Women of Firm Faith

Verses 1-10, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor,...

Verses 1-8, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” The older I get, the more I can relate to this verse about desiring our new heavenly bodies. And even if you are still young and cannot relate to this physically (yet), th...

Verses 1-6, “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Recognizing that this ministry was ordained by God,  Paul is not going to lose heart and become cowardly in approaching to h...

Verses 1-6, “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others , epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Paul is asking if he needs to defend his ministry again. Or as other apostles would bring along a letter to validate their ministry, does he need to do that as well? This would be similar to a letter of recommendation, only of spiritual qualifications, not ear...

Verses 1-3, “But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the  joy of you all.”   The letter Paul wrote was out of love for the Corinthians, but was anguishing for him to write. Choosing to send a letter rather than return to visit them on his way back through from Macedonia, was to avoid another occurrence of the first visit. We can assume that the first visit was troubling for Paul, being their spiritual father so to speak. It was probably painful to see the church in the state it was in, requiring him to rebuke them harshly for their errors. Much the same as when we are grieved when someone close to us goes astray (like our children), causing the nee...

Paul began his letter by reminding the Corinthians of his position of authority in their lives, that was given to Him by the will of God...his apostleship. It is sad how he needs to defend his ministry with them, because there are those among the flock who want to backbite and cause division within the body. I guess there is nothing new under the sun because this could describe what we see in churches today. It is funny how people avoid addressing sin in the church because that would be "judging" and cause divisions, but bringing the Word of Truth into people's lives is exactly what needs to happen for the health of the body. Dividing over doctrine is not a bad thing. It is when we divide over carnal, sensual things that it is shameful; and purposefully sow discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet th...

Verses 1-4, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.”   Paul is answering questions the Corinthians had regarding the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. He is speaking with authority when he tells them he ordered the same from the church in Galatia, and is now ordering them as well. There is an expectation from the true believer to be giving to those who are truly in need. I John 3:17, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” If one has the ability to work, then th...

Verses 12-19, “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” The Corinthians knew that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, but evidently some were under the impression that they did not. That being the case, then what would be the point of the labor and suffering and persucutions we endure fo...

This chapter begins and ends with the exhortation to desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesy, and makes a clear distinction between two gifts that involve speaking: tongues and prophesy. Why is prophesy especially desirable? One answer can be found in Verse 24, “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.” Prophesy is spoken to men and can edify everyone, believer and unbeliever alike. It is more fruitful for us to prophesy, because the whole church can benefit from it. This doesn't mean that tongues are useless and you shouldn’t pray for them, though. Paul says he wishes that ALL the Corinthians spoke in tongues and that he’s thankful to God that he speaks in tongues more than all of them. They simple edify the person speaking rather than the whole church, unless there is someone present who can interpret. If others cannot understand what the speaker is saying, they are...

Verses 8-12, “Love never fails. But whether there  are prophecies, they will fail; whether there  are tongues, they will cease; whether there  is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”   Some Bible scholars will use Verse 10 of this chapter as evidence that spiritual gifts have been done away with. They interpret the words... that which is perfect ...to mean the New Testament rather than Jesus. If you read Verses 9-12 in context, it is easy to see that God gives us partial knowledge through the Spirit, but our understanding is still limited.  When we get to be with J...

Verses 1-3, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” Spiritual gifts in the church have been a hot topic for debate. Some believe that these gifts are not for today. Others are so zealous for gifts that they chase after spiritual experiences even if they don't line up with the word of God, causing others to doubt their authenticity. We could just walk away and pretend like they aren't important or remain in the dark so to speak, but the Bible specifically tells us NOT to be ignorant in this area and to earnestly desire these gifts. Verse 31, “But earnestly desire the best gifts...” Now the thought of spiritual gifts may frighten you a bit...some gifts more than others. I had a...

Verses 1-2, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.”   Paul begins this chapter by sarcastically praising the Corinthians for keeping the traditions (Apostolic teachings) that were handed down to them. We know this is sarcasm because he reveals two such teachings that are not being kept: one dealing with the order of authority and their departure from the proper roles of men and women in the church, and the other in their partaking of communion in an unworthy manner. However, it is the nature of man to elevate himself for perceived obedience in one area, while completely ignoring his disobedience in others. Then he judges others by the one area in which he obeys. Verses 3-10, “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his hea...

Verses 1-5, “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.”   The Israelites were God's chosen people who were protected and provided for by God, and witnessed miracles performed by God, but most of them did not make it into the promised land because of the hardness of their hearts. In fact, only two grown men who left Egypt, Joshua and Caleb, got to see it. These examples were written for our admonition, or strong warning, so that we can see how they fell short and be on guard. We need to avoid the same failures in order to enter into our promised rest.  So how exactly did they ...

Verses 1-7, “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we have no right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?” Paul feels the need to defend his calling and his position of authority among the Corinthians, due to the fact that he is being examined by others. Ironically, his decision to not take support from the church, which should have earned him even more respect, has done the opposite causing his legitimacy as an apostle ...

Verses 1-3, “Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.”   In this chapter, we see the difference between acting on love and acting on knowledge. The results are completely different. One puffs up, whereas the other edifies. Knowledge IS important though. We are told to grow in the knowledge of our Lord so we won't be destroyed by unstable people who twist scriptures. II Peter 3:17-18, “...beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”   The key here is to grow in the knowledge of our Lord, not to grow in pride or in the wisdom of man, which is foolishness to God. After all, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning...

Verses 8-11, “But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.” Paul is writing here to the single and the married. Having most likely experienced both states himself, he can see the benefits of both situations. Although Paul is currently unmarried, in Jewish custom it was looked down upon if you did not marry, because they considered it their duty. They evidently took Genesis 2:18 literally when the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone...” . It is also assumed, based on Acts 26, that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish governing body of authority, ...

Verses 1-4, “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?”   The Corinthians were presuming to be so wise, yet there was no one they trusted to judge disputes between brethren.  Instead they would rather put their future in the hands of a heathen judge. Knowing that those who are saved will one day reign with Jesus, judging the world and angels, we are certainly capable of judging the less important earthly matters according to God's word. Our society is so caught up in their rights, but to do this displays an utter failure in our f...

Verses 1-5, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”   Although we are NOT to judge a man's stewardship and service to God which we read in Chapter 4, this does not mean we are supposed to turn a blind eye to sin in the church. Commonly, the person in darkness will not want their sin exposed by the light of the truth and might cry...