Search The Scriptures —Study 22— Psalm 30

Study 22 From The Psalms is:  Psalm 30

1.      From what danger had God delivered David? What indications are there the danger had been very great? What was David’s state of mind (a) before the danger, (b) during its presence, and (c) after he was delivered from it?

2.       In regard to his experience, to what conclusions does David come about (a) the salutary effects of the afflictions, and (b) the purpose for which he had been delivered? What can he now do that he could not do in the same way before?  Cf. 2 Cor. 1:8-11

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14— 1 Corinthians 16

Study 14 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 16

With this study we end the book of 1 Corinthians. The next study will take us once again to the Psalms

1.      Verse 1: ‘The contribution for the saints’. Paul was concerned about a fund which he had initiated among the Gentile churches to aid the poor of the church in Jerusalem.  What may we learn from his practical directions about the collections and sending of this money?

2.      What may we learn from this chapter about the plans, movement and ministry of Christian workers? How may we help such more effectively to do ‘the work of the Lord’?

3.      How were the five commands of verses 13, 14 particularly relevant for the church at Corinth as we know it from this letter? Let me also examine my own life in order to discover in what ways I, too need to heed these commands.   

               

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13— 1 Corinthians 15: 35-58

Study 13 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

1.      What does the analogy of the seed suggest about the relation between our present natural body and our future spiritual body? In what ways will the latter be different from the former? What does verse 38b also imply?

2.      What will take place when Christ comes again? Cf. 1 Thes. 4:13 -18. In view of this, what should be the character of our present life and service?

Notes  

Verse 36. Resurrection in Paul’s view is not a strange thing, but is embedded in the heart of God’s creative plan, both in nature and in grace.

Verse 49. ‘The image of the man of heaven’ signifies the likeness of Christ in His glorified body.  It is this likeness that we are to share.  Cf. Rom. 8:29; Phil 3:20, 21; 1 Jn. 3:2.

Verse 51. ‘We’ means ‘we Christians’. Some will be alive when Christ comes. 

   

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12— 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Study 12 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

One group at Corinth did not believe in life after death at all, another did not believe in the resurrection of the body. In this classic passage Paul deals with both groups.

1. What strikes you about the content and the proclamation of the gospel as summarized in verses 1-4? What benefit does it offer to men, and how is this benefit to be enjoyed? Cf. 1 Tim. 1:15.
2. What is the significance of the evidence which Paul marshals in verses 5-11 for the resurrection of Christ? What for Christians are the five far-reaching consequences of denying the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead? See verses 12-19.  Does death set any limit to your hope in Christ?
3. What are to be the full and final consequences of the resurrection of Christ? Of what ultimate consummation is it the promise and pledge? Why are Christians able triumphantly to face death for Christ’s sake?

Notes

1. Verse 28.  No change in the eternal relations between the Persons of the Trinity in meant here. It is the Son’s willing subjection in love.  Cf. 11:3.
2. Verse 29.  The meaning of this reference is uncertain. What is obviously implied is that the practice mentioned is pointless if there is no life beyond death.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — 1 Corinthians 14

Study 11 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 14

1.      Try to form a mental picture of the church’s worship in Corinth. In what ways did it differ from the Church’s worship today? Did it include any features, no longer familiars, which it would be good to see restored?

2.      What two principles should govern the conduct of public worship and of church gatherings? How did Paul apply these principles in his directions about public worship in Corinth?

3.      Many in the church at Corinth seem to have coveted speaking with tongues.  What assessment does Paul make of this gift? What was Paul’s counsel to those eager for manifestations of the Spirit? Which gift do you earnestly desire?

Notes: Verse 3. Prophecy might include foretelling of the future (Acts 11:28), but was more normally a forthelling of God’s will for present ‘upbuilding’ and encouragement and consolation’.  In contrast to an unintelligible ‘tongue’ it was readily understandable and practically relevant to the hearers.

    

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The Scriptures —Study 10 — 1 Corinthians 13

Study 10 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 13

The Apostle has urged the believers at Corinth to be zealous to possess the more excellent of the gifts (12:31), but before going on to explain what he means by this (chapter 14), he pauses to point out that spiritual gifts are of profit only when exercised in love.

1.      Verses 1-3. Why is love so all-important? In what ways does Paul show further in verses 8-13 that love is greater than all other gifts? How may it find expression in my life? Cf. 1 Jn. 4:7, 12; Gal. 5:22, 23.

2.      In verses 4-7 there are fifteen ways of describing love. Write them in a column and then try to put opposite each a single word summarizing it, and, if possible, an incident in Jesus’s life illustrating it. Then ask yourself: is this found in me?

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The Scriptures —Study 9 — 1 Corinthians 12

Study 9 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 12

1.      List the different kinds of gift and of service which Paul mentions in this chapter. On what principle are they given, and for what purpose? What responsibility does the possession of such a gift put upon the person who has it?

2.      Consider how the character of the human body illustrates both the unity and the diversity of the Church.  What other lessons does the apostle draw from this illustration?   

Note.  Verse 1-3.  The necessary and decisive test of the presence of the Spirit of God in those exercising spiritual gifts is loyalty to Jesus as Lord. Cf. I Jn. 4:1-3.

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The Scriptures —Study 8 — 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

Study 8 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

This chapter deals with tow irregularities in public worship.  The first concerns the proper way for women to dress when they take part in public worship.  The second concerns unchristian behaviour at the social meal, which was the occasion of the observance of the Lord Supper.

1.      What were the arguments that Paul brought forward to insist that in Corinth women should be veiled in public worship? How far are these arguments of permanent validity? May their application vary where prevailing social customs differ from those of Paul’s day? 

2.      What (according to verses 23-26) is the central significance of the Lord’s Supper?  What were the causes of some receiving it unworthily?  See verses 17-22 and 27-32.  How can we make our reception more worthy?

Notes

1.      Verse 10. ‘Because of the angels’: Christian worship was probably regarded as conducted in their presence and open to their view.

2.      Verse 10. The veil was both a symbol of authority, reminding the woman that her husband was her head, and also a sign of her modesty and chastity, for no respectable woman was seen without one in Corinth at that time.                            

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The Scriptures —Study 7— 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1

Study 7 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1

1.      10:1-13. The people of Israel, who came out of Egypt, enjoyed similar privileges to those of Christians.  What lessons then can we learn from their failures?   Why is the inevitability of temptation no occasion for despair? 

2.      Paul distinguishes between eating in an idol temple (verse 14:22), and eating meats bought in the market, which had been offered before an idol (verses 23-30). Why does he condemns the former, but permit the latter, except in the circumstances of verses 28, 29?  What principles does he lay down, in conclusions, to guide Christians in all such matters?

    

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6— 1 Corinthians 8 and 9

Study 6 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is:1 Corinthians 8 and 9

The Church in Corinth had asked about the eating of food which had been offered before an idol. Picture yourself as a Christian in Corinth, invited to a social banquet in a temple, or seated as a guest in the house of a non-Christian friend, and offered food which had been resented in sacrifice to an idol. 

1.      8:1-13. Using the knowledge of truth as their sole guide (such truth as is stated in verses 4-6), what decision did the Corinthians come to about eating food offered to Idols? Did Paul agree?  List the reasons why he also says that in certain circumstances he would abstain from such eating.

2.      9:1-27. What basic principles which should govern Christian action does Paul here illustrate from his own conduct? In particular what rights does he show Christian workers to have, and what are his reasons for not using them?

Notes

1.      8:12 ‘Wounding… when it is weak’: note the contrast. What requires tender handling is brutally treated.  Cf. 9:22.  ‘The weak’: i.e, those whose grasp of Christian truth is feeble and who are timid in exercising their liberty in Christ. Cf. Rom. 14:1-3.

2.      8:13. This declaration is conditional and personal, not absolute and general. The significance of this should not be overlooked. Cf. 10:27-30.

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