Day 325

J. Book of 1 Corinthians (from Ephesus) ~ cont.

2. Pattern for a prosperous church ~ cont.

d. Proper attitude toward money - 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
e. Jewish heritage reviewed - 1 Corinthians 10:1-15
f. Lord's supper requirements - 1 Corinthians 10:16-33; 11:1-34
g. Spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31


"...and that Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4) - Which put me in remembrance of the song On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.  There is no other foundation, no other hope, nothing beyond Him.  For in Him we live and breath and have our being.
I am reminded of our brother Peter's confession when asked by our Lord, will you go away also?  "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."


The Israelites were an example for us, how well have we internalized the lessons?  Lusting after evil things; idolaters; fornication; tempt or tempted; murmuring?


lusting - G1938 - From G1937; a craver.  G1937 - From G1909 and G2372; to set the heart upon, that is, long for (rightfully or otherwise).


evil - G2556 - Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious.


idolaters - G1496 - From G1497 and the base of G3000; an image (servant or) worshipper (literally or figuratively).


fornicators - G4203 - From G4204; to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry.


tempt - G1598 - From G1537 and G3985; to test thoroughly.


tempted - G3985 - From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.


murmuring - G1111 - Of uncertain derivation; to grumble.


Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)  A very worthwhile admonition.  I can slip into being a Pharisee very easily - completely missing how oft I sin internally.  Lord, show us where we are missing the mark, sinning against You, whether external or internal.  Help us to fervently desire to please You.  Not just in the outward, but more importantly, inwardly.


There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also may a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  (1 Corinthians 10:13)


Thank God!  :-)  There is much to tempt and test us, Lord, help us to seek to escape the temptations.  To be a presentable bride, wholly desirous of giving a proper estimate of You in all that we say do and think, in our presentation and representation of You.


But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils.  (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)


I never paused to think about what this might mean in modern day language.  Abstractly I can imagine what it might have meant to the 1st century church.  They would have had actual 'sacrifices' going on.  The question in my mind is, what 'sacrifices' are going on today that we do see as such?  How immersed with the culture have we become that we do not even recognize that we are worshipping devils or giving some semblance of such?  How set apart and holy is the Bride?

Day 324

J. Book of 1 Corinthians (from Ephesus) ~ cont.

1. Paul's concern for the church in Corinth ~ cont.

e. The immoral believer rebuked - 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

f. Lawsuits rebuked - 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
2. Pattern for a prosperous church
a. The body is sacred, God's temple - 1 Corinthians 6:9-20
b. Marriage is from God - 1 Corinthians 7:1-40
c. Refuse meat offered to idols - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13


Judge not that ye be not judged - or some variation of this statement is made by those who question whether a Christian is allowed to have a standard.  Which in reality should be HIS standard, we're just holding the line.  :-)


Father is quite clear in His word:  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13a)


The saints are to judge - but those within the body.  We can not, or should not expect those who are spiritually dead to have our standard or even understand why there is a standard.  They are unregenerate, lost, wandering in darkness.  However, we should not allow those types of comments to intimidate or sway us from what Father has called us to do.  Even if they come from those who call themselves 'Christians.'


Those who will NOT inherit the kingdom of God:
fornicators
idolaters
adulterers
effeminate
abusers
thieves
covetous
drunkards
revilers
extortioners


10 = law - I wonder how this list meshes with the 10 words?  :-O Another topic to research...later.


Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise let every woman have her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:3)


benevolence - G2133 - From the same as G2132; kindness; euphemistically conjugal duty.  G2132 - From a compound of G2095 and G3563; to be well minded, that is, reconcile.


I thought it interesting that the husband is the first to initiate - setting the example - leading.


Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:19)


Gill's commentary:  but the keeping of the commandments of God; that is something; not that the commands of God, and the observance of them, are of any avail to procure the pardon of sin, acceptance with God, justification in his sight, and eternal salvation; yet they are of moment, as they are the commands and ordinances of God; and ought to be kept in faith and fear, as they were delivered from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God; and though for keeping of them there is no reward of debt, yet in keeping of them there is a reward of grace; peace of mind is had, and the presence of God enjoyed; obedience to them, upon Gospel principles and motives, is a fruit of grace, an evidence of faith, and of the new creature; it is the ornament of a Christian profession, and is profitable to men.


keeping - G5084 - From G5083; a watching, that is, (figuratively) observance, or (concretely) a prison.  G5083 is lengthy, condensing: watch, guard, keep the eye upon, prevent escaping, implies a fortress, detain - worth the time to read.)


commandments - G1785 - From G1781; injunction, that is, an authoritative prescription.


I like that:  prescription - Pre = before, script = to write.  Written prior for our edification, education and exhortation.


Knowledge (1108) puffeth up (5448), but charity (26) edifieth (3618).  If any man think that he knoweth (1492) anything, he knoweth (1097) nothing (3762) yet as he ought to know. But if any man love (25) God, the same is known (1097) of him.  (1 Corinthians 8:1b-3)


knowledge - G1108 - From G1097; knowing (the act), that is, (by implication) knowledge.


puffeth up - G5448 - From G5449 in the primary sense of blowing; to inflate, that is, (figuratively) make proud (haughty).


charity - G26 - From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast.


edifieth - G3618 - From the same as G3619; to be a house builder, that is, construct or (figuratively) confirm.


knoweth - G1492 - A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, G3700 and G3708; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know.


ha - different word, translated the same, interesting...


knoweth - G1097 - A prolonged form of a primary verb; to “know” (absolutely), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as shown at left, with others not thus clearly expressed).


nothing - G3762 - From G3761 and G1520; not even one (man, woman or thing), that is, none, nobody, nothing.


love - G25 - Perhaps from ἄγαν agan (much; or compare [H5689]); to love (in a social or moral sense).


Lord, help Your Bride not to be bloated intellectually, but lacking in love one for another.  Father, the return of Your son draws closer with the passing of each day, help us to be prepared, to be about Your work, to diligently pray, to be a light among those who are perishing.  Help us to be cleansed and prepared for the Master's return.