Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.  1 Corinthians 16:13-14

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 16:5-24 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "If possible, parting words should always be encouraging and uplifting, particularly after having to speak tough truths in love."

Key excerpts from the introduction: "In what was probably the toughest, hardest letter (1 Corinthians) Paul ever had to write to a church, you can almost hear the relief in his voice once the need for tough love is over. This last section is written on a very upbeat note. Paul is anticipating anticipating a visit to these Corinthian Christians, exhorting them to be open and supportive to others who may want to come work alongside them as well as to stand firm in their faith." 

Divisions per the commentary:

1. A Word of Anticipation (16:5-12): "Paul left unstated that it is obvious that one of the main reasons he wants to spend a good deal of time with this church was that he hoped to rebuild bridges and help them to improve their witness for Christ and their unity in the body.  But Paul may have had an even more practical motive. He could find more gainful employment in Corinth than in almost any other city he visited. Tentmakers were in demand there because of the Isthmian Games, which had high attendance, and because of the two harbors there. Bailey points out that tentmakers would also manufacture sails, and small ships would naturally use “the winter” to get their vessels ready for their shipping season (Paul, 486)."
   
2. A Word of Exhortation (16:13-14): "Paul, within one verse in rapid fire, gives some exhortatory words all in the imperative that are in a sense a call to arms....The Corinthians were to always be on their guard and never go to sleep at their theological post, making sure that false teaching did not corrupt the church....We should never ever apologize for standing firm in the faith and standing for truth and being strong, but we must remember that our tone is extremely important. If truth is not offered in love, even the greatest defense of the faith in the world will fall on deaf ears."
3. A Word of Commendation (16:15-18): "Even though people like [Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus] serve mostly behind the scenes, Paul reminds the Corinthians, we should always give honor to whom honor is due."
   
4. A Word of Salutation (16:19-24): "Paul closes a tough letter with words of tenderness, affection, and greetings from the churches in Asia....If possible, even when conversations are tough by their nature, it is always good to end them on a positive note that includes encouragement and exhortation. Paul actually teaches us in this chapter how to end a low conversation on a high note. He thus reminds us of the importance of maintaining personal relationships and friendships." 
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - providing mercies that are new every morning and that never cease.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as you love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.  1 Corinthians 16:13-14

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 16:5-24. Here Paul, as he closes this letter to the church in Corinth, seeks to reassure the church there by sharing how he is coming as quickly as he can as are other leaders, including Timothy (v10).  The presence of well-regarded church leaders is a steadying influence on less mature believers - the church at Corinth certainly had its challenges but it was nonetheless a growing church with faithful believers.  In v13-14, Paul seeks for the church, in the face of sinful influences around them, to "stand firm in the faith" and to "[l]et all that [they did] be done in love." Paul also wants the church to care for one another - fellow believers (v15). Paul concludes the letter be sharing how other leaders in the church send their greetings and love to as they were most assuredly praying for the church in Corinth.  

Comment and discuss this post.

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God whose mercies are new every morning and never cease, and You provide for all of my needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

1 Corinthians 16

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "Giving will always be a part of the church’s worship, and it should follow some specific guidelines."

Key excerpts from the introduction: "[I]t is refreshing to note that with all the flaws and foibles of the Corinthian church, it was a generous church....We know from another letter that Paul wrote that this collection was for the poor and suffering among the Jewish Christian brothers and sisters in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26)....In several solid and practical ways, Paul gives us a model that shows how Christians should be financially faithful to the church and how the church should be forensically faithful in managing what is given."

Divisions per the commentary:

1. We Should Give with Sincere Dedication (16:1):"[T]he church in Jerusalem was in the middle of a great economic depression. They were having to minister to thousands of new converts who had come to Christ, and many of them were in desperate need of financial help. Well aware of this, Paul had sent out a communiqué to several Gentile churches he had founded, asking them to help their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. Everyone knew what this offering was to be dedicated to; it had a specific purpose. These Corinthian Christians, then, were motivated by a love for and a brokenness over their Jerusalem brothers and sisters. They eagerly agreed to give to this offering because they realized Christianity is a team sport and everyone is on the same team."
2. We Should Give to a Specific Destination (16:2a): "When you worship, you give your voice in exaltation as you praise the character of God. You give your ear in concentration as you listen to the Word of God. You give your mind in meditation as you think about the things of God. You give your heart in adoration as you bask in the love of God. Surely we should also bring our offerings in commemoration as we remember the goodness of God. This is not to be understood as saying that all giving should only be given to any specific church, but I do believe this passage suggests the first financial gifts we give to God should be to the work of the church."
   
3. We Should Give with Steadfast Determination (16:2a): "Paul makes it plain that everybody should give something to this offering. There is no room for exemptions, exceptions, or excuses....The best way to give, though it may certainly be supplemented with spontaneous offerings, is systematically. We should give with a steadfast determination to give as often as our income is refreshed or we have an unexpected inflow of money."
   
4. We Should Give with Studied Deliberation (16:2b)."Therefore, our lives as those he has redeemed should be lived in gratitude for all that God has given to us and done for us."
5. We Should Give with Sober Discrimination (16:3-4): "place. In other words, the money was not only to be given in the church, to the church, and for the church, it was to be managed by the church. It is incumbent on those of us who give money to God’s work to do everything possible to make sure that dollars given toward his work are always used correctly, properly, and wisely."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

1 Corinthians 16

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.  On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.  1 Corinthians 16:1-2

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.  In light of v1, it's important to see what Paul spoke to Galatia.  There are at least two places in Galatians where Paul spoke of giving, including giving to the poor (Galatians 2:10) and to do good (implied to help) "especially to those who are of the household of faith" (the church) (Galatians 6:10).  This giving is to be done regularly (every week per v2). Giving is also discussed in 2 Corinthians 9 where Paul once again seeks to help the poor and give to the church. This giving is out of an overflowing of love for God and for the church - we are to be cheerful givers, not to give out of compulsion.  Attached to this giving is a promise where believers are "enriched in every way to be generous" (v11). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all needs - physical needs, emotional needs and spiritual needs - thank You God for giving abundantly.  I am not deserving of such blessings, including how Your mercies are new every morning and never ceasing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51b-53

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "Like the Savior, every saint will be physically raised in a supernatural body impervious to sin and death forever."

Key excerpts from the introduction: "Paul moves from the resurrection of the Savior to the resurrection of the saint, holding to the thesis that the former guarantees the latter."

Divisions per the commentary:

1. Paul Receives a Puzzled Interrogation concerning the Resurrection (15:35): "Some people in the church were questioning not just the possibility but the pattern of the resurrection....Paul launches into his brilliant apologetic for the bodily resurrection of believers."
   
2. Paul Gives Practical Illustrations of the Resurrection (15:36-41): "Since Paul is writing to an agrarian society, this metaphor would easily be understood. You sow a seed in the earth, and in a real sense it dies, decays, dissolves, and disintegrates; but over a period of time, out of the death of that seed comes life. The new life is different from the seed, but it comes from the seed. So our current bodies are like a seed. Just as a seed is buried, so is the body. Just as a seed comes back made better, so does the body....There is an implication here that we will recognize each other in heaven. In a sense, we will be the same in kind as we are here, but we will be different....Paul’s point is essentially this: there is simply no reason you have to check your mind at the door to believe that a corruptible, sinful, physical body can be raised into a supernatural, spiritual, perfect body. After all, there is nothing too difficult for God!"
   
3. Paul Provides Pertinent Information about the Resurrection (15:42-49): "Our aging, dying bodies will one day be transformed into ageless, everlasting bodies....There is going to be both a continuity and a discontinuity between our earthly bodies and our eternal bodies. We will maintain our identities and be the same people, but out bodies will be wonderfully different[.]  The idea of “sown in weakness, raised in power” (v. 43) means our current bodies are limited by time, space, sickness, and breakdown, but our new bodies will be freed from the shackles of fallen humanity....Adam was created in the image of God, but when Adam fell that image was scarred by sin, and every person from then until now has been born bearing that same flawed image.  One day, though, believers will truly bear the image of God....We are not only going to see what Jesus is like, but we are going to be what Jesus is like. Not divine, but perfected."
   
4. Paul Applies the Powerful Inspiration of the Resurrection (15:50-58): "Realizing that one day these decayed, deficient bodies are going to be raised glorious and victorious is a tremendous source of inspiration....We have the promise of the resurrection before us. We have the person of the resurrection above us. We have the power of the resurrection already at work within us. Until that day comes, when we are raised up or taken up, we each should use the body that we have now to do all the good we can for as long as we can, knowing we are getting ready for the body that is unlike any other body that has ever been born." 

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who died for my sins and rose again to give me victory over sin and death - thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an unassisted review of 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. Today's text builds on Paul's focus on the resurrection providing further details on this important subject:

• vv38-41: God gives all life a body and sustains all in the universe
• vv42-43: All life is perishable but those in God are raised for eternity and made imperishable
• vv44-48: All life is born with a natural body but those in God have a spiritual body and it is Jesus - the last Adam - who gives those in Him this spiritual body
• vv49-53: those in Him have both the natural and spiritual body and upon death or the second coming of Jesus, we "shall be be changed" and "raised imperishable."
• vv54-57: Upon this glorification, believers will experience final victory over sin and death through Jesus who "gives us the victory"
• v58: In light of this victory we can look forward to, believers should press on and be encouraged!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me the certain promise of victory over sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 15:20-34 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "The resurrection of Jesus was not a one-off event; it guarantees our resurrection as well, and much more!"

Key excerpts from the introduction: "There was obviously some misunderstanding and misconception in Corinth both about the necessity of a general resurrection and about the quality of any resurrected body. Up to this point in the chapter, Paul has corrected the faulty supposition that one can believe in the resurrection of the Savior but not the resurrection of the saints. He argued that if there is no general resurrection, then one can not possibly believe in a particular resurrection. He showed the devastating consequences of a non-resurrected Jesus. Thankfully, here Paul quickly pivots from the gloom and doom of a purely hypothetical situation to the joyful actuality that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. His resurrection is actually a guarantee of our resurrection."

Divisions per the commentary: 

1. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Certainty of Future Resurrection (15:20-22): "[S]ince there is an implication that none of these Corinthian believers deny the resurrection of Jesus, they must accept the corollary truth, which is that his resurrection guarantees their resurrection.  This is a great word of comfort to these Corinthian believers, who had seen many loved ones precede them in death. Jesus is the firstfruits of those who have died."
   
2. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Priority of Future Resurrection (15:23): "There is an interval between the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection of believers in part because the resurrection of believers takes place at the second coming of Jesus. The resurrected Lord will descend, and at that time those who belong to Christ will also be raised and given their new resurrection bodies."
   
3. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Finality of Future Resurrection (15:24-26): "Though scholars debate what the phrase “the end” refers to, one should not overthink it. Simply understand that this refers to the “end of this age or world-order to be followed by the age to come” (Bruce, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 146). This is “when [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all [other] rule and all authority and power” (v. 24). To that, Schreiner would add, “This almost certainly refers to demonic powers” (1 Corinthians, 314). Demonic powers will not merely be subjugated; they will be annihilated. Make no mistake."
   
4. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Totality of Future Resurrection (15:27-28): "Perhaps Bruce puts it best and most succinctly: “The kingdom of Christ comes to an end in its present phase, but only to merge in the eternal Kingdom of God, so there is no failure of the prophetic promise that the Messiah’s kingdom will know no end[.]"
   
5. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Reality of Future Resurrection (15:29-34): "There is no greater truth than the truth that, because Jesus was raised from the dead, so shall we be." 
   

Comment and discuss this text.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me salvation and eternal life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all the blessings You pour out for me...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.