There were also groups who were competing with each other. Thus one christian may receive one type of gift while another receives a different gift. Sacrifice is important, but without love it is useless, it profits me nothing. Sacrifice is important, but without love it is useless. Many christians believe the christian life is all about sacrifice sacrificing your money, your life, for the cause of jesus christ. About the book of 1 corinthians its author, date and purpose. Notice that no mention is made of clean or unclean. The book of 1 st corinthians is a pauline epistle letter from paul.
Dec 21, 2008 love eternal not fails, prophesies for shall cease, and tonques shall be silenced, and knowledge shall be nothing 1 corinthians. The principles in this chapter are in fact universal enough to apply to those situations, but paul originally wrote them to address a specific situation which many of us today miss. Pauls purpose in writing this letter to the church in corinth was to address and correct the. They arent wrong on that aspect of their position 1 corinthians 8. Because a copy of that letter has never been discovered, it has been referred to as the lost epistle. Bible students know that scripture is about thirty percent prophecy, and preachers have cautioned that prophecy should take no more than the equivalent percentage of our study time.
Paul was in corinth and founded the congregation there on his second journey around a. As discussed below the verb stego has two shades of meaning and thus this verse could mean that love bears all things in the sense that it patiently endures all things or the meaning i favor for paul has endures at the end of this verse which would be repetitious that it hides or conceals the faults of others. Campbell morgan wrote that examining this chapter is like dissecting a flower to understand it. Discussion on the book of 1 corinthians chapter from the king james bible online. Paul is speaking of clean meats offered to idols, for some of the pagan deities were offered bullocks, sheep, goats, chickens, doves, and other clean animals, the remainder of which would be offered for sale in the market. The corinthians argue that since they know idols dont truly exist, as true gods, and that only the one true god is real, why does it matter if they eat the meat or not. The book of 1 corinthians is an early letter from the apostle paul. By prophesy, he means that a person may speak a message. Acts 18 gives us considerable detail about pauls work in. Marriage is not gods will for everyone, so it is not necessarily superior to singleness. And so our translators understand it here, as meaning that love is patient. Sep 19, 2002 some people have the urge to play cupid, but that is a mistake because it may be the will of god for some people to remain single. Paul had just listed another set of three gifts that would not remain. The key personalities of this book are the apostle paul, timothy and also chloes household.
The part omitted is but a buttress of what has been stated in the former of our two verses. What does 1 corinthians verse 8 mean when it says. Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of christ. The right attitude when christians disagree 1 corinthians 6. Much of 1 corinthians 12 corrected misunderstandings about spiritual gifts among the christians in corinth. Jan 29, 2012 working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary. Paul is referring to the gifts of the holy spirit in 1 corinthians 12. And unlike spiritual gifts, which will no longer be needed when christ comes, love will last forever 1 corinthians. The church at corinth had been established on one of pauls missionary journeys. If i have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if i have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, i.
What does it mean that love is patient 1 corinthians. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Ones conclusion about the cessation of the gifts of the holy spirit, especially tongues and prophecy, comes down to the meaning of that which is perfect in 1 corinthians. Tongues are good, prophecy and knowledge and faith are good, sacrifice is good. This summary of the book of 1 corinthians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 corinthians. And if this is the sense, it accords with the expression in 1 corinthians. If i have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if i have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, i am nothing.
Useful bible studies 1 corinthians commentary study guide. For it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire. Major outline of 1 corinthians before we begin our study of the first chapter of 1 corinthians, it would be good for us to view the book as a whole as summarized in this outline. The first epistle to the corinthians ancient greek. We discern the run of the apostles thought best by thus omitting the intervening verses and connecting these two. Apparently, some believed that those able to speak in tongues or prophesy were more spiritual than the others. The fact that faith, hope, and love remain must be understood in light of the broader context. Useful bible studies 1 corinthians commentary chapter 6. If youre married perhaps 1 corinthians was read at your wedding.
Corinth was an important and wealthy city on the isthmus narrow strip of land separating northern and southern greece. What does 1 corinthians verse 8 mean when it says prophecies. Even still, in 1 corinthians we learn the centrality of the cross, the meaning of marriage, the danger of lust, and the way a church should be structured. Useful bible studies 1 corinthians commentary chapter 7. Acts 18 gives us considerable detail about pauls work in corinth during that time. Excursus on the meaning of that which is perfect 1. Again, the meaning is the same, and the difference is really minor. We have no interest whatsoever in appealing to bible scholars, commentaries, a preachers study notes, a modern perversion, a denomination, or any other manmade reference or group for enlightenmentthey have caused more confusion about. Useful bible studies 1 corinthians commentary chapter. We are beginning one of the most important letters that paul wrote to the churches he had begun. Outline of 1 corinthians this outline of 1 corinthians is intended to assist you as you diligently study gods letter to you his holy word. What is the that which is perfect in 1 corinthians.
Paul makes the point that the use of their godgiven gifts would amount to nothing if the corinthians did not make love their priority. I may understand all the secret things of god and all knowledge. His authorship was attested by clement of rome as early as a. Many christians have just one answer when people ask them about divorce. If you tear it apart too much, you lose the beauty. The book of 1 corinthians is one of or 14 letters that paul wrote. Many christians believe the christian life is all about sacrifice. Several features distinguish the second canonical letter. Many people have called it the love chapter in correction of the king james bible.
Alan redpath said one could get a spiritual suntan from the warmth of this chapter. Pauls famous chapter on love, 1 corinthians, tells us. This is translated into english as charity in the king. The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives. First corinthians 12 talks about spiritual gifts, which are distributed by the holy spirit 1 corinthians 12. What are the most commonly asked questions about the book of 1 corinthians. That it is the true meaning of love an agape love that can withstand the test. In many ways, christians should behave in a completely different manner from how other people behave. The corinthian church was emphasizing a good thing, spiritual gifts, to the neglect of the best. Paul agrees with them that the idols are nothing and the food itself is nothing more than food. In corinth, people were jealous of each others spiritual gifts. In the original greek, the word agape is used throughout the.
What does it mean that love always hopes 1 corinthians. This summer were looking at what is sometimes known as the great love chapter of the bible, 1 corinthians. In the description of love in 1 corinthians, we find four things that love always does. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
And only after that paul is supposed to have written the second. Pauls so called second letter to the corinthians is actually the fourth letter that he wrote to corinth. Beareth all things the burdens of fellow christians, and so fulfils the law of christ, which is the law of love. A previous epistle was written prior to first and second corinthians. Thank you father for your gift of salvation by grace alone simply because we believe in your son. But love is so valuable, so important, that apart from it, every other good thing is useless.
There was another noncanonical letter after 1 corinthians, usually called the severe letter 2 cor. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. Their thoughts and attitudes must sometimes be the opposite of other peoples thoughts and attitudes. Together, these letters form a major part of the new testament the books that the first. We know that there is no idol, etc however, this that we speak of. Thank you for the hope that is set before us and thank you for the love of the lord jesus, which was demonstrated to us on a wooden cross, 2000 years ago. This news came from people who were living in chloes house 1 corinthians 1. Feb, 2012 1 corinthians from words of love spoken word cd youtube unlocking the bible colin smith feb , 2012 pastor colin smith with wife karen smith reading 1 corinthians. One hears 1 corinthians read at many christian weddings. After this visit paul is supposed to have written another epistle with tears 2 corinthians 2. What does it mean that faith, hope, and love remain 1 corinthians. On that day, christians will know even as god knows us now.
The apostle paul spent 18 months there on his second missionary journey and established a church there. When prophecy is complete, languages cease, signs are silenced, and miracles of health, healing, provision and. Bear with their ignorance of the gospel, their hardness of heart, and their jests. Until then, spiritual gifts provide a partial knowledge of what is to come. Beareth all things,the burdens of fellow christians, and so fulfils the law of christ, which is the law of love.
The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named sosthenes, and is addressed to the christian church in corinth. Charity is found 9 times in 1 corinthians , which makes it the charity chapter in the bible. Acts 18 gives us considerable detail about pauls work in corinth during that. It does not dishonor others, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. The speaking of tongues of which paul speaks in 1 corinthians 1214 is ecstatic speech that hinders communication unless an interpreter is provided.
Howbeit, there is not in every man in every professing christian. When paul was in ephesus, he received news about troubles in the church at corinth. But if i do not have love, then i am only a noisy bell or a ringing cymbal. Pauls famous chapter on love, 1 corinthians , tells us. Here is yet another infamous verse of scripture, often quoted, printed, and sung in the modern world. What does 1 corinthians verse 8 mean when it says prophecies will fail. You are here bible study tools bible questions and answers what does 1 corinthians verse 8 mean when it. We have enlisted hundreds of friends biblical scholars, theologians, homileticians and pastors dedicated to the craft of biblical preaching to provide you timely, compelling and trustworthy content. Would you see the perfection of the charity that beareth all things. Book of ecclesiastes says, there is nothing new under the sun 1. But even with all these things, if i do not have love, then i am nothing. Paul makes the point that the use of their godgiven gifts would amount to nothing if the corinthians.
Enduring word bible commentary 1 corinthians chapter. Of all the gifts and graces that are poured out in great abundance into the lives of believers there are three that outshine and outlast all others. Paul regards it as a legitimate gift, but neither as the greatest gift nor as essential 1 corinthians. Paul gave a more practical answer to that question. W e often quote 1 corinthians as if it is an allpurpose description of love, for weddings, marriage counseling, friendships, and so forth.
1252 1146 516 321 1106 725 482 12 259 946 1456 672 628 631 1078 1343 886 661 1077 694 511 873 1190 1500 697 1188 1135 1497 960 688 347 1326 1007 1523 104 823 386 392 1416 628 432 196 983 1098 621 251 734