Tag: Bible Commentary

The Spirit is the Lord of those who believe in Jesus (17-18). Lord, in the original Greek, has the equivalent meaning of the Hebrew word Adonai. (Exodus 3:14) The meaning of both is the “Supreme and Almighty Master”. Abraham called God, “Adonai Elohim”. “Elohim,” meaning “Almighty God,” is the name for God in Genesis 1:1. […]

Moses was on Mount Sinai with the Lord, receiving the ten commandments carved in stone. When he came down the mountain, his face was radiant with glory, and Aaron and Israel were afraid to come near him. So, Moses put a veil over his face. The radiance began to fade until it was no more, […]

Glory is one of those words that has so many meanings and applications that it is hard to define. We can say, “Her hair is her crowning glory.” “The sun is a ball of blazing glory.” “Give God praise and glory.” And here Paul wrote, “If what was fading away came with glory, how much […]

How can it be determined if a person is an authentic instructor or a cult authoritarian with a desire to control people and take their earnings? The Jewish religious leaders insisted that Jesus was a charlatan because he was not “one of us”. Pseudo-apostles insisted that Apostle Paul was a pretender because he was not […]

Paul presents the Corinthian congregation as a living witness to his credentials as a minister of the New Covenant (1-6). Then, he compares the Old Covenant to the New Covenant (7-18). The Lord God presented the Old Covenant to Israel at Mount Sinai, in the desert (modern-day western Saudi Arabia), through Moses on two stone […]

A year ago, for a work-related change, my wife and I moved from the East Coast to the center of the country. The trip involved stops at a relative’s house, Nashville, and Memphis until we finally arrived at the city where we now live. Normally, a three-night trip to such locations would be very enjoyable. […]

Grief, distress, and anguish, especially grief, are repeated ten times in the first ten verses, all deriving from the Greek noun “lype” (a transliteration), referring to deep emotional pain. Contrasting “lype” are forgiveness, joy, comfort, and love; together they are stated twelve times. One man’s sin in the Corinthian congregation led to grief, distress, and […]

Paul gave instructions in his first letter to the Corinthian congregation in chapter 5 concerning a man engaging in a grievous sexual immorality. He said that they should cast him out of their congregation. Now, Paul reveals two motives behind that directive. (Some point out that he may be referring to another person’s sin and/or […]

“Stand firm in Christ!” The first place in Israel’s history the command to “stand firm” is given is the Lord’s answer through Moses to Israel concerning the approaching Egyptian army led by Pharaoh, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see […]

“The day of the Lord Jesus”, referring to Jesus’ coming to assess the saints’ actions while in the flesh, as Paul is using it here, is one day only. It can be understood as one twenty-four (24) hour day that starts at sunset, goes through dawn, the light period, and ends at sunset. It can […]

Some who falsely portrayed themselves as super apostles were attacking Paul’s character. They claimed that the collection was not for the poor in Jerusalem as Paul claimed, but that Paul secretly planned to keep it for himself. They also claimed that Paul’s writing was unintelligible (13-14). The super apostles said these are the reasons why […]

Apostle Paul, God’s chosen instrument to carry Jesus’ name before the Gentiles and before the people of Israel (Acts 9:15), did not live a life that some Christians today would define as “the blessed life” and “the abundant life”. While in the Roman province of Asia, which included the cities of Ephesus, Philadelphia, Colosse, Troas, […]

“My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done,” so Jesus prayed on the eve of his suffering and death. (Matthew 26:42) Later that night, he took the cup and said during the Last Supper, “This cup is the new covenant […]

Today may contain a moment when the soul lies still, curled up in the smallest possible ball, seeking the serenity of the womb that the subconscious remembers. If not today, nature’s future holds a grave lament. Life in the world makes this promise to all. No one is spared the pang of these scorpions. Those […]

Paul wrote this letter to the young congregation at Corinth shortly after the previous one. He wrote it as he neared the end of his third missionary journey in the very late 55 AD while residing in the Roman province of Macedonia. Paul wanted to visit Corinth to the south again, but had not done […]

Five more believers in Jesus are mentioned in Paul’s closing remarks: Stephanas and his household, Fortunatus, Achaicus, Aquila, and Priscilla. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus delivered the letter containing the Corinthian congregation’s questions to Paul (17, 7:1). Stephanas is Greek. Fortunatus is Latin. Achaicus is Latinized Greek. Aquila and Priscilla were a Messianic Jewish couple who […]

Apostle Paul delivers five encouraging and heartening directives at the conclusion of this bitter scolding letter. “Be on your guard” was a phrase Paul received from Jesus. (Matthew 10:17, 16:6, 11-12; Mark 13:9, 23, 33; Luke 12:1, 15) I am a soldier on the wall of my soul and body seeking to repel the enemy’s […]

Paul wanted to send Timothy with his letter to Corinth per 4:14-17. However, it appears that neither he nor Apollos (12) were compelled to return to the congregation, for Paul used the phrases, “if Timothy comes…” and speaking of Apollos, “I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling […]

An inciter to a depressing grey day is manifested in the mumbled thought, “Nothing ever goes my way.” A person makes plans that have good, right, and pleasant goals. When the goals are blocked, moved, and prove inadiquit, the mood turns from sunny rays to an overcast soul. We feel alone, perhaps even abandoned by […]

Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation’s final question. They wanted to know how to collect money for God’s people in Israel. Paul had asked them for this charity in an earlier letter that we do not have. Those in need were poor, persecuted Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. (Acts 8:1, 11:28, 44 or […]

Paul concludes his letter to the congregation at Corinth with an instruction, a personal request, and final greetings. The Corinthian congregation met on the first day of the week, the day after the Sabbath, our Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the grave, and the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent. (2; […]

In light of Jesus’ resurrection, our bodily resurrection, and Christ’s ultimate victory, Christians should not be moved by worldly temptation. Rather, we should give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. Jesus sternly tells his disciples, “It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with […]

Are eternal questions worthy of never-ending, deep thoughts? Perishable and imperishable? Mortality and immortality? Death, sin, law, and victory unto eternal life? Does a never-ending seeker desire to know the answer? Or does he love seeking so much that he refused to find the joy of meeting and embracing truth? Listen for the shout of […]

When will Jesus come again? A question that the prophets and even the apostles asked. Jesus’ reply was, “No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32) So, the apostles watched believing Jesus could come any minute for Paul […]

The Holy Spirit inspired Apostle Paul to declare that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. “Flesh and blood” refers to people who are descendants of Adam and Eve, but are not born a second time, in Christ Jesus through the Spirit. As Jesus told Nicodemus, “No one can see the kingdom of […]

God created the first man. “Man” is “Adam” in Hebrew (45; Genesis 1:26-27). Adam was formed from the dust of the earth and became a living being when the Lord God breathed life into his nostrils (Genesis 2:7). All people come from him and his wife, Eve. Apostle Paul, led by the Spirit, reveals that […]

Do you want or need a part of your body changed, something that no matter what you do, you cannot seem to change, or simply, there is no way to change? Perhaps it is a matter of perspective. And one of these perspective changes is with believing and understanding the coming change for the believer […]

When conversations and Bible studies address the coming bodily resurrection of the dead, a question of recognition is always brought up: “Will I recognize my family and friends? Will they recognize me?” It appears that the question is asked because of Paul’s three illustrations concerning the resurrection body. In reality, the person is afraid of […]

Apostle Paul, still countering a claim coming from some in the Corinthian congregation that there is no resurrection of the dead (12), presents and addresses two questions that the “bad company” (33) was using as a clever mind trap, a disguised lie. They asked questions that most could not answer due to ignorance of God […]

Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. This does not mean we should disregard Jesus’ example and prayer, “My prayer is not that you (God his Father) take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of […]

With commands like “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27), and “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24), and “All men […]

A hierarchy exists now, and that order of majesty and power will be finalized at the end of time. The hierarchy that exists now consists of Jesus, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit acting upon the will of the Father in the affairs of creation. To accomplish the work assigned to them, which […]

Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, reveals the order of the transformation from an earthly body to a glorious spiritual body. Jesus is already transformed as the firstfruits of the barley harvest (23a). When Jesus comes again, those who put their faith and hope in him, those who belong to him, will be transformed […]

Do you need some happy, joyful, good news today? Well, if you care to take less than three minutes of thinking time, read on. Through one man, Adam (who is called the son of God in Luke 3:38 because he had neither father nor mother), came man’s subjection to mortality, sicknesses, physical death, and eternal […]

Apostle Paul logically and completely disproves a “no resurrection” claim made by some in the Corinthian congregation (12, 16). Epicurean and Stoic Greek philosophers discredited the resurrection. (Acts 17:18) Jewish Sadducees also did not believe in the resurrection. (Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Acts 23:8) That is why they were Sad-u-see? Paul says they are ignorant […]

Apostle Paul listed some of the people who saw the resurrected Christ before 55 A.D., when this letter was written. He includes himself, “last of all” and the “least of all” (5-8). Jesus came to Paul when he was known as Saul in approx. 35 A.D. (Acts 9:3-19; 22:6-21; 26:13-23), approx. 5 years after Pentecost, […]

The bodily resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead is well documented. Apostle Paul records some eyewitnesses. The gospel writers record more. (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21; Acts 1:1-10) Other historical documents, both Christian and non-Christian, also record Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Clement of Rome’s letters in 85-86AD, the Jew historian […]

The four Gospels, in great detail, answer the questions of who, what, when, and where concerning Jesus’ death and burial. (Matthew 26:47-27; Mark 14:43-15; Luke 22:54-23; John 18-19) Apostle Paul directly answers the “why,” whereas the Gospels indirectly answer the why through Jesus’ predictions of his death and burial. (Matthew 12:40; 26:28, 61; John 1:29, […]

The gospel saves if held onto firmly. The gospel saves from sin and its consequences, which is death. The gospel is a message preached. Some receive it. Others reject it, and still others are contemplating it. Those who receive it must hold firmly to the gospel. Salvation is evidenced by continuing in faith to the […]

Apostle Paul addresses misconceptions about the resurrection of the dead in chapter 15. He counters a false belief that there is no resurrection of the dead. People live after the body dies. It’s a fact. Jesus bodily died and was buried. It’s a fact. Jesus rose from death bodily. It’s a fact. Those who believe […]

Apostle Paul’s conclusion to chapters 12-14 begins with verse 33b, “As in all the congregations of the saints…”, then it skips to verses 36-40. Paul was saying in verse 33b, “Coming together as a church and the conduct during the meeting is an established pattern in the body of Christ in Asia Minor. Your congressional […]

Have you ever been to a play, movie, or presentation where there were disruptions? Paul addresses in verses 26-40 rude people being boisterous and obnoxious in a congregational gathering designed for one person to speak. “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a […]

Apostle Paul was concerned that disorderly and unregulated congressional meetings at Corinth would discredit the name of the God who had called those in Christ to peace and unity (33; 10:11-13). He gave them orderly instructions for speaking in tongues, and that only if there is an interpreter (26-28). He gave them orderly instructions for […]

Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, concludes his correction to the Corinthian believers concerning speaking in tongues during their meetings with a sharp rebuke. His rebuke mimics Jesus’ rebuke to the apostles concerning their childish arguments about who was the greatest. “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, […]

Prayer, song, praise, and thanksgiving are presented to God personally and congregationally. Prayer is often defined as a formal request, a petition, and simply communion with God. A prayer can be written by someone else. For example, we pray the Lord’s Prayer as recorded by the gospel writers. (Luke 11:2-4) We also pray with our […]

My mother said to the young me, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I do not remember what I was always saying that wasn’t nice. Perhaps, she just wanted me to stop talking and let my siblings say something for a change. I do tend to babble on, […]

The basic principle Paul insists on is that whatever is done in congregational meetings must contribute to the edification, that is, building up, of the congregation (3, 5b). He first stated this in 12:7, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” This also agrees with the previous […]

Paul continues and concludes his point about the gifts of the Spirit by explaining how they are to be used when they come together as a group. Some congregations call the gathering a mass, a worship service, a joyful celebration, a Bible study, or simply a gathering. First, he states that speaking in tongues should […]

“Love never fails” (8a) conveys the meaning of “never-ending,” as some English translations render it. Love was before eternity and will continue, for within the nature of God is love, and God never fails. (1 John 4:8) Those who will live forever emanate love in their life. What is an adult man? What is an […]

A prelude to chapter 15 lies hidden in these verses, acting as a bridge. Chapter 15 is the letter’s culmination: the believer’s bodily resurrection, being with our God Jesus for all eternity, who bodily rose from the dead. Something better is coming, not in this age where Jesus said we will have trouble. (John 16:33) […]

From ancient times, poets and songwriters have asked and/or answered the question, “What is love?” A popular song by the group Foreigner in the 1980s was titled “I Want to Know What Love Is.” The author’s friend, who is a popular Christian artist, John Elefante, answered with a song titled “This is What Love Is.” […]

Apostle Paul is explaining the most excellent way to the Corinthian congregation (12:31). By “way,” he means the way to live in Christ and to interact with others, especially other believers. The way is love. (Galatians 5:22) “Love” is “agape,” in Greek, equivalent to Jesus’ love manifested on the cross. (John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16) […]

Apostle Paul bridges from spiritual gifts to the root of many of the Corinthian congregation’s problems. Their acts lack “the most excellent way, love”. They are being driven by a chauffeur who was told the right place to go, but given the wrong directions. They are in danger of ending up in the place they […]

The thumb goes unrecognized, though a vital part of daily life. Opposing thumbs allow humans to accomplish things that animals cannot. The ability to grip a hammer, an artist’s brush, play a musical instrument, and hold another’s hand as we stroll a romantic path is all made possible because of opposing thumbs. We take our […]

Since you are in Christ and the Holy Spirit is in you, you are no less than your brother and sister in Christ. Paul, continuing the use of the human body illustration, mainly addresses those who feel that they are substandard and unimportant in these verses. Apparently, the more sensational gifts (such as tongues) had […]

When I refer to myself, what am I talking about? Is my hands, feet, head, brain, or some other part what I refer to as me? When I get a haircut or trim my nails, a small part of me is no longer part of me, and I no longer refer to it as part […]

The truth that God gives manifestations of the Holy Spirit, that is, spiritual gifts, to every believer for the common good of the church, is understood. The Holy Spirit purposely gives the proper and good gift or gifts to each person as he determines (7, 11). His determination is correct. Paul lists some of these […]

The bold say as Job, “If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit– let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless– if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have […]

Apostle Paul continues to correct faults in Corinth’s congregational meetings. The current subject is the Lord’s Supper, the remembrance and thanksgiving of Christ’s body and blood given for us through the bread and wine. After stating their misconduct and passing on to them Jesus’ words on the night Jesus was betrayed, he concludes with judgment: […]

Apostle Paul recants that the cup of wine was shared “in the same way” as the bread, with all the apostles. Both the bread and wine are a remembrance of Jesus and his suffering and death for our salvation. Jesus took simple worldwide available food and drink, and used them to help us not forget […]

Apostle Paul says he “received” from the Lord the method and meaning of the Lord’s Supper. The Greek verb for “received” is “paralambano”, associated with being educated in a tradition from someone else. A NIV text note says, “Paul does not necessarily mean that he received the Lord’s Supper directly from Christ. The information was […]

Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-17) When divisions come, which […]

Jesus made a new covenant with anyone who would believe in him (25). When he did, he changed the Passover meal so that I could remember him and what he did for me through his suffering and death. The bread symbolizes his body broken. The wine symbolizes his blood poured out. He told us when […]

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, speaks of the interdependence between men and women, both at a general social level and in the personal relationship between husband and wife. Interdependence in sociology and social psychology refers to the mutual reliance among individuals, in which outcomes, behaviors, and emotions are shaped by interactions. Developed by Harold Kelley […]

The subject continues to be the Corinthian congregation’s meetings, specifically the issues that needed correction. Paul commended them for following the teachings, aka traditions, as he passed on to them when he started the congregation (1). All the early founded congregations had the same mood of worship service, which he introduced to the newly founded […]

Paul begins to expand on worship service traditions (teachings) with the general truth in verse 3. The keyword in verse 3 is “head”, translated from the Greek noun “kephale” (a transliteration), used 75 times in the New Testament. It literally means “head” or “top” and, metaphorically, signifies authority, leadership, and preeminence, particularly in discussions of […]

Paul is now writing about an ancient Jewish and Middle East tradition. Specifically that a woman is to wear a head covering during a religious service and a man is to take his hat off. This is not done in almost all congregations now. However, movies and videos from before the 1960s portray this was […]