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!

I Corinthians 10:1-13

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (v. 12) It gives me pause every time I see a verse with this sentiment. It’s easy for us to be confident that we are “born again” or that we have a “personal relationship” with Jesus or that we are “saved”. And I don’t doubt that we are all those. But to get cocky or arrogant about that, especially with respect to other people or other denominations – we’re treading on dangerous ground. The next verse reminds us of that: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (v. 13) I’m not much of a Bible memory person, but that verse is one that I memorized long ago and that still comes to mind from time to time. There are three phrases that I have underlined in my NASB Bible: “common to man”; “beyond what you are able”; and “will provide a way of escape”. All three of those phrases are super important when it comes to our being tempted. We are overcomers! We have the Holy Spirit to help us! Or maybe I should jump ahead to one word in the next verse: “FLEE!!” …’nuff said!

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 9:19-27

I truly don’t have much to say today. I’m not much of an athlete these days (really, never was at any high level!) so I can’t relate to winning a race. I certainly do not discipline my body. About the only way that I can connect with today’s last paragraph is that the things that I do, I try to do well. And to use Debbie’s word from yesterday, I try to be responsible in whatever I am doing. More’s the truth that I don’t like to be guilty of not being responsible where someone is expecting something of me!! ?!

But beyond that, I could synthesize today’s first paragraph in one sentence: Meet everyone where they are. And if you want to be a “walk the walk, talk the talk” missionary, you need to let them do most of the talking to find out where they are, especially what questions they have or what barriers they offer. With your efforts and the Holy Spirit’s continuing activity, your words will never go unheeded!

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 9:1-18

Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. (vv. 13-14) I like all of what Paul says in today’s reading, including his claim that he does not “profit” in any way from his preaching. The verses that I quoted above seem to capture the essence of what he is saying. But there is a flip side to these verses that Paul does not mention – that there has to be someone making those offerings! All of us need to support people like David and Kelly; they are Kingdom workers! And a number of us also support overseas missionaries; they are also Kingdom workers! And there are also many “tentmakers” and “bi-vocational” clergy out there, and even though they have chosen that particular life, they would surely welcome that occasional unexpected gift.

I have done a bit of preaching on the topic of giving. In fact, our overseas CZ and SK missionaries appreciate it when someone else takes their pulpit and talks about giving – it takes the burden off them. When I speak on this topic, I naturally go fairly quickly to the Biblical standard, the tithe, where I offer a couple of references and speak a few paragraphs on that standard. Then I move to “first fruits” – the notion that the Israelites were offering the “first fruits” of their harvest, not knowing that further “fruits” would be forthcoming. There I encourage people to make their pledge every week or on the first week of the month, to make their offering their “first fruit”. But finally, I save the best till last – the “widow’s mite”. And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark12:41-44)

No, Carol and I don’t give according to the “widow’s mite” principle. But in our Men’s Group we have had a number of discussions as to how we in the USA should handle our vast resources, both as a nation and individually, especially the reasonably large sums of money that we have built up in our retirement funds. We don’t have any easy answers; we don’t want to be a burden to our children, but what of the huge needs in the world around us? Just musing, wearing my Treasurer’s hat, I guess…

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 8:1-13

For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? (v. 10) I try to stay non-political in these posts and even now I could be speaking of any public figure. Beyond that, yesterday’s news showed Vice President Pence at the Mayo Clinic not wearing a face mask – in spite of the Clinic’s policy that everyone inside the Clinic wear one. Pence claimed that he is tested regularly and that he does not have the virus, so it’s OK for him not to wear a mask. But he is a public figure setting an example for others to follow. Both he and President Trump refuse to wear masks. What are they saying to the general public? I think Paul’s question in verse 10 has complete application today!

Carol was already chatting with me this morning about idols and her trip to India. I hope she posts something on that.

As I type this Rachel is at the hospital in labor, with a realistic expectation of delivering her daughter today. I’m distracted; I’m off.

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 7:25-40

Today is one of the longer readings that we’ve had of late, but it seems to me that it can all be summarized in this one verse: This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord. (v. 35, NASB) I think Paul’s “this” at the beginning of this verse reflects back to verses 32-34a, But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife and his interests are divided. The next verse reflects the same sentiment to the wife, so that Paul is gender-neutral in his advice. So, back to my first statement – in giving his advice Paul is not limiting the Corinthians’ choices; his concern is that they seek the Lord more fully and behave appropriately in their marriage and in the world. It’s good advice for today!

One item of confusion appears in verse 29: But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened… I’ve always been of the mind that Paul thought that Jesus’ return was nearby, especially earlier in his ministry. His letters to the Thessalonians (among the earliest of his epistles) where he discusses the end times seem to support this claim, as do other statements that he makes in other letters. However, even though my Study Bible suggests this as a possibility, it seems to suggest more strongly that Paul is speaking about the persecutions that the Corinthians are suffering. For my part, I think that in the whole of our reading today Paul is expecting that Jesus’ return is coming soon.

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 7:17-24

Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. (v. 21) In the previous verse Paul encourages Christians to live as they were called: Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. (v. 20) But in verse 21 he encourages slaves to seek their freedom, if possible. My Study Bible had a great line for Paul’s change of heart on this matter: “There is nothing wrong with seeking to improve your condition, but be content at every stage.” There is nothing wrong with trying to “get ahead” in life, to be successful at whatever God has called us. But that should never be our driving force!

You were bought with a price… (v. 23a) Paul repeats a sentence from the previous chapter (I Cor. 6:20). It’s a wonderful sentiment to keep foremost in our minds.

Slava Bohu!

I Corinthians 7:1-16

Paul, on giving instructions… The Corinthians have apparently asked Paul some questions that he answers, often beginning with the phrase, “Now concerning…”. That phrase occurs six times in this letter (I Cor. 7:1,25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1,25). In today’s reading he gives his advice in three different manners. In verses 6 and 8 he simply says, “I say…”. However in verses 10 and 12, he offers his famous “I … not I…” quotes. In verse 10 he says, To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord)…, whereas in verse 12 he says, To the rest I say (I, not the Lord…). [The bold is my emphasis added in each of the previous two phrases.] Paul is careful to distinguish his advice from the Lord’s command. I believe it’s the only place in his epistles where we see this construction (an online search supported this conjecture). David has said on a few occasions that he is wary when someone tells him, “The Lord told me…”. But He does speak to us – we need to practice listening!

I’ve always been touched by verse 16: For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? I remember from my youth in our Catholic Church how many wives attended church while their husbands stayed home. We don’t see it so much at St. Andrew’s – more’s the case that husband and wife attend different churches. We knew of a few situations in CZ and SK where one attended and not the other – and the kids were torn between allegiance to the mother or the father. Carol and I have always been grateful that we were both “in the Lord” when we met and that we have agreed on our church affiliation together. There is power in our being and praying together.

And now we get ready for our Sunday morning (videotaped) worship service – with Rachel and Christian joining us from across the driveway! We are blessed!!

Slava Bohu!