Thankful in the Midst of it All

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Corinth (Place)

For long centuries Corinth enjoyed unusual social and political stability, partly because of excellent management by the ruling class, who anticipated rather than opposed change, and partly because of an exceptionally diversified and productive economy. In addition to the celebrated Corinthian bronze (Murphy-O’Connor 1983b), the city was renowned for its ceramics, textiles, shipbuilding, and architecture. In order to develop E–W trade a canal joining the Corinthian and Saronic gulfs was mooted as early as the 6th century B.C. (Diog. Laert. 1.99). When the project came to nothing, Periander (ca. 625–585 B.C.) built a paved road (the diolkos) across the isthmus, which permitted light ships to be hauled from one sea to the other on a platform running in grooves cut in the pavement.

eucharisteo (u-ha-ree-ste-o) - to express gratitude for benefits or blessings;

to express gratitude for benefits or blessings

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996 : 427. Print.

to thank v. — to express gratitude or show appreciation to (someone).

Religion. The distinctive cult of Corinth was veneration of Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, who is identified with the Roman Venus. The summit of Acrocorinth was dominated by a temple dedicated to her worship, served by over 1,000 sacred prostitutes or slave-priestesses. Associated with such religious practices was a general moral degradation. Corinthian morals were notoriously corrupt, even when compared with pagan Rome. (Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Corinth.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 514. Print.)

Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Corinth.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 514. Print.“Paul calls the Corinthians to be a holy church in a challenging culture.”

For long centuries Corinth enjoyed unusual social and political stability, partly because of excellent management by the ruling class, who anticipated rather than opposed change, and partly because of an exceptionally diversified and productive economy. In addition to the celebrated Corinthian bronze (Murphy-O’Connor 1983b), the city was renowned for its ceramics, textiles, shipbuilding, and architecture.

E east (ern); or “Elohist” source

W west (ern)

In order to develop E–W trade a canal joining the Corinthian and Saronic gulfs was mooted as early as the 6th century b.c. (Diog. Laert. 1.99). When the project came to nothing, Periander (ca. 625–585 b.c.) built a paved road (the diolkos) across the isthmus, which permitted light ships to be hauled from one sea to the other on a platform running in grooves cut in the pavement. Excavations have revealed a dock and 460 m of the road on the W side of the isthmus. The width varies from 3.4 to 6 m, and the grooves are 1.5 m apart (Wiseman 1978: 45–46). Repaired many times, it remained in use at least until the 9th century a.d., and would also have served for the movement of goods. (Ed. David Noel Freedman. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary 1992 : 1135. Print.)

ca. circa (about, approximately)

Religion. The distinctive cult of Corinth was veneration of Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, who is identified with the Roman Venus. The summit of Acrocorinth was dominated by a temple dedicated to her worship, served by over 1,000 sacred prostitutes or slave-priestesses. Associated with such religious practices was a general moral degradation. Corinthian morals were notoriously corrupt, even when compared with pagan Rome. (Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Corinth.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 514. Print.)

Numerous shrines dedicated to Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite, Asclepios, Demeter and Kore, Palaimon, and Sisypus (sye-si-pus) witness to the continuity of Greek cults (detailed references in 2 Corinthians 32A, 15–18). Egyptian influence is documented by the worship of Isis and Sarapis. (Murphy-O’Connor, J. “Corinth (Place).” Ed. David Noel Freedman. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary 1992 : 1138. Print.)

The main concern of Paul in 1 Corinthians is the unity of the church. There was a self-centeredness in Corinth which resulted in building cliques within the church, in flaunting knowledge and liberty in the face of others scandalized by it, and in selfish displays in the services.

m meter

Two ... major concerns ... surface in the book.

Murphy-O’Connor, J. “Corinth (Place).” Ed. David Noel Freedman. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary 1992 : 1138. Print.

Davids, Peter H. “Corinthians, First Letter to The.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 515. Print.)

First, along with other pagan practices the lax sexual ethics of Corinth had influenced the church; Paul needed to erect some barriers.

Second, there was a problem in accepting the resurrection of the body; Paul realizes that this issue has implications for the core of the faith and vigorously affirms the resurrection. (Davids, Peter H. “Corinthians, First Letter to The.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 515. Print.)

“Paul calls the Corinthians to be a holy church in a challenging culture.”

W west (ern)

m meter

Murphy-O’Connor, J. “Corinth (Place).” Ed. David Noel Freedman. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary 1992 : 1135. Print.“Paul calls the Corinthians to be a holy church in a challenging culture.”)

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Greeting, 1:1–9

Paul begins with a standard greeting, followed by his usual thanksgiving prayer.

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996 : 427. Print.

Paul begins with a standard greeting, followed by his usual thanksgiving prayer. (Davids, Peter H. “Corinthians, First Letter to The.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 515. Print.)

Davids, Peter H. “Corinthians, First Letter to The.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 515. Print.

to thank v. - eucharisteo (u-ha-ree-ste-o) - to express gratitude for benefits or blessings; ... or show appreciation to (someone). (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996 : 427)

When I wake up to behold a brand new day I want to”PRAISE/THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING, BEFORE I PETITION GOD FOR ANYTHING!”

(Paul is thankful for what, may I ask?)

grace n. — goodwill freely disseminated (by God); especially to the benefit of the recipient regardless of the benefit accrued to the disseminator. (grace is God giving to us what we don’t deserve; mercy is God not giving to us what we do deserve!)

grace n. — goodwill freely disseminated (by God); especially to the benefit of the recipient regardless of the benefit accrued to the disseminator.

(5) - (enriched) to be made rich v. — to be caused to become very wealthy in resources (whether figurative or literal).

(6) - He pointed out that the Corinthians’ gifts confirmed the testimony, or witness, which he himself had given them. Paul’s preaching of the gospel had been the conduit of their gifts of revelation and knowledge. As a result, the presence of spiritual gifts in the church confirmed the efficacy and truth of Paul’s gospel message.

to be made rich v. — to be caused to become very wealthy in resources (whether figurative or literal).

(6) This brief aside was important because the Corinthians took great pride in human wisdom. Yet, the gospel that had enriched their lives with these gifts was not based on human wisdom and pride, but on humility and spiritual wisdom. (Pratt, Richard L., & II Corinthians. Vol. 7. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary)

Pratt, Richard L., & II Corinthians. Vol. 7. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.

This brief aside was important because the Corinthians took great pride in human wisdom. Yet, the gospel that had enriched their lives with these gifts was not based on human wisdom and pride, but on humility and spiritual wisdom.

Pratt, Richard L., & II Corinthians. Vol. 7. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.(Pratt, Richard L., & II Corinthians. Vol. 7. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary)

present ⇔ grace n. — a present given as a sign of beneficent favor.

(7) - present ⇔ grace n. — a present given as a sign of beneficent favor.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Spiritual Gifts

The Christian church is composed of many different kinds of people with different gifts and different ministries. The manner in which these are combined is not like a melting pot but like a salad bowl. Within the church, there is no loss of individual identity, but rather the complementing of distinct elements to create a new, special, and united body.1301

(8) keep you firm/ sustain you… to establish (settle) v. — to make someone or something settled securely and unconditionally (in or on something).

(8) blameless/guiltless - unaccusable adj. — not subject to, deserving, or worthy of a charge of wrongdoing…

to establish (settle) v. — to make someone or something settled securely and unconditionally (in or on something).

unaccusable adj. — not subject to, deserving, or worthy of a charge of wrongdoing.blameless/guiltless -

(9) God is FAITHful -

blameless/guiltless -

God is TRUSTworthy

God is RELIable

God is UNFAILING

God is DEPENDable

(illustration)

An evergreen is always green despite the changes in weather around it. It is green in the heat of summer as well as the cold of winter. So also our lives are to be characterized by an enduring thankfulness that is unaffected by the changes around us. When the heat of a pressured week or the deadly cold of pain strikes us, we should stand “ever green,” always thankful, regardless of that which surrounds us. (Michael P. Green. 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. Print. 1383)

(Michael P. Green. 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. Print. 1383)

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Thankfulness

An evergreen is always green despite the changes in weather around it. It is green in the heat of summer as well as the cold of winter. So also our lives are to be characterized by an enduring thankfulness that is unaffected by the changes around us. When the heat of a pressured week or the deadly cold of pain strikes us, we should stand “ever green,” always thankful, regardless of that which surrounds us.1383

Thankful in the Midst of it All

Introduction

I. Thankful for the Grace of God (4)

II. Thankful for the Gifts of God (5-7)

III. Thankful for the Guarantees of God (8-9)

III. Thankfulness (Conclusion)