Run to win. This is one of the more popular passages in the New Testament, this little section on running the race and competing to win. But most of the chapter is not about races at all. It’s actually about how the people aren’t doing their job taking care of Paul. Instead, Paul is takingContinue reading “1 Corinthians 9”
Category Archives: Bible Commentary
1 Corinthians 8
There was a big question in Paul’s day regarding food. Specifically, could you eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols? And could you attend the meals where this meat was served? I’ve been trying to think of a modern day equivalent and it’s extremely tough. First, I wondered about Super Bowl parties or tailgatingContinue reading “1 Corinthians 8”
1 Corinthians 7
In chapter 7, Paul answers the question of “Is it a good thing to have sexual relations?” Of course, he says, within the context of a marriage between man and woman. Marriage can provide a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder, Paul says. Each partner can seek to satisfy theContinue reading “1 Corinthians 7”
1 Corinthians 6
Chapter 6 covers a couple of interesting thoughts. The first is around taking each other to court and how to handle conflict in the church. The second is around how we treat our bodies and other people’s bodies in regards to sexuality. My wife and I were talking about this the other day and what’sContinue reading “1 Corinthians 6”
1 Corinthians 5
Here, we thought this was going to be a fun and exciting discussion on sex, alas, it is not. Maybe by chapter 6 or 7, we’ll get there. In fact, in chapter 5, we’re dealing with sexual sin and gross situations first, then with our overall relationships to others second. First, the gross situation: AContinue reading “1 Corinthians 5”
1 Corinthians 4
Paul has been on the same train of thought for a few chapters, and here in chapter 4, he’s wrapping up those thoughts before shifting to the really fun and exciting topic, sex. But we aren’t there yet. That’s tomorrow. So bear with me today and we’ll get there… He tells the Corinthians he doesn’tContinue reading “1 Corinthians 4”
1 Corinthians 3
I’m excited for this chapter because I love the analogies and illustrations Paul uses. He’s so good at this; I want to be like him when I grow up. But if I said that to him, he’d get a little huffy with me like he got huffy with the Corinthians. Because it isn’t following aContinue reading “1 Corinthians 3”
1 Corinthians 2
Back in chapter 1, Paul was talking about how God’s “foolishness” confounds human “wisdom.” He also talked about how not many of us were “the brightest and the best” when God called us. Paul is actually saying it to the Corinthians obviously, but if we apply the Scriptures to our lives, there’s a good possibilityContinue reading “1 Corinthians 2”
1 Corinthians 1
Per usual, Paul starts his letters off with a bang. He addresses everyone in Corinth with a beautiful phrase — to those of you cleaned up by Jesus and set apart for a God-filled life. How would your self-perception, your self-worth, and your value change if you viewed yourself that way every single day? CleanedContinue reading “1 Corinthians 1”
Romans (Summary)
Two sentences on Romans 16 as a chapter, then I want to focus on the book of Romans as a whole. Chapter 16 shows us that Paul was never a lone ranger in the work he did; he always had a team, a support system, behind every ministry endeavor, behind every trip, behind every churchContinue reading “Romans (Summary)”
Romans (entry 16)
As Paul winds down the letter to the Romans, in the last two chapters 15 & 16, you begin to see his heart for the people on a deeper level. The teaching in the early chapters is so solid, so robust, so thorough, that you may think Paul is just a massive brain, a manContinue reading “Romans (entry 16)”
Romans (entry 15)
I find it interesting that Paul goes through such great lengths to explain the Gospel and all that it entails, then as he’s wrapping things up, he starts to address matters of food and holidays. When I was younger, I thought it was a bit odd. Didn’t understand it. Felt like a waste of timeContinue reading “Romans (entry 15)”