failings they are referred to by the Apostle Paul as the church of God. Thus though they are not yet "perfect" Christians in their conduct, or even "perfect" in their understanding, they (like us all who believe) are perfect Christians in our position with Christ and God (Heb. 10:10, 14). And so they by their very reception of the Living Word of God, they, like us all who believe, are the church of God (John 1:12). Now Paul also addresses this epistle to all the saints who are in Achaia, the Roman province to which the Corinthians belonged. Thus the Apostle Paul clearly had in mind that this epistle would be read by and used for the instruction of not only the Corinthians, but also the entire region, or wherever Christian disciples were, or might be found. 

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

The Apostle Paul now extends grace and peace to us all from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Now Grace is not only an expression of one extending favor, kindness, or sympathy to another; but it is also an expression of having delight in the one to whom ones favor is shown (consider Jesus' story of the prodigaal son in Luke 15:11-32 to full grasp this). And so it is that we have this extraordinary gift from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is conveying His grace and peace to us all through His servant Paul. For having predestined us to adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ we have been accepted in the Beloved, because of the redemption which we who believe all have through Christ's blood, and our personally trusting Him (see Eph. 1:5-7; 2 Tim 1:9-10). Therefore Paul's extending God's grace and peace to us is something which God Himself has already done through His Sons Crucifixion death and resurrection from dead which makes our reconciliation with God possible (2 Cor 5:21). While peace is the fruit of our having been reconciled back to God. And so it is God's grace and peace is not something we, or anyone else needs to strive for, rather it is like salvation itself, a gift from God to us all who believe and obey the Gospel of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and so it is also the work of the Spirit of God in our persons and lives (John 14:15-16, 27; Gal 5:22-23).

Vs. 3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

Therefore in light of such things the Apostle Paul now breaks out in thanksgiving and praise, blessing the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is also in the heart of everyone who has likewise believed, and thus received, and experienced the love, grace, and peace of God for themselves and in themselves. Therefore in whatever circumstances of life the Apostle Paul (and we ourselves) find ourselves in, we can also praise the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who not only extends His mercies to us all who believe in His Son, but who also comforts us in all our tribulation. Now whether this is by His ministering directly to our spirits by His Spirit, or by His ministering to us through others, the God of all comfort always seeks to comfort us in all of our tribulation. And this He does so that we ourselves may also be a comfort to those with are in any trouble. And so it is that God's comforting us is to be reciprocal; that is, as we are comforted, we are to comfort others with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted with by God. Imagine then if every believer did their part in this, there would be so many reciprocal acts of kindness everywhere, that one can barely imagine the positive changes, and blessings, and praises that would flow and abound everywhere!

Vs. 5 "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."

Here the Apostle Paul makes it clear that his sufferings were for Christ, something which will also be apart of every believers legacy (see Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29; 2 Tim. 1:8; 1 Peter 4:12-19). And so it is as we suffer for Christ so our consolation (comfort) through Christ also abounds. Believers then will never be forsaken (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5); rejected yes, persecuted yes, given over to all kinds of trials and tribulations yes (consider Hebrews 11), but never will we lose our salvation and eternal place and peace with Christ (John 10:28-29; 14:27). For it is God who not only watches over us, but God our Father is the One who sustains us through it all (Isaiah 41:10; John 16:33). Therefore having a right perspective in difficult times is the right way to not only endure them, but also pass through them. Knowing that these things are not unique to ourselves, for just as the saints down through the ages have had to endure the hostility of this wicked and ungodly world so must we (Psalm 37:20-40; 38:20; 44:22; 69:12; Pr. 29:10; Heb 12:3-4). Now Paul's consolation in Christ (like our own is two fold, for as much as we have been appointed to such things in this life, so we shall all also be abundantly repaid, consider Matt. 5:10-12; Luke 6:20-26; Heb 10:32-34 etc.) Now that's future. While Paul's consolation here and now must have been all the disciples he saw being made, all the people coming to Christ, coming to genuine repentance and faith, and thus seeing how many lives God was not only saving, but also transforming, something which was also taking place in his own heart and life, while all these things were occurring in his own ministry and life. 

Vs. 6 "Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation." 

Whether afflicted or comforted then, the Apostle Paul saw in all these things God working out much good for the growth and faith of the Corinthians, as well as himself (Rom 8:28). Thus if the Corinthians saw Paul afflicted, and yet patiently enduring it all, they would also learn how to faithfully endure. Or if they saw Paul comforted in his afflictions, they too could have hope of experiencing the same consolation in their own afflictions and lives. Therefore in all of Paul's afflictions, he always saw God's greater plan and purposes in his being set forth in this way, so as to build the church, and strengthen the faith of disciples everywhere (consider 2 Cor 12:15; Phil 2:17-18; Col 1:24).  

Vs. 7 "And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation."

Therefore the Apostle Paul's hope for the Corinthians was steadfast (that is unwavering), that as the Corinthians were and would be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, so they would also be partakers of the consolation, which culminates with us all who believe spending an eternity with Christ, which though we are all assured of, must first always be worked out here and now in our own lives and fellowships, and in all our circumstances of life, whether these are now good or "bad". 

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

Additional Resources Consulted
Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 1301). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.

MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.


Saturday, October 24, 2015

1 Corinthians 16:13-23

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love. 15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. 17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Commentary
Vs. 13-14 13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.

In concluding his epistle the Apostle Paul's exhortation to us all here is that we watch. For Jesus Himself warns us all to watch, both ourselves while we wait on His return (see Matt 24:42-44; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:40; 21:34-36), as well to watch out for false prophets, false teachers, false brethren and the dangerous doctrines and practices they will seek to sow into the faith (Matt 24:4-26, vs. 11, 24; Acts 20:25-31, vs. 29-31; 2 Cor 11:3-4, 12-15; Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Tim 3:12-15, vs. 13; Col. 2:8-10; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-3; Jude 5-18; Rev. 2:18-29 etc.). Thus we are to always watch and not be caught off guard by either the Lord's return (1 Thess 5:1-8), or by the very real spiritual dangers and dangerous people (wolves in sheep's clothing) that we all will encounter as we seek to follow the Lord home in grace and truth (Matt 7:15-20; 2 Cor 10:5; 2 Tim 3:1-9; Heb 13:9; Jude 3). Therefore the Apostle Paul says to us all, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong..., in the Lord and the power of His might (Eph. 6:10), ...let all that you do be done in love (vs. 14).
Because if it were just a matter of being brave or strong in the faith then that would not distinguish us from the unbelieving, the ungodly, the immoral, the unregenerate (of which we all once were, Col. 1:21-23). For these can also be bold to defend what they "believe" in. No what distinguishes a born-again child of God is not their willingness to stand up for what we believe in, that's a given, rather it's how we stand up for it. Thus love must govern us all. For love is the first fruit of the Spirit of God (Gal 5:22-23), and love is always the mark of God working in and through our persons and lives (consider 1 John 3:10; 4:8, 20). Therefore we are to let all that we do be done in love, because love is the true mark of God's Presence in us, and His Spirit working through us, and amongst us all.

Vs. 15-16 15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. 

The Apostle Paul Paul now commends to the Corinthians the household of Stephanas. Now these were brethren who had devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints. That is they were ministering to believers wherever, whenever, and likely in whatever ways they could. Now the Apostle Paul says of them that they were the firstfruits (i.e the first believers of Achaia, see 1:16) the Roman Province entailing the southern region of Greece, too which the Corinthians belonged. And so it is the Apostle Paul strongly commends Stephanas and his household to the Corinthians, urging them too submit to such faithful servants of God, "and to everyone who works and labors with us" (vs. 16).

Vs. 17-18 17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 

The Apostle Paul now mentions three men who had come to him from the Corinthians, Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. Some believe these brought the Apostle Paul a first hand account of all that was going on in Corinth, and thus were likely the bearers of this epistle back to them. Given that their names are of Latin origin this may be so, since Corinth was not only of Greek origins, it had first been conquered and then resettled by the Romans in 146 B.C. Now as to what was lacking on the Corinthians part that these men supplied is only up for speculation. Yet it readily appears that these men were of a ministry comfort to the Apostle Paul, as well as the Corinthians themselves, for Paul says of them, that they comforted his spirit and theirs. Therefore the Apostle Paul says that such men should be acknowledged by them, and by us all, for the good works that they have done, and do. 

Vs. 19 "The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house."

The Apostle Paul now forwards greetings to the Corinthians from the churches of Asia (the region which entails the western part of Modern day Turkey), where the Apostle Paul was then ministering the Gospel too in Ephesus at the time of his writing this epistle. Apparently Aquila and Priscilla were still with him there at this time, and so Paul forwards their hearty greetings in the Lord to them. Now these were a dynamic couple, believers whom the Apostle Paul had reached for Christ when he left Athens and first came to Corinth, and so it is they too had a real effective and fruitful ministry in their home as they ministered the Gospel to believers, often ministering to them and discipling them one on one, just as they first did with Apollos (see Acts 18). 

Vs. 20 "All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss."

From forwarding the personal and heartfelt greetings of Aquila and Priscilla, the Apostle Paul now forwards the greetings of all the brethren in Ephesus to them all. Now such a spirit of hospitality and affection for each other is rudimentary to true Gospel living, and is to be what bind us all in love. And so it is that this welcoming spirit and affection extended itself to greeting one another with a holy kiss. Now this practice of greeting one another by kissing the cheek is still widely practiced in certain countries in Europe and in my country Canada in the predominately French speaking Province of Quebec. In ancient Rome and Greece it was a given that you would do this, and so there is no cultural precedent being set here by the Apostle Paul when he says to do this. Instead by doing this one is saying by that cultures custom I receive you. Now that same sort of greeting can also be communicated by a hand sake with a warm and welcoming smile. Therefore I don't think anyone should overtly stress the Apostle Paul's word here on doing this. If they did I would really question their motives for doing so. Because if it is not a culture norm or practice to do so where you reside then there is no point in making people feel uncomfortable by commanding them now to do so. 

Vs. 21 "The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s."

The Apostle Paul now signs, and thus signs off on his epistle, his doing so adds a personal touch to it. Paul's doing so also authenticates it to the Corinthians, and all who would be the end recipients of it.

Vs. 22 "If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!"

When one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Spirit not only transforms us from spiritual death to eternal life, but He also fills us with love for Him, His Son and all His children. Therefore to not love the Lord Jesus Christ is too not belong to Him (1 John 4:8). Thus the Apostle Paul's word here is directed against all false brethren who profess faith in Christ and yet only use Christ's Name, the Gospel, or God's people for their own gain (see Gal 1:6-10, vs. 8-9). Therefore they are all accursed, fully condemned, because they have not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18). Now the Apostle Paul's cry, "O Lord Come" is every believers heartfelt cry to see the Lord Jesus Christ, true love face to face. And thus no more have to walk or live in this hateful, violent, degenerate world, which is only at war with Him, and all of us who belong to Him (John 15:18-25).

Vs. 23 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

The Apostle Paul now commends the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to us all. For it is only grace which keeps us in a right relationship with God and each other. Extending grace then to each other is to mark every one of us who have also received it from the Lord (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).

Vs. 24 "My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." 

The Apostle Paul had been through much with the Corinthians, and yet for all of their failings one thing would not fail and that was his love for them. May the same be said of us towards each other. 


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

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. 548). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2332). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.


Saturday, October 17, 2015

1 Corinthians 16:5–12

5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren. 12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

Commentary
Vs. 5 "Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia)."

In closing out his first epistle to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul now lays forth his plans to come to the Corinthians when he passed through Macedonia. Now Macedonia (the European land region north of the Greek Corinth) was where the Apostle Paul founded the churches of *Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea (see Acts 16:1-6). Similarly the churches of Corinth also had their foundations laid by the preaching of Paul during his evangelistic efforts there (see Acts 18:1-18).

Vs. 6 "And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 

The Apostle Paul was planning to spend some time with the Corinthians after he first passed through Macedonia, saying that he may even spend the winter with them. From there the Corinthians were to send Paul on his way to his next destination, which at the time of his writing them, was not yet decided. 

Vs. 7-9 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

The Apostle Paul did not want to see the Corinthians at this time, since as he states in verse nine, "For a great and effective door as been opened to me..." vs. 9 and that door the Lord opened to him was in Ephesus, where the Apostle was writing this epistle to them from. Therefore Paul did not want to leave Ephesus until Pentecost, likely in the hope of fully establishing the Gospel there, since the Lord was already working mightily through him in Ephesus (see Acts 19-20), and too leave that work undone to come to them would have only been selfish. That said, the Apostle Paul did not leave them to themselves, instead Paul had already dispatched Timothy who was then making his way to them through Macedonia (see 1 Cor 4:17), as well as this epistle which he was writing to them. Thus the Apostle Paul's itinerary was being directed by the Lord's Will, Working, and Power, not his own. And so it is the Apostle Paul though desiring to see them is not presumptuous in any of his plans about doing this, for he says, "if the Lord permits" he himself would visit them, but at this time that was not possible. Now that Paul says there are many adversaries, is not something that is unique to himself, for all the churches had or were experiencing opposition or persecution to various degrees. For so it is whenever and wherever the Lord opens a door for the Gospel to take root in peoples hearts and lives, there Satan will also stir up opposition to it. That said, we should not lose heart as we set out and do the Lord's Will in preaching and teaching the Gospel. For we will all overcome as we also look too and trust in God's Sovereignty over our this worlds, as well as our own affairs (Rom 8:28).

Vs. 10-11 10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

The Apostle Paul now mentions Timothy, whom Paul had already sent out to them (see 1 Cor 4:17), who was then journeying through Macedonia, on his way to them (Acts 19:22). And so it is if Timothy comes to them they should receive him as a servant of the Lord, thus he should be without fear amongst them, since Timothy does the work of the Lord just as the Apostle Paul does. From them Timothy was to be sent back by them to Paul in Ephesus because there Paul was waiting for him with the brethren (vs 11).

Vs. 12 "Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time."

The Apostle Paul also mentions Apollos the eloquent preacher who was first ministered to by Priscilla and Aquila, and who himself had a major influence in the early Corinthians faith in the Gospel. Now that the Apostle Paul strongly urged Apollos to come to them at this time indicates again that though the Corinthians had fallen into some internal struggles, Paul had not forsaken them but was doing whatever he could to help them all get straightened out. Now as to the reasons why Apollos was unwilling to come to them at this time is up for speculation, yet his not coming to them at this particular time no way indicates his abandoning them, rather as he knew his own ministry and what were the pressing needs facing him and the brethren with him, he likely felt he could not come to the Corinthians at this time. Nonetheless he said he would come to them when he has a convenient time. And so the Apostle Paul does not overrule Apollos and demand his going to them, instead he respects his decision not to go and leaves it at that. Something we can all learn from, and thus give grace to each other when it comes to choosing where and when we will be involved in ministry work.

Additional Resources Consulted
*Myers, Allen C. The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1987.

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Vs. 10-12 Hindson, Edward E., and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Commentary 
Vs. 1 "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also"

As the Apostle Paul frequently does after a theological discourse he now gives some instructions regarding our conduct, or a pressing need. Here the urgent need was the brethren in Jerusalem who were not only suffering ongoing persecution for their faith, but were also suffering because of a lack of personal resources. For most believers there were being ostracized from the majority Jewish community from which they came. And so life was very difficult for them. On the one hand having to endure the alienation and indignation of their Jewish countrymen, while on the other being eyed with growing suspicion and intolerance by the governing Romans. Not to mention the famine which precipitated some of the earliest relief efforts to them (see Acts 11:27-30). And so an ongoing collection for them is commanded by the Apostle Paul. For it was the Christians in Jerusalem who in the beginning sold all their possessions, and held all things in common, so as to grow the early church and magnify the Lord's name everywhere. Indeed if it were not for their early sacrifices, the church would've not been able to sustain itself. And so the collection for the saints commanded here is a most fitting and honorable request (see Rom 15:25-27). Now Paul had already given orders to the churches in Galatia to do the same; this likely being born out of a personal exhortation that he received from the other Apostles when he first began his "official" Gentile ministry (see Gal 2:9-10). And so the Apostle Paul mentions it here so the Corinthians would know that this pressing need was going to be met not just by them, but by all the Gentile churches to which the Gospel had come. 

Vs. 2-4 "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come."

The first day of the week, (the Lord's Day), was when each individual believer was to bring a special offering for the believers in Jerusalem. This offering then was to be distinct from what they would've given in support of their own assemblies and people. Now this offering was to be proportionate, that is, "as he may prosper", and thus it was to be according to what one had, not according what one did not have (see 2 Cor 8:12-15). Thus no one was to go into debt, or impoverish themselves, or their families in seeking to meet this need, or any other need as this pertains to the Lord's Work. The same principal then applies to us all. For we are all to give generously yes, recklessly no (consider 2 Cor 9:6-9). Now the Apostle Paul wanted all collections to be completed before he arrived. Likely this was to prevent a schism within the assembly where some would give while he was present, while others who did not have the means to give at that moment could not give. Thus if all the collection was gathered before hand, then it would truly be a church gift, gathered from amongst them all, as the Lord prospered them, and as they all had opportunity to lay something aside for His ministry to the saints. 

Vs. 3-4 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

This offering then was to be laid up until the Apostle Paul could arrive and was to be delivered by people of integrity chosen by the Corinthians from amongst themselves. Thus whomever they approved by their letters. The Apostle Paul then would send them (with his own commendation) to bear their gift to the brethren in need in Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul also states that if the Corinthians desired, Paul himself would also go with their chosen representatives to Jerusalem. Thus we see in these verses a very tactful and orderly approach to giving, collecting, and bearing ministry gifts that would be above reproach, and truly be a blessing to both the giver and the recipient of the gift. 

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



Saturday, October 10, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Commentary
Vs. 50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption." 

Though through our mortal bodies we are recipients of the Kingdom of heaven (consider, 1 Cor 3:16-17, 6:19; 2 Cor 6:19) they were not designed to inherit (dwell in) the Kingdom of heaven. The physical body which was only designed for the physical realm then must be transformed into a spiritual body so that it might be fit to dwell in the kingdom of heaven. For corruption (sinful flesh which is subject to death and decay) cannot inherit incorruption, where there is no sin, and death has no realm or place. 

Vs. 51-52 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

The mystery here is that not every believer will experience physical death (i.e. "sleep"). At the Lord's return those who are then living will be immediately caught up in the air with those believers who will be raised from the dead to also be with the Lord forever (1 Thess. 4:15-18). Thus at the sound of the heavenly trumpet, in the twinkling of an eye the dead will be raised incorruptible, (that is the will be raised from the dead in their immortal bodies), just as those who are then living will also be changed into theirs. 

Vs. 53-55 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 

And so it is that this corruptible that we now bear must put on incorruption, and this mortal that we now bear must put on immortality. The Apostle Paul then is distinguishing between those who will be living at Christ's return and those who have already died. For we all must be changed into our immortal bodies and state before we can go to be with the Lord forever. And so it is when we all go to be with the Lord forever (both those who rise from the dead, and those who are then living are all transformed at the resurrection of the dead), then shall the saying be brought to pass which states: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” and“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 
Now the Apostle Paul is quoting from Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14, two passages which proclaim God's finial victory over death and the grave, and thus all of the enemies schemes and plans to destroy His prized creation through it, which is every one of us. For God has already paid the price of our redemption from sin and death through the Crucifixion death of His only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ so that we all might have everlasting life by faith in Christ's Person. The only question is have you received Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior so that you might have remission of all your sins and everlasting life? (John 1:14). For only then will you stand justified in the sight of God and be glorified forever with the Lord Jesus Christ at the resurrection of dead (John 5:24; Rom 5:1; Gal 2:16).

Vs. 56 "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law." 

Truly the sting of death is sin, for it is by sin that death entered the world (Rom 6:23). Equally important to understand is that "the strength of sin is the law", something that the Apostle Paul elucidates in Rom 7 (see vs. 7-12), and is why the Gospel is the Message the needs to be preached everywhere, not the Law (consider John 1:17). Because only by God's grace and truth which is found exclusively in Christ Jesus is sins strength through the law defeated. For the law only makes us conscience of our sin, but it does nothing to cleanse us from it, or empower us to overcome it. Only the Lord Jesus Christ does that by His Spirit when we repent and belive in Him through the Gospel. 

Vs. 57 "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

And so it is that God gives us the victory over sin and death through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Who not only washes our sins away in His blood, but by His Holy Spirit regeneration of our persons, He sets us on a course of sanctification, in preparation of our spending all eternity with Himself.

Vs. 58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

In light of the resurrection of the dead; and our being personally assured of it; it behooves us to all who believe to set our lives about doing the Lord's business down here. For every Christian's person and life by God's design is to be filled with His purposes. Thus the exhortation here is for us all to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord that He has assigned to us. Because what we do down here, as the Holy Spirit equips and enables us and leads us to do, will not only will have an eternal impact on others down here, but it will also impact our own futures up there. Anyone then who knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and yet does not serve Him as their Lord and Savior will not find satisfaction nor fulfillment in this life unless they are actively serving Christ with the gifts and talents He has given to them. Therefore use what God has entrusted you with to the best of your abilities, because He will multiply your fruits and increase joy in all that you do for Him.

Scriptural Quotation
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.






1 Corinthians 15:35–49

35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 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. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Commentary
Vs. 35-38 35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. 

The Apostle Paul now asks two questions regarding the resurrection from the dead so that he may answer them. Obviously these questions have their roots in what the dissenters themselves had asked others in trying to refute the resurrection from the dead. The first question asks: "How are the dead raised up", while the second asks, "And with what body do they come?" 
Now to the first, the Apostle Paul simply points to God's designs in creation itself. Citing the simple seed which itself must first die before it can be sown into the ground in one form, before it rises to life in a completely different form.  So too then is the resurrection of dead. For it is God Himself who gives us all unique bodies in the physical realm, yet when we die we will be raised up together in another form, that is in a spiritual bodily form that itself though unique to each individual, will also be like Christ's own resurrection bodily form (Rom 6:5). All which the Apostle Paul will go onto demonstrate by drawing analogies from the various bodily forms in all of God's creation. 

Vs. 39 "All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds." 

And so it is by God's design, not all flesh is the same flesh. For there is one kind of flesh for mankind, another for animals, another for fish, another for birds etc. Biologically there maybe similarities, but by God's design each is unique, and specifically designed for the person or creature He created it to be. The Apostle Paul's point then is that at the resurrection of the dead our bodies will not be in same form they were in this life, nor will they be exact duplicates of each other. 

Vs. 40 "There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another."

And so moving from the seed, to natural life, to now the celestial and terrestial, the Apostle Paul continues his analogies. Now there are celestial (i.e. heavenly) bodies, and there are terrestrial (earthly) bodies. The glory of the celestial bears one type of glory, while the glory of the terrestrial bears another. And so it is that whatever earthly glory our bodies bore (or did not bear) in this life, it will be far and away exceeded and excelled by the Supreme glory that we each will bear in heaven (Matt 13:43).

Vs. 41 "There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory."

Again as there is a distinction in the glory of the celestial bodies, so there is a distinction between the glory of our mortal bodies and the glory of our heavenly bodies. Whether or not this implies a distinction in the glory of our heavenly bodies amongst ourselves is up for debate (Daniel 12:3).

Vs. 42-44 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 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. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

From corruption, that is our sinful flesh which came from the dust and returns to it, to the everlasting incorruption where our bodies will no more be subject to sin and death and all of the ravages of it. No more disease, old age, frailty, infirmity, weakness and our ongoing battles against the sinful nature of our flesh, for it all will done away with forever. And along with it the dishonor of our mortal bodies which only bore the reproach of Adam's sin will finially give way to glory of our new resurrection body, that will bear the glory of Christ's own resurrection body. And so all traces of Adam's sin (along with all our own sin/s and transgressions) will be done away with forever. Thus our bodies though sown in weakness and being subject to sin, disease, and death that marks this life will be raised in power, Christ's power, through which we now live, and will live for forever glorified with our Lord and Savior. And so the Apostle Paul returns to his seed metaphor (vs. 35-38) to describe the process by which we go from mortality to immortality (vs. 42-43); describing for us the two separate states we all will experience. The first is in our natural body, and the second is our spiritual bodies (vs. 44), which we shall have at the resurrection from dead (vs. 42). 

Vs. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

The first Adam ushered in mortal human life (Gen. 2:7), while the last Adam (Jesus Christ, see Romans 5:12-21) became a life-giving spirit. Here the contrast is stated so that we understand that Jesus Christ came to undo what Adam happened when he sinned and brought sin and death into the world to us all. Thus Jesus Christ is the life giving spirit in that through Him spiritual life, everlasting life, is given to us all who believe in Him (John 3:16), through His Holy Spirit in us (John 6:33, 35, 63), who is the seal of our inherintence with Himself forver (Eph 1:13-14).

Vs. 46 "However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual." 

The order of creation and redemption demands that the same order be followed in our passing from the natural body to the spiritual. Therefore Jesus Christ Himself also had to first put on flesh as a Man before He put on His own Resurrection Spiritual body. The same order thus follows in our redemption (or salvation). First we are born naturally, then we must be born again by the Spirit of the Lord in order to enter the Kingdom of heaven and then be raised up at the last Day in our spiritual bodies, where we will spend eternity with Christ in it (see John 3:3-5; 6:39, 40, 44 etc.). 

Vs. 47 "The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven." 

Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth. He was nothing more than a natural being, incapable of redeeming himself from his own sin and transgression, just as we are also incapable of redeeming ourselves from ours. While the second Man (or Adam) Jesus Christ is the Lord from heaven, who came down to earth as a Man to redeem us all who believe in Him. And so it is that the Lord Jesus Christ first had to suffer Crucifixion death for all our sins and transgressions before rising from the dead three days later appearing forever in His Spiritual body, a spiritual body which we ourselves will also bear at the resurrection of dead. Thus Jesus Christ is the King of all of God's creation and He is the firstborn from the dead for us all who believe in Him (Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5). The limitations then of Adam (the first man), and by default all of mankind is seen in Adam, and thus is being contrasted here with the Limitlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ who is from heaven. 

Vs. 48-49 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Again because of our being descended from Adam, we all bear his image, that is not an exact physical representation of him, but we all, both male and female, have the same human flesh. So it is then just as we have borne the image of the the man of dust, so we shall bear the image of the heavenly Man Jesus Christ. Therefore though we do not know know what we be in our resurection bodily form, yet we know for certain that "we shall be like Him" (1 John 3:2).

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

Additional Resources Consulted 
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1808). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




Friday, October 2, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:29–34

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Commentary
Vs. 29 "Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?"

The thought here is if the dead do not rise (i.e., if there is no resurrection from the dead, and thus Christ Himself who is the firstborn from the dead could not have risen from the dead, why then be baptized for the dead, i.e. into his death (see Rom 6 to understand). For If Christ is still dead, then our baptism which unites us with Him in life, death, and resurrection from the dead would all be futile. 

Vs. 30 "And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?"

Again if there was no resurrection from the dead why would the Apostle Paul himself go through such peril and ongoing persecution. For if Christ is not risen then the enemy of our souls would've won and there would be no need for him to stir up his own to oppose the Gospel any longer. Yet because the Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the dead (1 Peter 1:3), and is coming again, and will judge the world in righteousness (Psalm 96:13; Acts 17:30-31), there is and will always be strong opposition to His being preached and believed on everywhere, all which began the moment Christ's tomb was found empty (see Matt 27:62-64; Acts 4:1-4 etc.). 

Vs. 31 "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." 

The Apostle Paul now affirms not only his own faith in the resurrection of the dead, but also the Corinthians as well, and so he can boast of them because they, like himself, have their faith in Christ Jesus. Now it is because of his faith in Christ Jesus and His resurrection from the dead that the Apostle Paul can also say: " I die daily", that is I live this life in full expectation of the life to come. And so I die daily to sin and self (Rom 6:10-13), and live on for Christ, the Church, the Gospel. 

Vs. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 

Again if there is no resurrection from the dead, why would Paul so stoutly defend the Gospel from the beasts (i.e. the Godless) in Ephesus who opposed it. For if the dead do not rise why not just live for the sinful pleasures of this life, as he says, "let us eat and drink for tommorow we die!" And so to make his point the Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah 22:12-13, a passage in which God had called for repentance from His people, but instead He found them "eating and drinking"; that is they were arrogantly living as if God could not save them, and so they cast off all restraint (Isaiah 59:1-3). All which God said no atonement would ever be found for them, even to their deaths (Isaiah 22:14). And so the Apostle Paul wants us all to know that because there is a resurrection from the dead, how we live in this life really matters! Therefore striving to live a Godly life is so that we may attain to all that God would do through us, and for us, both in this life, and for eternity (consider Daniel 12:2-3). 

Vs. 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 

The Apostle Paul now warns us all not to be deceived by having fellowship with those who deny the resurrection from the dead and thus are living sinful lives, because as he says, “Evil company corrupts good habits.” vs. 33 
Which the the Book of Proverbs agrees with for it states: 
"The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
 For the way of the wicked leads them astray." Pr. 12:26

Tolerating then those who were denying either Christ's, or our own resurrection from dead, was only corrupting, and going to corrupt the whole assembly. For if tolerated such lies would soon over run their faith, (both individually and collectively) just as those who now accept homosexuality has (consider 1 Cor 5:6). Therefore you cannot have fellowship with those who deny, or live openly hostile to the Gospel, and not have their evil doctrine and lifestyle affect you! You have to make a choice for Christ and Biblical truth and reject the lies and degenerating values of this world, because you cannot have fellowship with both (see 2 Cor 6:14-17; Eph. 5:11-13). 

Vs. 34 "Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame."

Therefore the Apostle Paul vehemently says to us all; "Awake to righteousness and do not sin", because all that is truly Christian is meant to bring us to righteousness and turn us away from sin. For that is true knowledge of God. And so not to hold fast to that fundamental teaching of the Gospel; of the resurrection from the dead; which is so critical to our redemption, and our doing so (see John 5:24-30) is only a shame too any Christian, or assembly, who sadly is lead astray to deny the same. 

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