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 

Don’t  miss our recent FEATURED SERIES

JUNE 2024 – 2025 —

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

  • Abide in Marriage, Singleness and Christ – 1 Corinthians 7

    Abide in Marriage, Singleness and Christ – 1 Corinthians 7

    If I could offer just one word of advice for married life of the saints in Christ it would be, “abide.”

    It’s a rather archaic word once defining the lives of those living in Jesus Christ.

    The Apostle Paul uses abide as many times in his first letter to the Corinthian Church, as does the Apostle John quoting the Lord Jesus in his Gospel.

    Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

    Gospel of John 15:4 KJV – quote of the Lord Jesus to his disciples (followers)

    Abide

    Recall the lyrics of Abide With Me, an A.D. 19th c. Christian hymn for eventide:
    .. Where is death’s sting? 
    Where, grave, thy victory?
    I triumph still,
    if Thou abide with me..

    μένω – menōabide

    1. to REMAIN, abide
      • in reference to place; sojourn, tarry
      • without departing, continue to be present be held continually
      • in reference to time; not to perish, to last, endure, survive
      • in reference to state or condition; to remain as one,
        • not to become another or different (as Paul uses it here)
    2. to wait for, await one (as with Christ our Lord returning for His saints)
    Source definition (paraphrased with comment): Lexicon :: Strong's G3306 - menō BlueLetterBible.org 

    1 Corinthians 7:

    Last time we studied some context of the Apostle’s letter to the church in Corinth, including a man reported for his well-known sexual sin.

    With a little overlap into 1 Corinthians 7, Paul presents a case to the Corinthians to NOT defer judgment of CHURCH MEMBERS to the jurisdiction of their Corinthianized civil courts.

    The Apostle could have asked the Corinthians caught-up in the sins of their local idolatry the same question as he asked the men of Lystra who wanted to worship Paul and Silas.

    Men, why are you doing these things?


    Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

    It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

    1 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV

    Let's not get hung up too much on our Common Era worldly focus of SEX, but this specifically was the sin of a Corinthian church member sleeping with his father's wife and certainly sexual sin was a common temptation to others.
    SEE the helpful outline (adapted from Dextor Sammons) of ALL of Paul's First Letter below:
    • INTRODUCTION (1Cr 1:1-9)
    • (4) PROBLEMS REPORTED BY THE HOUSE OF CHLOE (1Cr 1:10-6:20)
      • FACTIONS IN THE CHURCH (1Cr 1:1-4:21)
      • SEXUAL IMMORALITY (1Cr 5:1-13)
      • LAWSUITS AMONG BRETHREN (1Cr 6:1-11)
      • MORAL DEFILEMENTS (1Cr 6:12-20)
    Paul has already addressed SOME of the problems reported by Chloe's household.

    NOW the Apostle will specifically address issues from the letter he received.

    Seven issues about which the Corinthians wrote to Paul

    • (7) PROBLEMS MENTIONED IN THE LETTER FROM CORINTH (1Cr 7:1-16:9)
      • MARRIAGE & CELIBACY (1Cr 7:1-40)
      • EATING MEATS SACRIFICED TO IDOLS (1Cr 8:1-11:1)
      • WOMEN PRAYING AND PROPHESYING WITH HEADS UNCOVERED (1Cr 11:2-16)
      • THE LORD’S SUPPER (1Cr 11:17-34)
      • SPIRITUAL GIFTS (1Cr 12:1-14:40)
      • RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD (1Cr 15:1-58)

    Therefore, in answer to these reports Paul writes TO CORRECT SINFUL PRACTICES AND REFUTE FALSE DOCTRINE

    Source:


    Abide in Singleness

    Again, don't be put off by divisive denominational characterizations of celibacy used in this outline, the KJV and other translations.

    καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ γυναικὸς μὴ ἅπτεσθαι· – 1 Cor 7:1b

    It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

    Paul addresses an age-old issue that’s been around ever since Adam said to Eve, “Baby, yo fo me!”

    The world both then and now does not view such natural urges as temptations to natural sin but rather as a part of everyday life in Corinth or your hometown.

    Celibacy is NOT natural, for if it was we would have no generations.

    to fasten one’s self to, adhere to, cling to

    By our natural inclinations, not so different from 'abide' with another.

    Notice the further common meanings of ἅπτομαι:

    1. to touch
    2. of carnal intercourse with a woman or cohabitation
    3. of levitical practice of having no fellowship with heathen practices. Things not to be touched appear to be both women and certain kinds of food, so celibacy and abstinence of certain kinds of food and drink are recommended.
    4. to touch, assail anyone

    Abide in Marriage

    Paul also asks Christians to abide in Marriage in his letter to the Ephesians

    In writing to the Corinthians the Apostle commands:

    Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

    1 Corinthians 7:2 NKJV

    Paul points to Marriage for those who cannot keep celibate as a solution. (Though of course adultery and fornication of married men and women are sins as well.)

    To translate Paul's letter with more clarity and expand on the Apostle's advice from the New International Version:

    2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

    Power in Relationship

    The Apostle has earlier stated:

    all things are lawful for me, but I will G1850 ➔ not be brought under the power G1850 of any.

    1 Corinthians 6:12b KJV

    Now pointing to have full and entire authority over the body or to hold the body subject to one’s will Paul states (controversially, to our Common Era liberated thinking):

    The wife hath G1850 ➔ not power G1850 of her own body, but the husband:

    and likewise also the husband hath G1850 ➔ not power G1850 of his own body, but the wife.

    1 Corinthians 7:4 KJV

    YET the Apostle instructs these men tempted toward fornication and adultery that each man’s WIFE has power and authority over the MAN’s body.


    a Relational Solution to Sexual Temptation

    Defraud ye not one the other..

    1 Corinthians 7:5a KJV – apostereō

    STRONG ADMONITION from the KJV to both husband and wife; although Paul suggests an exception for fasting and prayer, he quickly continues:

    and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

    1 Corinthians 7:5a NKJV


    Although Satan certainly defrauds men and women in many other areas of our flesh and tempting thoughts other than eros, Paul points to this specific challenge to the men of the CHURCH in Corinth.

    Greek religion in Ancient Corinth also included the worship of Aphrodite, Venus to the Romans, the Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, passion and procreation. Aphrodite was worshipped in her magnificent sanctuary on the top of the Acrocorinth…

    statue of Greek goddess of love Aphrodite seated on a rock

    According to Strabo, a first century Greek geographer, philosopher and historian, 1,000 courtesans were available to attract visitors, which also ensured the riches of the sanctuary. In this respect, public prostitution was integrated within Corinthian religion and culture to the extent that it was not uncommon to hear public prayers that appealed to the gods for more prostitutes. – source


    Widowed or Single

    a brief suggestion of celibacy 

    Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.

    7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

    1 Corinthians 7:6-7 ESV

    Paul is single. Peter and many of the Apostles are married. Most of the men of Corinth are married, with some having been widowed (who Paul calls 'unmarried').

    I say therefore to the unmarried and widows,

    It is good for them if they abide even as I.

    But if they cannot contain (be self-controlled), let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

    1 Corinthians 7:8-9 KJV


    The Apostle has begun answering concerns of a letter from Corinth. Now Paul must judge the actions of familiar members of the Corinthian Church.

    NEXT: Commandments of Relationships in Christ’s Church


    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

  • How Dare You Defer Discipline 1 Corinthians 6

    How Dare You Defer Discipline 1 Corinthians 6

    Church discipline continues to be the focus of the Apostle’s letter.

    Previously Paul spoke of Judgment between Christ and Satan, but by discipline the Apostle does not mean judgement of Corinthians who do not identify with Christ Jesus. So now Paul INSISTS that the Corinthians judge a fellow church member in this case of moral sin.

    Church Discipline in Moral matters

    Dare G5111 any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust and not before the saints?

    1 Corinthians 6:1 King James Version – Paul’s challenge to judge our fellow believers rather than defer any matter of church discipline to a civil court.

    common era justice mediated as a discipline of civil law discipline deferred to comprise - arbitration hearing

    Strong language from the writ of Judgment by Christ’s Apostle to the gentiles!

    But note Paul’s comparison of the civil court – (Roman law for Corinthians, even as civil common pleas law is practiced in the US and by other Common Era courts).

    The Apostle directs the Corinthians to remain within the jurisdiction of God’s Law indicting common justice as law before the unjust .

    τολμάω - From tolma (boldness, probably itself from the base of τέλος (G5056) through the idea of extreme conduct)

    Paul applies his authoritative instruction of church discipline to what he has just stated.

    It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.

    Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 5:12 New Living Translation

    Clear instruction to the church! Yet how many Common Era christian churches will obey God's word in this?

    God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:13 NIV


    κρίνωkrinō  – go to Law

    The Apostle presents a case to the Corinthian Church supporting his judgement that THEY should judge their own members and therefore become accountable to the Lord God rather than the civil courts.

    * krinō is a case study in itself in the context of the Gospel and how Jesus Christ instructed disciples and saints to use judgement and discernment differently than the world. Study its linked definitions and see what I mean. God-willing, I may return to it.

    1 Corinthians 6:

    ‘HOW DARE YOU!’ or ‘Dare any of you,’ say some more authoritative English translations.

    Now the Apostle will introduce his gentle case to the saints of the Corinthian Church.

    Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? – Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 6:2a NLT

    'But wait!' Paul might quickly follow. 'Not yet and here's why:'

    And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? – 1 Corinthians 6:2b NLT


    Let's glance at a perhaps more palatable explanation from the International Children’s Bible *additional link to the NIRV

    You should be ashamed! Why do you not let God’s people decide who is right? 2 Surely you know that God’s people will judge the world. So if you are to judge the world, then surely you are able to judge small things as well. 3 You know that in the future we will judge angels. So surely we can judge things in this life.

    4 So if you have disagreements that must be judged, why do you take them to those who are not part of the church? They mean nothing to the church. 5 I say this to shame you.

    a Plea for Church Discipline

    Surely there is someone among you wise enough to judge a complaint between two brothers in Christ.

    6 But now one brother goes to court against another brother. And you let men who are not believers judge their case!


    But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

    1 Corinthians 6:6 NIV

    It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.

    1 Corinthians 5:1 NIV

    Spoiled Fruit of deferred Church Discipline

    Will a pagan court, a jury of those condoning and practicing such fornication (porneia) not equate Christ’s saints to common practices of those who worship their self-gratifying gods of the flesh?


    7 When you take another believer to court, you have lost the battle already. Why not be treated wrongly? Why not be cheated?


    The Apostle asks: Are you NOT willing to suffer injustice by the hand of a fellow saint as witness of Jesus' love?

    8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong.

    'Christians,' they say, 'they're not so saintly, but openly sinful, just like us.'

    And you do it to your brothers and sisters.

    Who has died to the flesh?

    9 Don’t you know that people who do wrong will not receive God’s kingdom? Don’t be fooled…

    • 11.. You were made holy.
    • You were made right with God.
    • All of this was done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • It was also done by the Spirit of our God.
    Paul lists additional sins to this single case of one man of the Corinthian Church.
    • (9) Those who commit sexual sins will not receive the kingdom.
    • Neither will those who worship statues of gods
    • or commit adultery.
    • Neither will men who sleep with other men.
    • 10 Neither will thieves
    • or those who always want more and more.
    • Neither will those who are often drunk
    • or tell lies
    • or cheat.

    • People who live like that will not receive God’s kingdom.

    11 Some of you used to do those things. But your sins were washed away.


    Discipline and discernment – Growing up in Christ

    Later in his letter Paul will instruct the Corinthian saints:

    When I was a child, I talked like a child,

    I thought like a child,

    I reasoned like a child.

    When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

    1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV


    Continuing once more, beloved saints young or mature, from the International Children's Bible
    • 6:12 “I am allowed to do all things.”
      • But not all things are good for me to do.
    • “I am allowed to do all things.” [“I have the right to do anything.”]
      • But I must not do those things that will make me their slave.
        • [But I will not be controlled by anything.]
    • 13 “Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food.”
      • Yes. But God [theos] will destroy them both.
    • The body is not for sexual immorality [fornication, G4202].
      • The body is for the Lord [kyrios] , and the Lord is for the body.

    Flee fornication. G4202 Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

    1 Corinthians 7:2 King James Version *G4202 – porneia

    Paul will add to this application for the saints of the Corinthian Church:

    Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, G4202 let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

    Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 7:2 KJV

    God raised the Lord Jesus

    By God’s power God raised the Lord Jesus from death.

    And God will also raise us from death.

    1 Corinthians 6:14 International Children’s Bible

    15 Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself.

    So I must never take parts of Christ and join them to a prostitute! 16 It is written in the Scriptures,

    “The two people will become one body.”[Genesis 2:24]

    Spoiled Fruit goes to Law

    Paul will next include more delicate matters concerning sexual behavior between men and women, but first the Apostle appeals to the church as members of a holy body, the Temple of God – ONE SPIRIT WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

    But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

    1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV

    Once more, from the International Children's Bible

    So run away from sexual immorality. Every other sin that a person does is outside the body.

    But those who are sexually immoral sin against their own bodies.

    19 You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. You do not own yourselves.

    20 You were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies.


    NEXT: Married Life of the saints in Christ

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

  • Spiritual Pride Immorality Judged 1 Corinthians 5

    Spiritual Pride Immorality Judged 1 Corinthians 5


    Previously in this first letter to his beloved believers in Corinth the Apostle has suggested:

    For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

    1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT

    True evangelism of Christ through all Scripture becomes a personal challenge to us.

    Pride in Preaching!

    WE love our church — don’t we?

    christian church with contemporary televised service

    Our Pastor is more passionate about US than other preachers of competing gatherings on Sunday. (Or so WE tell some in evangelizing a consumer-friendly gospel of our loving Jesus.)


    The Apostle has challenged such thinking among divided christians within the Corinthian church — some who doubt his distant authority in the Lord.

    Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

    1 Corinthians 4:21b – NIV

    NOW the Apostle REBUKES (judges) a specific evil known publically in the community of worshipers in Corinth.

    It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you..

    1 Corinthians 5:1a
    As is often the case, it's not necessarily the preacher who is the problem (Paul, Apollos or Peter).

    The offenders are generally overlooked witness of fellow christians (with whom you sip coffee and break bread), men and women identified with YOUR CHURCH gathering with their continuing sin evident to all.

    THE LIFE THIS Corinthian christian leads, Paul suggests, is NOT so unlike the pagans WE hope to convert.

    “.. and sexual immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, namely, that someone has his father’s wife.


    It may be some other porneia [fornication] sexual sin, SOCIALLY ACCEPTED SINS generally known, perhaps prevalent in OUR church;

    i.e. pre-marital sex, unmarried mothers, absent fathers, abortions, extra-marital affairs, divorces…

    In Corinth (or Cincinnati, Chongqing or Chicago) our pride flaunts evidence of OUR indiscretions.

    Our Common Era flood of destruction flows from the sins of the church. 

    The world sees christian sin witnessed as worship.

    The Apostle calls on leaders of the Church to judge and remove the offender of Christ.

    Pride in sexual perversion is not only sin, but not the only perversity of rejecting the Gospel of God.

    5:2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. – NKJV

    “And you are proud! – NIV “

    And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. – ESV


    PRIDE in PREACHING or IN THE PRAISE BAND or OUR CHOIR or OUR FESTIVALS; PRIDE in our COMMUNION or BAPTISM or LITURGY or CULTURAL INCLUSION or MISSIONS or PROGRAMS or SCHOOL or other 'church' identities WE CLAIM! 

    ALL distract US from the humility of serving Christ Jesus as our Lord in OUR HOMETOWN "Church."

    Such pride divided the Corinthian Church (as it continues to do in this Common Era).


    Judgment between Christ and Satan

    Several BIBLICAL HEADINGS added to 1 Corinthians 5 reflect the seriousness of the Apostle’s judgment.


    PAUL’S WRITTEN EPISTLE DOES NOT CONDEMN from afar, but informs.

    Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man

    1 Corinthians 5:3 NLT


    The APOSTLE makes a personal connection to the church in Corinth and by the HOLY SPIRIT casts his authoritative judgment against a certain man who is part of their Corinthian church.

    So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

    the Apostle Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians 5:4-5 NIV


    By the Authority of the Spirit the Apostle commands the leaders of this CHURCH to SHOW the Corinthianchristian‘ his choice between this SIN of the flesh and saving his spirit.

    In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, .. 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.

    1 Corinthians 5:4-5 excerpt NKJV


    Σατανᾶς – Satan

    As we frequently fail to enlist the power of the Advocate (the Holy Spirit), so too we dismiss the danger and deception of the Adversary, that is: Satan.

    The Deceiver is an enemy of Christ and enemy of the Church.

    Σατανᾶς – Of Aramaic origin corresponding to Σατάν (G4566)

    The KJV translates Strong’s G4567 in the following manner: Satan (36x).

    adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to
    the prince of evil spirits, the inveterate adversary of God and Christ
    he incites apostasy from God and to sin

    Σατανᾶς – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4567 – satanas
    • What does Paul mean by ‘turning this sinner over to Satan for DESTRUCTION of his FLESH?
    • And how can this sinner’s spirit be saved in the day of the Lord’ by his church turning him over to Satan?
    • As a matter of practice (church practice, if you like) HOW can he be saved?

    the power of our Lord Jesus is present

    The issue is communion, purity of worship. 

    Paul illustrates from the Hebrew Law of God concerning leaven and then applies it to worship of the saints in Corinth.

    6 Your boasting is not good.

    Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?

    7 Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are.

    • Are you truly transformed in Christ?
    • Do you count yourself in Christ as part of His body?
      • (Some may recognize this quote of scripture from the traditional church liturgy of Holy Communion.)

    For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

    8Therefore let us keep the feast..

    not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.

    1 Corinthians 5:7b-8 BSB

    Note the importance of the contrast Paul presents for communion of the saints of this new group of believers, the Corinthian Church (as they will be identified by the world).

    When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit.. 1Cor5:4


    Judging Outsiders

    For what have I to do with judging outsiders?

    1 Corinthians 5:12a LSB

    PAUL rhetorically asks a MYOB question Christians hear frequently.

    YET we know (and easily neglect) the Apostle’s point of his related question here FOR THE CHURCH.

    I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people;

    10 I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters,

    for then you would have to go out of the world.

    I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin,

    or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people.

    Don’t even eat with such people.

    1 Corinthians 5:11:20 New Living Translation

    Do you not judge those who are inside?

    1 Corinthians 5:12b – NKJV

    Translations vary, but the Apostle’s pointed QUESTION for the Corinthians is no different than the Spirit commands of us:

    Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

    1 Corinthians 5:12b – ESV

    13 God will judge those outside.

    “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

    Seems so simple. Endure such dissentions or face a fellow saint in order to save their soul?


    NEXT: Judging Problems Among Christians – 1 Corinthians 6

    HEADING: International Children’s Bible