1 Corinthians 13-16
Notes
Transcript
1 Corinthians 12 review:
1 Corinthians 12 review:
Paul says the Holy Spirit distributes different gifts among believers for the common good of the church.
He uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate how the church functions, with each member having distinct but equally important roles, just as different body parts serve unique purposes.
Our by-laws here state in Section 2.01(E)(4):
"We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit."
Grace Community Church:
We teach that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to the church unto its edification (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; 1 Corinthians 14:26). The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays (1 Corinthians 14:33), but He does glorify Christ (John 16:13–14) by applying His work of redemption to His people in regeneration and sanctification (2 Corinthians 3:18; Titus 3:5).
We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today (1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:7–12), and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church have now ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8–10; Ephesians 2:20), having fulfilled their purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth (2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1–4). The miraculous gifts were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:23).
I used to be pretty dogmatic in this area, but the older and wiser and the more I study scripture, some of those areas have gotten rearranged. I will say I am 100% a cessationist but don’t mean to argue over it. What I would argue though, is that there are no documented cases of a person preaching the gospel in person in one language and understood in all the different languages of those present without technological help, despite the fact that would be incredibly useful.
I would also argue I personally have never heard of a modern person or church claiming to speak in tongues meeting all the biblical requirements in the verses I’ve cited meaning they are not scriptural in the practice.
But I also state that personally I, nor this church have any animosity or are prejudiced against those who might make those claims. We simply believe it’s an unbiblical practice and would urge careful, unbiased study of the scriptures to see that point.
He goes on in Chapter 13 to make that very case...
1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13
The famous "love chapter" isn't meant as a general discourse on love for written for Valentines Day cards, but rather as a crucial teaching about how all spiritual gifts must be exercised in love for the edification of the whole church body.
It’s not addressed to someone’s girlfriend, but was intended as a rebuke to those who were causing divisions by the improper use of the Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14
Chapter 14 is Paul giving the application of the principles he has given in 12 and 13 addressing use of the Spiritual Gifts in corporate worship gatherings, particularly tongues and prophecy.
Everything done in worship should glorify God and build up the church (οἰκοδομή/oikodomē), which he mentions repeatedly throughout the chapter.
Not walking away from difficult passages:
1 Corinthians 14:34–35 “34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
Speaking in the direct context of orderly worship and tongues, and prophesy speaking out of order
Specific cultural context with whatever was going on wrong in worship unique to the Corinthians we don’t really understand or know about today
If I try to say this means “women aren’t supposed to be pastors” using this as a proof text, it creates tension if not contradiction with 1 Cor 11.
Someone would say 1 Corinthians 11:5 “5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.” makes the case that as long a woman was wearing the proper head covering, scripture commends a woman preaching.
But we know scripture DOES NOT contradict itself so I would say in response they are making the wrong argument. I say in this passage, Paul is rebuking disorderly speech in the worship gathering that was not profitable for anyone there but the person doing it. Not forbidding any speech at all by a woman.
However, I would also caution the person making that case they need to reconcile not 1 Cor 14 and 1 Cor 11, but 1 Cor 11 to 1 Timothy 2:11–12 Where Paul writes: “11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
Then, Lord willing I would have the grace to the person to say, that’s going to take you some thought, effort, and time and until you’re ready, let’s go have some biscuits and gravy!
Personally, as I’ve studied scripture more, I’ve come to see most of these arguments and debates not as primary but secondary or tertiary
Primary Issues:
Essential to Christian faith
Required for salvation and orthodox Christianity
Non-negotiable doctrines
Examples: deity of Christ, physical resurrection, salvation by grace through faith, authority of Scripture
Fellowship/church membership typically impossible between those who disagree on these
Secondary Issues:
Important but not essential to Christian faith
Significant enough to often affect church/denominational affiliation
Christians can disagree while recognizing each other as genuine believers
Examples: baptism mode/timing, church polity, gifts of the Spirit, views on predestination
May affect church membership but not Christian fellowship
Tertiary Issues:
Matters of opinion or interpretation that shouldn’t divide Christians
Minimal theological or practical impact
Examples: worship styles, exact timing of end-times events, dietary practices
Shouldn’t affect either church membership or Christian fellowship
I always want to be charitable to those who are my brothers and sisters in Christ because the Bible commands me to do so!
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity” (often attributed to Augustine, though the attribution is disputed).
But in Chapter 15, Paul addresses a primary issue. That of the physical resurrection of Jesus!
1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
They received the gospel, stand on it, it’s how they were saved
They aren’t to run to anything else except the gospel and if they do, they should worry they didn’t actually and faithfully do any of the above!
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
Paul emphasizes the resurrection
Like I mentioned, belief in the the physical death and bodily resurrection of Jesus is a primary issue, a non negotiable doctrine of salvation
If it didn’t happen, Jesus isn’t who the Bible says He is and can’t and didn’t accomplish what the Bible said He accomplishes
The gospel focuses first on Christ and what He did, not primarily how we can be saved
Christ:
died
was buried
was raised
was seen
(was buried reinforces and confirms He died; was seen reinforces and confirms He was raised!)
Paul gives all the credit for all he is and anything he’s done to the grace of God!
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Gives the “negative argument”
Major Consequences If No Resurrection:
1. Christ was never raised
2. Christian preaching and faith are futile/for naught
3. The Corinthians remain culpable for their sins
4. The apostles are false witnesses against God
5. Christians who have died are lost
6. Christians are the most miserable people
The resurrection gives us all Christian blessings
Without resurrection, there’s no meaning to Christian suffering and sacrifice
Future glory is what makes present troubles “light and momentary”
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Gives the “Positive Argument” and in this passages we see much of Psalm 8 and Psalm 110
First-fruits:
idea from the OT offerings
an assurance or promise of the full harvest
joins what happens to us to what happened to Jesus - his resurrection and ours are bookends of the same event
Jesus as the last Adam reverses all the corruption that came from the first Adam
In all the above passages we see the truth that Jesus was a fulfilment to god’s original intent in creation not a correction of His creation plan!
1 Corinthians 15:29-58
1 Corinthians 15:29-58
Paul will go on to argue against any baptism “for the dead”; neither in place of or to save them. When a persons dead, they need resurrection not baptism.
If there’s no resurrection, why do the apostles and disciples put themselves in so much danger to preach the Gospel?
From a human perspective if there’s no resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:32 b “32 ...if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.”
Paul goes on to explain the resurrection of the body in terms of seeds “dying” in the ground to be “resurrected” in the sprout and the different “glories” of the earthly and heavenly “bodies”.
Wonderfully reminds us”
1 Corinthians 15:42–44 “42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” going on to say...
1 Corinthians 15:45–49 “45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” finally revealing (and we can almost sense Paul almost in a shouting spell...or that might just be us...)
1 Corinthians 15:51–56 “51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” and encouraging us...
1 Corinthians 15:57–58 “57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 16
1 Corinthians 16
Is Paul’s closing. He addresses:
the collection for
his travel plans and movements of various church leaders (kind of gives us a peek in the complexity of early church logistics. Not just a few people in a house singing hymns)
and final exhortations, greetings, and a warning that includes telling us:
1 Corinthians 16:13–14 “13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all your things be done with charity.”
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Act like men. Be strong. Let all that you do be done in love!
Conclusion
Conclusion
God IS all in all! He is sovereign, holy, good, true, and beautiful!
Chapter 15 is almost the complete summation of the biblical narrative:
The cross and the resurrection is the exact moment everything in creation history changed!
Christ’s resurrection leads to complete restoration of God’s sovereign rule over creation through defeating all opposing powers, including death itself.
Because of that, I’ll repeat 1 Corinthians 15:57–58 “57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
