Been moving into a flat the last couple of days, and had a while without internet, so having read the two epistles to the Thessalonians, I'm going to cover them both in this post. About 15 min for the first letter, and 10 min for the second one.
Quick historical note: in Acts we have recorded that when Paul was in Thessalonica he preached for 3 Sabbath days in the synagogues, indicating he was there for about three weeks. It is unclear exactly how long he was in the city though - because he would have continued preaching outside the synagogue after those three Saturdays. Regardless, he was with them a short time, but long enough to teach them thoroughly the Word of God. The first letter is written to encourage them and explains he hasn't abandoned them, and the second is trying to root out the false teaching that was occurring, and encouraging them in the face of persecution.
Trust is not a major point in the epistles, but seems to under-gird the teaching, the encouragement, and the reasons for hope. I am reminded especially as I read through these epistles about the classic hymn: "When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way. When we do His good Will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey" As in the hymn, so in this epistle we see the theme of trust running through, and the outworking of obedience that is expected.
In the first epistle, we see Paul praising God for how the Thessalonians received the Word that was entrusted to Paul, and that he preached. We see him thanking God that they trusted in the Word preached as from God, and not from men. Having been comforted by the fresh news that the Thessalonians continued in faith and love, he continues to encourage them. He exhorts them to trust God with all areas of life, and to obedience in areas of sexual purity and diligence in work. He encourages them to trust God concerning the resurrection, reminding them that the dead will not 'miss out', but will rise with those left on earth during the rapture (he doesn't call it the rapture, but this is the term used today to refer to this event). We must trust in God's timing too, as the Second Coming is according to His schedule, and no one on earth knows the time. Instead of trying to predict times, we must remain alert and active spiritually, not becoming complacent or dulling our senses by living in sin as those who are in darkness, but living as children of light. Trust also those in authority over you - respect them and love them.
He concludes with patterns of Christian life that should be characteristic of us always: rejoicing, praying, giving thanks to God (no matter what!), not quenching the Spirit with sin, listening intently to instruction - and checking everything we hear holding only the good, and to avoid doing any evil like the plague - even the littlest things.
In the second letter, Paul continues to praise God for their testimony, evident despite persecutions and suffering. I wonder sometimes - is my testimony evident during the hard times as well as the good? I pray for God's help that it might be.
He encourages the believers that though the persecutors in this world seem to get away with it, God will judge all people righteously, and they will receive due punishment in eternity, if they don't repent. He continues to pray for them, and God's purposes for them.
He then confronts some false ideas that some were promoting, that the rapture had already occurred and they had missed the boat, as it were. Here we have very interesting information about this event, as Paul reminds them of what he taught them, and exhorts them to stand firm in this knowledge, being comforted in Christ.
Paul requests their prayers, concerning his own persecution, indicating that he was going through similar things as the Thessalonians. With the request, he encourages their faith in the Lord in the midst of persecution.
As a final teaching, he condemns the idea that because the Lord is coming soon, we should give up supporting ourselves and earning our keep. Evidently some were doing this to spend their whole time for God, but they quickly became idle. No, Paul reminds them, we should all work and labour for our own sustenance and God's glory. Paul was a full time minister, and had the right to be supported by the community - as do many preachers today - but this is not true for all believers, and even Paul worked to buy his own bread so that he wasn't a burden, leading by example.
Concluding, he encourages them to continue doing good, and to encourage each other to do the same.
Lord, we thank You for the hope and confidence we have in the resurrection, based in our knowledge of Your own triumph over the grave. We trust our lives to You Lord, and all of our actions, and seek to obey Your Word in all we do, but we admit that we do sometimes grow weary. Lord, thank You for the encouragement we have in these epistles of Paul, the example of many who have gone through much worse than us, and the reminder of the blessed privilege we have of knowing You. Thank you for entrusting us with the gospel, and we pray You would help us to walk, speak, and act worthy of the knowledge and love that You have granted us. To You be the glory, now and forever, Amen.
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Day Twelve: Be Alive in Christ
Twenty minutes instead of ten this time! Not so bad as the 3x overshoot of the last 10 min estimate, but still 10 min is quite low for getting through four chapters.
This is quite an interesting letter of Paul's. It is one of only two letters written to a church that he had not yet visited - the other one being Romans. In this case though, Paul is writing in response to heresies in the church. Apparently Epaphrus founded the church at Colosse after being saved during Paul's ministry in Ephesus, and he went back to his home town - working in both Colosse and Laodicea (a nearby city). The heresy that Paul is combating is Gnosticism (see link for more info). To combat this, Paul reminds them of who they are in Christ, Who Christ is, and teaches a proper understanding of the flesh and spirit.
Beginning with thanksgiving to God, Paul encourages the believers with the testimony that he has heard of them via Epaphrus. We are seeing a repeated theme of thanksgiving for the work of God throughout Paul's letters - it reminds me of the importance of praising God for his work, seen in the world around us.
He then begins in a wonderful monologue about the deity of Christ, dwelling in flesh and dying in the fleshly body. This stands in direct contrast to the Gnostic idea that since God (spirit) is good and flesh is evil, then God could not have become man.
Paul goes on to speak of his ministry through Christ, and the yearning he has to see the Colossians and Laodiceans. His yearning that they may be assured in the truth and work together in love - so that no one can deceive them. Note he calls the deceptions plausible arguments - we are not just confronted by the ridiculous, but by things that sound right on the surface and hide ugly heresies.
Now Paul leads into an appropriate understanding of the flesh and spirit of a Christian. He reminds them that the new walk as a Christian is a result of dying to the flesh and discarding human traditions as worthless. Human regulations are of now use in subduing the flesh - only the work of Christ can do that! In the same way, the worship of spirits (angles or otherwise), obsessing about visions, and prideful boasting are indications that a person is not walking with Christ as Head.
A Christian walk does not mean renouncing all bodily things, though! As we have put off an old self, we put on a new self, living with heavenly motives and goals in a community on earth - and Paul proceeds to give characteristics of this community.
Concluding, he exhorts them to pray, including a prayer request for himself as they pray. There is an interesting last point he makes: "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious,seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
The outsiders are obviously non-believers, possibly referring especially to the heretics preaching these Gnostic ideas. Salt was used as a preservative and flavouring - indicating our words should not be bland, but lively, and should have substance that can stop heresy from corrupting things - answering these things, not ignoring them and allowing them to spread.
The letter finishes with the usual greetings - note how Paul exemplifies the love that he talks about when he speaks of other believers, and his concern for keeping them informed.
Christ, our Redeemer, our Creator, seated on the right hand of God, we praise You. You came amongst us, willing to take on flesh and die for our sakes, that we might be redeemed and live in You. Lord, we praise You for the work that goes on around us, and indeed also for that which we cannot see! You are at work in many people's lives, we see Your encouragement, Your conviction, and Your redemption at play. We praise You for the boldness You give to preachers of the gospel, and we ask for grace to show boldness for proclaiming Your truth to others also. Lord I need You every day, to walk in the light of Your Word, to live out the new life You have granted me. I pray for myself and those around me that we would grow in knowledge and assurance of You. We need You every hour - You are our gracious Lord.
This is quite an interesting letter of Paul's. It is one of only two letters written to a church that he had not yet visited - the other one being Romans. In this case though, Paul is writing in response to heresies in the church. Apparently Epaphrus founded the church at Colosse after being saved during Paul's ministry in Ephesus, and he went back to his home town - working in both Colosse and Laodicea (a nearby city). The heresy that Paul is combating is Gnosticism (see link for more info). To combat this, Paul reminds them of who they are in Christ, Who Christ is, and teaches a proper understanding of the flesh and spirit.
Beginning with thanksgiving to God, Paul encourages the believers with the testimony that he has heard of them via Epaphrus. We are seeing a repeated theme of thanksgiving for the work of God throughout Paul's letters - it reminds me of the importance of praising God for his work, seen in the world around us.
He then begins in a wonderful monologue about the deity of Christ, dwelling in flesh and dying in the fleshly body. This stands in direct contrast to the Gnostic idea that since God (spirit) is good and flesh is evil, then God could not have become man.
Paul goes on to speak of his ministry through Christ, and the yearning he has to see the Colossians and Laodiceans. His yearning that they may be assured in the truth and work together in love - so that no one can deceive them. Note he calls the deceptions plausible arguments - we are not just confronted by the ridiculous, but by things that sound right on the surface and hide ugly heresies.
Now Paul leads into an appropriate understanding of the flesh and spirit of a Christian. He reminds them that the new walk as a Christian is a result of dying to the flesh and discarding human traditions as worthless. Human regulations are of now use in subduing the flesh - only the work of Christ can do that! In the same way, the worship of spirits (angles or otherwise), obsessing about visions, and prideful boasting are indications that a person is not walking with Christ as Head.
A Christian walk does not mean renouncing all bodily things, though! As we have put off an old self, we put on a new self, living with heavenly motives and goals in a community on earth - and Paul proceeds to give characteristics of this community.
Concluding, he exhorts them to pray, including a prayer request for himself as they pray. There is an interesting last point he makes: "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious,seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
The outsiders are obviously non-believers, possibly referring especially to the heretics preaching these Gnostic ideas. Salt was used as a preservative and flavouring - indicating our words should not be bland, but lively, and should have substance that can stop heresy from corrupting things - answering these things, not ignoring them and allowing them to spread.
The letter finishes with the usual greetings - note how Paul exemplifies the love that he talks about when he speaks of other believers, and his concern for keeping them informed.
Christ, our Redeemer, our Creator, seated on the right hand of God, we praise You. You came amongst us, willing to take on flesh and die for our sakes, that we might be redeemed and live in You. Lord, we praise You for the work that goes on around us, and indeed also for that which we cannot see! You are at work in many people's lives, we see Your encouragement, Your conviction, and Your redemption at play. We praise You for the boldness You give to preachers of the gospel, and we ask for grace to show boldness for proclaiming Your truth to others also. Lord I need You every day, to walk in the light of Your Word, to live out the new life You have granted me. I pray for myself and those around me that we would grow in knowledge and assurance of You. We need You every hour - You are our gracious Lord.
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Day Eleven: A letter of thanks and encouragement
Wow! I actually managed to read the book in the estimated time period - they must have got their watch fixed before estimating this one. About 20 min, easy reading.
Written to the Roman colony town of Philippi, Paul ministered there during both his second and third missionary journeys. He spent a bit of time in prison there - interesting, considering how prison is one of the topics in this letter. Written during his imprisonment in Rome, he had received a gift from the Philippians via Epaphroditus, and due to Epaphroditus having fallen ill during his service in Rome, Paul was sending him back to Philippi to encourage the people there, and sending this letter along with him.
There is a general theme of thanksgiving and praise in the epistle. Being in prison, Paul chose to elucidate further the reasons why he was content in prison - encouraging the Philippians not to think of it just as a bad thing, but part of God's plan. He also has words of explanation about their brother Epaphroditus, and a few greetings to other believers in Philippi. Small sections about contentment, the Christian walk, the humility of Christ, and warnings about false teachers constitute the teaching in this epistle. Unlike many of the other epistles, it's primary purpose wasn't the teaching, but as a letter of thanks. Paul simply uses the opportunity to encourage them with teaching.
This epistle teaches a lot about living for Christ in any situation we find ourselves in. Are people oppressing us? Praise God, be content, and look for situations within this hostile environment that we can use for the glory of God, especially those we might not otherwise have. Are people taking advantage of our suffering for their own ends, seeking to exalt themselves by taking our place or putting us down? Praise God for those situations where He is glorified despite their wrong motives.
The epistle begins with thanks, and Paul encourages them, relating his prayers for them, and his joy at their witness. Not that they should become complacent - he prays that their love will continue to increase. If we are not growing, we are moving backward! He also encourages them about his own situation, which I've covered above. He relates his confidence in Christ, and is ready for either continued service on earth, or dying to be in the presence of his Lord.
He encourages them twice to strive together, being of one mind, in humility, as Christ exemplified in His life. He was greater than all, and became the least of all for us. They must continue forward whether human mentors are watching (or hearing from) them or not, they are living for God, not man - continuing content in every situation.
Paul continues with an explanation about Epaphroditus, and praises him for his faithful service.
He exhorts them not to listen to false teachers, who seek to place our confidence in the flesh, but to keep our confidence solely in faith in Christ. Anything else is worthless, any efforts of our own - only faith can bring us to know Him. Knowing this, we press boldly on, exerting ourselves to all effort in order to please Christ - not for our salvation, but out of a desire to please God. He encourages us to use faithful men and women who have lived uprightly as our examples, in contrast to the world of animosity to Christ. We are proud to be citizens of Heaven. Many Philippians were proud to be citizens of Rome, but we have a far greater citizenship.
He mentions a couple of women who had worked with him when he had been in Philippi, and exhorts the other believers to help them resolve the animosity between them. He exhorts the whole church to rejoice, and not worry about things that the things of life - not to waste time and effort on fret and anxiety when we have the Lord with us - can we not have confidence in Him? He concludes with a final encouragement for the believers to follow Godly characteristics of life.
Finally, he declares His confidence and joy in the Lord in every situation, and for the gift from Philippi.
Lord, we thank You that You will supply all that we need to do Your will. Help us to learn to depend on You Lord - Jehovah Jireh. In this land, it is easy to think of our provisions being provided by our own efforts, but Lord we know You are the Source of all things - help us to appreciate You more for this. Our God, we seek Your peace in this life, trusting in You in all situations, whether pleasant or hostile. Thank You that we can be content in any situation, because our confidence is not in the situations of this world, but in Yourself and Your death and resurrection!
Written to the Roman colony town of Philippi, Paul ministered there during both his second and third missionary journeys. He spent a bit of time in prison there - interesting, considering how prison is one of the topics in this letter. Written during his imprisonment in Rome, he had received a gift from the Philippians via Epaphroditus, and due to Epaphroditus having fallen ill during his service in Rome, Paul was sending him back to Philippi to encourage the people there, and sending this letter along with him.
There is a general theme of thanksgiving and praise in the epistle. Being in prison, Paul chose to elucidate further the reasons why he was content in prison - encouraging the Philippians not to think of it just as a bad thing, but part of God's plan. He also has words of explanation about their brother Epaphroditus, and a few greetings to other believers in Philippi. Small sections about contentment, the Christian walk, the humility of Christ, and warnings about false teachers constitute the teaching in this epistle. Unlike many of the other epistles, it's primary purpose wasn't the teaching, but as a letter of thanks. Paul simply uses the opportunity to encourage them with teaching.
This epistle teaches a lot about living for Christ in any situation we find ourselves in. Are people oppressing us? Praise God, be content, and look for situations within this hostile environment that we can use for the glory of God, especially those we might not otherwise have. Are people taking advantage of our suffering for their own ends, seeking to exalt themselves by taking our place or putting us down? Praise God for those situations where He is glorified despite their wrong motives.
The epistle begins with thanks, and Paul encourages them, relating his prayers for them, and his joy at their witness. Not that they should become complacent - he prays that their love will continue to increase. If we are not growing, we are moving backward! He also encourages them about his own situation, which I've covered above. He relates his confidence in Christ, and is ready for either continued service on earth, or dying to be in the presence of his Lord.
He encourages them twice to strive together, being of one mind, in humility, as Christ exemplified in His life. He was greater than all, and became the least of all for us. They must continue forward whether human mentors are watching (or hearing from) them or not, they are living for God, not man - continuing content in every situation.
Paul continues with an explanation about Epaphroditus, and praises him for his faithful service.
He exhorts them not to listen to false teachers, who seek to place our confidence in the flesh, but to keep our confidence solely in faith in Christ. Anything else is worthless, any efforts of our own - only faith can bring us to know Him. Knowing this, we press boldly on, exerting ourselves to all effort in order to please Christ - not for our salvation, but out of a desire to please God. He encourages us to use faithful men and women who have lived uprightly as our examples, in contrast to the world of animosity to Christ. We are proud to be citizens of Heaven. Many Philippians were proud to be citizens of Rome, but we have a far greater citizenship.
He mentions a couple of women who had worked with him when he had been in Philippi, and exhorts the other believers to help them resolve the animosity between them. He exhorts the whole church to rejoice, and not worry about things that the things of life - not to waste time and effort on fret and anxiety when we have the Lord with us - can we not have confidence in Him? He concludes with a final encouragement for the believers to follow Godly characteristics of life.
Finally, he declares His confidence and joy in the Lord in every situation, and for the gift from Philippi.
Lord, we thank You that You will supply all that we need to do Your will. Help us to learn to depend on You Lord - Jehovah Jireh. In this land, it is easy to think of our provisions being provided by our own efforts, but Lord we know You are the Source of all things - help us to appreciate You more for this. Our God, we seek Your peace in this life, trusting in You in all situations, whether pleasant or hostile. Thank You that we can be content in any situation, because our confidence is not in the situations of this world, but in Yourself and Your death and resurrection!
Friday, 11 January 2013
Day Ten: Walking right by knowing Him
Well, whoever has been estimating these reading times, I think their watch stopped when timing this one! I seem to be taking a bit more than the estimate usually - but at 30 min this time, I really don't think anyone but a practised speed-reader is going to get through it in 10 min!
Had a glance at the commentary that was linked to on the intro page. The principles at the start seem solid, good exegetical advice. The commentary would be good for a Bible study chapter by chapter, but I think it is a bit too much to go through the whole commentary and Ephesians in one go. The notes I did look at for one of the chapters to check out what it was like seemed reasonable, interspersing thematic studies as short (or long) breaks from the study of the Ephesians text. Do remember though, that the point of a Bible study is to work through issues yourself - commentaries help you do that, but they should be a substitute for your own meditation and thinking it through!
Ephesians was a city in which Paul had done a lot of ministry during two missionary journeys. The temple of Diana was there, and he had a lot of opposition from the idol-merchants, but also the joy of many converts to Christ. There are a few suggestions that this letter was not written only to the Ephesians, but was to be circulated around the churches, and the name of the individual church 'filled in' for each one. This thought comes partly because the name 'Ephesus' does not appear in some of the early manuscripts, and provides some explanation for why little is mentioned about any specific people or situations in the Ephesian church. Be that as it may, it is very relevant teaching for us, and wholesome instruction for all churches today.
We get a real sense of the passion of Paul in the first part of his letter particularly. His thoughts seem to flow without breath together as he almost exhausts himself trying to explain the wonderful work of Christ and the knowledge and blessings we have through Him. In the second half of the letter, he urges all to walk worthy of this knowledge - to live in the light of Christ, working together in truth. Not walking again as we did previously, and standing firm against spiritual opposition. Prayer is throughout this letter - Paul both prays and exhorts others to prayer. These themes work together seamlessly - no one can truly understand this knowledge without living it out, and none can walk like this without understanding the knowledge we have been granted.
Paul begins by recounting blessings. The blessings of being chosen, elected by God's grace according to His purpose. The blessing of redemption and forgiveness, and the granting of wisdom and insight. The blessing of inheritance in Christ, confirmed by the Holy Spirit.
We see Christ in His glory, reigning in Heaven, the Head over His church. On the other hand, we are reminded of what we have been freed from - understanding where we have all come from is key to appreciating the grace we have now been given. We have been saved through faith, a gift from God - and why? So that we might walk according to His purposes! What a blessed privilege! There were once divisions, once Jew and Gentile, but now we are all equal, all treated the same in God's eyes, by the work of His Son. We are built together, all believers participating together as one body, with many members (implied here, expounded fully in 1 Corinthians). Paul continues to confirm this oneness, reminding them of the ministry given him by God, to preach this very thing.
He concludes this section with a prayer for them - note he doesn't ask for external things, but everything is internal, because transforming power works inside us first - by His Spirit. To Him be the glory.
Continuing into applying this knowledge into the way we walk - the way we live our lives, Paul begins with unity. Our unity is found in Christ - all equal, but with different roles. This unity is also not at the expense of compromise of doctrinal issues either - we are to work together specifically that we don't get swayed by the errors and lies that are out there, and the compromises that are suggested. No, the truth is spoken in love, under the authority of the Head.
This walk is contrasted with our previous way of life and the life of the world around us. Sensuality and greed defines them, but not us. Righteousness and holiness define us. Truth and not deceit, work and not theft, righteous anger when appropriate - not sinful anger, wholesome words and not foul speech. To imitate the world or to not imitate Christ (no in-between - you do one or the other) is to grieve the Spirit within us. Love defines our walk, just as Christ loved. More characteristics of unsaved people are listed - and we are warned that people characterised by the same are not of God - though people may try to convince us in spite of their lifestyle, they are. Again, the warning not to become partners with them (seen in the 2 Corinthian letter too), or to participate in their deeds, but expose them to light. Just talking about some of these things is dangerous. We see today the flippant speech about serious immorality, and I have seen first-hand how it desensitises people to the idea that this behaviour is sinful. Drunkeness also is condemned - it is completely wrong to let our body be influenced by drugs to that extent - we are controlled by the Spirit of God, not drugs/alcohol! No, we are to sing and praise and work together in love - this is pleasing to God.
Moving on to relationships, Paul deals with the home first. A brief mention on a wife's role to be subject to her husband, just as the church to Christ - and then he goes on to a longer teaching on the responsibility of the husbands to love their wives self-sacrificially, as Christ loves the church.
As I am a man, I challenge the men on this - understand this passage. Meditate on it, mull it over. Think through the applications and the implications in your role as spiritual leader in your household. If you are married, you are called to live this out. Prepare before marriage, live it out in marriage, and never ever shirk this responsibility! Too many of us are willing to slack off and not lead, not love like we should love. Seek Christ, plead for His help to live out this love - as He has already promised to do. The love we have experienced from Him is more than we can ever imagine.
Challenge over, moving on. This love must also be applied to the relationship between parents and children. Children are called to obey, fathers are called to disciple and instruct, that they might grow up in the Lord. Not to provoke them, but to love them.
Slaves and masters (read employer/employee to apply it to nowadays) must also show love to one another. We do all these things because of God, not man. It doesn't matter if the other party in the relationship (whether husband/wife, parent/children, slave/master) reciprocates or not, we are still called to love them!
Paul concludes with a illustration of the Christian's fight against spiritual forces using the Roman legionaries as the pictorial representation. The emphasis is on standing here. Not seeking them/him out (Satan or his demons), but standing to resist and repel when attacked. The belt in Roman kit held up his tunic - kept him from getting caught in the long fabric during battle. Truth keeps us from being hindered, too. The breastplate was made out of plates, and you would have it on always during the day. Their shoes were studded, to help prevent wear from marching, but also to dig into the ground for a firm footing - again, coming back to the 'stand' idea. The shield mentioned here is the large rectangular shield - from the word for 'door', you could hide completely behind it - it would be covered in leather and soaked in water before battle to extinguish fiery projectiles. The helmet was good protection from attacks from above, strapped on so it wouldn't come off. and the only offensive weapon mentioned is a sword - not a massive longsword that would require lots of effort to wield, but a short sword that worked well for jabbing and wielding in close quarter combat, and wouldn't tire the person out so fast. Prayer is associated with the offensive combat, but there is no parallel in Roman equipment for prayer! Note also that the Romans are renowned for their success in battle - due to their discipline and working closely together - both key truths that have been emphasised earlier in this epistle. The unity is hinted at here in praying for all the saints, and for Paul who is in prison - not that he would get out, but that he would proclaim boldly God's word while in prison.
Paul finishes with a message about Tychicus, and then with a blessing of peace and grace in God.
Lord, we have such privilege with the knowledge You have granted us, and yet we still don't understand it fully. Continue to teach us Lord, and awaken in our lives a hunger for Your truth, and knowledge of Yourself that we may grow evermore in our walk with You. Lord, we pray for grace to live out the love You have given us, imitating Your love in our relationships with others, whether spouses, children, parents, employers, or those we employ. Strengthen us, Lord, mighty in battle, to withstand the onslaught of spiritual opposition. We honour and praise You, for You have given us the armour, the equipment, and the weapons effective in this fight, and You have already defeated our opponent, reigning victorious. Lord, may Your wisdom and knowledge be granted to all who believe in You, that churches may awake and that their passion for You would be a testimony and a light to this dark world. Lord on High, we praise You! Thank You for all You have granted us!
Had a glance at the commentary that was linked to on the intro page. The principles at the start seem solid, good exegetical advice. The commentary would be good for a Bible study chapter by chapter, but I think it is a bit too much to go through the whole commentary and Ephesians in one go. The notes I did look at for one of the chapters to check out what it was like seemed reasonable, interspersing thematic studies as short (or long) breaks from the study of the Ephesians text. Do remember though, that the point of a Bible study is to work through issues yourself - commentaries help you do that, but they should be a substitute for your own meditation and thinking it through!
Ephesians was a city in which Paul had done a lot of ministry during two missionary journeys. The temple of Diana was there, and he had a lot of opposition from the idol-merchants, but also the joy of many converts to Christ. There are a few suggestions that this letter was not written only to the Ephesians, but was to be circulated around the churches, and the name of the individual church 'filled in' for each one. This thought comes partly because the name 'Ephesus' does not appear in some of the early manuscripts, and provides some explanation for why little is mentioned about any specific people or situations in the Ephesian church. Be that as it may, it is very relevant teaching for us, and wholesome instruction for all churches today.
We get a real sense of the passion of Paul in the first part of his letter particularly. His thoughts seem to flow without breath together as he almost exhausts himself trying to explain the wonderful work of Christ and the knowledge and blessings we have through Him. In the second half of the letter, he urges all to walk worthy of this knowledge - to live in the light of Christ, working together in truth. Not walking again as we did previously, and standing firm against spiritual opposition. Prayer is throughout this letter - Paul both prays and exhorts others to prayer. These themes work together seamlessly - no one can truly understand this knowledge without living it out, and none can walk like this without understanding the knowledge we have been granted.
Paul begins by recounting blessings. The blessings of being chosen, elected by God's grace according to His purpose. The blessing of redemption and forgiveness, and the granting of wisdom and insight. The blessing of inheritance in Christ, confirmed by the Holy Spirit.
We see Christ in His glory, reigning in Heaven, the Head over His church. On the other hand, we are reminded of what we have been freed from - understanding where we have all come from is key to appreciating the grace we have now been given. We have been saved through faith, a gift from God - and why? So that we might walk according to His purposes! What a blessed privilege! There were once divisions, once Jew and Gentile, but now we are all equal, all treated the same in God's eyes, by the work of His Son. We are built together, all believers participating together as one body, with many members (implied here, expounded fully in 1 Corinthians). Paul continues to confirm this oneness, reminding them of the ministry given him by God, to preach this very thing.
He concludes this section with a prayer for them - note he doesn't ask for external things, but everything is internal, because transforming power works inside us first - by His Spirit. To Him be the glory.
Continuing into applying this knowledge into the way we walk - the way we live our lives, Paul begins with unity. Our unity is found in Christ - all equal, but with different roles. This unity is also not at the expense of compromise of doctrinal issues either - we are to work together specifically that we don't get swayed by the errors and lies that are out there, and the compromises that are suggested. No, the truth is spoken in love, under the authority of the Head.
This walk is contrasted with our previous way of life and the life of the world around us. Sensuality and greed defines them, but not us. Righteousness and holiness define us. Truth and not deceit, work and not theft, righteous anger when appropriate - not sinful anger, wholesome words and not foul speech. To imitate the world or to not imitate Christ (no in-between - you do one or the other) is to grieve the Spirit within us. Love defines our walk, just as Christ loved. More characteristics of unsaved people are listed - and we are warned that people characterised by the same are not of God - though people may try to convince us in spite of their lifestyle, they are. Again, the warning not to become partners with them (seen in the 2 Corinthian letter too), or to participate in their deeds, but expose them to light. Just talking about some of these things is dangerous. We see today the flippant speech about serious immorality, and I have seen first-hand how it desensitises people to the idea that this behaviour is sinful. Drunkeness also is condemned - it is completely wrong to let our body be influenced by drugs to that extent - we are controlled by the Spirit of God, not drugs/alcohol! No, we are to sing and praise and work together in love - this is pleasing to God.
Moving on to relationships, Paul deals with the home first. A brief mention on a wife's role to be subject to her husband, just as the church to Christ - and then he goes on to a longer teaching on the responsibility of the husbands to love their wives self-sacrificially, as Christ loves the church.
As I am a man, I challenge the men on this - understand this passage. Meditate on it, mull it over. Think through the applications and the implications in your role as spiritual leader in your household. If you are married, you are called to live this out. Prepare before marriage, live it out in marriage, and never ever shirk this responsibility! Too many of us are willing to slack off and not lead, not love like we should love. Seek Christ, plead for His help to live out this love - as He has already promised to do. The love we have experienced from Him is more than we can ever imagine.
Challenge over, moving on. This love must also be applied to the relationship between parents and children. Children are called to obey, fathers are called to disciple and instruct, that they might grow up in the Lord. Not to provoke them, but to love them.
Slaves and masters (read employer/employee to apply it to nowadays) must also show love to one another. We do all these things because of God, not man. It doesn't matter if the other party in the relationship (whether husband/wife, parent/children, slave/master) reciprocates or not, we are still called to love them!
Paul concludes with a illustration of the Christian's fight against spiritual forces using the Roman legionaries as the pictorial representation. The emphasis is on standing here. Not seeking them/him out (Satan or his demons), but standing to resist and repel when attacked. The belt in Roman kit held up his tunic - kept him from getting caught in the long fabric during battle. Truth keeps us from being hindered, too. The breastplate was made out of plates, and you would have it on always during the day. Their shoes were studded, to help prevent wear from marching, but also to dig into the ground for a firm footing - again, coming back to the 'stand' idea. The shield mentioned here is the large rectangular shield - from the word for 'door', you could hide completely behind it - it would be covered in leather and soaked in water before battle to extinguish fiery projectiles. The helmet was good protection from attacks from above, strapped on so it wouldn't come off. and the only offensive weapon mentioned is a sword - not a massive longsword that would require lots of effort to wield, but a short sword that worked well for jabbing and wielding in close quarter combat, and wouldn't tire the person out so fast. Prayer is associated with the offensive combat, but there is no parallel in Roman equipment for prayer! Note also that the Romans are renowned for their success in battle - due to their discipline and working closely together - both key truths that have been emphasised earlier in this epistle. The unity is hinted at here in praying for all the saints, and for Paul who is in prison - not that he would get out, but that he would proclaim boldly God's word while in prison.
Paul finishes with a message about Tychicus, and then with a blessing of peace and grace in God.
Lord, we have such privilege with the knowledge You have granted us, and yet we still don't understand it fully. Continue to teach us Lord, and awaken in our lives a hunger for Your truth, and knowledge of Yourself that we may grow evermore in our walk with You. Lord, we pray for grace to live out the love You have given us, imitating Your love in our relationships with others, whether spouses, children, parents, employers, or those we employ. Strengthen us, Lord, mighty in battle, to withstand the onslaught of spiritual opposition. We honour and praise You, for You have given us the armour, the equipment, and the weapons effective in this fight, and You have already defeated our opponent, reigning victorious. Lord, may Your wisdom and knowledge be granted to all who believe in You, that churches may awake and that their passion for You would be a testimony and a light to this dark world. Lord on High, we praise You! Thank You for all You have granted us!
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Day Nine: There's only one gospel
Well, I finally got through a book in the estimated reading time! Fancy that - 13 chapters in the last book was meant to be half an hour, and now this book with less than half the chapters is the same time, with fewer tongue twisters! So yes, half an hour was comfortable to read through this one.
Interesting comic style cartoon there, trying to sum up the thoughts of the letter - I also liked the summary of the context and background of the letter in the link with the cartoon - it summed it up nicely. The first link, though very thorough, felt more like a full session in itself just trying to follow the various thoughts and possibilities on the setting of the letter. Certainly good for an in-depth study on the topic, but perhaps not so good for light reading to get a bit of background before reading the book through.
We have quite a strong and simple theme running throughout the book. He is defending the gospel. (Here gospel refers to the good news preached, not the four first books of the New Testament specifically). The letter was written soon after the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), and there were a lot of people still teaching either that you were saved through the Mosaic law, or that after salvation, everyone had to obey the full Mosaic law. Paul shows how wrong both of these positions are - going through the logical fallacy behind it, referring to the teaching of Christ Himself - how He rejected these teachings, and using Israel's initial history to teach how wrong it is. Whereas Romans was a letter to ground the recipients in the true gospel, this letter is written to those already being influenced by those teaching a false one.
Paul gets into it straight-away after the greeting, using strong language to show the severity of this issue, twice repeating a curse on anyone distorting the gospel. The quick repetition is another way of showing how serious this is. He shows how he himself used to be part of the fanatical followers of the Mosaic law, but how he was brought out of that, not by the law, but by grace. He received his teaching directly from God (see the reference to Arabia, which we learnt more about in the last letter). He did not receive his teaching primarily from other apostles, although he did confirm he was preaching the same gospel as the other of God's apostles, when he met them. He was accepted, and commissioned by them, and they agreed with him on the matter that the outward sign of circumcision was not necessary for the Gentiles.
He then relates the occasion where he has to rebuke Peter openly for participating in the error of treating the Gentiles as unclean. Since Peter was a leader, sinning openly, his rebuke had to be public also, to limit the damage - note though not recorded here explicitly, it is implied Peter repented, and this is confirmed by Peter when he mentions the topic in his epistle. This incident leads Paul on to an exposition of how the gospel cannot be, in any part, based on salvation by works - it is both logically false, and would condemn Christ too, as He taught that nothing outward could make you unclean, only the inward.
Having started by grace, we cannot claim to then be perfected by the law, as if the law can get us to righteousness, now our justification is taken care of. No, we begin in faith, and go on in faith. He shows how the law and faith are opposite in their character and their results - one leads to life, the other to death. The history of Israel began based on faith - the law came later, added to limit transgression until Christ fulfilled the promise made to Abraham. Let no one think that the law and the promise are contrary in purpose though! They work together to fulfil the plan of God.
Paul now begins expounding our character as free men through faith. We are all equal in Christ, and are sons/daughters of God. Paul uses an example of children being brought up under a guardian (governor/governess/nanny depending on your culture). This guardian was the law, necessary until Christ came, but now we are 'of age' and released from the strictures of the law, receiving our full status (graciously granted by God) as sons/daughters and heirs. For those coming from idolatrous backgrounds, he exhorts (strongly encourages) them not to go back, nor to place any trust in observing ceremonies or rituals to save them. He reminds them of their joy when they first heard the gospel preached. Looking to an analogy with Hagar and Sarah, he shows the difference between the slave and the free. The slavery of the law is unprofitable - we are free in Christ. He again exhorts them to remember the truth preached to them, and not to listen to false prophets.
But what are we to do with this freedom? Should we enjoy the pleasures of the flesh because we are no longer under the law? NO!!! Freedom's purpose is to love one another - the love that was the standard of the law. We are led by the Spirit now, not the flesh - it is the law that is associated with the flesh - and the law condemns the works of the flesh. We now are in the Spirit and have been empowered by the Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit, such things that the law cannot produce. Only those who have come in true repentance, crucifying (binding, restricting any action of, and dealing a death blow to) the flesh belong to Christ and have received the Spirit - how can we return to the flesh?
If someone does slip up and fall to the temptations of the flesh, do not condemn him, but bear him up in love, knowing that we can all fall to such temptations - the person who thinks himself more immune to temptation is actually more susceptible! As we learn, so must we teach. And there are consequences for our actions, good and bad - not karma, but by the grace and the justice of God.
Paul concludes noting that even the false teachers themselves cannot keep the law that they try to enslave others too - stay away from them, and boast in Christ. Outward signs mean nothing, we are created new inwardly.
Christ, our gracious Saviour, may we ever uphold the truth and worth of the good news that You died to save us. Not of anything we have done, not by works, following the law, or keeping feasts, but entirely of You. Lord we thank you for Your Holy Spirit, working in our lives to produce fruit pleasing to You. Help us to live out the love You have filled us with, towards those around us. May we pass on the teaching that we have learned that more may hear of the great news of salvation, free to all men/women everywhere! Lord, we honour and adore You for what You have done. We stand in awe. Blessed be Your Name for ever and Evermore, Amen.
Interesting comic style cartoon there, trying to sum up the thoughts of the letter - I also liked the summary of the context and background of the letter in the link with the cartoon - it summed it up nicely. The first link, though very thorough, felt more like a full session in itself just trying to follow the various thoughts and possibilities on the setting of the letter. Certainly good for an in-depth study on the topic, but perhaps not so good for light reading to get a bit of background before reading the book through.
We have quite a strong and simple theme running throughout the book. He is defending the gospel. (Here gospel refers to the good news preached, not the four first books of the New Testament specifically). The letter was written soon after the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), and there were a lot of people still teaching either that you were saved through the Mosaic law, or that after salvation, everyone had to obey the full Mosaic law. Paul shows how wrong both of these positions are - going through the logical fallacy behind it, referring to the teaching of Christ Himself - how He rejected these teachings, and using Israel's initial history to teach how wrong it is. Whereas Romans was a letter to ground the recipients in the true gospel, this letter is written to those already being influenced by those teaching a false one.
Paul gets into it straight-away after the greeting, using strong language to show the severity of this issue, twice repeating a curse on anyone distorting the gospel. The quick repetition is another way of showing how serious this is. He shows how he himself used to be part of the fanatical followers of the Mosaic law, but how he was brought out of that, not by the law, but by grace. He received his teaching directly from God (see the reference to Arabia, which we learnt more about in the last letter). He did not receive his teaching primarily from other apostles, although he did confirm he was preaching the same gospel as the other of God's apostles, when he met them. He was accepted, and commissioned by them, and they agreed with him on the matter that the outward sign of circumcision was not necessary for the Gentiles.
He then relates the occasion where he has to rebuke Peter openly for participating in the error of treating the Gentiles as unclean. Since Peter was a leader, sinning openly, his rebuke had to be public also, to limit the damage - note though not recorded here explicitly, it is implied Peter repented, and this is confirmed by Peter when he mentions the topic in his epistle. This incident leads Paul on to an exposition of how the gospel cannot be, in any part, based on salvation by works - it is both logically false, and would condemn Christ too, as He taught that nothing outward could make you unclean, only the inward.
Having started by grace, we cannot claim to then be perfected by the law, as if the law can get us to righteousness, now our justification is taken care of. No, we begin in faith, and go on in faith. He shows how the law and faith are opposite in their character and their results - one leads to life, the other to death. The history of Israel began based on faith - the law came later, added to limit transgression until Christ fulfilled the promise made to Abraham. Let no one think that the law and the promise are contrary in purpose though! They work together to fulfil the plan of God.
Paul now begins expounding our character as free men through faith. We are all equal in Christ, and are sons/daughters of God. Paul uses an example of children being brought up under a guardian (governor/governess/nanny depending on your culture). This guardian was the law, necessary until Christ came, but now we are 'of age' and released from the strictures of the law, receiving our full status (graciously granted by God) as sons/daughters and heirs. For those coming from idolatrous backgrounds, he exhorts (strongly encourages) them not to go back, nor to place any trust in observing ceremonies or rituals to save them. He reminds them of their joy when they first heard the gospel preached. Looking to an analogy with Hagar and Sarah, he shows the difference between the slave and the free. The slavery of the law is unprofitable - we are free in Christ. He again exhorts them to remember the truth preached to them, and not to listen to false prophets.
But what are we to do with this freedom? Should we enjoy the pleasures of the flesh because we are no longer under the law? NO!!! Freedom's purpose is to love one another - the love that was the standard of the law. We are led by the Spirit now, not the flesh - it is the law that is associated with the flesh - and the law condemns the works of the flesh. We now are in the Spirit and have been empowered by the Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit, such things that the law cannot produce. Only those who have come in true repentance, crucifying (binding, restricting any action of, and dealing a death blow to) the flesh belong to Christ and have received the Spirit - how can we return to the flesh?
If someone does slip up and fall to the temptations of the flesh, do not condemn him, but bear him up in love, knowing that we can all fall to such temptations - the person who thinks himself more immune to temptation is actually more susceptible! As we learn, so must we teach. And there are consequences for our actions, good and bad - not karma, but by the grace and the justice of God.
Paul concludes noting that even the false teachers themselves cannot keep the law that they try to enslave others too - stay away from them, and boast in Christ. Outward signs mean nothing, we are created new inwardly.
Christ, our gracious Saviour, may we ever uphold the truth and worth of the good news that You died to save us. Not of anything we have done, not by works, following the law, or keeping feasts, but entirely of You. Lord we thank you for Your Holy Spirit, working in our lives to produce fruit pleasing to You. Help us to live out the love You have filled us with, towards those around us. May we pass on the teaching that we have learned that more may hear of the great news of salvation, free to all men/women everywhere! Lord, we honour and adore You for what You have done. We stand in awe. Blessed be Your Name for ever and Evermore, Amen.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Day Eight: Defending the ministry
You'd be pushing to read through this letter in 30 min! I had to continually go back and re-read previous verses to understand many of the phrases and arguments Paul uses here. He doesn't shy away from tongue twisters in his arguments, that's for sure! Maybe it is an expression of his eagerness to write to these people, trying to get so much across at once? All up, just over 1 hour reading, but I am sure I probably read most verses at least twice as I went through!
Very good quote there by N.T. Wright. I am not sure I can add anything to his words there, he sums up the relevance of this epistle to today's world very well. Particularly in this post-modernist society, many don't respond to absolutes well, and so they don't like anyone telling them what to do - they are comfortable where they are. But issues such as those Paul is dealing with in Corinth (in both letters) are so important, we have to make them issues, despite opposition.
Written probably within a year of the last letter, after Paul left Ephesus, and is apparently now in Macedonia somewhere. As we see revealed as we go through the letter, he has since the writing of 1 Corinthians visited the city, but the visit was difficult and unprofitable, so he left and sent a 'severe letter' to them. This letter, like the previous correspondence before 1 Corinthians, has not been preserved for us, so it is apparently not for our eyes - God would have preserved us if He desired for us to see it. After the letter was sent, he is apparently so anxious about their response that he can't focus well on his other ministry, until he hears the news from Titus. This is his joyful response to the news.
The overarching theme in this book is a response to the situation in Corinth described above. Paul is joyful about their repentance, the other ways in which they have responded and changed their practices, and for the renewed testimony to their faith. He does not leave it there, because that would not be loving. When pulling a car out of a muddy paddock where they have been stuck, you don't leave them to it once out of the rut - you make sure they are safe to get well out of the paddock before you put the tow ropes away! As he relates his joy at their response, he intersperses it with reminders of what he has taught them - about the gospel, suffering, our confidence in Christ, the assurance of Heaven, reconciliation with others, our identity in Christ, and generosity. We can learn much from the way he frames his arguments to these people, who have repented. He intermingles these reminders with affirmations of what they have done, exhortations to go on doing the same, and warnings about going the wrong way. The focus in not on rules or what we must do, but rather an appeal that: because of all these wonderful things - how can we not respond in this way?
He cannot deal only with the repentant either. Some appear still to think that Paul is wrong, that he has no authority, or that he is a hypocrite. He deals with these in the latter part of the epistle. Though he hates doing so, he defends himself, giving evidence of his authority. Evidence that should not be needed - the church itself bears witness to his character and authority as a servant and apostle of God! He deals harshly with those people still teaching falsely - a final warning before he sees them again when he will deal with them most severely if he needs to.
Quickly summarising some of the thoughts and teachings:
Having heard of their repentance, Paul reminds them of the comfort we have in Christ. He assures them he has been sincere before them, and only changing his plans when necessity compelled him to - evidently answering some issue that was raised before. While on the topic, he reminds us of God's faithfulness. He chose not to visit them again so soon, because of the strained last visit, writing the 'severe letter' instead. He hated to write such things because of the pain caused, but true love required him to write. He recognises the pain some have been in, and encourages reconciliation and love towards those who did wrong and repented.
Seeking to confirm them in the things they know, he reminds them that they themselves are witnesses to his authority as a minister of the Word. He reminds them of this ministry, and how our confidence we have in Christ - the glory of the new covenant, so much better than the old covenant because it is now permanent, and ministers life, not death (by holding up the righteous standard, the law justly condemned us to death). Note that the law is not wrong, nor does it lack glory - but the new covenant is far better, and thus has more glory.
He reminds them of the importance of the truth - the simple plain truth, preached. To try and trick people into believing or manipulate them is not acceptable! Unbelievers do not understand - but those whom God calls do. We posses such richness of wisdom and understanding and knowledge! But do not boast - it is to the glory of God. We still dwell in bodies which suffer and are frail to show that it is of God, and not us. However, do not despair that we are suffering in frail bodies! We look forward to Heaven, in the presence of Christ, and He has given us His Spirit as a guarantee that we will get there! Whether here on earth or in Heaven, we rejoice, and seek to please Him Who has done so much for us!
Knowing these wonderful truths, how can we not share them? There are no longer any boundaries - Christ died for all, and we seek to share Christ with anyone - no matter how the world judges or categorises them! We live in God , and work together with Him. We seek to serve, and show forth love, not placing barriers in peoples way to Christ! It doesn't matter how we are treated, our riches are not in this world.
As we seek to share this truth though, we must be careful not to join with unbelievers to promote spiritual things. How can someone who doesn't know Christ work with us if we are heading in opposite directions? Using a number of metaphors to show the absurdity of this, Paul warns against any partnership with unbelievers where you need to work together spiritually.
This verse about not being unequally yoked is commonly associated with marriage, but as we read the context here, it encompasses so much more than just that. Marriage is included, as marriage partners grow together spiritually, but many other partnerships are in view also - including the spreading of the gospel, and some business partnerships. It doesn't mean we shouldn't work with unbelievers, but we shouldn't bind ourselves to them lest they lead us astray or we dilute or compromise God's truth.
Knowing these truths, we continue purifying our lives, to live holy in reverence of God. There is another expression of his joy over them, his sorrow at causing them pain, but his gladness that the pain turned them to repentance, and was therefore necessary. He mentions the difference between Godly grief, and unbelievers' grief - one leads to repentance, the other leads to death. Unfortunately we see this evident in the world with many suicides, but the idea in view here seems to be spiritual death, which encompasses all unbelievers who don't repent.
Concluding, he deals with the principle of generosity and his confidence and joy in their giving. He seems to be assuring them that the people taking the money to Judea are trustworthy, as is Paul himself, indicating there may have been questions in the church about this during the problems they had. The principles he outlines are basically that we should give generously because we have received generously from God. Not according to rules of how much, but accordingly as we can. We are not called to burden ourselves unnecessarily, but should give out of our abundance according to our means.
Moving on to deal with those who still oppose him, Paul starts to defend his own character, which has been under attack. He entreats them, pleading that they understand the humble walk of a Christian leader, and showing that he is the same whether with them or away from them. He reminds them that we should only boast in Christ, and teachers who continually boast about their credentials do not understand the true Christian walk (implying they are false teachers). He reminds them of his humble service with them, and the love he showed them. He deals stridently with the false teachers, sometimes declaring how wrong they are, often using sarcasm when describing them (the phrase 'super apostles' seems to be directed at them, as they kept boasting how good they were). Though loathe to talk about himself, he proves that he has far more reason to boast in earthly credentials than they do, but would rather boast in Christ. He will boast in his weakness, not his strength, that Christ's strength might be glorified. He then mentions the revelations he received from God (in a vision?) as another confirmation of his authority in chapter 12, as if it is another person initially, but from verse 7 it is clear he is speaking of his own experience - and we gain an otherwise unknown insight in the development of Paul before he went on his missionary journeys. He quickly reminds them that though these revelations were marvellous, he was also granted a permanent affliction to keep him humble, which he learnt to rejoice in. He concludes with a final argument against the false prophets, and shows again his purposes of seeking their good, and not his own. He exhorts those who have not yet repented to do so.
He finally calls for them to examine themselves - a call we all need to pay heed to. Not that we should doubt our salvation if we have it, but strengthen it. If we are not truly saved - then better to find out now while there is time to do something about it. He reiterates the importance of the truth, and how he cannot go against the truth, and he seeks their restoration that when he sees them they may both enjoy the visit without needing to deal with unrepentant sin.
Lord, as the Head of the Church, the One Who died for Your bride, and gave Your life as a ransom for us... Lord we plead with You that in every local church Your truth would be upheld. Help us to deal with sin, and not leave it festering within the church, to grow and spread. Give us wisdom to discern false teaching and recognise false teachers, that we may limit their poison. Lord, we glory in You, and the new covenant in which You have brought us by Your blood! We have received so much Lord, You have given to us bountifully! We seek to respond, to please You in all we do, to be wise stewards and generous with Your money and resources, and to love fellow believers in our church and elsewhere, but we cannot do it without Your help, and Your Spirit to guide. Lord, our God.. we rejoice in You.
Very good quote there by N.T. Wright. I am not sure I can add anything to his words there, he sums up the relevance of this epistle to today's world very well. Particularly in this post-modernist society, many don't respond to absolutes well, and so they don't like anyone telling them what to do - they are comfortable where they are. But issues such as those Paul is dealing with in Corinth (in both letters) are so important, we have to make them issues, despite opposition.
Written probably within a year of the last letter, after Paul left Ephesus, and is apparently now in Macedonia somewhere. As we see revealed as we go through the letter, he has since the writing of 1 Corinthians visited the city, but the visit was difficult and unprofitable, so he left and sent a 'severe letter' to them. This letter, like the previous correspondence before 1 Corinthians, has not been preserved for us, so it is apparently not for our eyes - God would have preserved us if He desired for us to see it. After the letter was sent, he is apparently so anxious about their response that he can't focus well on his other ministry, until he hears the news from Titus. This is his joyful response to the news.
The overarching theme in this book is a response to the situation in Corinth described above. Paul is joyful about their repentance, the other ways in which they have responded and changed their practices, and for the renewed testimony to their faith. He does not leave it there, because that would not be loving. When pulling a car out of a muddy paddock where they have been stuck, you don't leave them to it once out of the rut - you make sure they are safe to get well out of the paddock before you put the tow ropes away! As he relates his joy at their response, he intersperses it with reminders of what he has taught them - about the gospel, suffering, our confidence in Christ, the assurance of Heaven, reconciliation with others, our identity in Christ, and generosity. We can learn much from the way he frames his arguments to these people, who have repented. He intermingles these reminders with affirmations of what they have done, exhortations to go on doing the same, and warnings about going the wrong way. The focus in not on rules or what we must do, but rather an appeal that: because of all these wonderful things - how can we not respond in this way?
He cannot deal only with the repentant either. Some appear still to think that Paul is wrong, that he has no authority, or that he is a hypocrite. He deals with these in the latter part of the epistle. Though he hates doing so, he defends himself, giving evidence of his authority. Evidence that should not be needed - the church itself bears witness to his character and authority as a servant and apostle of God! He deals harshly with those people still teaching falsely - a final warning before he sees them again when he will deal with them most severely if he needs to.
Quickly summarising some of the thoughts and teachings:
Having heard of their repentance, Paul reminds them of the comfort we have in Christ. He assures them he has been sincere before them, and only changing his plans when necessity compelled him to - evidently answering some issue that was raised before. While on the topic, he reminds us of God's faithfulness. He chose not to visit them again so soon, because of the strained last visit, writing the 'severe letter' instead. He hated to write such things because of the pain caused, but true love required him to write. He recognises the pain some have been in, and encourages reconciliation and love towards those who did wrong and repented.
Seeking to confirm them in the things they know, he reminds them that they themselves are witnesses to his authority as a minister of the Word. He reminds them of this ministry, and how our confidence we have in Christ - the glory of the new covenant, so much better than the old covenant because it is now permanent, and ministers life, not death (by holding up the righteous standard, the law justly condemned us to death). Note that the law is not wrong, nor does it lack glory - but the new covenant is far better, and thus has more glory.
He reminds them of the importance of the truth - the simple plain truth, preached. To try and trick people into believing or manipulate them is not acceptable! Unbelievers do not understand - but those whom God calls do. We posses such richness of wisdom and understanding and knowledge! But do not boast - it is to the glory of God. We still dwell in bodies which suffer and are frail to show that it is of God, and not us. However, do not despair that we are suffering in frail bodies! We look forward to Heaven, in the presence of Christ, and He has given us His Spirit as a guarantee that we will get there! Whether here on earth or in Heaven, we rejoice, and seek to please Him Who has done so much for us!
Knowing these wonderful truths, how can we not share them? There are no longer any boundaries - Christ died for all, and we seek to share Christ with anyone - no matter how the world judges or categorises them! We live in God , and work together with Him. We seek to serve, and show forth love, not placing barriers in peoples way to Christ! It doesn't matter how we are treated, our riches are not in this world.
As we seek to share this truth though, we must be careful not to join with unbelievers to promote spiritual things. How can someone who doesn't know Christ work with us if we are heading in opposite directions? Using a number of metaphors to show the absurdity of this, Paul warns against any partnership with unbelievers where you need to work together spiritually.
This verse about not being unequally yoked is commonly associated with marriage, but as we read the context here, it encompasses so much more than just that. Marriage is included, as marriage partners grow together spiritually, but many other partnerships are in view also - including the spreading of the gospel, and some business partnerships. It doesn't mean we shouldn't work with unbelievers, but we shouldn't bind ourselves to them lest they lead us astray or we dilute or compromise God's truth.
Knowing these truths, we continue purifying our lives, to live holy in reverence of God. There is another expression of his joy over them, his sorrow at causing them pain, but his gladness that the pain turned them to repentance, and was therefore necessary. He mentions the difference between Godly grief, and unbelievers' grief - one leads to repentance, the other leads to death. Unfortunately we see this evident in the world with many suicides, but the idea in view here seems to be spiritual death, which encompasses all unbelievers who don't repent.
Concluding, he deals with the principle of generosity and his confidence and joy in their giving. He seems to be assuring them that the people taking the money to Judea are trustworthy, as is Paul himself, indicating there may have been questions in the church about this during the problems they had. The principles he outlines are basically that we should give generously because we have received generously from God. Not according to rules of how much, but accordingly as we can. We are not called to burden ourselves unnecessarily, but should give out of our abundance according to our means.
Moving on to deal with those who still oppose him, Paul starts to defend his own character, which has been under attack. He entreats them, pleading that they understand the humble walk of a Christian leader, and showing that he is the same whether with them or away from them. He reminds them that we should only boast in Christ, and teachers who continually boast about their credentials do not understand the true Christian walk (implying they are false teachers). He reminds them of his humble service with them, and the love he showed them. He deals stridently with the false teachers, sometimes declaring how wrong they are, often using sarcasm when describing them (the phrase 'super apostles' seems to be directed at them, as they kept boasting how good they were). Though loathe to talk about himself, he proves that he has far more reason to boast in earthly credentials than they do, but would rather boast in Christ. He will boast in his weakness, not his strength, that Christ's strength might be glorified. He then mentions the revelations he received from God (in a vision?) as another confirmation of his authority in chapter 12, as if it is another person initially, but from verse 7 it is clear he is speaking of his own experience - and we gain an otherwise unknown insight in the development of Paul before he went on his missionary journeys. He quickly reminds them that though these revelations were marvellous, he was also granted a permanent affliction to keep him humble, which he learnt to rejoice in. He concludes with a final argument against the false prophets, and shows again his purposes of seeking their good, and not his own. He exhorts those who have not yet repented to do so.
He finally calls for them to examine themselves - a call we all need to pay heed to. Not that we should doubt our salvation if we have it, but strengthen it. If we are not truly saved - then better to find out now while there is time to do something about it. He reiterates the importance of the truth, and how he cannot go against the truth, and he seeks their restoration that when he sees them they may both enjoy the visit without needing to deal with unrepentant sin.
Lord, as the Head of the Church, the One Who died for Your bride, and gave Your life as a ransom for us... Lord we plead with You that in every local church Your truth would be upheld. Help us to deal with sin, and not leave it festering within the church, to grow and spread. Give us wisdom to discern false teaching and recognise false teachers, that we may limit their poison. Lord, we glory in You, and the new covenant in which You have brought us by Your blood! We have received so much Lord, You have given to us bountifully! We seek to respond, to please You in all we do, to be wise stewards and generous with Your money and resources, and to love fellow believers in our church and elsewhere, but we cannot do it without Your help, and Your Spirit to guide. Lord, our God.. we rejoice in You.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Day Seven: Behaving as believers
Well, it is easy to get bogged down in this epistle! 1.5 hours, so not too long, but easy to let your mind wander on tangents when considering some of the topics! Important to recognise before starting that this letter was written in reply to a letter the Corinthians sent to Paul. He's written to them before, too, and was hoping to see them again soon - having founded the church there on his previous journey. For more background, see here.
Interesting that all the word art is from the same chapter in 1 Corinthians! By far the most widely recognised chapter of Paul's letters, due to its popularity at weddings, it is good as a stand-alone, but the context grants us to understand the full meaning of the author - more on that later.
I haven't properly used the study guides linked in the intro, but I did have a glance through. The method he uses of arranging the passages into 'inversion patterns', is quite useful at understanding Paul's arguments and the way he expresses some thoughts. Do note, as with any study guide (and indeed my own writing), the comments and categorisations made are interpretive, and may not always be accurate. Always when consulting sources other than the Bible we must check them with Scripture, and be willing to discard anything that does not agree with Scripture, while utilising the insights and comments that are in agreement with Scripture to understand it more fully. For instance, I did notice one point glancing through where two of his comments contradicted themselves, within a page of one another - we are all fallible! Use this and other study guides wisely, and pray that the Spirit of God would help you understand and not misinterpret His Word.
As Paul is replying to the letter sent him by the Corinthian believers, we see answers to questions asked commonly in many churches and societies even today. Man throughout history still struggles with the same vices! Again and again, he calls them to behave in a certain way - not calling them to a set of rules or laws, but pointing them to their identity in Christ. Sometimes it is clear he is responding to a direct question. Other times, he may be responding to an issue he has heard about within the church and needs to address. Sometimes, I get the feeling that as he discusses things, it reminds him of another linked truth that should be taught while he thinks of it - so possibly not answering a direct question, but providing a fuller idea of Christ-like behaviour while he is on the topic. There are some things that are specific to the Corinthian situation, and we must be careful to understand the situations presented. Most of the teaching is universal, just as the body of Christ is universal.
Ultimately, it is a call to live up to the new life they are in. A reminder of how they died to the flesh, and now are joyful slaves to Christ. A prompt to show the love to others, just as Christ showed it to them. An encouragement to live in the light of the assurance of resurrection - assured because Christ rose and conquered death.
Before I continue from overall theme to connecting this theme to the different parts of the book, I should mention that this book is, unfortunately, possibly one of the most controversial in the Bible - at least, it seems to be more divisively argued over than any other book in my experience. The book even starts out teaching about the wrongness of dividing the church (over things that should not divide)! Don't get me wrong - I don't think we should gloss over important issues. The truth matters - and we should not be afraid to make waves and offend some, if it is for the right cause-the cause of upholding the truth of God's word.
The issues were important enough for Paul to write in detail about - we cannot dismiss them! But we must be careful to understand them, in light of the culture, the overall theme and message of the Bible, and the unchanging principles of God. Seeking to understand other people's interpretation of these passages, showing them in love and grace our understanding by means of Scripture, and seeking together God's intended meaning - changing our position not based on emotion or feeling, but reasoned argument from Scripture.
Anyway, enough about how to argue! Let's get to the text!
We begin with Paul giving his standard greeting, and then praising God for the testimony he has heard from the Corinthians, that they are enriched in many things (spiritually), reminding them that they are in the fellowship of Christ.
Then moving into the teaching, he starts with the problem of disunity. How can he fix any other problems if this is not fixed first? Note that he does not call them to unite, disagreeing with each other. No, he calls them to unite, remembering Who it is they really follow, and identify themselves with Christ, and not with any other man - He died that all might be united under Him.
While he is talking of the cross, he reminds them of its message, and how all are equal under the cross - none gain salvation by their own wisdom! Salvation cannot be for our own glory, only His. Having declared this worldy wisdom useless, he reminds them of the heavenly wisdom, which is revealed through His Spirit, and that cannot be understood by the world, but only by mature believers.
Returning to the main subject at hand, after this brief but important tangent, he remarks that they are not yet mature believers, ready to understand this wisdom, because they are still hung up on thinking themselves better because they follow one human leader and not another - forgetting the God through Whom they came to salvation. They may have the right foundation, but if they do not continue to build on it with quality materials (grow and mature spiritually), then it will all count for nothing at the end, and they will keep their salvation, but receive no reward in heaven. We are God's temple - does He not deserve quality craftsmanship?
Paul then reminds them of his own example, and the other apostles. Contrasting his own attitude and conduct with their superior attitude, he grows sarcastic, mocking their thoughts of grandeur to provoke them to change. Concluding, he begs them to change.
Beginning the next topic, he contrasts again, but this time he even holds them up against the pagan culture of the area. He shows there should be differences because of their identity in Christ, but no - they are imitating the world around them in matters of sexual immorality, litigation, and disputes amongst believers. Note the difference in response they should have to an unbeliever in sin compared with a believer who consistently sins.
He confirms the necessity of sexual relations in marriage, and the sanctity of the marriage, while condemning the corruptions of God's purpose for sex, reminding them that as they are one with Christ how can they seek to bring Christ into such immoral acts? Singleness is praised for those who are called to singleness, and marriage is honoured for those called to marriage - each should live according to the call of God. Those that chose to marry are told to marry believers ('in the Lord' 7:39), but if already married to an unbeliever, allow God to work His purpose through that and don't seek to leave.
As in Romans, the issue of conscience comes up, and love towards other believers should be shown, but not setting an example where they might stumble. Also encouraging us not to engage in activities where participation in it is considered by those around us to be supporting idols (or any false religion), whenever we are aware of it.
Yes, we are free to do certain things, without offending ourselves, but for the benefit of those around, we choose to not do certain things, or to do other things. We see Paul leading by example in this, and in different situations he behaves in different manners to be more accepted by those around - but by no means compromising the law of Christ. All things may be allowed, but not all things benefit, and some may be injurious to others. Seek there good, where you can, and not your own 'rights'.
The women are commended for keeping the signs of submission and femininity in that culture, and it is noted that the men should not take use these things as if they were women - let each embrace the role God has given them, exemplified through the example of Christ submitting to God, so men are subject to Christ, and women submissive to their husbands.
Again, we see their pride and 'cliquishness' evident in the Lord's supper, where no concern is shown for the poor, and they are more concerned with their own wants and pride than God - Who is what the celebration of the Lord's supper should be about! Anyone treating the remembrance of the Lord flippantly is better to not participate at all than to profane it in this way and be displeasing to God. A reminder of the sacrifices in the Old Testament, where God was displeased with the sacrifices made because of the attitude of the people. We must treat each other in love and as equals, showing concern for all!
Moving on to gifts in the church, Paul points out throughout the chapter that all gifts are necessary, working together - everyone doing the same thing would not work. Note in 12:31 it appears to say we should desire the best gifts (in most translations). However, translators note that the phrase can be a statement of fact, or a command. In English, it looks like a command, but this would contradict the rest of the chapter - it is better read as a statement of what they were doing (wrongly). "But (you) earnestly desire the best gifts (which I have just taught you is wrong). And I will show you a more excellent way" (Parts in brackets added as comments to illustrate, ESV version)
This more excellent way is shown to be love. All these gifts are nothing without love. Contrary to the gifts, which are given to people according to their roles they need to complete, love is required by all, granted to all, and should be shown by all.
Having put the gifts granted in perspective, shown in the light of love, he returns to specific gifts to show their purpose. It is not wrong to desire gifts, we seek to be useful for God's purposes - but we should not seek showy gifts for our own benefit, but seek edifying gifts to build others up. We must in humility accept the gifts God has granted us, and use them for His purposes. Note Paul's sarcasm again in 14:5, basically saying if you are all going to seek a single gift (which he just spoke against, hence why he is being sarcastic), then at least let it be a gift that is building up the church. He continues to compare tongues (foreign languages) and preaching, and the benefits (or not) of each, finally giving a few rules for when tongues or prophecy is present in the church.
Acts shows that the sign of tongues was literal languages that could be understood and interpreted, but we should note that in pagan worship in Corinth, there were some 'oracles' that spoke in gibberish that was supposed to be the gods speaking, and this gibberish would then be interpreted. Paul may be speaking against people taking this practice into the local church and speaking gibberish, hence his emphasis on speaking, praising, praying, and singing with the mind, and not just 'spirit'.
The principles for tongues, when they were around, seems to be fourfold: they are signs for unbelievers in the church - they are therefore no use for when only believers are present. They must be done with interpretation, in orderly fashion, and not more than 2 or 3. Prophesy (meaning preaching of the word) was for the believers, and followed the same rules of order in speaking. Order was important with the respective roles of women and men in the church, also - Paul is counter-cultural in stating that the women should learn with the men, but remaining within the submissive role and not speaking (seems to imply speaking up front) in the church.
Paul concludes the main teaching with a reminder of the gospel, and the importance of the resurrection of Christ. He, many of the other disciples, and more than 500 can attest to the resurrection, and he translates this confidence to our own resurrection from the dead. He points out that if this crucial fact is missing from the gospel, then our life is futile - so it's a good thing that it is so sure! Death no longer holds fear for us. Christ has conquered death, and granted us victory through Him.
Almost like a postscript, he encourages generosity towards the believers in Jerusalem. He is not wanting a show of generosity when he arrives (as their pride might incline them to do), but regular collection while he is not with them - not a prescribed amount, but each as God has been generous to them, so they should be generous with God's money for His purposes.
He concludes explaining his own plans, and people who will be visiting them shortly. Writing the final greeting himself, he expresses his love to them in the lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, how grateful we are that we know Your love! Your death provided a way for us to enter Your family, not on our own merits that we might boast, but equally destitute before You. We pray for Your help to live boldly, uprightly, in unity with fellow believers. Not conforming to the desires or attractions of this world, whether they be lust, pride, strife - but conforming to Your unchanging standard and shining example. Thank you for servant like Paul who have gone before us, from whom we can learn, and imitate, even as they imitate You. Help us to love like You love Lord, serving others with the gifts You grant, in the role You have designed for us, in humility, embracing the responsibility of serving You, and desiring in our hearts to build upon the foundation You have laid with quality, everlasting materials, that will not perish like this world with its desires. O Lord come! We wait in great anticipation for the blessed moment when we see Your face! Thank You for the confidence we can have in You, Your death, Your resurrection, and Your Word.
Interesting that all the word art is from the same chapter in 1 Corinthians! By far the most widely recognised chapter of Paul's letters, due to its popularity at weddings, it is good as a stand-alone, but the context grants us to understand the full meaning of the author - more on that later.
I haven't properly used the study guides linked in the intro, but I did have a glance through. The method he uses of arranging the passages into 'inversion patterns', is quite useful at understanding Paul's arguments and the way he expresses some thoughts. Do note, as with any study guide (and indeed my own writing), the comments and categorisations made are interpretive, and may not always be accurate. Always when consulting sources other than the Bible we must check them with Scripture, and be willing to discard anything that does not agree with Scripture, while utilising the insights and comments that are in agreement with Scripture to understand it more fully. For instance, I did notice one point glancing through where two of his comments contradicted themselves, within a page of one another - we are all fallible! Use this and other study guides wisely, and pray that the Spirit of God would help you understand and not misinterpret His Word.
As Paul is replying to the letter sent him by the Corinthian believers, we see answers to questions asked commonly in many churches and societies even today. Man throughout history still struggles with the same vices! Again and again, he calls them to behave in a certain way - not calling them to a set of rules or laws, but pointing them to their identity in Christ. Sometimes it is clear he is responding to a direct question. Other times, he may be responding to an issue he has heard about within the church and needs to address. Sometimes, I get the feeling that as he discusses things, it reminds him of another linked truth that should be taught while he thinks of it - so possibly not answering a direct question, but providing a fuller idea of Christ-like behaviour while he is on the topic. There are some things that are specific to the Corinthian situation, and we must be careful to understand the situations presented. Most of the teaching is universal, just as the body of Christ is universal.
Ultimately, it is a call to live up to the new life they are in. A reminder of how they died to the flesh, and now are joyful slaves to Christ. A prompt to show the love to others, just as Christ showed it to them. An encouragement to live in the light of the assurance of resurrection - assured because Christ rose and conquered death.
Before I continue from overall theme to connecting this theme to the different parts of the book, I should mention that this book is, unfortunately, possibly one of the most controversial in the Bible - at least, it seems to be more divisively argued over than any other book in my experience. The book even starts out teaching about the wrongness of dividing the church (over things that should not divide)! Don't get me wrong - I don't think we should gloss over important issues. The truth matters - and we should not be afraid to make waves and offend some, if it is for the right cause-the cause of upholding the truth of God's word.
The issues were important enough for Paul to write in detail about - we cannot dismiss them! But we must be careful to understand them, in light of the culture, the overall theme and message of the Bible, and the unchanging principles of God. Seeking to understand other people's interpretation of these passages, showing them in love and grace our understanding by means of Scripture, and seeking together God's intended meaning - changing our position not based on emotion or feeling, but reasoned argument from Scripture.
Anyway, enough about how to argue! Let's get to the text!
We begin with Paul giving his standard greeting, and then praising God for the testimony he has heard from the Corinthians, that they are enriched in many things (spiritually), reminding them that they are in the fellowship of Christ.
Then moving into the teaching, he starts with the problem of disunity. How can he fix any other problems if this is not fixed first? Note that he does not call them to unite, disagreeing with each other. No, he calls them to unite, remembering Who it is they really follow, and identify themselves with Christ, and not with any other man - He died that all might be united under Him.
While he is talking of the cross, he reminds them of its message, and how all are equal under the cross - none gain salvation by their own wisdom! Salvation cannot be for our own glory, only His. Having declared this worldy wisdom useless, he reminds them of the heavenly wisdom, which is revealed through His Spirit, and that cannot be understood by the world, but only by mature believers.
Returning to the main subject at hand, after this brief but important tangent, he remarks that they are not yet mature believers, ready to understand this wisdom, because they are still hung up on thinking themselves better because they follow one human leader and not another - forgetting the God through Whom they came to salvation. They may have the right foundation, but if they do not continue to build on it with quality materials (grow and mature spiritually), then it will all count for nothing at the end, and they will keep their salvation, but receive no reward in heaven. We are God's temple - does He not deserve quality craftsmanship?
Paul then reminds them of his own example, and the other apostles. Contrasting his own attitude and conduct with their superior attitude, he grows sarcastic, mocking their thoughts of grandeur to provoke them to change. Concluding, he begs them to change.
Beginning the next topic, he contrasts again, but this time he even holds them up against the pagan culture of the area. He shows there should be differences because of their identity in Christ, but no - they are imitating the world around them in matters of sexual immorality, litigation, and disputes amongst believers. Note the difference in response they should have to an unbeliever in sin compared with a believer who consistently sins.
He confirms the necessity of sexual relations in marriage, and the sanctity of the marriage, while condemning the corruptions of God's purpose for sex, reminding them that as they are one with Christ how can they seek to bring Christ into such immoral acts? Singleness is praised for those who are called to singleness, and marriage is honoured for those called to marriage - each should live according to the call of God. Those that chose to marry are told to marry believers ('in the Lord' 7:39), but if already married to an unbeliever, allow God to work His purpose through that and don't seek to leave.
As in Romans, the issue of conscience comes up, and love towards other believers should be shown, but not setting an example where they might stumble. Also encouraging us not to engage in activities where participation in it is considered by those around us to be supporting idols (or any false religion), whenever we are aware of it.
Yes, we are free to do certain things, without offending ourselves, but for the benefit of those around, we choose to not do certain things, or to do other things. We see Paul leading by example in this, and in different situations he behaves in different manners to be more accepted by those around - but by no means compromising the law of Christ. All things may be allowed, but not all things benefit, and some may be injurious to others. Seek there good, where you can, and not your own 'rights'.
The women are commended for keeping the signs of submission and femininity in that culture, and it is noted that the men should not take use these things as if they were women - let each embrace the role God has given them, exemplified through the example of Christ submitting to God, so men are subject to Christ, and women submissive to their husbands.
Again, we see their pride and 'cliquishness' evident in the Lord's supper, where no concern is shown for the poor, and they are more concerned with their own wants and pride than God - Who is what the celebration of the Lord's supper should be about! Anyone treating the remembrance of the Lord flippantly is better to not participate at all than to profane it in this way and be displeasing to God. A reminder of the sacrifices in the Old Testament, where God was displeased with the sacrifices made because of the attitude of the people. We must treat each other in love and as equals, showing concern for all!
Moving on to gifts in the church, Paul points out throughout the chapter that all gifts are necessary, working together - everyone doing the same thing would not work. Note in 12:31 it appears to say we should desire the best gifts (in most translations). However, translators note that the phrase can be a statement of fact, or a command. In English, it looks like a command, but this would contradict the rest of the chapter - it is better read as a statement of what they were doing (wrongly). "But (you) earnestly desire the best gifts (which I have just taught you is wrong). And I will show you a more excellent way" (Parts in brackets added as comments to illustrate, ESV version)
This more excellent way is shown to be love. All these gifts are nothing without love. Contrary to the gifts, which are given to people according to their roles they need to complete, love is required by all, granted to all, and should be shown by all.
Having put the gifts granted in perspective, shown in the light of love, he returns to specific gifts to show their purpose. It is not wrong to desire gifts, we seek to be useful for God's purposes - but we should not seek showy gifts for our own benefit, but seek edifying gifts to build others up. We must in humility accept the gifts God has granted us, and use them for His purposes. Note Paul's sarcasm again in 14:5, basically saying if you are all going to seek a single gift (which he just spoke against, hence why he is being sarcastic), then at least let it be a gift that is building up the church. He continues to compare tongues (foreign languages) and preaching, and the benefits (or not) of each, finally giving a few rules for when tongues or prophecy is present in the church.
Acts shows that the sign of tongues was literal languages that could be understood and interpreted, but we should note that in pagan worship in Corinth, there were some 'oracles' that spoke in gibberish that was supposed to be the gods speaking, and this gibberish would then be interpreted. Paul may be speaking against people taking this practice into the local church and speaking gibberish, hence his emphasis on speaking, praising, praying, and singing with the mind, and not just 'spirit'.
The principles for tongues, when they were around, seems to be fourfold: they are signs for unbelievers in the church - they are therefore no use for when only believers are present. They must be done with interpretation, in orderly fashion, and not more than 2 or 3. Prophesy (meaning preaching of the word) was for the believers, and followed the same rules of order in speaking. Order was important with the respective roles of women and men in the church, also - Paul is counter-cultural in stating that the women should learn with the men, but remaining within the submissive role and not speaking (seems to imply speaking up front) in the church.
Paul concludes the main teaching with a reminder of the gospel, and the importance of the resurrection of Christ. He, many of the other disciples, and more than 500 can attest to the resurrection, and he translates this confidence to our own resurrection from the dead. He points out that if this crucial fact is missing from the gospel, then our life is futile - so it's a good thing that it is so sure! Death no longer holds fear for us. Christ has conquered death, and granted us victory through Him.
Almost like a postscript, he encourages generosity towards the believers in Jerusalem. He is not wanting a show of generosity when he arrives (as their pride might incline them to do), but regular collection while he is not with them - not a prescribed amount, but each as God has been generous to them, so they should be generous with God's money for His purposes.
He concludes explaining his own plans, and people who will be visiting them shortly. Writing the final greeting himself, he expresses his love to them in the lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, how grateful we are that we know Your love! Your death provided a way for us to enter Your family, not on our own merits that we might boast, but equally destitute before You. We pray for Your help to live boldly, uprightly, in unity with fellow believers. Not conforming to the desires or attractions of this world, whether they be lust, pride, strife - but conforming to Your unchanging standard and shining example. Thank you for servant like Paul who have gone before us, from whom we can learn, and imitate, even as they imitate You. Help us to love like You love Lord, serving others with the gifts You grant, in the role You have designed for us, in humility, embracing the responsibility of serving You, and desiring in our hearts to build upon the foundation You have laid with quality, everlasting materials, that will not perish like this world with its desires. O Lord come! We wait in great anticipation for the blessed moment when we see Your face! Thank You for the confidence we can have in You, Your death, Your resurrection, and Your Word.
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