1 Corinthians: Conclusion

Conclusion

text: 1 Corinthians 16

Outline:

A. 16:1-12, Unity in three gifts of God: material (1-4), time (5-9), people (10-12).

  B. 16:13-14, final encouragement to the Corinthian congregation.

A'. 16:15-20, Unity through greetings.

  B'. 16:21-24, Blessings.

Comments: At the very end St. Paul returns to the ultimate concern he had for the congregation in Corinth – unity. He will address it in a way of caring for the ministry – utilizing the three main gifts: material resources or money, quality time spent together, and people who dedicate their talents to the work in the Lord's field. At the same time unity can be seen in or even experienced through mutual participation in life of each other. All of this is surrounded by blessings and encouragements.

A. Three gifts. The apostle starts with a remark concerning fundraising for the benefit of Jerusalem church (at that time the believers underwent a period of persecution in Judea). He wants the fundraising to be organized ahead of time – then the collection of the offerings would be complete before his arrival. Same as he commanded the church in Galatia (16:1). This shows that, being in Ephesus, he encouraged all of the churches he had relations with collect donation for the sake of their brothers in Christ in Judea.

Also, he talks about the time he wants to spend with them. He openly states that he doesn't want to see them in passing. His intent to spend quality time, maybe even the whole period of winter (16:6-7). This phrase presents him not a modern fundraiser, concerned about money only, but a father caring for his spiritual children (cp. 4:14-15).

The third gift of God to the church is people or the ministers. At this point St. Paul brings up the names of two of them – Timothy and Apollos. We know that Timothy will eventually settle in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). As of right now, he is a helper of St. Paul, and comes wherever the apostle needs him. Being young, probably even younger than he was during the time when St. Paul wrote him (cp. 1 Timothy 4:12), he needs an emotional support from more experienced minister, which Paul proved with gladness, ensuring that the congregation would care for Timothy.

Concerning Apollos, the apostle looks loose – Paul wanted him to come to Corinth earlier, but allows for the personal inputs from his colleagues. The mission can not be raced, it should be guided by the Holy Spirit (cp. Deuteronomy 20:8).

B. Final encouragement. The apostle lists 5 features of a Christian living:

Be watchful – be vigilante, stay awake

Stand firm in the faith – a posture of being ready for whatever comes one's way (the word appears only 7 times in the NT).

Act like men – meaning, being mature

Be strong – resembles Joshua 1:6,7,9,18

all should be done in love (cp. Chapter 13)

A'. The unity of the church is not an abstract thing – it can and should be seen in the involvement of the congregations and districts (dioceses) in each other's life: praying for each other, helping and supporting the ministry of each other. St. Paul reminds Corinthians the people they new from previous or resent engagements. He starts with Stephanas and his household, the most resent convert in Achaia (the South Greece region around 1 Corinthians). He and two others (Fortunatus and Achaicus) came to see the apostle, which made him happy enjoying fellowship (16:17).

The churches of Asia (current Turkey) – Ephesians, Galatians etc. He also mentiones Aquila and Prisca (short for Priscilla), who at this time hosted a church gathering in their house (in Ephesus). They spent time with Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). It is always good to hear the familiar names – people you know who continue to work in the field of the Lord in every circumstance.

Then he concludes “all the brothers send you greetings” (16:20). All the brothers – wherever St. Paul is [most likely in Ephesus] + the people he knows about and associates with – they all extend their greetings to the congregation in Corinth. The unity of the brothers is an encouragement in itself to Corinthians to keep peace and unity among themselves.

B'. The blessing. It begins with acknowledgments that the greeting is written by his own hand – see more on this in “Epistolary Opening” lesson. Therefore, the concluding words have a special weight when he again reinforces the theme of love (cp. chapter 13). Yet, here it come even stronger – it is not simply meaningless to engage without love, but the person should be anathematized, same terminology he brings up in the Letter to Galatians talking about the Gospel (1:6-9).

Two last lines are grace of the LORD and my love be with you [in Christ Jesus]. God's grace IS the foundation of the Christian faith and life. And it should be expressed in love (once more, showing how much this word, theme, and attitude means to him). Amen – which is truly so.

1 Corinthians: Church's Hope

The Word of the Cross is

the foundation of the Church's hope

Text: 1 Corinthians 15

Outline:

A. 15:1-11, Resurrection of Christ

B. 15:12-30, Resurrection of the dead

C. 15:31-58, the Body of Resurrection

Comments: St. Paul concludes his epistle (apart from the final greetings) with laying the foundation for the Christian's hope. As he begins with the Crucified Lord, he ends with the message of the Lord Who was raised from the dead. The apostle delivers his message in three stages. He brings up the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection builds up the foundation of the Christian's theology – our resurrection. Then he goes even farther – he not only gives hope, we will be raised, following out LORD, he talks about the resurrection as the outcome of faithful life of a believer. These three stages are the 3 steps of the Biblical Waltz: foundation, filling, glorification (see Genesis 1:1-2).

A. Resurrection of Christ.

a. 15:1-2, unless you believe in vain

  b. 15:3-8, things of first importance

a'. 15:9-11, we preached and believed

St. Paul lays a foundation of Christian faith by drawing from two sources: Scripture and eyewitnesses. Both parts of his arguments form our New Testament Scriptures. It is important to note – we, being that far from the time and place of the Crucified and Risen LORD, can not interview the eyewitnesses. But the cool part – we don't need to. Luke, St. Paul etc. did the homework for us. St. Luke opens up his Gospel with the statement of his methodology (Luke 1:1-4). Then he follows with the Book of Acts, continuing with the same methodology (Acts 1:1-3). In the similar way St. Paul mentions Cephas, the 12, more than 500, James, the apostles, and Paul himself. Most of the people were still alive at the time of 1 Letter to Corinthians was written (1 Corinthians 15:6). It would be very easy to come up with the disclaimer of the Christian message – show the Body of Jesus and/or provide at least as many eyewitnesses the Church relies on who can state [under oath] that they saw the Body.

Also, Paul's bases his case for the resurrection of Jesus on the Scriptures. Which Scriptures? There is a number of Psalms (4, 11, 16, 23 etc.) which talk about life eternal with the LORD. Jesus Himself brought up the call of Moses as a biblical foundation for resurrection (Matthew 22:29-33).

B. Resurrection of the dead.

a. 15:12-19, If Christ was not raised from the dead

  b. 15:20-22, death came through one man, resurrection came through one man

    c. 15:23-25, He hands over the Kingdom to God the Father

  b'. 15:26-28, the last enemy to be destroyed is death

a'. 15:29-30, If dead are not raised

The resurrection of Christ gives the foundation for the resurrection of the dead. Our connection with Jesus runs both ways. We will follow Him, because He came for us. Jesus came to the world not in an angelic form, our in a form of a tree, rock or talking donkey. Not even in a form of great mother or Lady Wisdom. He came as a second Adam – He had to undo the damage done by the first Adam. The first one should've develop and protect the world and at the end submit the results to the Creator. He failed. That's why Jesus comes as the second Adam, follows through with all the aspects and stages of life, including death, to reconcile and transform the world, delivering it to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28). Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed! Therefore, our creed states we believe “in the resurrection of the dead.”

C. The Body of the Resurrection.

a. 15:31-32, in the LORD

  b. 15:33-34, Sin

    c. 15:35-43,death and resurrection

      d. 15:44-49, nature and spirit

    c'. 15:50-53, death and resurrection

  b'. 15:54-56, Sin

a'. 15:57-58, in the LORD

The resurrection of Jesus will lead to our life awaiting the resurrection of the dead. This live results in three major changes, First, based on the faithful convictions one is invited and encouraged to live a pious life fighting with sin (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, 54-56).

Second, St. Paul gets a assuming question: “With what kind of body do they [resurrected people] come?” (1 Corinthians 15:35). In the very elaborate answer he presents a case about our resurrection with the spiritual bodies. He calls it mystery (1 Corinthians 15:50-51) – something that we know only partially, we can talk about it with somewhat certainty, at the same time we rely on God's final authority and decision on the ultimate execution.

Third, Christians are waiting for the resurrection. Yet, while we await for the resurrection, we aren't to be lazy. Following our LORD Jesus, Who came as the second Adam, we are to beautify and protect the world in accordance with God's will, knowing that in the LORD our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

1 Corinthians: Church's Worship

The Word of the Cross is 

the basis for Church's worship

text: 1 Corinthians 10 – 14

Outline:
Introduction: 10:1-14, Wilderness example for our instruction.

Part I: Lord's Supper

A. 10:15-22, Cup of blessing and Bread of breaking

  B. 10:23-32, Private dinner

  B'. 11:1-16, Private apparel

A'. 11:17-32, Eating of the Bread and drinking of the Cup.

Conclusion 1: 11:33-34, when you come together...

Part II: Spiritual gifts:

A. 12:1-11, Spiritual gifts

  B. 12:12-31, usage gifts in the Church

  B.' 13:1-13, Love of Christ as the foundation for the gifts

A'. 14:1-25, Usage of two particular gifts: tongues and prophecy

Conclusion 2: 14:26-40, when you come together...

Comments: St. Paul begins with examples of Wilderness experience. He starts with Crossing of the Red Sea. Then he follows up with reminding them of idolatry by the Golden Calf (v. 7 – Exodus 32:6). And concludes with the reference to the Bronze Serpent incident (Numbers 21:4-9). All of these happened to them – it is a historic reality. At the same time, the apostle uses these examples to show how we should interpret the Scriptures seeing the past as a lesson for our growth.

1 Corinthians: Church's Freedom

 The Word of the Cross is the basis for Church's Freedom

text: 1 Corinthians 8:1 – 9:27

Outline:

a. 8:1-3, what really builds up

 b. 8:4-6, rules of engagement

  c. 8:7-13, putting no stumbling block

   d. 9:1-2, “Am I not an apostle?”

    e. 9:3-7, My defense – 6 rhetorical questions

   d'. 9:8-12a, “my rights as an apostle”

  c'. 9:12b- 18, we put no obstacle

 b'. 9:19-23, rules of engagement

a'. 9:24-27, train myself

Comments: Interesting – Most often chapters 8 and 9 are treated separately – when 8 is treatment of the food concerns, while is totally something else – freedom a minister to be supported by his flock. As you can see from the outline, the apostle had a particular thought in his mind – defending his freedom to eat, to drink, and enjoy the regular benefits of life, provided by the community of the saints.

1 Corinthians: Church's Holiness

The Word of the Cross is the basis for Church's Holiness

Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1 – 7:40

Outline:

A. 5, Sexual immorality

B. 6, Judgment by the world

C. 7, Questions of marriage

Comments: It is important to note that the first area of Christian life that St. Paul addressed is the question of marital relationship. The church is as strong as the families that build the congregation.

1 Corinthians: Church's Unity

Word of the Cross is the basis for Church's Unity

Text: 1:10 – 4:21

Outline:

A. 1:10-11, Report by Chloe's family

  B. 1:12-17, Divisions by the ministers

    C. 1:18-25, we preach Christ crucified

      D. 1:26-31, Consider your calling

    C'. 2:1-16, Wisdom of Christ crucified

  B'. 3:1 – 4:7, Ministry of apostles

A'. 4:8-21, I fathered you – family relationship

Comments: St. Paul is approaching the theme of division from a variety of angles: family unity, togetherness of apostles and ministers, the wisdom of Christ, and comparison with the world.

Gospel of Mark: Bread and signs

Feeding the 4000, signs, and leaven

text: Mark 8:1-21

Outline:

A. 8:1-10, Bread of Jesus feeds 4000 (no bread, 8:2)

    B. 8:11-13, Demand of a sign

A'. 8:14-21, Leaven of Pharisees and Herod (no bread, 8:14)

Comments: Unlike the story of feeding of 5000 this story is presented in another context. Feeding of 5000 was done in the contrast to Herod's [deadly] birthday party. Here, the feeding of 4000 is a starting point for the future discussion of pharisees' leaven that followed by their demand of a sign. What other sign they want to receive but the bread coming from heaven?? That's the focus of the story as a whole.

1 Corinthians: Opening

Epistolary Opening

text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Outline:

A. Address, 1:1-2

B. Blessing, 1:3

C. Calling, 1:4-9

Comments: Most of the Christians have a general knowledge of the Epistle. St. Paul didn't waste his breath for polite and extravagant beating around the bush – he will address many challenges, problems, and sins of the congregation in a very straight forward manner. In the light of our background knowledge about the content, it is very noteworthy seeing the positive opening he begins with.

Gospel of Mark: Two stories of healing

Two stories of Healing

Text: Mark 4:35 – 5:43

Outline:

A. 4:35-41, Calming down a storm

B. 5:1-20, Healing a man with a demon

C. 5:21-43, Healing of two “girls”

Comments:

I told you I am a fan of Creation. Here we go again. Just look at the outline. Nature, then Man, then Woman (actually two of them – God loves His daughters). Now, let us go to the text.

PSALM 117

All nations praise the LORD.

Only two lines – but such a deep meaning. Allow me to walk you through.

v. 1a. Praise the LORD, all nations!

We have a glorious beginning – Hallelujah “Living ONE”! God is not called by His status; He is called by His name. Israel God is called by the name, but He is called by the Gentiles.

In the light of current political events, it is an important reminder that at the end ALL nations will recognize Jesus as Lord of the world. It will be done because the disciples will bring the Good News to all the nations – Matthew 28:18-20. Baptizing people and instructing them in faith. St. Paul uses this verse as a “proof-text” for the mission of Christ – Romans 15:11 (Let’s read!)   

v. 1b, Extol Him, all peoples!

Psalmist “doubles down” – he encourages all the peoples to extol Him. Exclaim with the loud voices, keep triumphant praise.

Together the unity of all nations and all peoples means everyone with distinction and without exception. The Book of Revelation puts it in four categories: nations, tribes, peoples, and languages. Together with believers from Israel they will worship the Lamb Who sits on the Throne (Rev. 7:1-10). 

What a glorious picture!!  

It is a long-awaited fulfilment of the prophecies:

2 Samuel 22:50 – glory to His name among Gentiles (a psalm sang by king David by the end of his life).

Isaiah 11:10 – the root of Jessy will give a hope to Gentiles. 

Isaiah 2:2-4 (note nations and peoples in v. 4) – do you know where the statue dedicated to this verse is located?

Also psalm 72:11,17 has the same ideas – kings of their nations fall before Him and serve Him (compare to Psalm 2:1-12). 

 

v. 2a, For great is His steadfast love toward us,

Great here has two meanings: (1) it is great in fullness (extended to all nations, see above); (2) it is great in intensity (covering all sins and faults), it is true on global and personal level: Romans 5:20-21 and 1 Timothy 1:12-14.

 Steadfast love – a word [hesed] which is very difficult for translation. We’ve talked about it last time (Psalm 118:1,29). It also can include mercy, grace etc. Most importantly, we need to pay attention “steadfast” aspect of “love” – along with other aspects of the meaning it should include “faithfulness.” God is faithful to His promises, covenants, and prophecies. We can rely on the fact of our forgiveness through Jesus, guidance by the Holy Spirit, and promise of heavenly haven prepared for us by the Son of God.  

 

v. 2b, And the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Faithfulness is a good translation; we also see it in Lamentations 3:22-23. It is a background for the hymn “great is Thy faithfulness.”

At the same time, we can add something: this word is related to very famous Hebrew word that all of you know – guess which one?

Jesus uses double of the word 25 times in the Gospel of John (for example 3:3; 5:24; 13:20). Using these doubles signifies that the words of Jesus are “really true.”   

Conclusion: Praise the Lord (Alleluia!)

The term denotes being clear (pure) sound and color, therefore “to show off [in a good sense], shine, or boast”

Think of the words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (see the background in Jeremiah 9:23-24).

He is worthy to be praised, to be boasted about! He redeemed us!

Soli Deo Gloria – Glory be to God Alone!