I Corinthians 14:26-40

A couple of comments today… First, I was struck by a small phrase in the following verses: …let each of them keep silent in church (v. 28) and For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. (v. 36) The two-word phrase, “in church…” Has Paul ever used that phrase thus far in any of our readings? “In church…” This is a new concept. Today’s reading begins with “When you come together…” or “When you assemble…” (v. 26), but he has not used the phrase “in church”. Previously I believe that Paul has spoken of “the church” or “the churches” and we see that today in verses 33 and 34. There Paul is referring to the larger body of believers, not to a particular assembly. But in verses 28 and 36, “in church” is when they are gathered together for worship. Interesting…

I noted a couple of days ago that the following verse was the summary verse for all of chapter 14: So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. (v. 12) Today we have a similar verse for today’s reading as to behavior “in church”: But all things should be done decently and in order. (v. 40) This verse jumped out at me today because of the decency and order that Carol and I did NOT see on our last visit to Czechia. In fact we saw absolute rebellion – shouting and quarrelling, mostly by one man directed to another, just as a church service was beginning. We were shocked – we have known this man for many years and have had four of his children in our English Camps. But there was a major controversy in this church and the man sought to air it out as the service began. I believe it was out of respect for Carol and me being there that the man settled down and the service went on unhindered. But he clearly showed us that …all things should be done decently and in order!

Finally, some of our best friends in Carol and my early years together came from Plymouth Brethren backgrounds. These denominations are, in some sense, almost leaderless. The people come together on Sunday mornings with no agenda, no script, no designated leader. They speak or sing or read whatever comes to their mind. In so doing, they very much reflect Paul’s description of “church” at the beginning of today’s reading: When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. (v. 26) Except, however, I doubt that these gatherings exhibit “tongues” at all! I don’t think we Anglicans could live in that world. We need structure!! ?

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 14:13-25

Given our church’s Anglican, liturgical, non-Charismatic orientation, I find it difficult to comment about Paul’s discussions on tongues and prophecy. They are not much a part of our character, even though they are gifts intended for the whole church.

Our former church back in Northern Virginia (then Episcopal, now Anglican), however, was more Charismatic. It would typically be after Communion that tongues or prophecy would appear. If tongues, it might be spoken or sung. If spoken, the Rector would typically ask for an interpretation, which may or may not be offered. As for singing in tongues, often if someone began singing in tongues other voices would join. Then if you had 5 or 10 or more singing in tongues, it was heavenly!! No requests for interpretation there – this singing was recognized as pure worship. Prophecy was less common and often might follow a chorus of people singing in tongues. When prophecy occurred, it would just be one person speaking a “word”, often beginning with “Thus saith the Lord…”. After the person finished, the Rector may or may not respond. Frankly, prophecy was typically more strange to me than tongues, just the opposite of what Paul is saying in verse 22.

So those are some of my recollections; Carol may remember differently.

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 14:1-12

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. (v. 12) My Study Bible noted that this exhortation is the summary verse for all of chapter 14. Frankly, it’s a lesson for all Christians for all time! Every one of us should have some part in building up the body – by volunteering when needs arise, by serving on ministry teams, by simply calling one another just to stay in touch during these trying times.

Some of you may not know much about speaking in tongues, but it was a phenomenon that had a big impact in my early Christian walk. Years ago I was best man at a wedding back in my hometown. I was at the bride’s house one day when her younger brother, for whatever reason, said that I should read the book, They Speak with Other Tongues, by John Sherrill, the editor of Guideposts magazine. I was really taken by what I read – modern day miracles that began in the early 1900s in Kansas. Today speaking in tongues has grown into large Pentecostal denominations spanning the globe. We don’t see it much at St. Andrew’s, but I assure you it’s there, probably in multiple dozens of people who mostly keep it to themselves. (Maybe afraid to scare people if they let it out…!!) But, as Paul says, instead strive to excel in building up the church.

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 13:1-13

Chapter 13, I daresay, one of the best-known chapters in the Bible, second only to Psalm 23. It is probably quoted, in whole or in part, in more Christian weddings than any other Scripture. What could we possibly add to what Paul has already written??!!

But…, there is one item that I noticed today so I will make a comment. Tongues, prophecy, and knowledge appear in verses 1-2, reflected against not having love. Then the same three gifts appear again in verse 8, but this time with a recognition that they will all pass away. But what’s strange here is that faith is included in verse 2 (against not having love), but it does not appear in verse 8 (as passing away). That is, faith will not pass away! Faith endures!! Apparently if you have the gift of faith, yours is a gift that outlasts all the others. And I must say very humbly, when Carol and I were taking our St. Andrew’s “beginners” class back in 2008, as I told my “story” a few weeks into the course, Mike Stevens told me that I had the gift of faith. I was startled to have him tell me that and I’ve never forgotten it. He has blessed me for all time!! GLORY!!

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 12:15-31

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it… (v. 24b) The “widow’s mite” comes to mind – a poor woman who gave all she had, and Jesus lauded her for it. I also think of John and Charmayne in the kitchen cleaning our cups and dishes at The Gathering. We often acknowledge them with our thanks, but do we really appreciate and honor their service? Do we give them “greater honor”? Jesus would have: But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve… (Mark 10:43b-44) It’s clear that God appreciates our service.

…if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (v. 26b) Here I think of Audra Elizabeth Wolfe, all 7+ pounds of her. Yes, all are rejoicing, the same ones who prayed for her health for these past many months. So many throughout the church…!! Her parents and grandparents have been floored by this outpouring of love. Thank you, all!!

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 12:1-14

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (vv. 4-6) It’s hard to miss this triad: …varieties, varieties, varieties…; gifts, service, activities; same Spirit, same Lord, same God. The NASB has “gifts, ministries, effects”, which to me has a better ring to it: we use the various gifts that we have for various ministries resulting in a variety of effects. At any rate, in these three verses, triads of words within a triad of verses. And bringing it all together in the Trinity: Spirit, Lord, God. Impressive!! GLORY!!!

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 11:17-34

I can remember vividly the first time I read verses 23 to 26 in today’s reading. I had been raised in the Catholic Church and was born again at age 26. Somewhere along the line I started reading the Bible – I can’t remember any pattern that I followed, but it surely was not long into my born-again life that I read this passage for the first time and it jumped off the page at me. This was the Consecration portion spoken at every Catholic Mass – the elevation of the host and the chalice and for Catholics, the Transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus. At that point it dawned on me that the Catholic Church was Scripture-based and that I should not completely abandon my roots in favor of this new Protestantism that I was beginning to embrace. So I spent a great deal of my first born-again year doing what I could to reconcile my Catholic roots with my newly energized faith. I left the Catholic Church in the late 1970s, but I still cherish much that I gained in my youth from that upbringing.

The contrast between the Corinthian church and our St. Andrew’s potluck gatherings is striking! I don’t see any rich vs. poor at our potluck dinners, and I don’t see anyone going hungry. I see a lot of people mixing with people they haven’t met before and a real positive spirit about the entire gathering. And when we’ve hosted gatherings of St. Andrew’s folks and when we’ve been to other peoples’ homes, I never see any gluttony or drunkenness. Sure, it’s a small sample and I always remind myself from a couple of day ago, Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (I Cor. 10:12) And, …whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Cor. 10:31)

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 11:1-16

I think it’s more appropriate for you ladies to post on this item instead of me. However, I will add one item. In the time we have been married Carol has “followed” me and my work to Texas, Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Slovakia. Was her “following” me some “authority” on my part? No, just simply what was best for our family…

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 10:23-33

When we get to II Corinthians, if we read the background literature we will find that many scholars consider I and II Corinthians to actually be four or more letters, bits and pieces here and there. Especially they consider II Corinthians to be a compilation of three others, as I recall. (I’m calling this from memory, so my memory is probably weak.) However, today’s reading makes me wonder if this section of I Corinthians also belongs elsewhere. For most of today’s reading, Paul is repeating what we read back in chapter 8, only a couple pages of his handwriting earlier. Still, I’m guessing that the earliest I Corinthians manuscript was found “in whole” and that Paul is simply repeating himself – for emphasis!

Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (vv. 32-33) These verses hit home to me in our context, that is, St. Andrew’s. When we had two services, we clearly had two different worshipping bodies and most of us chose the worship service that we preferred (except that I often wondered if some people chose 9:00 am so that they could have more of their Sunday time free). And I often wondered out loud whether we as a church were choosing what we enjoyed or what we thought would bring more people to join us. That comment often brought more argument than discussion. And even now when we have our online services, I’m sure many of us have our ideas as to how it could be handled better. And yes, I was thrilled yesterday when we did a full Eucharistic service!! I have really missed that service. So I’m as guilty as anyone! Why would people not like what I like…???!!! Un-glory…!

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 10:14-22

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (vv. 16-17) What a great pair of verses for today, in conjunction with our online Eucharistic celebration!! We ARE one body, for now separated – but only physically. Those spiritual bonds are stronger than ever!

I had never thought of idol worship as an invitation to demons (vv. 20-21). No wonder I’ve always felt weird to be around them. Carol probably even more so in her recent trip to India…!! It made me think of other places where demons inhabit – in particular wherever sin abounds. I have in mind one particular house: she wants a divorce, he does not. I hadn’t thought about it before, but now I’m suspecting demonic forces in the house and in the neighborhood. Please pray with Carol and me for this unnamed couple (no one you know…).

Slava Bohu!