Tag Archives: 1 Corinthians

2 Kings 5, 1 Corinthians 14

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In 2 Kings 5, we read of Naaman’s cleansing from leprosy, an event with many parallels to our own cleansing. Rather than some mighty act, Naaman had to humble himself and submit to the simple instructions from Elisha. Naaman’s pride almost cost him the chance to be healed, but the faith of a little girl taken captive from Israel convinced him to do as instructed.

Similarly, we have not been called to perform some mighty work in order to be saved from the effects of sin. Instead, we’ve been called to humble ourselves and submit to God. The cleansing we have been offered is free, just as Naaman’s healing was free. We are also reminded of the impact out faith can have on others, and the need to encourage each other as we walk towards God’s kingdom.

Paul also considers the idea of the needs of others in 1 Corinthians 14, in the context of holy spirit gifts. Paul “would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” While both gifts are useful in the right context, anything that will build up and encourage others is far more important, “For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up”. This should be our focus in the body of Christ, building each other up in our spiritual journey.

1 Corinthians 6

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1 Corinthians 6 is largely a negative chapter, focusing on issues of sexual immorality and taking believers to court. Rather than simply condemning these practices, Paul finishes each section with an explanation and a reminder of our calling.

“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” This applies to us all; prior to baptism we were all sinners. Probably not sexually immoral, but sinners nonetheless. Rather than filing lawsuits against fellow Christians, or attempting to defraud them, as some Corinthians were, Paul reminds us all of the amazing gift we have received. Washed free of past sins, our focus now should be care for each other, a united body headed up by Christ.

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? … You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” As members of Christ, redeemed by his sacrifice, our purpose in life is to glorify God, so Paul encourages us to live accordingly, slaves of righteousness, reflecting God’s glory in everything we do.

Deuteronomy 20

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Deuteronomy 20 describes laws concerning warfare. Israel were about to face many battles while entering the promised land, fighting against nations known for their military prowess. Moses tells Israel, “when you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt… Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory”.

Israel had good reason to be afraid; from a natural standpoint they had no chance of defeating the Canaanites. With God fighting on their behalf though, their victory was assured. This language is very similar to language used to describe our battle against sin. Ephesians 6, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”. 2 Corinthians 10, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds”. 1 Corinthians 15, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The war is already won, we just need to fight our daily battles against sin, confident that God is on our side.

1 Corinthians 15

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In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds us of the gospel message, with a strong emphasis on resurrection. Jesus died, but the veracity of his resurrection was witnessed by many, including Paul. There was an idea being spread that Christ hadn’t been raised, but if this were the case then Paul’s preaching and our hope is in vain.

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… in Christ shall all be made alive”. This is the great hope of the gospel, of faithful people stretching back to Abraham. It is not a vain hope, but instead “We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” 

This is an enormous source of strength and encouragement; a cause for praise and rejoicing, of looking beyond present suffering to future victory. “Death is swallowed up in victory… thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Leviticus 3-4, 1 Corinthians 12

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In Leviticus 3-4 we read of the peace and sin offerings. The peace offering could be public or private, for giving thanks, dedicating a vow, or a voluntary offering. The sin offering was either communal or individual, in response to a specific sin. There were various animals that could be offered, each with their own specific instructions.

For the Israelite, sin either intentional or unintentional required a sacrifice. Sin could not be ignored or hidden. These animal sacrifices could not take away sin; they were merely a consequence.

By contrast, we “are the body of Christ and individually members of it”. Hebrews tells us that “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”, a more perfect sacrifice that allows us to have a relationship with God based on love rather than payment. Rather than sacrifice, it is up to us to “have the same care for one another” for members of the body, to show God’s love to each other.

1 Corinthians 10

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Paul uses the example of Israel in the wilderness as a warning for us. They ate and drank of the same spiritual food and drink as we do, so their experiences and failings are relevant to our lives today. Although we might feel that we’re not likely to sin in the same way as Israel, Paul warns “let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man“.

Paul balances this warning with the reminder that “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability“. God wants to save us, not destroy us, seeking to develop our character through our response to trial.  Our aim in life is to “do all to the glory of God“, whether it relates to idolatry, dissatisfaction, or the conscience of our brother.

Exodus 31, 1 Corinthians 1-2

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God emphasised to Moses the importance of Israel keeping the Sabbath, “a sign between me and you throughout your generations… as a covenant forever“. It was a day “of solemn rest, holy to the Lord“, a day every week to remind the Israelites that they were God’s own treasured people.

Although we don’t keep the Sabbath today, we do observe a covenant made between us and God.  We’ve been called to be saints through “the grace of God… into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord“. We’ve made a covenant with God that we will endeavour to reflect His character in our lives, and in so doing be part of God’s nation.  This is a covenant that has promise of eternal life, just as the Sabbath represented the completeness of God’s creation.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest“

1 Corinthians 12-13

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As individuals, we are all members of the one body of Christ. “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose“.  As part of the same body, Paul exhorts us “that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.“

As part of the body of Christ, there is something far greater than the various gifts of the holy spirit that the Corinthians placed in such high regard, which Paul goes on to describe as love. “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  Love is an active demonstration of the way we manifest God’s character. Jesus showed us the greatest form of love in his sacrifice, and as imitators of Jesus, showing love must also be our goal.

Jeremiah 51, 1 Corinthians 11

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1 Corinthians 11. We hear it quoted nearly every Sunday. “Be imitators of Paul, as he is of Christ“, and “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”  The idea of examining ourselves is critical to living a life acceptable to God.  We need to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only“, not ignoring the natural face we see in the mirror but changing it to reflect God’s character. Paul also stresses the importance of unity, and that Christ is our head.

The lack of self examination is the reason Israel struggled so much to serve God, focused instead on being like the nations around them instead of looking inwards, to the tabernacle and the glory of God it represented. Yet God through Jeremiah still says “For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the Lord of hosts.”  There is always hope. The one “who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens” has power to both bring judgement on nations such as Babylon, but also power to forgive those that turn to Him.

1 Corinthians 8-9

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Paul reminds us that we are running a race, but one very different to the races his readers were used to. The race we run is not for a perishable wreath, but an imperishable one. Although the first place has already been won by Jesus, everyone that makes progress in this race is counted as a winner.  This race requires one to run with direction and purpose, not aimlessly like a boxer punching the air.

This is a race that Paul wanted everyone to win, making himself a servant to all, that “by all means I might save some“.  Like Paul, helping others along the way is a critical part of running our race. Stopping along the way to spend time with those in need, or who have stumbled, is as much the point of the race as progressing towards the finish line. “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.“