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Category: Epistles – Is his letter to our church?

Epistle of Paul to the Romans 1 - the Apostles sends a church letter to Rome and the local saints of area churches
Epistle of Paul to the Romans

Epistles ἐπιστολή or Letters

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians 

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1 CORINTHIANS 

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Letters – Is he writing to me?
The short answer: YES.

In their epistles or 1st century church letters the Apostles and other men sent out by Jesus build up the saints [small – ‘s’] or members of local first century churches.

A Disciple or other witness of JESUS would write it. Messengers then delivered these church letters to many isolated worshipers.

Followers of Jesus Christ receive these letters as a major encouragement to their personal faith. Then leaders read them to worshipers of their church.

Although the Epistles 0r Letters to the Church were originally written to churches of the first century,

Romans through Jude will seem like letters to your 21st century church.

  • What do Peter, Paul, John and others tell us we must do?
  • Is he talking about an issue in your 21st c. church as well?
  • How does the writer’s advice, warning, or encouragement to the 1st c. believers apply to you as well
  • Is the writer of this letter talking about something you need to address in your 21st century ‘christian’ life?

Contemporary Application of the Letters (Epistles)

Most New Testament writers take on specific issues confronting faithful followers of Jesus Christ. These same issues continue to confront believers until the Lord’s coming again in these last days.

Certainly Christ our Lord will come again to those God has chosen for eternal life.

Believers currently suffer more than most of you who know Christ in your local church can imagine.

In other lands Christians continue to suffer by the hand of the ungodly.
Go into all the world

A 21st century Common Era church can see and hear nearly any atrocity of man or artificial imagination of sinful man’s mind, yet ‘christians‘ dare not speak of any absolute truth of the Lord God or talk of JESUS CHRIST.

Will YOU comment on Scripture and share the Gospel?

I invite you to read the inspired word of Scripture written in these LETTERS TO THE CHURCH.

YES, He IS writing to YOU.

Beloved brother or sister in Christ Jesus,

Will you read this ‘CHURCH LETTER’ and talk of JESUS through your comment, sharing and email to me about this ‘Letter to you?”

Roger@talkofJesus.com

  • ANNOUNCEMENT of the Testimony of GOD

    ANNOUNCEMENT of the Testimony of GOD

    And when I came to you, brethren, came not in excellency of word, or wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God.

    1 Corinthians 2:1 DBY

    Further rebuke of CHRISTIAN MINISTERS

    Google Earth map near Corinth. "We preach Christ Crucified

    The Apostle Paul begins NOT with a reminder of his considerable credentials but with an apologia for God’s evidence in Christ crucified and risen.

    1 Corinthians 2:

    I did not come with superiority of word or of wisdom [sophia]..

    Superiority, (elevation, pre-eminence, excellence in) Wisdom would have been what many Hellenists in Corinth might have expected in Paul.

    Note that the Apostle’s approach of rebuke of his Corinthian ‘brothers’ in the faith relies ONLY on the Authority of Almighty God. NOT speech (logos), NOT of wisdom [sophia], but an ANNOUNCEMENT and PROCLAIMATION.

    proclaiming to you the witness of God.

    καταγγέλλω – katangellō –

    to announce, declare, promulgate, make known, to proclaim publicly, publish

    Strong’s G2605 – katangellō – BlueLetterBible.org

    AND shortly Paul will ask these Corinthian believers:

    For who among men knows the depths of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?

    1 Corinthians 2:11a LSB

    Even so the depths of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

    testimony – μαρτύριον – martyrion

    The APOSTLE of the RISEN CHRIST JESUS is providing ‘something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle):—to be testified, testimony, witness.

    Paul has already written his thanks to God for the Corinthians, ‘even as the witness G3142 about Christ was confirmed in you – 1 Cor 1:6

    DO YOU FEAR GOD?

    Here is my testimony as Christ's apostle to you, my Corinthian brothers and sisters in the Lord:

    Jesus Christ, and Him crucified

    And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power..

    Listen to some of the descriptions Paul uses here for their condition:

    • WEAKNESS of the body: its native weakness and frailty, feebleness of health or sickness
    • of the soul: want of strength and capacity requisite
      • to understand a thing
      • to do things great and glorious
      • to restrain corrupt desires
      • to bear trials and troubles
    • φόβος – phobos – FEAR, dread, terror
    • MUCH TREMBLING
      • quaking with fear
      • with fear and trembling, used to describe the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements,
        • but religiously does his utmost to fulfil his duty
    Does this description of the Apostle Paul (who rebukes these Corinthians) resemble the pastoral approach of the ministers of YOUR church in any way?

    for ministers mature in Christ

    Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.

    1 Corinthians 2:6 NLT – Paul’s ‘word to the wise,’ mature ministers of God’s word

    Jesus taught followers to be mature

    “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

    “And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

    “Therefore you are to be perfect G5046, as your heavenly Father is perfect G5046.

    Gospel of Matthew 5:38 LSB

    Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete G5046, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

    Matthew 19:21 LSB

    PAUL writes to the Corinthians who are MATURE ministers of the Lord to “be PERFECT,” become COMPLETE in your TESTIMONY of GOD.

    the Mystery of God’s Wisdom

    No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, (we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery ) which He destined for our glory before time began.

    8 None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 Rather, as it is written:

    “No eye has seen,

    no ear has heard,

    no heart has imagined,

    what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

    Isaiah 64:4

    But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.
    The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

    1 Corinthians 2:10 Berean Study Bible

    How are mature ministers of God different?

    The relationship of God and Man can become a Spirit to spirit love in Christ our Lord.

    14 The natural [psychikos] person does not accept the things of the Spirit [pneuma ] of God, for they are folly [foolishness] to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. – ESV

    We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

    And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

    1 Corinthians 2:12-13 BSB

    Natural human? OR Spiritual minister?

    • a natural man [anthrōpos] does not accept the depths of the Spirit of God
    • 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.

    The Apostle again returns to the Prophet Isaiah:

    16“For who has known the mind of the Lord [LORD or kyrios – ],

    he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord

    so as to instruct Him?” 

    The APOSTLE here rebukes ministers of the church to be complete or mature in the Lord Jesus Christ:

    But we have the mind of Christ.

    1 Corinthians 2:16b BSB 
    Paul will later mention Peter's testimony (1 Cor 15).

    Christ Crucified AND Risen!

    Then He opened their minds G3563 to understand the Scriptures…

    Gospel of Luke 24:45 LSB

    Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God..

    11 He tends His flock like a shepherd;

    He gathers the lambs in His arms

    and carries them close to His heart.

    He gently leads the nursing ewes.

    Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

    or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand?

    Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

    or weighed the mountains on a scale

    and the hills with a balance?

    Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD *,

    or informed Him as His counselor?

    Isaiah 40:13 BSB
    *Or mind of the LORD in the Septuagint (LXX)

    NEXT: Meat for Ministers

    and Milk for New Babes

    and we — we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly — as to babes in Christ..

    1 Corinthians 2:16b-3:1 – Young’s Literal Translation

    Talk of JESUS . com

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

  • Rebuke of ministers that perish without the Cross

    Rebuke of ministers that perish without the Cross

    For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

    1 Corinthians 1:11 KJV
    Contentions (from the KJV) 

    Sounds rather serious doesn't it?

    1 Corinthians 1 – Contentions between Christians

    In our previous look at Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians we looked at the REPORT from Chloe’s household and the Apostle’s brief summary.

    NO Divisions in our Church ?
    ἔρις – ἔρις, er’-is; of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling:—contention, debate, strife, variance.

    What will Paul do about such serious contentions over ministers and teaching in distant Corinth?

    Before we proceed with Paul’s Apostolic approach, let’s briefly clarify terms of WHO ARE WE talking about.

    ὑπηρέτης – hypēretēs – Ministers of Christ

    Who is Paul addressing?

    Certain Corinthian church members must have wondered, “Is HE writing to ME?” 

    Later in his Epistle the Apostle appeals:

    Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers G5257 of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

    1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV

    SOME of us resist the role to which God calls us in Christ.

    Roger@TalkofJesus.com

    A minister [ὑπηρέτης] from this context and application is a SERVANT

    1. an underrower, subordinate rower
      • (Picture Paul and other prisoners later rowing a Roman ship toward Rome.)
    2. any one who serves with hands: a servant
    3. any one who aids another in any work
      • an assistant
      • of the preacher of the gospel

    I might add that certain servants had the authority of Roman governors or military leaders to judge men under their jurisdiction and prescribe punishments.

    The wisdom of the cross and Christian ministers – Rebuke

    Problem #1 - Paul reiterated the report of divisions over Christian ministers.

    NOW the Apostle will REBUKE the Corinthian church divisions over Christian ministers.
    ἐπιτιμάω – Rebuke

    LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath,

    And do not punish me in Your burning anger.

    Psalm 38:1 NASB20

    Better is open rebuke

    Than love that is concealed.

    Proverbs 27:5 NASB20

    Jesus said to his disciples, “Stumbling blocks are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

    Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.

    Gospel of Luke 17:1,3 NET
    Paul's attack by the Jews and trial in Corinth took place here in AD 51.
    Ruins of the synagogue in Corinth

    Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

    Paul’s Rebuke of the Church

    For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but to us who are saved, it is the power of God.

    1 Corinthians 1:18 – Noah Webster’s 1833 Bible.

    PREACHING

    The above 19th century English translation by Noah Webster of a 17th century King James Version, which also begins verse 1:18, "For the preaching of the cross...

    19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

    WISDOM is a BIG THING to Greek thinking.

    Pastor, Preacher or Minister?

    Many prefer to think of ‘Preachers’ as ‘Pastors.’

    A popular 20th century title for both was ‘MINISTER.‘

    In fact, some English Bibles begin 1 Corinthians 1:18,

    For the message of the cross..

    OR more true to Paul’s A.D first century Greek,

    For the word of the cross…

    1:18  Ὁ λόγος γὰρ ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῖς μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία ἐστίν τοῖς δὲ σῳζομένοις ἡμῖν δύναμις θεοῦ ἐστιν

    λόγος logos https://www.blueletterbible.org/web/1co/1/1/t_conc_1063018

    I can’t help but recalling the opening of John’s Gospel.

    The logos of Christ's Cross FOOLISHNESS?

    The Apostle continues rhetorically asking WHO among you seeks some other WISDOM than Christ?

    • Where is the wise?
    • where is the scribe?
    • where is the disputer of this world?

    hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

    Paul’s answer:

    For when in the wisdom [sophia] of God [theos] the world [kosmos] by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

    1 Corinthians 1:21 WEB

    Signs and Sophia

    Just as Paul’s WISDOM passages point to the Hellenists [GREEK-thinking] of the Empire, the Apostle’s earlier reference to the Scribes points specifically to the JEWS.

    “This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also shall the Son of man be to this generation.

    Gospel of Luke 29:11b-12

    Paul points to BOTH, in that some JEWS and some GREEKS in the Corinthian church DO NOT believe.

    For the Jews require a sign,

    and the Greeks seek wisdom:

    But to them who are called, 

    Not ALL are called who gather in the Corinthian Church (or in yours).

    both Jews and Greeks,

    Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

    but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness - 1 Corinthians 1:23a

    Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

    That no flesh should glory in his presence.

    The Apostle Paul's REBUKE of Christian MINISTERS begins here.

    Glory Only in the Lord

    1 Corinthians 1:26- NKJV

    For [consider] your calling, brethren, that

    • not many wise according to the flesh,
    • not many mighty,
    • not many [well-born] noble,

    are called. 

    What think you, 21st century common era evangelical, of Paul's humbling rebuke?

    27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the [insignificant or lowly] base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen,

    and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

    30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

    NEXT: Further rebuke of CHRISTIAN MINISTERS.

    Paul will continue his rebuke of the wayward throughout his first epistle to the Corinthians up to Cor. 4:5.
    Headings from the NKJV
    • Christ Crucified
    • Spiritual Wisdom
    • Sectarianism Is Carnal
    • Watering, Working, Warning
    • Avoid Worldly Wisdom
    • Stewards of the Mysteries of God

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

  • NO Divisions in our Church ?

    NO Divisions in our Church ?

    I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other.

    Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

    1 Corinthians 1:10 New Living Translation

    ‘IMPOSSIBLE !’ you say. Impossible in Corinth.. and certainly impossible in our local Common Era Church.

    This is the challenge of the Apostle in his exhortation for the Corinthians who Paul has addressed so graciously in his introduction.

    1 Corinthians 1 – 4

    The Apostle’s approach, translated variously in 1 Corinthians 1:10 sets both the tone and outline of his epistle:

    • Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.. – KJV
    • Now I plead with you.. – NKJV
    • I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.. – NLT
    • Now I urge you, brothers and sisters.. – CSB
    • Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you.. – 1 Cor 10a LSB

    παρακαλέω – parakaleō – Lexicon :: Strong’s G3870 – parakaleō

    to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):—beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.

    How to sustain a CHURCH in the Gospel

    Paul loves these people of the Corinthian church to whom the apostle writes from Ephesus.

    He is beholden to this church he started across the Aegean in a city embracing every imaginable sin – Corinth, where many Greeks and some Jews received the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit through his witness.

    SO HOW IS PAUL TO APPROACH THESE CORINTHIANS SIMPLY BY SENDING A LETTER TO THEIR CHURCH?

    Corinth is a large administrative capital where important policies of ROME must be managed wisely every day.

    Even well-educated Roman Centurions and well-to-do families recognized the benefits of applying a Greek-style wisdom and logic to the goals of their everyday lives.

    The Jews and their religious traditions have an acceptable presence in Corinth as well.

    ANSWER:
    "The Wisdom of the Cross Purifies and Unites Believers, the Wisdom of the World Pollutes and Divides." 
    - Kress Biblical Resources Overview Outline of 
    1 Corinthians

    The Wisdom of the Cross

    TODAY we will examine Paul's initial approach ONLY from the beginning of 1 Corinthians.

    The Apostle will address more relationships of Christians and the CROSS later in his epistle, but Paul begins with the ROLES of certain people (ministers).

    The wisdom of the cross and Christian ministers

    Problem #1

    For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.

    1 Corinthians 1:11 LSB

    Rumor?

    Hearsay?

    YOU heard THAT about OUR church?

    A.D. 55 – the Corinthian Church

    What is evident here is that the Apostle has been and is in communication with this church he started back in Corinth. His sources are both reliable and concerned for the right outcomes of their church ministry.

    Kress Biblical Resources provides a helpful outline of Paul's approach to this problem of CHURCH QUARRELS.

    The Apostles first states
    • the report of divisions over Christian ministers, THEN
    • rebukes their divisions over Christian ministers, and finally
    • Paul provides the remedy for divisions over Christian ministers 
    ἔρις quarrels

    BEWARE, Christian leader (minister), these divisions could divide and conquer a church once faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ.

    ἔρις éris, er'-is; of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling:—contention, debate, strife, variance.
    Note the gravity of some headings from 1 Corinthians:
    • Sectarianism Is Sin – NKJV
    • Divisions in the Church – ESV
    • Taking Sides – Contemporary English Version
    • A Church Divided Over Leaders – NIV
    A.D. 49 – Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians

    Paul, in writing to the Galatians six years ago back in A.D. 49 included the same Greek word, translated as ‘strife,’ in a list of what NOT to do.

    Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 5:19-21 LSB

    Whether is was the ‘foolish‘ Galatians, these Corinthians or YOUR CHURCH, quarreling and strife are serious challenges of the flesh which work against ministers of the Gospel.

    Paul contrasts OUR expected behavior to such foolish quarrels.

    Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

    Galatians 5:24 LSB

    1 Corinthians 1:10-

    Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 1:12 NKJV

    https://talkofjesus.com/apollos-and-paul-apostles-crossing-paths

    Note Paul’s list from divisions include Christ in addition to Peter and Apollos, the powerful preacher who had followed Paul in Corinth.

    The Apostle then asks:

    • Has Christ been divided?
    • Was Paul crucified for you?
    • Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

    ALL with the same implication for Peter or Apollos or whatever PREACHER they might follow in the place of CHRIST.

    Paul disavows any loyalty to any other than Christ, taking no side of any Corinthian (or any other) claimant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Paul’s summary of the Corinthian Report

    I thank God that I baptized none of you…

    Paul mentions a recalled exception [v.14] of Crispus, Gaius, and [v.16] also the household of Stephanas which mentions later in his epistle.

    For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom or words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

    gar christos apostellō me ou baptizō alla euangelizō ou en sophia logo ina mē ho stauros christos kenoō

    1 Corinthians 1:17  οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλέν με Χριστὸς βαπτίζειν ἀλλ᾽ εὐαγγελίζεσθαι οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου ἵνα μὴ κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρὸς τοῦ Χριστοῦ

    Again, the context of Corinth is Greek as an international language and philosophy of an authoritarian ROMAN EMPIRE which created the culture of the Corinthians and Judeans and everybody else.

    NEXT, God-willing, the Apostle’s rebuke of ministers

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