Bible Book Challenge (August 2007)-Corinthians
Posted on August 10th, 2007 by TADCCBLOG
Post any questions/comments that arise while reading the book of the Corinthians. Also, please share principles learned from the daily readings and how those principles have been implemented into your life.
Note: The August reading schedule can be found at http://www.christian-perspective.com/BibleBookChallenge.html
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1 Corinthians 1-3 Review Questions:
1. Corinthians 1- What causes divison(s) within the Body of Christ?
2. Corinthians 2- What is needed to receive and to understand the Spirit of God?
3. Corinthians 3- (a)What prevented the Church of Corinth from maturing past being babes in Christ? (b)Who is the foundation for all believers? (c)Who is the temple of God?
1. Glorying after men or putting more faith/confidence in persons, rather than in the Lord, Christ Jesus(v. 11-13, 31).
2. The Spirit of God (v. 12). A person must not lean on natural understanding or the wisdom of the world, but on the spiritual knowledge that comes from God. The Holy Spirit is needed to teach a person the spiritual things of God. The Holy Spirit is received when one accepts Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
3. (a) They continued to be carnal or to aim to please the flesh and earthly pleasures and desires, but not God. This was manifest in envying, strife and divisions. They could not agree and get on one accord with one another.
(b) Christ Jesus
(c) We are (v.16). The temple of God is holy (pure), a defiled temple will be destroyed by God (v.17).
1 Corinthians 4 Review:
Explain the Judgement described in Chapter 4.
Why did Paul instruct them to be followers of him (v. 16)?
The judgement described in Chapter 4 refers to God being the ultimate judge because is the Lord Jesus who justifies or render’s a person righteouss, regardless of what we think of ourselves or what others may think because He knows the intent or purpose of our heart, which will be revealed in His timing. Therefore, only God can pass final judement on a person as to whether they will receive eternal glory or be condemned to hell.
Paul instructed them to be followers of him in v. 16 because they did not have good leaders amongst them who were teaching sound doctrine and how to live their lives in Christ Jesus. They were not being fed the truth of God’s word, which is a reason they were still considered babes in Christ (Chapter 3) and had strife and contention and divisions among them. 1 Cor. 4:8-13, demonstrates how Paul and the other Apostles were willing to suffer for the gospel’s sake and were willing to teach an unadulterated gospel.
Day 3: 1 Corinthians 5-6 Review
Explain the judgement written in Chapters 5 and 6. Does it differ from the judgement in Chapter 4?
What is the significance of not committing fornication (Chapter 6)?
There is a difference in the judgement in Chapter 4 which refers to God as the final judge in all. Paul instructs us in Chapts 5 and 6 that we as believers have authority to judge matters through Christ Jesus. To judge is to bring sentence, (ie judge in a court room).
1 Cor 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. This act of immorality was being paraded among the believers and no one would judge it. Paul stated to deliver such a person to Satan that his flesh be tormented but his soul be saved. In Chapt 6 believers were not judging matters amongst themselves but taking each other to law before the unrighteous judge. Why would they do that when the righteous will judge the angels and the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.
When you flee fornication or not committ fornication you avoid sinning against your own body. Also your body is for the Lord’s use and is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
The judgement written in Chapters 5 and 6 clarifies the different judgement types. Many times persons say, you can’t judge me, only God can judge me…Which is absolutely correct, only God can judge (render a sentence) a person to heaven or hell because He knows the thoughts and the intents of the heart as stated in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5, Paul says that we are to judge the brethren, it’s like iron sharpening iron to edify the body of Christ and not to allow unrighteousnees to be a part of the believers (fornicators, convetousness, idolatary, railer, extortioner as mentioned in 1 Cor 5:11). If we see a brother or sister in need of help then we have the authority to judge or discern and provide correction based on the Word of God. In chapter 6 we the authority to judge, discern, provide correction to the world only based on the Word of God. As stated earlier, God is the final JUDGE to condemnation, but we can discern matters and correct here on earth.
It is important not to commit fornication because not only are you sinning against God, but against your own body as well. Fornication relates to sexual relations outside of marriage, including, but not limited to pre-maritial sex, adultery, pedophilia, homosexuality, lesbianism, beastiality, etc. Fornication comes from the Greek work porneia, from which we get the English word pornography, so it’s any type of illicit sex.
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so instead of becoming one with God, one becomes one with the person(s) that these acts are committed with (v. 15). Instead of gloryfying people with our bodies, our focus and attention needs to be on gloryfying God in our body and spirt because He gave it to us (v.20).
Day 4: 1 Corinthians 7-8
When can a person remarry based on 1 Corinthians 7?
What is the significance of not eating things offered to idols in chapter 8?
Remarriage biblically supported in 1 Cor 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. What is interesting is the fact that to remarry (if death do you part) should be to someone “only in the lord. Another reference regarding remarriage can be found in Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
According to 1 Cor 7 only widows can remarry (v. 39). I guess this brings about the question, well, what should I do if I’m divorced or separated from my spouse? 1 Cor 7:10-15 says that if the spouse departs then we are to remain unmarried or be reconciled to that spouse. If we remain unmarried then verse 15 states that we are no longer under bondage to that spouse. This bondage refers to a duty to provide full service and attention to our spouse as stated in 1 Cor 7:3-4, where the wife has doesn’t have power over her body, but the husband; and the husband does not have power over his body, but the wife and also in 1 Cor 7:33 that states he that is married cares for how he may please his wife. So, while married, we are under bondage to please and serve our spouse, but if divorced, then we aren’t under this bondage.
With this being said, if one is divorced, then they should remain unmarried or reconcile with their spouse.
Not eating meat offered to idols speaks to us being accoutable to our brethren and not tempting them to fall. Although, eating meat isn’t sinful, it may be a weakness for a fellow believer, if they were delivered from idol worship and part of that worship included eating meat offered to idols. In comparison, drinking isn’t necessarily sinful, but if a believer was delivered from alcoholism, them viewing you drink can weaken their faith and entice them to partake in drinking and fall back into bondage. Paul’s message in 1 Cor 8 is that if our actions will cause another believers to sin, then we shouldn’t participate in those actions.
Day 5: 1 Corinthians 9-11
1 Cor 9-What does Paul reveal/teach about preaching?
1 Cor 10-How can this chapter be used to help someone facing temptation?
1Cor 11-What is the purpose of taking the Lord’s Supper?
Paul admonishes the preachers in Chapt 9:13-19 to live the gospel that they preach about. Can you imagine the change that would take place in the world and the church if preachers would take heed to this teaching? Preachers would stop glorying in themselves when a word is preached through them. Preachers would stop charging money when preaching the gospel. Preachers would not remarry another when they have a living spouse. Preachers would not pastor/bishop a church when their house is not in order (unruly children and spouse). Preachers would not peform marriage ceremony for someone who has already been married and that spouse is still living. Preachers would not put unrighteous people in leadership positions in the church just because they give a lot of money in the offering plate. Must I go on. What a difference would take place if only preachers would heed the word of God for themselves. This would start a revolution of souls being won to the kingdom of God. And the church would increase with true born again believers.
Verse 13 of Chapt 10 gives us (as believers) confidence to know that God is faifthful when temptations come in our life. If you know someone facing temptations right now reassure them to know that God will not allow whatever it is to overtake you. Let them know that God will see them through it all. One thing temptation does is keeps us before the face of God. Temptation within itself is not sin. But yielding (giving in to) to temptation is sin.
Chapt 11 Jesus instructed the body of Christ to remember what He did for us through the Lord’s Supper. He said as often was we assemble to eat this supper together. The wine represents the blood that Jesus shed on calvary cross and the unleavened bread represents the body that was broken for us that believe. This is a time to ask God for forgiveness. We should celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ every time we eat and drink the Lord’s supper. It is a tiime of rejoicing! It is an exciting time! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus for saving me!
1) 1 Cor 9 starts by teaching that an apostle should recognize and know who they are sent to minister to. (v. 2 says If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.) Paul understood his calling and his audience. Near the end of the chapter, Paul says that he is made all things to all men, that he may save some. This should not be taken out of context, Paul is not promoting sinning to save souls for in v. 21 he notes that when he’s made to one without the law, it’s not being without the law to God, but under the law to Christ.) So he still follows the laws of Christ, but changes his approach to spread the gospel and save souls. The last point Paul stresses, is the importance of living what you preach. It would be shameful for a preacher to be used to win others to the kingdom, but then be rejected themselves.
2) Use 1 Cor 10 to encourage others the temptations they are facing have been experienced by someone else and that’s why it’s utterly important to pursue a stronger relationship with Christ Jesus. When we become blinded by the lusts of the world, there are many that demonstrate the dreadul outcome. Some of these examples are listed in Bible and some of these examples are our family, friends, co-workers, etc. God has provided these examples so that we’ll decide pursue him with our whole heart, body, mind, soul and being. If we put our trust in God, then we have the assurance of v. 13 that God will not allow a temptation in our lives that He doesn’t endow the strength, power and authority to overcome….as the verse continues to read, but will with the tempation will make a way to escape so that you will be able to bear it. We just have to make the decision that we’re going to follow the plan of escape and not subcomb to the tempation. God makes the way to escape, but we must decide to take the exit route. And for many people that’s a difficult decision but I pray in the name of Jesus that we decide to take the exit route, when it’s plainly and clearly laid out for us.
3)The purpose of taking the Lord’s supper is to remember the sacrifice of Christ Jesus to take away my sins and your sins and anyone’s sins who believe in Him. He left his wonderful throne in glory to be subjected to living in the flesh so that he could endure and feel our pain and sufferings and temptations and disappointments and hardships and failures. In the earhtly body he suffered persecutions and betrayal and ultimately death. So when Jesus brake bread it represented his body enduring hardships for our good and the wine represents the blood that he shed on Calvary’s cross that canceled the old covenant of having to sacrifice bullocks and lambs and oxen, but now there is a new covenant that if we accept Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior and believe and follow his word, teachings and commandments then, we are promised eternal life and to reign with Him victoriously! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
Weekend Review Questions: 1 Cor 12-16
1 Cor 12-Name the gifts given to the body of Christ and how they all work together.
1 Cor 13-Why is it important to have charity?
1 Cor 14-What is the difference between speaking in tongues and prophesying?
1 Cor 15-What is the reward and promise to everyone who remains steadfast in the work of the Lord (v. 58)?
1 Cor 16-Feel free to share how 1 Corinthians has increased your understanding of the Body of Christ?
1 Word of wisdom; 2 word of knowledge, 3 faith, 4 gifts of healing 5 working of miracles; 6 prophecy; 7 discerning of spirits; 8 divers kinds of tongues; 9 interpretation of tongues: The gifts all work by the Spirit of God.
Charity (love) never fails. Follow love and you will never go wrong.
When you speak in an unknown tongue it is to God and edifies the person that speaks. Interpretation of tongues edifies the church. Tongues is for a sign. Prophesying is spoken to men to edify, exhort, and comfort.
Our reward for our steadfastness in the Lord is eternal life with Christ. We will have victory over death hell and the grave. We will put on immortality.
Although we are the body of Christ we are many members. I have a greater appreciation, respect and understanding of not only my contribution to the body but also those I fellowship and interact with. God bless us every one.
1) Some offices within the body (1 Cor 12:28) are apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. These gifts and callings work together within the body of Christ and are not give to promote division. Just as with our physical bodies, the eye shouldn’t be divided against the hand or the ear against the mouth or the fingernail against the hand, such as within the body of Christ. All gifts and callings work together to edify and build the kingdom of God and the body of believers.
2) Charity decreases the chances of a person being puffed up, because charity focuses on the needs of others and not ourselves. It everyone working their giftings and callings had the chartiy described in chapter 13, the schism and division within the body would greatly diminish.
3) When speaking in unknown tongues, we’re speaking to God but when prophesying, we’re edifying, exhorting and comforting men (v. 2-3, 14). However, tongues can also edify, exhort and comfort men if there is an interpretation of the tongues (v. 5). Also, prophesying is a better witness to unbelievers to change their heart towards God (v. 23-24).
4) Everlasting life with Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. I would like to encourage everyone to be STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING in the WORK of the LORD, knowing that your labor IS NOT in vain in the LORD!
5) Though, I may not reach the world with the gospel, it’s amazing to know that I have hands and feet and knees all over the world, working the work of God for the same purpose, to build His kingdom. It also emphasized the purpose of knowing the calling and gifting God has given, so there won’t be jealousy, envy and division with the body of Christ…because a house divided against itself will not stand.
Day 1–2 Corinthians 1-3
1. 1 Corinthians 1-2: What is the importance of forgiving, comforting and loving a brother/sister in Christ who has strayed but has repented (2 Cor 2:6-11)?
2. 1 Corinthians 3: Explain the liberty described in verse 17.
2 Cor 2:6-11
We have to lovingly embrace this brother/sister (who strayed but repented) in the Lord because rejection could be a stumbling block to him/her which could give Satan an occassion to sift either as wheat. Besides we have to forgive others in order for us to be forgiven. Hebrews (Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.)
2 Cor 3:17
Before Christ came the law of Moses (Old Testament) served as the schoolmaster. Now Christ has set us at liberty when He shed His blood on the cross (when the vail of the temple was rent in two) and we now have access (liberty) to go into the holies of holies (presence of God) for ourselves. We are the temple of God and His holy Spirit lives in the believer. (17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.) We are no longer bound by the law but God’s grace governs us. Today some Jews cannot receive Christ because they are blinded purposely by God, *Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.)
Day 1: 2 Corinthians 1-3
1). 1 Corinthians 1-2: What is the importance of forgiving, comforting and loving a brother/sister in Christ who has strayed but has repented (2 Cor 2:6-11)?
If a brother/sister in Christ has strayed from the teachings of the bible (backslidden), and returns with a repentant heart, it is important for the body of believers to receive and to forgive as Christ forgave us our sins and as others have forgiven us when we offended another. We should also confirm our love to this person and comfort them and not condemn because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Commending forgiveness, love and comfort to this person will help them to build a stronger relationship with Christ Jesus and lessen the chances of them being tempted and deceived by satan.
2). 1 Corinthians 3: Explain the liberty described in verse 17.
I think BW pretty much summed it up. One other thing, where the Spirt of the Lord is, there is Liberty. When we have the Spirit of the Lord, we are no longer bound by tradition and the law of the letter, but are now guided by the Spirit of Lord, who guides us into all truth (John 16).
Day 2: 2 Corthians 4-7
1) What are the benefits of preaching the Gospel of Christ Jesus (Chapter 4).
2)Explain 2 Corinthians 5:17.
3)Why shouldn’t believers be unequally yoked with unbelievers (6:14) and why did Paul command them to separate themselves (6:17-7:1).
Day 2: 2 Corthians 4-7
1) What are the benefits of preaching the Gospel of Christ Jesus (Chapter 4).
The benefits of preaching is sharing the gospel of Christ Jesus with others to bring them out of darkness into light. Another benefit is knowing that God is always with us from 2 Cor 4:8-9, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted; but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. So yes trials, tribulations and persecutions will visit those who preach the gospel, but we have a promise that God is with us and will take care of us. Though the preacher may be persecuted, the persecution is bringing about life in others if they receive Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Also, having the promise of eternal life with Christ Jesus.
2)Explain 2 Corinthians 5:17.
If a person receives Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then the life is no longer theirs, but the person should now be living their lives to please Christ and to follow his teachings and commandments. Hence 2 Cor 5:17, If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; If a relationship is developed with Chirst and our hearts continually seek him, then we become new creatures, or new creatures we our longer held in bondage to the sins and mistakes of our past, but all things are made brand new in Christ Jesus. The important caveat here is that we must remain in Christ to be that new creature and not let our flesh have dominion over our bodies.
3)Why shouldn’t believers be unequally yoked with unbelievers (6:14) and why did Paul command them to separate themselves (6:17-7:1).
Believers should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers because righteousness and unrighteousness does not mix. One party will persuade the other and being with an unrighteouss person, will many times compromise the life, choices of a believer. For example, if you’re dating a person that’s unrightouess and not saved, then they are not committed to abstaining until marriage, so the believer will have pressure to formicate and sin against God and their own body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). As stated later in the verse light and darkness do not mix. The two entities cannot exist simultaneously, so either the light will overtake the darkness or the darkness the light. That’s the reason God calls for believers to be separate from the world. Not separate so that you aren’t close enough to be able to witness, etc, but separate so that we aren’t participating in the deeds and sins of the world.
Day 3: 2 Corthians 8-10
1) What is the purpose of giving from Chapters 8-9 and how a person is commanded to give.
2) How can 2 Cor. 10:4-5 help a believer during trials, persecutions and tribulations?
Day 3: 2 Corthians 8-10
1) What is the purpose of giving from Chapters 8-9 and how a person is commanded to give?
The purpose of giving is to help others who lack, 2 Cor 8:14-15 reads
14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
15As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack
In chapter 9 we are told that if we sow a little, then we will reap little and if we so alot, then we will reap alot. So with this principle establsished, Paul instructs to give not grudgingly (complaining or forceabley) or of neccessity (not because there is a need), because God love a cheerful giver, some who gives freely and willingly. This commandment lines up with Luke 6:8.
2) How can 2 Cor. 10:4-5 help a believer during trials, persecutions and tribulations?
2 Cor 10:3-5
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
We are comforted that we are fighting a spiritual warfare, and not the flesh and bones that presents us with trials persecutions and obstacles. This passage directs us on how to pray against strongholds in our lives and always gives the importance and subjecting our mind and thougts to the obedience of Christ Jesus our Lord, Savior and Reedeemer.
Day 4: 2 Corinthians 11-13
1) Why is it important to study God’s word from Chapter 11?
2) How should we respond to weaknesses?
3) What is a reprobate (2 Cor 13:5-7)?
1) Chapter 11:3-5 warns us of false preachers, false spirits, false gospels and 11:13-15 warns us of false apostles, deceitful workers pretending to be Christians but are of the devil. When we know the Word of God we can discern right from wrong, true from false, Christian fron nonChristian.
2) We (Christians) are all bombarded with something that keeps us on our knees before the throne of God. This keeps us focussed on our life in Christ. Without Him we can do nothing. So when challenges come and we find ourselves in compromised situations, if we hold fast to God, believe what His word says (He will never leave us nor forsake us), then in our weakness (yield to God) we will be made strong.
3) Reprobate is one that believed in God but turned away from Him. Therefore God turned him over to his own demise to worship things that are not God. So now that person does what he thinks is right in his own mind. Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient…