Posts Tagged ‘1 Corinthians (2008)’
1st Corinthians – Spiritual Gifts and Body Life
Paul addresses spiritual gifts in the twelfth chapter of First Corinthians. He knows the Church does not realize their low level of spiritual maturity; but their arrogant, impatient and factious ways indict them. So misguided is this Church that they act against the teachings of both Paul and the Council of Jerusalem. This chapter showcases…
Read More1st Corinthians – Love and Spiritual Gifts
Chapter 13 of the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians begins with Paul’s address to those who speak in tongues. Unless love is the controlling virtue in one’s life, a spectacular faith, a powerful prophetic message or even the gift of tongues are of no value (cf. v. 1-3). He infers that love and…
Read More1st Corinthians – The Resurrection
Sometimes termed "the great Resurrection chapter," 1 Corinthians 15 accounts just that and more. Certain members of the Corinthian Church, perhaps because of a Greek heritage that often disparages the flesh, take issue with Jesus’ resurrection. From the initial verse, Paul affirms that the resurrection is an essential part of the gospel. He expresses that…
Read More1st Corinthians – Paul Begins His Final Arguments
Out study continues with the great Resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15, verse 23. Christ is the Messiah whose reign must continue until he has triumphed, when eternity begins (cf. v. 23-27). The Father is the font of divinity without having any chronological or hierarchical priority over Jesus Christ. A close reading of this chapter will…
Read More1st Corinthians – Chapter 16 and Review
This chapter describes a wide-spread collection of funds for the Church in Jerusalem. Giving sacrificially for Christ – who gave Himself for the human race – was ever on the mind of these early Christians who always gave well beyond the 10% tithing requirement. Tithe money never paid for ecclesial luxuries, but for pressing needs…
Read More1st Corinthians – Closing the Letter
In chapter one, Paul introduces himself as an encouraging father. Chapter two shows a more corrective side, outlining the immaturity of the Corinthian community. He highlights their faults even more centrally throughout chapter three. By the end of the letter, he establishes himself as an honorable father who will ever speak honestly to his children,…
Read More1st Corinthians – Reflections and Questions
Paul’s great pastoral epistle is especially instructive for the Church in modern America. Written to a Church often beset by infighting, immorality, and individualism, the timeless messages of forbearance, freedom from sin, and fellowship are a much-needed salve. These final inquiries into First Corinthians revisit the issues of how bad the Corinthian Church really was,…
Read More1st Corinthians – Conclusion
Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians contains a number of key themes that a reader might overlook. The fact that so few lay Catholics in America deliberately choose celibacy is a sign of a worldly church. Marriage was, is, and will always be a wonderful vocation, but many early lay Christians chose celibacy as an…
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