One More Last Thing

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting November 13 to study the last chapter of 1 Corinthians, sixteen.  This chapter is a typical concluding chapter of Paul's letters.  It's full of lots of housekeeping and last minute challenges, greetings, soft words, and hard words.

Read through it a few times, perhaps, if you're ambitious, read through the whole letter, and then through this chapter a few times.  Try and get a sense of what Paul is trying to make sure is not lost, what he is attempting to shore up or emphasize, and perhaps a view of his heart.  Jot down notes, observations, and questions to bring Thursday.

After reading through a few times, made notes, and questions, read through again with the questions below.

• The 'collection' is a new topic for the letter, but do you think it is new to the church in Corinth?
• What is the purpose of verse 2, why do you think he's giving this instruction?  Do you think it is a slight to the church in Corinth or a general suggestion/rule?
• The collection is for believers in Jerusalem.  Why would the church in Corinth be all that interested in the church in Jerusalem?  What would be their motivation for sending money?
• Paul's travel arrangements are simply details, but do you see a pattern of his travel?  What route is he following to get to them?  (see Acts 16 and 17)
• Why do you think Paul would want to spend so much time with a group with whom he seems to have so many problems?  What does his tone sound like to you?
• Timothy may come before he gets there.  Why do you think Timothy may have cause to 'fear' from the Corinthians?
• So, do you sense Apollos does or does not want to go see them?  What do you think about Paul encouraging him to go?  What do you thing that might mean for other comments made by Paul in the beginning of the letter (see chapter 3)?
• Verse 13 begins a 'staccato' stream of commands, what do you think of these?  Why do you think they would be necessary for the believers in Corinth?
• In verse 15, is a charge to submit to leaders, and Paul names one specifically.  Considering the problems he has sited throughout may have been with 'leaders' or household 'church hosts', what do you think of his 'short list'?  Why do you think naming this one is important?
• Now the named leader is also the one who, with some others delivered help from them to him.  So, what does that tell you about 'collections' in the church?  What does that tell you about Stephanas?
• Review Aquila and Prisca (Acts 18). What do you think of these two?  How does this greeting fit their depiction in Acts 18?
• Greetings like this seem odd to us in our culture, but aside from that, what do you think of the differences between the greetings from 'Asia' and how Paul says to greet each other?  Why do you think he may have used that term?
• Why do you think it is important for Paul to write something in his own hand?  Why the additional 'love' charge?  This term for 'love' isn't the normal 'agape' love normally used, it's more a 'friendship' sort, more emotional.  Why do you think that might be important here?
• In his own hand he says that his love is with them all.  Why do you think that is important for the church in Corinth to know?

 That should keep us busy for a few minutes anyway.  Remember to bring any notes and questions you've made in your own study!

To Become Other Than We Are...

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting November 6 to study 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.  This is the part we didn't get to last week.  So, I included the questions from last weeks study page for these verses, but also added a bit to them.

Read through the whole chapter at least once, then focus your attention on the final verses of the chapter.  Read them a few times, try to imagine what this means for our bodies, what will we look like?  Jot down observations and questions.  We had a good one last week, and I wrote a blog entry on it.  These questions are really very helpful for our discussion and understanding.

After reading through the passage and doing your own search for things, read back through with the questions below:

• In verse 35 is thought to be another break, but I suspect that actually it goes with verse 33 and 34.  So, I would break at 33 not 35.  What do you think?  How would it read if we started this paragraph at 33?
• From 35 through much of the rest of the chapter, Paul argues for the reality of the resurrection in more concrete terms.  Paul draws on imagery from plants and animals, but what do you think his main is point in verses 36 through 41?
• What do you think of his contrasting argument after verse 41?  Does this clarify or obscure your understanding?
• Why do you think it is necessary that if there is a physical 'body' there must then be a spiritual 'body' as he says in verse 44?
• Look up the term 'natural' used twice in 44, and then again in 46 in a Strong's Concordance (or click the link on the word).  It's related very closely to the Greek word normally translated as 'soul', and where we get the word 'psychology' from; 'psyche'.  If we translated the word as 'soul-ish', or 'pertaining to the soul', how would that change your understanding of what the 'soul' refers to in Scripture?   
• Paul uses contrast for his description of a resurrected body in verses 42 through 49, but then in 50 and to the end, he completely changes how he presents resurrection.  It's almost worship or prayer of praise, or something.  How does Paul's description in 50 through 58 give you hope personally?
•  Verses 50 through 57 are the depiction of the contrasts in verses 42 through 49 which will happen to us when Jesus returns.  What do you feel as you read this depiction?
• Rather than discuss 'when' all this will happen in relation to things in other letters and books, consider what will happen.  What do you think this will look like?
• The implication of verse 58 is that the Corinthians have not been steadfast so far.  What do you think happened to cause them to waver?  How do you think this has or does happen to us?

This will probably take up our whole time.  There's a lot in this passage, but I would like to avoid 'end-times' discussions as far as when-what-happens-to-whom sorts of stuff.  Let's try and confine our discussion to what it will look like.  But, as I said at the beginning, if it's about Scripture, it's a valid topic to discuss, so that has to include 'end-times' topics as well.

Point, Resurrection

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting October 30 to study 1 Corinthians 15.  This is a pretty focused chapter (resurrection), but convoluted in approach.  One of the most problematic statements in Scripture is found here.  The transitions are odd, the structure of his argument a bit difficult to sense, and some elements are just down right confusing.

While some of the difficulties are due to a missing historical context or detail, some just are that way and would have been for them too.  Another issue is that this is possibly the most technically theological chapter in the entire letter.  I suspect that this chapter forms a major foundational element to how the commentator I've been reading understands the rest of the letter; that the church held a totally busted end-time view.

Some of what we'll find has to do with a mixing of pop-philosophy with the theology Paul taught them.  Sometimes, if they couldn't explain something Paul taught, they just ditched it in preference to the popular philosophical idea.  But that doesn't work in every problem we face in this chapter.

Read through the chapter a few times.  You may find it helpful to read the whole letter to see if you can find any of these concepts throughout the rest of the letter.  Jot down questions, observations, and insights you gain as you read through it.  Try and find Paul's structure to his argument.

After you've complied a good list of questions and observations, read through again with the list below:

• Why do you think, at the end, finally, he brings up the 'gospel' which he goes to great lengths to substantiate with a 'pedigree'?
• Verses 1 through 11 stand as one piece.  What do you think is the point of this first piece of Paul's argument?
• What two things does Paul specifically point to which he says are Scriptural?  Where do you think he gets that?
• In verse 12, Paul reveals that there are some who say that there is no resurrection.  Read Acts 17:22-32, where might this problem be coming from?
• Verses 12 through 19 seems to set off a second element, though not necessarily.  Here Paul stress the problems we face if there is no resurrection.  What do you think of these problems?
• Why would it be necessarily true that no resurrection means Jesus wasn't raised?  What is it about Jesus do you think Paul refers to here?
• Paul 'chains' four things together from verse 13 through 15.  What do you think of his progression here?  It makes some sense, but what about the 'false witnesses' piece, how do you think that fits in the progression, or does it?
• In verses 16 through 19 seems to start his point from 13 over again.  This progression is very different though.  Why do you think if Jesus died for our sins, but wasn't raised, we're still in our sins?  Wasn't it 'the cross' that saves us?
• In verse 18, Paul says then that those who die, really are lost, and then in 19 that we have no hope.  What do you think of his argument here?  What hope is there if there is no resurrection?
• In verse 20, Paul possibly begins a third section/point.  Here Paul begins a discussion on one of his favorite topics, Jesus over against Adam as the 'antithesis' of the fall.  How difficult is it here to see Paul's connection between Jesus and Adam?  
• In verse 23, there is now some sort of order in resurrection, and Paul describes the end times.  As you read verses 23 through 28, do you think Paul is assuming that Jesus reigns now?  That His Kingdom is current?
• The last enemy is death, which, for Paul, requires resurrection.  But when do you think this enemy will 'fall'?
• Finally, in verses 27 and 28, Paul describes a convoluted authority structure between the Father and the Son.  What do you learn of God's 'Trinitarian' nature from this description?
• Okay, so 'Baptism for the dead'; what commentary do you find on this subject?  Just bring it, because this is perhaps one of the weirdest side comments in all of Scripture.
• In verse 30, Paul goes into why he risks his life.  Why would he if there is no hope of resurrection?
• In verses 29 through 32, Paul is unpacking the lack of hope, but what turn does his argument take in verse 33?  What do you think 'bad company' might mean for this issue?
• What clue do you find in verse 34 that might indicate how this issue underlies the other pieces of the letter?
• In verse 35 is thought to be another break, but I suspect that actually it goes with verse 33 and 34.  So, I would break at 33 not 35.  What do you think?
• From 35 through much of the rest of the chapter, Paul argues for the reality of the resurrection in more concrete terms.  What do you think is his point in verses 36 through 41?
• What do you think of his contrasting argument after verse 41?  Does this clarify or obscure your understanding?
• He seems to state his contrasting elements in verses 42 through 49, but then in 50 and to the end, he 'goes off' on what it means for us.  How does Paul's description in 50 through 58 give you hope personally?
•  Do you get the feeling that at the next battle, a bunch of Christians will start looking at the skies when the signal trumpet sounds? 
• The implication of verse 58 is that the Corinthians have not been steadfast so far.  What do you think happened to cause them to waver?  How do you think this has or does happen to us?

This should keep us busy for a while, possibly a few weeks.  I look forward to studying with you!

Worship Format?

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting October 23 to study 1 Corinthians 14:26-40.  This latter half of the chapter gets at practical application of what Paul has written so far on the topic of gifts in worship.  What he describes in worship is pretty different that what we experience.  We're not in a position to change how our church worships, but we can change how we participate within our format.  Be thinking about that.

Read through these verses a few times, look for things that don't seem to fit, questions you have about how Paul phrases things, and so on.  Try and get a sense of how this application he follows 'edifies' or 'builds up' the church.  Consider how he applies 'love' described in chapter 13 to his application.

Once you've gone through a few times, go back through with the questions below (they're from the previous study sheet).

• In verses 26 through 33 Paul describes a way to all gifts to be utilized in church in an orderly manner.  What do you think such a church service would look like?  How would you feel in such a service?  Could you see such a practice in our church?  What would that look like, and how would you feel about that?
• In verse 29, what do you think it means that 'the others pass judgement' on the prophesy? What do you think that would look like in a 'worship' setting?
• You've probably heard verse 33 quoted a lot, but considering the context, does it really mean that "God always follows logical rules" or something to that effect?
• In verses 34 and 35, what is the setting?  What elements in common with the rest of the chapter do you see?
• Read back through 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; how does that make sense if this is the rule?
• How do you make sense of the tone of verses 34 and 35, with the tone of chapter 7, and 11:1-16?
•  Read verses 33 through 40 but skip 34 and 35.  Does it read consistent to you?  Now read it again with 34 and 35 back in there, does it make more or less sense?
• Trying reading the same passage (33-40) only put verse 34 and 35 after verse 40.  Does that make more or less sense to you?
• So, what makes more sense in this reading, leaving 34 and 35 where there are, putting them after 40, or leaving them out?  Verses 34 and 35 occur in every manuscript and ancient reference we have to this passage, sometimes at the end (after 40) and sometimes where we find them here.  What do you think about these verses within this argument about gifts and practice in worship?
• Paul calls on the church in Corinth to essentially 'fall in line' with the other churches.  How does that affect your consideration of such varied practice in churches today?
• Paul calls on prophets to evaluate his directive.  How does his 'call' sound to you?  Do you think he is really seeking their 'validation'?
• Consider verse 39 in light of the rest of the chapter.  What indication do you see that this particular verse is only for that historical context?  Consider the wider considerations if this verse is only for this historical context.  What else would remain there and not be for us today?
• In verse 40, what connection do you believe there is for Paul between order in worship, and 'edifying' and 'building up of' the church?

Be sure to jot down your questions and bring them.  They're important for us understanding this passage  better.  We all need various perspectives on this to get a better picture of what God is revealing to us.

Doing Gifts In Church

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting October 16 to study 1 Corinthians 14; or at least as far as we can get in this chapter.  This chapter has more problems than any other single chapter in this letter.  This caps off the discussion of the use of spiritual gifts in the church, and especially the placement of tongues among those gifts.  In some places Paul is just flat out difficult to understand.  In others, it seems completely contradictory to what he has said previously in the letter.

Read through the chapter slowly because there are some places it's easy for your mind to simply skip over rather than try and make the difficult connections.  Jot down questions, insights, and so on as you pass through the chapter.  Pay special attention to problems in wording.  Use different translations to help get through some of those, but also note how almost all translations say the same thing at some problem spots.

After you have read through the chapter a few times, read  back through using the questions below:

• Paul starts by telling the people to 'earnestly desire' spiritual things.  What do you think that means as far as who might get what gift?  Does this sound to you like we get to 'pick' or something?
• Again Paul sets tongues over against prophesy.  In his description in verse 2, what sort of 'speaking' does it seem to be to you?  Does other foreign human languages seem to be in view here?
• In verses 1 through 19 Paul goes to great lengths to demonstrate that intelligible language is preferred over unintelligible language.  What do you see as Paul's point throughout this discussion, beyond tongues versus prophesy?
• In each occurrence of some form of the verb, 'edify' (only in verse 12 does the NIV switch to 'build up'), the word truly does refer to a construction term in Greek, as in constructing a building or house.  How does that help you understand Paul's intent in all of this? Or how does it help you understand Paul's underlying concept of worship in general?
• In verse 5, Paul says that he wishes they all spoke in tongues.  In the context of the rest of the verse, and even the rest of the chapter, do you think he 'wishes' with expectation that they all will? Or is this simply a general wish without expectation?  Consider chapter 12:15-20 in your answer as well.
• In verse 6, what sorts of 'alternatives' does Paul list besides tongues?  What do you think of these alternatives?  Have you ever experienced them in worship?
• In verses 7 and 8, Paul points out some rather important considerations in the practice of tongues.  This along with verses 9 through 17, would seem to apply even to public prayer in tongues.  So, what 'exception' does Paul leave to having an interpreter when tongues are used in church?
• Verses 20-25 is probably the most difficult part of Paul's argument to figure out.  To help, read Isaiah 28, not just verses 11-12, but from the beginning through 13 (farther if you have time).  The element in Isaiah 28:9 may be to what Paul refers in verse 20, and serves to introduce 11 and only part of 12.  Why do you think Paul only used part of verse 12 in Isaiah?  
• In verse 22, Paul introduces his statement with 'so then' or 'then' meaning that he is inferring this statement from his quote.  How do you think Isaiah 28:11-12 connects to tongues being a sign to unbelievers?  Even Isaiah 28 aside, how do you see tongues as a sign to unbelievers?  A sign from who?  How do you see Isaiah 28:11-12 connecting to prophesy being a sign for believers?
• The answers to these might more easily be found in verses 23 through 25.  So, the correspondence now relies on verse 23 somehow describing how tongues are a sign to unbelievers.  So, from verse 23 perhaps combined or explained by Isaiah, how do you think tongues are a sign to unbelievers?
• From verses 24 and 25, perhaps combined with the Isaiah quote, how do you think prophesy is a sign to believers?
• In verses 26 through 33 Paul describes a way to all gifts to be utilized in church in an orderly manner.  What do you think such a church service would look like?  How would you feel in such a service?  Could you see such a practice in our church?  What would that look like, and how would you feel about that?
• In verse 29, what do you think it means that 'the others pass judgement' on the prophesy? What do you think that would look like in a 'worship' setting?
• You've probably heard verse 33 quoted a lot, but considering the context, does it really mean that "God always follows logical rules" or something to that effect?
• In verses 34 and 35, what is the setting?  What elements in common with the rest of the chapter do you see?
• Read back through 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; how does that make sense if this is the rule?
• How do you make sense of the tone of verses 34 and 35, with the tone of chapter 7, and 11:1-16?
•  Read verses 33 through 40 but skip 34 and 35.  Does it read consistent to you?  Now read it again with 34 and 35 back in there, does it make more or less sense?
• Trying reading the same passage (33-40) only put verse 34 and 35 after verse 40.  Does that make more or less sense to you?
• So, what makes more sense in this reading, leaving 34 and 35 where there are, putting them after 40, or leaving them out?  Verses 34 and 35 occur in every manuscript and ancient reference we have to this passage, sometimes at the end (after 40) and sometimes where we find them here.  What do you think about these verses within this argument about gifts and practice in worship?
• Paul calls on the church in Corinth to essentially 'fall in line' with the other churches.  How does that affect your consideration of such varied practice in churches today?

 This may be too much to cover in one evening, so we may break it up into segments, like maybe 3.  But there are only 2 more chapters after this, so maybe we can finish up this month...maybe not.

The Only Eternal 'Gift of the Spirit'

This is now, the Study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting October 9 to study 1 Corinthians 13.  Since no one showed October 2, we'll try this again on the 9th.  This chapter is probably made more difficult by its familiarity more than anything.  There are few real problems with translation but we will spend most of our time in word study through verses 4 through 7.

Read this chapter through slowly.  Then go back and read chapters 12, 13, and 14 together.  Then read through thirteen again slowly.  Jot down observations.  What are your thoughts about the overall tone, and unpack some of the implications of how Paul describes love.  What would this sort of love look like on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at home, work, school, traveling, and shopping?  Be sure to use several translations, especially on the middle four verses, but really everywhere you will see some diversity in translations.  I suspect this is more an attempt to shake up the familiarity so we think more, than it is about some difficulty in understanding the words.

After reading through the chapter a few times, read back through with the questions below:

• What do you think the 'context' of verse 1 means for the 'clanging' and 'noisy' instruments?  In other words, where does the 'speaking in tongues of men and of angels' happen that they would correlate to such horrible 'music'?
• If, in verse 2, Paul says the result of not having love is nothing, and then in verse 3, gain nothing, what do you thing the 'nothing' is in verse 1?  Is it 'sound like nothing'? or what?
• The first 'gift' referred to in verse 1 is tongues; then prophecy, knowledge, and faith in verse 2; then giving, and martyrdom.  What do you think about these as 'gifts of the Spirit'?  The list differs somewhat from chapter 12, so do you think these are all truly spiritual gifts?
• Look at Galatians 5:22, 23.  How many of these qualities of love in this chapter match those in the list of 'Fruit of the Spirit'?
• As you read these qualities in verses 4 through 7, what are your fears?  What concerns you about this list or living this way every day?
• There are 'is' and 'is not' qualities listed.  How many of each kind do you find? (I found 7 'is' and 8 'is not', but I only looked in verses 4 through 7)
• With the list containing 'is not' qualities, Paul contrasts love with other, possibly more common, behavior.  What do you think the people of Corinth thought of this list?  What do you suspect may have been their qualities?  Now, what about you?  How do your qualities match up?  Is your 'is' and 'is not' list somewhat inverted from this one? (Mine is)
• In the last verses of this chapter, Paul moves to another set of contrasts that demonstrate the priority of love.  Why will prophecy, tongues, and knowledge all 'pass away'?  When do you think that will happen?  Why do you think that will happen?
• What do you think Paul means by his illustration of being a 'child' versus a 'man'?  When does that happen in this discussion?
• When will we see face-to-face and know fully?  So, Paul is pointing to a future when none of these 'gifts' will be necessary, yet love will remain.  What does that mean for 'gifts' today?
• Look at Hebrews 11:1.  Since faith substantiates hope, what do you think 'substantiates' faith?  Or do you think Love is also substantiated by faith, or hope?  How do these relate in such a way that love is 'greatest'?  Do you think James 2:14-26 sheds light on this relationship?  If so, how?

That should keep us busy for an hour.  Hopefully, at the end of this we will really have a better understanding, not of love itself, but how we are to love every day.  How's that for a challenge?

The Unifying Function of the One Spirit

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting September 25 to study 1 Corinthians 12.  We've finally reached that portion of 1 Corinthians that inspired our choice of this letter.  We're now exploring the gifts given by the Holy Spirit.  This chapter introduces this topic, but it's clear from Paul's position, this is really just leading into something else, supporting arguments he's going to use later.  We already know what's in chapter 13 (but we'll still spend some time there), and I believe we wrap up this discussion in chapter 14.  So, perhaps the more distilled discussion will be in chapter 14.

In any case, this chapter provides the ground work for any discussion of spiritual gifts, or as Paul puts it in verse 1, 'spiritual stuff'.  Read through 12, 13, and 14 together, then go back and focus on 12.  Read through it a few times jotting down questions and observations.  Try and use different translations, noting any differences you find.  There shouldn't be many differences between translations, but there are some.

After having gone through a few times, go back through using the questions below:

• What do you think it means that Paul doesn't want the Corinthians to be 'unaware' of spiritual gifts?
• Why do you think Paul would bring up, at the outset, that they had been 'pagans'?
• In verse 3 Paul makes a statement about confessing Jesus as Lord or cursing him.  Why do you think this distinction is at the very beginning?  What 'problem' or 'view' do you think it addresses?
• Why do you think would Paul point to both 'gifts' and 'ministries'?  What's the difference in his statements?
• Verse 6 is one of the places where versions differ in wording.  Look up 'effects'/'working'/'activities'/'operations' here.  The verb used for God's action is related.  Look it up here. It's the Greek word from which we get 'energy'.  It's a common Greek word for any sort of 'activity' in which someone might be engaged.  While some of its derivatives are divine references, this one is not exclusively 'divine'.  What do you think that means for Paul's discussion here?  Why do you think He chose this wording?
• Verses 4 through 11 really form one point.  What do you think is Paul's point? 
• It would be a good idea to look up each gift/ministry listed in 8 through 10, but not necessary.  I think it's more interesting to note the 'pairs'; why Paul one with the other.  Some are obviously related, but what do you think about pairing 'faith' and 'healing' or the 'triplet' 'miracles', 'prophecy', and 'distinguishing spirits'?  Why put these together?
• In verses 12 through 26 is Paul's famous metaphor of the body for describing the church as the body of Christ.  His argument is actually supposed to be funny.  Instead of 'members' as most translations read, try 'part' (like the NIV) or even 'limb'.  Read through substituting 'part' or 'limb' in each place where it might say 'member'.  What difference does that make in your understanding or view of Paul's statements?
• Obviously Paul is referring to the church as made up of different parts or 'limbs' distinguished by ministry and gifts.  But what application do you think would be appropriate for his discussion of those body parts we consider 'weaker' or 'less presentable' in verses 23 through 25?  How does this apply to our church?
• Do you think that verse 28 'prioritizes' gifts or lists them 'chronologically' or what?
• Paul applies his previous arguments in verses 29 and 30, and it's not surprising, but what do you think about the first statement in verse 31?  Was that surprising?  How do you think we 'desire' the 'greater' gifts?  And what do you think that means for my question about verse 28?

The last statement in this chapter really belongs to chapter 13, and we'll include it in that discussion, hopefully next week.  This should be plenty to keep us busy this week.