Tag: Bible Daily Bread Devotional

1 Corinthians Chapter 12 Overview. Today’s BDBD.

The chapter is easy enough to understand. All who believe in Jesus are in Jesus. Each has been given at least one gift to be used for the greater good of the congregation. The least part should be honored more than the greater part. Each should use their gift accordingly. Unity exists in the diversity […]

1 Corinthians 11:29-32. Stand on Scales. Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 11:27-28. Unworthy Manner. Today’s BDBD.

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: […]

1 Corinthians 11:25-26. Proclaim the Lord’s Death. Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 11:23-24. Thanksgiving is… Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 11:17-22. By Your Fruit You Are Revealed. Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Overview. Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 11:11-16. Differentiation Invigorates Interdependence. Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 11:4-10. Visible Respect. Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 11:3. And the Responsibility Goes To? Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 11:2. Traditions. Today’s BDBD.

Sorry, I missed yesterday. I was sick. Apostle Paul started the congregation at Corinth. He was there for only eighteen months. He started preaching Jesus in the Jewish synagogue, but left it to form a Christian congregation. (Acts 18:1-18) Before he left the city, he established the basics of the Christian congregation after the model […]

Chapter 11:1-16 Overview. Today’s BDBD.

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 […]

1 Corinthians 10:27-33. For the Glory of God. Today’s BDBD.

To answer the Corinthian congregation’s question, “Is it acceptable to eat meat offered to idols?” (8:1), the Apostle Paul could have repeated the letter written by the apostles and elders of Jerusalem to the brothers, Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia (Acts 15). However, that letter simply gave the general requirements, “You are to […]

1 Corinthians 10:23-26. Seek Others Good Before Self. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul addresses eating meat offered to pagan idols, first addressed in chapter 8. There, he gave directions on eating the meat at the idol’s temple (8:10). He said do not eat meat at the idol’s temple, even though you rightfully know that an idol is nothing but stone and wood, because a fellow believer […]

1 Corinthians 10:14-17. Blood and Body. Today’s BDBD.

After presenting the parallels between Israel during the Exodus to the church as a warning to us, a command is given, “…flee from idolatry” (14). Building on this, Apostle Paul presents communion, (aka “The Lord’s Supper”) as the Messiah Jesus transformed the Passover for the New Covenant for the church into The Lord’s Supper. One […]

1 Corinthians 10:6-10. Idolatry and Sexual Immorality. Today’s BDBD.

Sexual immorality was rebuffed in 6:12-20, “Flee from sexual immorality,” the Holy Spirit commands through Apostle Paul. Now again, the Spirit, through Paul, uses Israel’s Exodus as an example, showing us what happens when one who is called by Christ and begins following Christ does not flee sexual immorality. While Moses was on Mount Sinai […]

1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Prize Determination. Today’s BDBD.

The intent of the sport analogies in the last paragraph of chapter 9 is to expound upon one of Jesus’ more challenging forewarnings. “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up […]

1 Corinthians 9:15-18. Compelled to Preach. Today’s BDBD.

“Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” Apostle Paul wrote (16b). A woe is no light statement for it is deep distress, misery, and calamity. Apostle Paul was compelled to preach the gospel (16a). He is a classic description of prophetic reluctance overcome by divine compulsion to preach Jesus, just as the […]

1 Corinthians 9:7-14. We Put Up With Anything. Today’s BDBD.

The point is stated again and again using many examples. Paul could have received a salary, but voluntarily chose not to receive any money for his labors for the Lord and his church. Apostle Paul even finds the obscure Deuteronomy 25:4 to practically beat his point into the Corinthian believers’ and my skulls. He declares, […]

1 Corinthians Chapter 9 Overview. Today’s BDBD

Apostle Paul is continuing his thoughts from the previous chapter. There he wrote that although we are free to eat meat offered to idols because they are not alive and not gods, we shouldn’t do it if it would cause a fellow believer who has a weak conscience to sin. Continuing the thought of freedom […]

1 Corinthians 8:4-6. One God, One Lord. Today’s BDBD.

What is an idol? A man-made idea that may be a form put before God, considering Exodus 20:3-5 and Deuteronomy 5:7-9: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Jesus further defines an idol with these words, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he […]

1 Corinthians 7:32-35. Please, Please Thee. Today’s BDBD.

The year before I was born, an album and song were recorded that began a rock ‘ n ‘ roll group’s very long, popular career. “Please Please Me” was the name of The Beatles’ first album and hit. The not-so-subtle request in the title stands in opposition to the selfless sacrifice presented in this paragraph. […]

1 Corinthians 7:10-11. Divorce. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul responds to a request related to the one he addressed in the previous two verses. The subject is divorce. Paul repeats what the Lord Jesus taught concerning divorce (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18) The most notable quote comes from Apostle Matthew. Jesus told some Pharisees who came to test him, “Moses […]

1 Corinthians 7:3-7. Practical Union. Today’s BDBD.

“The two will become one flesh,” so wrote Paul in 6:16, quoting Jesus, who added, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife… So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate. Anyone who divorces his wife […]

1 Corinthians 7:1-2. But Since. Today’s BDBD.

Corinth was on a peninsula. Ships needing to get from two important shipping seas would be taken across land at Corinth. Sailors would have several hours to explore the city as their ships traversed the land. The temple prostitutes for the goddess Aphrodite numbered in the hundreds, even thousands, at Corinth, profiting from the sailors. […]

1 Corinthians Chapter 6 Overview. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul addresses two more problems in the Corinthian congregation in chapter 6. First, lawsuits against others in the congregation, and second, employing a prostitute. The points are rather straightforward. Yet, some good truths are also revealed within. First, if there is a dispute between two believers, they should settle it among themselves (1-8). The […]

1 Corinthians 5:9-11. Association, Part 1. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is the third-earliest letter that we have today, 1 & 2 Thessalonians being earlier. In verses 9-10a, Paul has them recall an earlier letter that we do not have. That letter stated, “Do not associate with sexually immoral people.” He adds here, “…not at all meaning the people […]

1 Corinthian 5:6-8. Hold the Yeast. Today’s BDBD.

Understanding the Biblical Holy Week (aka Passover Week) helps in understanding Paul’s analogy. (Exodus 12:1-30, Leviticus 23:4-8; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; John 13:1-2, 18:27, 19:14) Preparations were needed before Passover began. According to tradition, cleaning the location of any yeast was first. “Get rid of the old yeast,” Paul repeats the Mosaic Law (7). Yeast is usually […]

1 Corinthians 4:14-17. My Way of Life. Today’s BDBD.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) Here, Paul instructs the congregation in Corinth, “I urge you to imitate me… my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” (16, 17b). Later in this letter, he will repeat, “Follow my […]

1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Entrusted. Today’s BDBD.

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them,” so begins Jesus Parable of the Talents. (Matthew 25:14-30) Actually, the main issue Paul has been addressing for three chapters, Jesus cleverly presents in one brilliant easy to grasp parable. Apostle Paul concludes his […]

1 Corinthians Chapter 4 Overview. Today’s BDBD.

The apostles lived a hard life. They were poor. They endured persecution. All but John were killed. They had no home. They were ridiculed. They did not have fine clothes. They went without food and drink. People who have often poorly judge those who have not. Wise people often poorly judge those who are not. […]

1 Corinthians 3:18-23. All Things Are Yours. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul concludes the matter, “No more boasting about men! All things are yours…” (21). When stating “all things are yours,” he is saying that God supplies many things, including people, the world, life, death, the here and now, and the future, to teach and equip his people. God gives all things for good and […]

1 Corinthians 3:16-17. God’s Temple. Today’s BDBD.

God’s temple is God tangibly being with his people. Apostle Paul, in the previous paragraph, uses an illustration of a building, such as a temple, to describe God using him to establish God’s tangible presence with a group of people in Corinth. They were God’s temple, a people with whom God interacted continually. God’s Spirit […]

1 Corinthians 3:10-15. Building Inspection. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul expands upon another of Jesus’ teachings as he explains his point that the Corinthian congregation needs to stop arguing and idolizing human teachers. Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” […]

1 Corinthians 3:5-9. Only Servants. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul pulls examples from some of Jesus’ parables concerning seeds and plants to help the Corinthians congregation understand what he is saying concerning a man’s place before the Lord Christ Jesus. Jesus taught that the word of God is like seed which a man took and planted in his field. The field had four […]

1 Corinthians 3:1-4. Live By the Spirit? Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul presents to his brothers and sisters in Christ at Corinth self-examination questions. Are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? Doesn’t your pledged loyalty to a human instead of Christ Jesus show you are mere human beings? The answer to all these is yes. They were worldly, mere humans. Paul […]

1 Corinthians 3 Overview. One Shepherd, Jesus. Today’s BDBD.

In ancient times people did not go to an institution, school, college, nor university to get an education. Rather, they went to a person and asked them if they could become a disciple. If a Jew wanted to learn about God the same was true. They went to a prominent rabbi to be trained as […]

1 Corinthians 2:6-12. Analyze Your Wisdom. Today’s BDBD.

Solomon, imprinted by the Holy Spirit, was gifted with God’s wisdom as the Corinthians were gifted with knowledge and speech. However, wisdom can be flawed and misguided when based on improper morality and ethics. When one’s concept of right and wrong is not based in absolute truth, then the wisdom that comes forth, though it […]

1 Corinthians 2:1-5. The Spirit’s Power. Today’s BDBD.

The Spirit of God was promised and still is promised to be the means by which a person comes to faith in Jesus. Wisdom and elegant words were not promised and is not promised to be the means. One of the reasons believers in Jesus give for not witnessing to their faith in Jesus is […]

1 Corinthians 1:30-31. Boast in the Lord. Today’s BDBD.

Many reasons can be found to boast in me and my abilities. Yet none are valid for God makes them all possible. God supplies the ability. God supplies the health. God supplies the environment. God supplies the skills. God supplies the resources. God supplies the proper weather. God supplies the food and water. God supplies […]

1 Corinthians 1:22-25. Miracle Mania – Wisdom Insanity. Today’s BDBD.

A person will experience God’s miracle and then foolishly ask for a miracle as proof that God’s miracle is true because the ego loves power and the praise of men more than God. A person can hear pure wisdom and unfutable knowledge and refuse to concede to them because pride loves imperfection and insanity more […]

1 Corinthians 1:18-21. The Problem: A Wrong Idea of God. Today’s BDBD.

Ask people on the street, scroll through social media, and talk with anyone on a college campus about God, and you will find a wide range of ideas and understandings about God. The types of people and their comments about God would not be much different from the ideas people had in Paul’s time, 2,000 […]

1 Corinthians 1:13-17. Cross and Baptism. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul supports his call for unity with two basic concepts given by Jesus Christ: the cross of Christ and baptism in the name of the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:11, 28:19; John 1:25-33, 14:26). The church of God in Corinth would have known both from the very beginning of […]

1 Corinthians 4:7-9. God is Faithful. Today’s BDBD.

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, made it clear in prior verses that each member of the young congregation was sanctified and called to be holy because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit did so by giving them gifts to be used for the benefit of others. Collectively, they did not lack any […]

1 Corinthians 1:4-7. Gospel Effect Abuse. Today’s BDBD.

The Apostle Paul had visited the city of Corinth around two years earlier, sharing his testimony about Christ. The congregation listened and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s grace in the form of spiritual gifts confirmed that the good news was received. They were enriched in every way -especially with the gifts of speaking […]

1 Corinthians 1:3. The Father and Jesus Christ. Today’s BDBD.

Greeks’ traditional religion did not see its gods as their fathers. When a Greek became a Christian, they accepted that the One and Only Supreme God was their Father. The pronoun “from” which is applied to “God our Father” is also implied to be with “the Lord Jesus Christ”, so that it would also read, […]

1 Corinthians 1:2. To the Church of God. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul is writing to “the church of God.” The Greek word for church can be better translated as “congregation” due to the many modern-day uses of the English word “church”. The meaning behind the Greek word for “church” implies that God called people to come to His community of believers from among the people […]

1 Corinthians Chapter 1 Overview. Today’s BDBD.

Paul wrote this letter in 55 or 56 AD while he was at Ephesus during his 3rd missionary journey. Paul is dealing with problems concerning the young congregation as a whole and also with personal problems. The first issue makes it clear that Jesus is the head of the church. I belong to him. I […]