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Your Communions in Church and in Christ
Communions, gatherings, worship services, church services — call them whatever you like. But the Apostle Paul provides some pointed correction for the church as we continue in 1 Corinthians 11.
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Communion - TOPIC on TalkofJesus.com  

Although our frequent focus on communions often points toward Good Friday, Christians frequently place Holy Communion at the center of our controversies between Protestants and Roman Catholics. However today we will apply the Apostle Paul's exhortation of the Corinthian church in the context of his first letter to these saints. 
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Communion – Sharing in the Lord’s Supper

What’s the Apostle Paul saying to the Church?

It’s an Exhortation

“..your gatherings do more harm than good.
1 Corinthians 11:17b Berean Standard Version

Pretty strait-forward

Paul addresses these communions (as the idolatrous feasts of Corinth he has already addressed) presenting a clear choice for godly saints of the Church at Corinth.

v.17 In the following instructions I have no praise to offer, because your gatherings do more harm than good. – BSB

for the Church
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Would you like to hear Paul's introduction in another way? 
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1 Corinthians 11:18
- For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. – NKJV
- In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. – NIV
- For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it. – HNV
  - Source
This is simply Paul’s FIRST POINT following the Apostle’s exhortation about sanctified living AND following his FIRST POINT about ROLES in Christian Worship within this section of his Epistle ordering Christ’s instructions for worship.

The Apostle Paul specifically points to times when we assemble [or come together] συνέρχομαι – synerchomai as a CHURCH ἐκκλησίᾳ – ekklēsia.
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Many of you know this Greek word for church. 

LOOK at its definition
(nothing specifically yet about communion here. But read on.) 
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The Apostle then continues in his outline for Christian gatherings.

Sharing in the Lord’s Supper ( 11:17⁠–⁠34 )

An exhortation for social and festive meals in the church community

Now then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat.

21 For as you eat, each of you goes ahead without sharing his meal. While one remains hungry, another gets drunk.

22 Don’t you have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?

What can I say to you? Shall I praise you for this?

No, I will not!

The Apostle’s transition into this section had been:

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. – 1 Cor 11:1 KJV
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Paul's focus:
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Our communions other than Holy Communion

In order to view the seriousness in Paul’s challenge, let’s back-up a moment to view Paul’s instructions concerning DIVISIONS [*schisma] from the King James Version.

For there must be also heresies among you,

that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

1 Corinthians 11:19 KJV

* In the first major schism of the Church in the A.D. 11th century the Roman Church divided from the Orthodox Church. See the Timeline in the link above.
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Common Era christians dare not mention such things as HERESY, lest we offend some unbeliever in our gathering or sharing in breaking bread with us at an occasional community evangelism feast. 

We prefer a gentler approach of translations of αἵρεσις - hairesis like: factions or divisions or differences.
 
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11:20 συνερχομένων οὖν ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ οὐκ ἔστιν κυριακὸν δεῖπνον φαγεῖν

When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians 11:20 KJV

Does the Apostle then instruct the Church NOT to share in Holy Communion?

NO, certainly not.

Only not to participate in such a community meal alongside unbelievers (EVEN ‘at church’ ), including those who are not in Christ in this Holy Sacrifice of Communion as worship.

The Lord’s Supper
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Many worshipping Christians can recite some of several Gospel references from various communions celebrated either casually or as rites by various Christian factions or divisions or differences. 
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You may want to READ some of the Gospel including these Holy Scriptures, but I urge you for now to remain focused on the Apostle’s INSTRUCTION specifically to saints of the Church at Corinth (in ~ A.D. 55).

Gospel cross-references to the Lord’s Supper

– King James Version
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FURTHER STUDY of 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (various versions) 
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a HOLY Communion in Christ celebrated by the Body of Christ

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you..
1 Corinthians 11:23a KJV
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Before we forget, although many rites of communions of some churches treat this text formally, the Apostle is instructing believers in Corinth this time by LETTER (an epistle).
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Paul here reiterates from the Gospel accounts that which the Apostle had already instructed in person.

.. That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:

this is my body, which is broken for you:

this do in remembrance of me.

The APOSTLE PAUL just reminded those saints faithful to Christ in the Corinthian Church of JESUS’ instruction for disciples (followers) to break BREAD as His body would be broken for us.

THEREFORE, remember our Lord Jesus in this dedicatory communion. BUT Christ continues His command of the New Covenant with taking the same cup.

After the same manner also he took the cup,

when he had supped, saying,

This cup is the new testament in my blood:

this do ye, as oft as ye drink it,

in remembrance of me.

First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians 11:23-25 King James Version

An Apostolic Application

Again, I remind us that Paul proclaims that which the Apostle has already taught to the saints of Corinth.

And now he will apply it their challenging current situations where some communicants of Corinth no longer observe the Communion commanded by Christ as HOLY – that is SEPARATED, for Holy saints of the Lord set apart from the festive communions of their pagan community.

Once again, Paul has already WRITTEN:
- NOT to eat Food Sacrificed to Idols AND taught lessons of the Jews’ exodus from Egypt concerning their idolatry.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV

The Apostle had reminded the saints of Corinth earlier in his letter of both his authority and humility in Christ confirming:
- I have applied these things to myself [THEREFORE] learn from us not to go beyond what is written.
- Paul’s instruction consequently will require the saints of Corinth:
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV

Note the Apostle’s CAUTION to communicants:

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. – BSB

Commentary – Study Bible [below]
- The term “unworthy manner” suggests a lack of reverence or self-examination
- The “bread” and “cup” symbolize the body and blood of Christ, and partaking in them requires a heart of humility and repentance.
- To be “guilty of sinning” implies a serious offense, akin to profaning something holy.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians 11:29 King James Version

If we would judge ourselves
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The Apostle offers a few additional reasons to examine ourselves before these communions with the world and the Holy Communion of the saints of our local church. 
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- That is why many among you are weak and sick,
- and a number of you have fallen asleep.
- Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.
- But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
In conclusion, Paul reiterates about their divisions over their communions.

ἐκδέχομαι – ekdechomai

33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat,

tarry one for another.

translates the King James
1. to receive, accept
2. to look for, expect, wait for, await: ἀλλήλους ἐκδέχεσθε wait for one another, namely, until each shall have received his food, 1 Corinthians 11:33, cf.
PAUL closes this section of his letter about divisions stating that he has more to say about other issues later in person.

“.. And when I come, I will give instructions about the remaining matters.

Judge for yourself

Is ANYTHING wrong with the Communions of your local church?

What do the Apostles and Christ instruct?

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
February 13, 2025
Christian Roles in Christian Worship – 1 Corinthians 11
You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Berean Standard Bible

Now there’s a tall order seemingly impossible for any worshiper: Imitate an Apostle. But the humble Apostle Paul addresses the different roles of men and women in prayer and worship of the church.

Roles of men and women

Maintaining the Traditions

Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.
- 1 Corinthians 11:2 BSB
Paul compliments the Corinthian church for remembering him in everything, including his teaching as an Apostle of Christ, from going back to when he ministered personally to the Corinthian church.

The apostle specifically addresses what he expects of the Corinthian believers.

Yet centuries later we may wonder:

To what ‘traditions‘ is Paul referring? Jewish traditions? Local Hellenist Corinthian traditions?
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So let's take a more formal from the King James in order to clarify who Paul addresses in the Corinthian church.
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Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

1 Corinthians 11:2 KJV

In his Apostolic authority of these ordinances, Paul first and primarily addresses the men of the Corinthian church — a cultural consideration expected by both Jew and Hellenist gentile believers.

An Illustration of Leadership

Paul employs a common metaphor we won’t want to miss.

κεφαλή – kephalē – head

metaph. anything supreme, chief, prominent
1. of persons, master lord: of a husband in relation to his wife
2. of Christ: the Lord of the husband and of the Church
3. of things: the corner stone
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Paul uses this metaphor of the head ten times in his first letter to the Corinthian church. 

So IF you tend to shun authority, you may question what the Apostle humbly orders by way of this ordinance of relationship and roles. 
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Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

1 Corinthians 11:4

The idea here is that man was made in the glory of God and it would be dishonoring to God for him to cover his head while he prayed or prophesied. Now that is interesting coming from Paul considering that in Orthodox Jewry today, they all wear their little hats whenever they come into any sacred place of prayer.

Chuck Smith commentary on 1 Cor 11:4
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So where where is the Apostle headed? 

Paul naturally points to the creation of mankind by God. 

"Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man." 1 Cor 11:9 KJV
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But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.

1 Cor 11:5 NKJV
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Paul does not tell the men of Corinth that women should neither pray nor prophesy publically, only that she should have her head covered out of respect to the authority over her. 
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Thinking it through

What is Paul’s reasoning?
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He uses hyperbole with irony here (pointed in the KJV):
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- For if the woman be not covered,
  - let her also be shorn:
- but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven,
  - let her be covered.
Again the Apostle emphasises:
- For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
- Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
  - For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
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"Because of the angels?"

Where did angels enter into roles of worship in church? 
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You may not accept this on either, but the Apostle has already made mention in this letter to the Corinthians of such authority. 
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Apostles at the end of the procession

.. like prisoners appointed for death.”

Picture the ranks of all authority: Kings and captive prisoners of other kings.

AND above all, God the Father, with Cherubim and Seraphim, ARCH-ANGELS and countless ranks of Angels — all spirits as gods serving the LORD with power to the glory of the Almighty — servants and messengers of God interacting with mortal men of dust and souls quickened in His Image with His Holy Spirit.

We have become a spectacle [theatron] to the whole world [kosmos],

to angels [angelos] as well as to men

[anthrōpos {both men and women}].

1 Corinthians 4:9b BSB

– Paul’s reference to Apostles viewed by the world and angels

Wearing your Symbols of AUTHORITY with humility and respect

head-covering, the emblem of “power on her head”; the sign of her being under man’s power, and exercising delegated authority under him.

Paul had before his mind the root-connection between the Hebrew terms for “veil” (radid), and “subjection” (radad).

BENGEL explains, “As the angels are in relation to God, so the woman is in relation to man. God’s face is uncovered; angels in His presence are veiled ( Isa 6:2 )

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:10

In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For just as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

A head uncovered

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
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Now the Apostle addresses the opposing sign of a head uncovered. 
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14 Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
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Again, a helpful overview of this Greek word for uncovered or unveiled [11:5 & 11:13].
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ἀκατακάλυπτος – akatakalyptos

“uncovered” (a, negative, katakalupto, “to cover”), is used in 1Cr 11:5, 13, RV, “unveiled,” with reference to the injunction forbidding women to be “unveiled” in a church gathering. .. and in the phrase “because of the angels,” intimating their witness of, and interest in, that which betokens the headship of Christ. – Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
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The Apostle has not yet reached his final point on the matter, but for our purposes consider it now: 
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For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches..

1 Corinthians 14:33-34a KJV

.. the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 1 Cor 14:37b

we have no other practice

The Apostle Paul concludes this section definitively as a segue into Holy Communion in this way:

If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

1 Corinthians 11:16 BSB

NEXT: Holy Communion and Worship
February 6, 2025
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.

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 .
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τολμάω - From tolma (boldness, probably itself from the base of τέλος (G5056) through the idea of extreme conduct)
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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
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Clear instruction to the church! Yet how many Common Era christian churches will obey God's word in this?
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God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” – 1 Corinthians 5:13 NIV

κρίνω –krinō – 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.
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* 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.
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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
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'But wait!' Paul might quickly follow. 'Not yet and here's why:'
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And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? – 1 Corinthians 6:2b NLT
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Let's glance at a perhaps more palatable explanation from the International Children’s Bible *additional link to the NIRV
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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!
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Has YOUR Common Era pastor preached this (or does he hope that his unseen judgements will go unnoticed)? 

Do Elders of your local church wisely judge such offenders?
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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?
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The Apostle asks: Are you NOT willing to suffer injustice by the hand of a fellow saint as witness of Jesus' love?
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8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong.
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'Christians,' they say, 'they're not so saintly, but openly sinful, just like us.'
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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.
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Paul lists additional sins to this single case of one man of the Corinthian Church.
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- (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
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Continuing once more, beloved saints young or mature, from the International Children's Bible
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- 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
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Once more, from the International Children's Bible
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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.
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NEXT: Married Life of the saints in Christ
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Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
October 8, 2024