1 Corinthians 15:12-34 = April 28

 

1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Other Resources:

Glorifying God and Humbling Ourselves - 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 = April 27

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Other Resources:

Glorifying God and Humbling Ourselves - 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 14:26-40 = April 26

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Other Resources:

Do Prophets Exist Today? 1 Corinthians 14

How I CURRENTLY Understand The Bible Saying "Women Be Silent In The Church"

https://youtu.be/8e7-IP-p5T4

I am totally open to changing my mind on this passage but I do currently think this is the right way to understand it and I didn't come to this opinion rashly. 

My research project on the topic of women in ministry and related issues is going to start once I'm done teaching through the Gospel of Mark (probably less than two months from now) and I hope I can offer real clarity on all this stuff. I know how important the issue is and how important it is that we strip away confusion and truly follow what God is telling us. 

1 Corinthians 14:1-25 = April 25

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Other Resources:

Do Prophets Exist Today? - 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 13 = April 24

1 Corinthians 13

When the Perfect Comes: Understanding 1 Corinthians 13:10 and Spiritual Gifts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYUCVSa2rk0

In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams joins Austin McCrickard and Nate Miller on their show The Thinking Kingdom Podcast to discuss 1 Corinthians 13 (often called the “love chapter”). They focus particularly on verse 10, where Paul says, “When the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” The conversation explores what Paul meant by “the perfect,” how the passage fits within the larger context of 1 Corinthians 12–14, and how Christians today should understand spiritual gifts in light of love being the ultimate goal.

Wes explains that the Corinthian church had been divided and worldly, using their spiritual gifts—such as prophecy and tongues—for self-promotion rather than for the common good. Paul’s corrective was to teach a “cruciform way of thinking,” where love, not power or eloquence, defines spiritual maturity. Extraordinary gifts were temporary, serving a purpose in the early church, but love, faith, and hope endure. Paul’s message, Wes argues, is not about when or how gifts will cease, but about how Christians must use their gifts in love and unity.

Wes concludes that regardless of how someone interprets, “the perfect,” Paul’s point remains: love is the measure of Christian maturity. He cautions against forcing passages to say what we want merely to guard against theological extremes, noting that the Spirit equips each generation according to its needs, and the permanence of love outlasts all temporary gifts.

Link to fuller article

The Way of Love

Other Resources:

Love - we tackle one of the most important topics in the Bible, LOVE! We also discuss how God values love above all else! 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 = April 21

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Moving To Maturity - Support the Church
Support the Church

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

He is...

• What do we learn about God?

We are ...

• What do we learn about people?

I will...

• What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage?
• How will you apply it to your life this week?

You can...

• Who do you know who needs to hear this?

Service

• How can we help with a challenge you’re facing?

Other Resources:

Love we tackle one of the most important topics in the Bible, LOVE! We also discuss how God values love above all else! 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 = April 20

 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Other Resources:

Using Our Spiritual Gifts - we look at how God has blessed us each with spiritual gifts, and we outline 4 steps we can take to put those gifts to work. = 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 = April 19

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Other Resources:

Using Our Spiritual Gifts we look at how God has blessed us each with spiritual gifts, and we outline 4 steps we can take to put those gifts to work. 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 11:2-16 = April 18

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Other Resources:

Imitating Jesus - we talk about the perfect example of Jesus and how He is: forgiving, peaceful, a teacher, selfless, and obedient. 1 Corinthians 11

THOUGHTS ON WOMEN WEARING A HEAD COVERING DURING WORSHIP

A BRIEF STUDY OF 1 CORINTHIANS 11:3-16

1 Corinthians 11:3-16 is a very difficult passage and widely varying views come from very sincere people forming opposing ideas about it. Because of this passage some have demanded that women wear some kind of covering in worship services. After careful study of this passage others feel perfectly free to allow women to worship without a covering. This study makes an attempt to understand the language of this passage. (Quotations are from the NKJV.)

3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christy the head of woman is man_f and the head
of Christ is God.

The basic subject of the passage is authority: God is the head of Christ; Christ is the head of man; man is the head of woman.

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

Man should not use a covering when teaching or praying. Removing the covering (hat, cap, etc.) is a sign of respect in the presence of a superior.

5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one
and the same as if her head were shaved.

The problem of the woman's uncovered head is not disrespect for God but disrespect for man (husband). This is also very clear in verse 7. That was true in the culture of Corinth in the first century, but it is not true in 21st century America. THIS FACT IS THE KEY TO PROPERLY UNDERSTANDING THIS PASSAGE.

6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or
shaved, let her be covered.

In the culture in Corinth a woman praying or prophesying without a covering was as shameful as a woman with a shaved head. A shaved head has been a sign of disgrace in most societies.

7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man.

9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.

This is a further discussion of man being the head of the woman, again giving emphasis to the fact that the problem of a covering is between man and woman, not between woman and God. If, in today's culture there is no disrespect shown by a woman toward her husband, or other men, if she does not have a head covering there is no problem in her worshipping without one.

10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
This is a very difficult verse and has received much and varied commentary. Some have
suggested that angels are somehow offended or tempted by viewing the uncovered heads of
women. Some have suggested that this introduces an additional authority (the first was the
authority of the man) to which women must submit. It is best to connect this verse with the next
two verses, to see the full context. Angels have to be in submission to God, so it is good for
them to observe women being submissive to their husbands.

11,12 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. Great care must be exercised when the subject of woman's subjection to man is discussed. It is very easy for men to become abusive in this area.    This is not a question of intellectual, or even spiritual, superiority. Spiritually, men and women come to God on equal terms (Gal. 3:26-28; 1 Pet. 3:7 - note the discussion of submission in verses 1-6). It is a question of leadership. Men and women depend on each other: God created woman from man's rib, but men are born of women. Both men and women must ultimately respect each other, and both must respect God.

13   Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Worshippers must give consideration to this matter. It was obvious in the Corinthian setting that it was improper for a woman to worship without a covering on her head.  In modern assemblies it is certainly possible for this to be permissible because there is no such current custom, thus, no problem is involved.

14   Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?

It is natural for man to have shorter hair than women. The distinction is in the comparative lengths of the hair. The question involved in verses 14 and 15 is not "how long is long," which can vary from culture to culture, but "Is there a distinctive difference between the lengths of men's and women's hair?

15        But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.

Some have believed this verse says that the whole matter of a woman's covering in worship is satisfied by the fact that she has long hair. Most understand that there are two coverings in this passage, one natural and the other external and additional.

16        But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

This is very important. This subject should not be allowed to create contention in churches. If a woman lives in a culture that demands a covering she should accept it and not cause contention. If she lives in a culture that does not demand it, but still wants to wear a covering, she, and others, should not cause contention. If it is a culture that shows respect in other ways no one should be contentious in demanding a covering. The word "custom" in verse 16 is difficult because it is not specifically defined. Many have said that it refers to not wearing a covering. However, this makes the language awkward because the focus of the passage has been on wearing a covering. If "custom" refers to wearing a covering this verse appears to make the whole discussion useless. Paul may have discussed the whole matter to encourage a practice in Corinth without binding a law on all churches in all cultures. From chapter 5 to the end of the letter there is an awareness of the impact of one Christian's actions on another. This section fits well in that pattern. A practice may be acceptable in some situations without being binding in every situation.

Three final notes:

1.       Some have concluded that a woman should not cut her hair. Nothing in this passage suggests that. Verses 5 and 6 say "shaving" the head is a sign of "shame," but say nothing about cutting or trimming the hair. The issue is "long" hair for women and "short" hair for man, a contrast between the sexes.

2.    A question comes to SEARCH because people observe the "short hair" of the women in the singing audience. It may be shorter than it could be or than it may have been at other times or in other cultures, however, there is no difficulty in distinguishing the women from the men in this audience.

3.     I have done some very quick research on verse 16. The translations have a serious variation only in one place. The KJV, NKJV, ASV and others say "we have no such custom" while the RSV, NFV, NASV say "we have no other practice" (the NASV has a footnote saying "such" is the literal translation). There is not enough difference between "custom" and "practice" for any serious discussion. However, there is a real difference between "no such" and "no other" - the first refers to what has been discussed and the second could focus on external practices. The first would suggest that Paul discussed the matter of women wearing a covering in worship and concludes that this is not a custom or practice in churches. The second might see Paul as setting up a custom or practice and allowing no discussion of another or different practice or custom. I am not a Greek scholar (I have a minor in Greek), but my quick research has reinforced my conviction that "no such" is the right translation; that is the literal translation of the words. The other rendering seems to me to be more commentary than literal translation.

Jerry Campbell

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 = April 17

 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Other Resources:

Imitating Jesus we talk about the perfect example of Jesus and how He is: forgiving, peaceful, a teacher, selfless, and obedient. 1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 = April 14

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 

Other Resources:

Learning from History - 1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 9:19-27 = April 13

1 Corinthians 9:19-27







Other Resources:

Forgiveness 1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:1-18 = April 12

 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

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Forgiveness 1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 = April 11

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Other Resources:

Building Others Up 1 Corinthians 8

Joshua 22-24

Joshua 22-24

Ch. 22 The EasternTribes Return Home

The Eastern Tribes' Altar of Witness

Ch. 23 Joshua's Charge to Israel's Leaders

Ch. 24 The Covenant Renewal at Shechem

Choose Whom You Will Serve

Joshua's Death and Burial

Joshua 18-21

 Joshua 18-21

Outline

Ch. 18 Allotment of the Remaining Land

•     The Inheritance for Benjamin

Ch. 19 The Inheritance for Simeon

•     The Inheritance for Zebulun
•     The Inheritance for Issachar
•     The Inheritance for Asher
•     The Inheritance for Naphtali
•     The Inheritance for Dan
•     The Inheritance for Joshua

Ch. 20 The Cities of Refuge
Ch. 21 Cities and Pasturelands Allotted to Levi

Thesis: The comprehensive provision of cities for the Levites, as seen in Joshua 21, illustrates the abundance of God's forgiveness, which not only absolves us but also fully equips us for a life of service in his name.

Introduction: God's forgiveness transcends mere absolution; it equips us for a life dedicated to his service.

1. The designation of cities of refuge as mentioned in Joshua 20 symbolizes God's provision for forgiveness and protection against the consequences of unintended sins.
    A. As the cities offered safety for those who committed manslaughter without intent, God's forgiveness envelops us, rescuing us from the eternal consequences of sin (Joshua 20:2-3).
    B. Just as these cities were accessible to all Israelites, God’s forgiveness is available to everyone who seeks him (Joshua 20:9).

2. The allotment of cities to the Levites in Joshua 21 demonstrates God's intention for us to live in communities that nurture our spiritual growth and service.
    A. The specific cities given to the Levites were not just residences; they were centers for worship and spiritual instruction, illustrating how God equips his people for service (Joshua 21:2-3).
    B. Like the Levites, who were distributed throughout Israel to minister, we're called to serve and share God's forgiveness in every sphere of our lives (Joshua 21:41).

3. The completion of God’s promises in providing these cities signifies his faithfulness in fully equipping us for a life of service through his forgiveness.
    A. The fulfillment of this divine provision underscored God's reliability and the comprehensive nature of his forgiveness, which is both a pardon and an empowerment for service (Joshua 21:43-45).
    B. As the Levites were integral to the spiritual life of Israel, so are we, forgiven and empowered, crucial to spreading God's message of redemption and forgiveness in the world today.

Conclusion: In the same way that the cities of refuge and the Levitical cities provided safety, community, and a place of service, God's forgiveness offers us a sanctuary from sin, a spiritual family, and a purposeful mission. Let us embrace this comprehensive forgiveness, allowing it not only to absolve us but to also equip us for impactful service in God’s kingdom. As we move forward, may we live in the abundance of God’s forgiveness, demonstrating it in our lives and sharing it with others. How will you let God’s forgiveness transform you into an instrument of his grace and truth in the world?

Joshua 14-17

Joshua 14-17

Ch. 14 The Inheritance West of the Jordan

    Caleb's Request and Inheritance

Ch. 15 The Allotment for Judah

Ch. 16 The Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

Ch. 17 The Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh