Category Archives: Corinthians

HANDOUT   1 Corinthians 7:29-40    Free from concern

March 18, 2016              1 Corinthians 7:29-40

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 7_29-40 free from concern

 

Paul continues (apparently) responding to the questions the Corinthians had for him (1 Corinthians 7:1).  How were they to adjust their lives in light of their growing faith?  He has dealt with more obvious issues such as blatant immorality.  Now he continues with finer distinctions, how even good things in our lives can be distractions that divide our attention.

Download the passage and see if Paul’s words resonate with any distractions in your own life.

 

1 Corinthians 7:17 – 31 Circumstances

March 11, 2016    1 Corinthians 7:17 – 31

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 7_17-31

This week’s group discussion was a real treat for me – I was not the teacher-leader-facilitator-referee.  Because I had been out of town, one of the other group members prepared the handout and the group as a whole carried the discussion.  I enjoyed being a participant in the conversation.

One of the questions in the discussion related back to the first verse of the chapter, where Paul is specifically addressing issues raised in a letter to him from the Corinthians (which, of course, we don’t have).  Our question then becomes, What did they ask Paul about?  The consensus of our group was (based on Paul’s responses) that it must have something to do with sex.  Someone suggested that the Corinthian Christians, new to the faith, were running into the very practical dilemma of marriage between one partner who had become a Christian and another who had not.  Paul addresses directly in verses 12-16).  Not only that problem, but the Christian ethic they were learning was quite different from the cultural norms they knew.  They were now under a higher, stricter standard.  At the same time, their salvation was based on God’s grace instead of their performance.  No wonder they had questions about exactly how that was all to work out (just like we do).

Then, as our present passage begins, Paul expands the principle to any troubling life situation.  Faith in Christ is to impact all of life.  What should that impact look like in a wide spectrum of circumstances?  What needs to be changed?  What can stay the same?  Paul’s overriding principle seems to be that change is essential in areas of clear immorality (cf. his strong words beginning in chapter 5).  However, in most areas he counsels, “as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches” (v. 17).  He had been addressing problems specific to the Corinthian church.  Now he adds the clarification that this is his universal instruction.  He repeats the principle in verse 20 and again in verse 24.

The list of issues Paul addresses specifically may give more insight into the questions the Corinthians had.  What about our previous religious affiliations (v. 18-19, circumcision/uncircumcision)?  What about our social standing (v. 21-22, slave/free)?  How about marital status (v. 25-27)?

One member of our group was concerned about Paul’s advice that seems to discourage marriage (7:1, 27b).  Does that advice contradict God’s commission in Genesis to be fruitful and multiply?  Paul’s concern in this passage (probably directed to the Corinthians’ particular questions) is about the general principle of verse 26, “I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.”  Paul is concerned for the trouble (thlipsin, θλῖψιν, tribulation) the Corinthians are facing because of their faith.  Improving or managing their circumstances are not the main issues.  Living for Christ is the main issue, in whatever circumstances the believers find themselves.  Certainly, if the opportunity arises we should gladly change, for example, a slave becoming free, or a single person marrying.  Paul’s words about marriage or other situations (v. 28) are not about sin but about practical realities.  He is not rejecting God’s intention for marriage, but he is encouraging the new Corinthian believers to count the cost that will be involved.

Paul explains why circumstances are not to be our main concern.  Circumstances may be positive (living in freedom, having a wonderful marriage).  Circumstances may be terrible (slavery for life, or marriage to an unsympathetic non-Christian spouse).  Paul’s point is that all the criteria we usually use to judge the quality of our lives (social status, marital status, etc.) are “passing away” (v. 31b).  The form of this world, the framework (schema, σχῆμα, the plan, the schematic, how things work in this world) is being replaced by a new way.  The new way is centered on our relationship with God, with His people, and with the world He loves.  The time we spend worrying about our circumstances, and the energy we expend trying to manage life to make those circumstances better – that time and energy could better be invested in those relationships – with God and with others.

The circumstances Paul lists are what C. S. Lewis described as “second things” in contrast to the first thing of knowing God.  First and second things are not mutually exclusive.  Both are part of God’s intention for us, in the proper priority.  When these priorities are confused, we can miss out on both.  Lewis explains,

Put first things first and we get second things thrown in; put second things first & we lose both first and second things.[1]

And

You can’t get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first.[2]

Jesus put this most succinctly:  “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”[3]  Paul seems to be telling the Corinthians the same thing.  A good religious heritage, freedom from slavery, a happy marriage are all good second things we can be thankful for.  But they are still second things.  A terrible religious background, or slavery, or undesired singleness (or a difficult marriage) are second things.  None of these is our first thing.  None of these (positive or negative) should define our life and determine our priorities.  Our unique “first thing” is our relationship with God, our communion and fellowship with Him.  That first thing is what should be our source of identity and joy and satisfaction and fulfillment.  Paul’s desire for the Corinthians is to spare them (v. 28) the distress and trouble that over-attention to second things will cause.

 

[1] C. S. Lewis, The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume 3, ed. Walter Hooper (New York:  HarperCollins e-books, 2009), Kindle Electronic Edition:  Location 1921, page 111 (emphasis in the original).

[2] C. S. Lewis, “First and Second Things,” God in the Dock, Walter Hooper, ed. (Grand Rapids, Michigan:  William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970), 280.

[3] Matthew 6:33.

HANDOUT   1 Corinthians 7:6 – 17    Marriage

March 4, 2016                1 Corinthians 7:6 – 17

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 7_6-17 marriage

 

Paul’s discussion of immorality and our bodies and sex leads, not surprisingly, to the topic of marriage.  In the early church, as married individuals were converted to the Faith, the problem of marriage to an unbeliever was a very common and a very practical problem.  In this passage Paul addresses questions that are as relevant for our culture as it was for his.

The handout this week includes the passage and some very general Observation, Interpretation, and Application questions.  I will probably not be able to attend our study group this week.  The discussion will be an opportunity to see what thoughts and issues the text prompts from others in the group.  I look forward to hearing the results.

 

1 Corinthians 6:12 – 7:7         One flesh

February 26, 2016                   1 Corinthians 6:12 – 7:7

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 6_12-7_7 One Flesh

 

After addressing a specific issue of immorality in the congregation, Paul continues and broadens his teaching to the more general topic of how we are to view our physical bodies.  One of the members of our discussion group commented that some of the things the apostle says “just sound weird” or that he seems “down on sex.”   Continue reading

HANDOUT   1 Corinthians 6:12 – 7:7         One flesh

February 26, 2016                   1 Corinthians 6:12 – 7:7

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 6_12-7_7 One Flesh

In some ways, the culture Paul was addressing was very different from ours.  In other ways we are very similar.  His letter to the church at Corinth deals with confusion over sex – God’s beautiful gift that has the potential for some of our ugliest sin.  How do we treat sex?  What should be our attitude as individuals and as a culture?  How do we enjoy the blessing that God intended and avoid the dangers?  How applicable is Paul’s instruction for our culture and for us individually?  Download the passage and the discussion questions and join us for what is sure to be an interesting discussion!

 

1 Corinthians 5:12 – 6:14       Lawsuits

February 19, 2016                   1 Corinthians 5:12 – 6:14

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 5_12-6_14 lawsuits

Our discussion began with a review of what we had seen in the previous passages in last week’s study about judgment (1 Corinthians 4:21-61, Matthew 18:15-35; Luke 6:31-45).  Since this passage continues Paul’s remarks about judgment, that seemed a good place to start. Continue reading

HANDOUT   1 Corinthians 5:12 – 6:14       Lawsuits

February 19, 2016                   1 Corinthians 5:12 – 6:14

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 5_12-6_14 lawsuits

 

In the previous passage Paul had strong words for how the church needed to deal with sin.  Now he turns from the specific topic of judging sin within the church to judging (and being judged by) outsiders.  This passage raises very practical questions for us.  How do we deal with our legal system?  Where do we turn to correct injustices?  How do we respond when practical realities seem to make Biblical instructions impractical?

 

1 Corinthians 4:21-6:1; Matthew 18:15-35; Luke 6:31-45      Judgment

February 12, 2916
1 Corinthians 4:21-6:1; Matthew 18:15-35; Luke 6:31-45

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 4_21-6_1 judgment

Download discussion questions:  Matthew 18_15-35 judgment

Download discussion questions:  Luke 6_31-45 judgment

This week’s study was an opportunity to pursue some cross-references regarding judgment.  The earlier discussion on 1 Corinthians 5 raised the question from one of the group members, “What did Jesus say about judging others?”  This week we pursued that question. Continue reading

HANDOUT   1 Corinthians 4:21-6:1, etc.    judgment

January 29, 2016           1 Corinthians 4:21-6:1, etc.

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 4_21-6_1 judgment

Download discussion questions:  Matthew 18_15-35 judgment

Download discussion questions:  Luke 6_31-45 judgment

During an earlier discussion about 1 Corinthians 4 and Paul’s strong words to the church at Corinth, the topic turned to judging others.  The question, “What did Jesus say about judging others?” came up.  Since that question takes us outside of the 1 Corinthians passage, this week we will be looking at other cross-reference passages.  Cross-references, other passages dealing with a related topic are important.  But in order for the other passages to be genuinely helpful it is usually important to go beyond general ideas about the other passages.  A discussion can become a battle of proof-texts and hearsay impressions about what we think another passage might say.  This week we will study two extended cross-references about “what Jesus said about judging others” and see how those passages help us understand Paul’s treatment of the Corinthians.  The questions for Observation, Interpretation, and Application are identical for all three passages.  With the usual amount of group time and three times the amount of Scripture it should be interesting!

 

HANDOUT   1 Corinthians 4:21-6:1   discipline

January 29, 2016           1 Corinthians 4:21-6:1

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 4_21-6_1 discipline

 

How do you respond to shocking immorality?  Ignore it?  Condemn it?  Live and let live?

The church at Corinth had their own response, and Paul had his.  This passage shows a sharp distinction between those reactions.  With plenty of examples of offensive behavior in our culture, this section of Paul’s letter might give us some clear but difficult guidance in how we should (and should not) respond.

Download the passage and we will see what we can learn together at our group meeting on Friday.