Tag: Messiah

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 Chapter 10 Overview. Today’s BDBD.

Chapter 10 is a conclusion of Paul’s comments in the previous 2 chapters. Paul is still answering the question is it right to eat meat offered to idols. I read about what took place in ancient temples built for various idols. It helps in understanding this question and Paul’s answer. Idol worship started with slaughtering […]

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 9:19-23. Winning, Gaining, and Saving. Today’s BDBD.

The two Greek verbs that are interchangeable and repeated in almost every sentence in this paragraph are “kerdaino” (19-22a) and “sozo” (22b) (transliterations). “Kerdaino” is translated as either “to win” or “might gain”. The English translations that use “might gain” translate the verb as “to win” elsewhere. (1 Peter 3:1; Matthew 23:25). The illustration depicts […]

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 8:1-3. Love and Knowledge. Today’s BDBD.

Imagine being told of and then given a small deposit of gold with a map to a sure vast treasure. The map consists of learning truths and discovering that things you thought were true are misconceptions and lies that, if held onto, will keep you from the great vast treasure. Quickly, you obtain knowledge and […]

1 Corinthians Chapter 8 Overview. Today’s BDBD

The Greek and Roman cultures were full of idols and temples where people would offer sacrifices, including meat. People would buy and eat this meat at the temples. Paul answered a question about this. The Corinthian congregation asking if it was ok to eat this meat since the idols weren’t really gods. He said sure […]

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 7:25-31. Passing Away Mindset. Today’s BDBD.

The Corinthian congregation asked another question about a subject that Jesus did not give a command on while on the earth. The subject was about virgins. Should these young ladies marry or live a celibate life as they waited for the Lord Jesus to return, serving him and the congregation? Paul, inspired by the Holy […]

1 Corinthians 7:17-20. Retain, Be Content, Part 1. Today’s BDBD.

The general principle is given. Retain the place in life the Lord assigned me. Retain the place God has called me. As God distributes when called, I am to walk it as a believer in Christ Jesus. This implies two things. First, God was in control of my life before he called me, when he […]

1 Corinthians 7:12-16. I Believe, My Spouse Does Not. Today’s BDBD.

Apostle Paul continues his answer on their questions about marriage, giving advice that Christ Jesus did not speak about during his earthly ministry, a mixed religion marriage. What should a spouse do when they come to faith in Jesus and their spouse has not yet done so? Should they remain married to them or divorce […]

1 Corinthians 7:8-9. Is This For Me? Today’s BDBD.

When a person is not married, the questions they ask themselves are, “Does God intend me to marry?” “Is there someone out there I am supposed to be with for the rest of our lives?” “Can I live alone?” “Am I designed to live alone?” “I know God is with me always, but sometimes I […]

1 Corinthians 6:18-20. Holy Spirit Onboard. Today’s BDBD.

Almost everyone has been in an environment where they have experienced a sense of special presence. The ambiance was the combination of the comfort and warmth of the womb, the glorification and illumination of the heavens, and the serenity and beauty of a nature retreat. The Temple possessed such an environment as long as the […]

1 Corinthians 6:14-17. Union. Today’s BDBD.

Continuing his point in truth, countering a misrepresentation of grace, Apostle Paul presents the resurrected Christ and our future resurrection (14). Jesus was raised from the dead, and we will be bodily raised too. Why? We will be raised because we are united with him in body. Those who believe in Jesus has a been […]

1 Corinthians 6:11. Washed, Sanctified, Justified in Jesus, Part 2. Today’s BDBD.

Those in Corinth who put their faith in Jesus were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of God. (11) What did Apostle Paul mean by washed, sanctified, and justified? The original Greek word for washed is “apolouo” meaning “washed away”, not “ablution”. Ablution is a washing […]

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 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 […]