I Corinthians 12:1-31 Yesterday my comments had to do with the Sacramental Stream in our Three Streams theology. Today it is the Spirit Stream – specifically the gifts of the Spirit. There were some real hesitations in our Men’s Group’s initial discussions of the Spirit Stream. Changing the wording to “Spirit-filled Stream” helped a bit. …
Category Archives: RTB 2021 – New Testament
August 27 / I Cor. 11:23-34
I Corinthians 11:23-34 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (v. 26) As I read today’s reading I picture myself at St. Andrew’s during our Eucharistic celebration. I see the host being lifted and Jay speaking Jesus’ words, then the same for the …
August 26 / I Cor. 11:1-22
I Corinthians 11:1-22 When Paul wrote today’s section, I get the sense that the whole issue of headcovering was associated with the worship service, not day-to-day public affairs. Today’s church is different – headcovering seems not to be an issue. It was, however, when I was growing up – women covered their heads at church. …
August 25 / I Cor. 10:1-33
I Corinthians 10:1-33 But if someone says to you, “This [meat] has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you… (v. 28) My Study Bible had the following comment on this verse: “If the meat has been identified as meat sacrificed to idols and you …
August 24 / I Cor. 9:1-27
I Corinthians 9:1-27 When I spoke of giving in my comments last year (in the first link below), I left out the most demanding standard – the “rich, young ruler”: Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. (Luke 18:22b) The contrast …
August 23 / I Cor. 8:1-13
I Corinthians 8:1-13 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. (v. 8) Substitute “beer” for food and “drink” for eat and we have a current issue among some very conservative Christians. I have sometimes wondered if my drinking …
August 22 / I Cor. 7:20-40
I Corinthians 7:20-40 The married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife… [and] …the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. (vv. 33, 34b) I am constantly amazed (and pleased) as to how Carol works to make life better for me – to see to it …
August 21 / I Cor. 7:1-19
To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (vv. 8-9) I have often wondered why priests in the Catholic Church are not married (a whole other discussion!) …
August 20 / I Cor. 6:1-20
I Corinthians 6:1-20 Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? (v. 7b) Paul spoke of greed and cheating (swindling) in yesterday’s reading. In today’s Chapter 6, one begins to wonder if Paul was clearly pointing a finger at particular people in the Corinthian congregation when he mentions suffering wrong and being defrauded …
August 19 / I Cor. 5:1-13
I Corinthians 5:1-13 For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival… (vv. 7b-8a) As many times as I’ve read this epistle, I never saw this connection, from our Sunday service: “Alleluia! Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed, once for all upon the cross. Therefore let us keep the …