Talk of JESUS . com

Tag: John

Peter’s Steadfast Purpose and the coming Day of the Lord
Steady as a Rock – Steadfastness in writing again

WHY is the Apostle so steadfast in his calling to insist that the Church obey commands already given to them?

Could it have to do with how the Lord Jesus restored Peter’s faith and recall of what Christ had taught the Apostles all along?

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Gospel of Matthew 16:15-18 NKJV

Why does the Apostle Peter write a second epistle to the church?

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder)..

2 Peter 3:1 NKJV

Here in the conclusion of his letter Simon Peter is about to tell us, as the Apostle refers to BOTH epistles included in this reminder.

But his motivation certainly recalls his own solid steadfastness in the risen Christ Jesus in several encounters.

Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

Gospel of John 21:17 BSB

Simon Peter needed encouraged.

And so must believers be reminded of our faith in the midst of teachings from many false teachers.

στηρίζω – stērizō –
- to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix
- to strengthen, make firm
- to render constant, confirm, one’s mind
Are you a stable Christ-follower?

Is your faith steadfast?

Peter’s second epistle to the church mirrors what the Lord had prayed prior to His crucifixion:

“But I have prayed earnestly for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, once you have returned, strengthen^G4741 your brothers.”

Gospel of Luke 22:32

The Apostle had recently written to these same believers:

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God;
and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4: 17 NKJV [in context: vs. 12-19]

Resist him [the devil], steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

1 Peter 5:9 NKJV [in context: vs 8-10 ]

2 Peter 3:

God’s Promise Is Not Slack
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Reads the Heading from the New King James Version:
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.. I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder,

The Apostle of Jesus Christ makes TWO points to the Church. This is the first:
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3:2  μνησθῆναι τῶν προειρημένων ῥημάτων ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων προφητῶν 
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- that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets
A single greek word for ‘that you may be mindful’ is the same word of remembering used frequently in the gospels.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew 16:75 NKJV

Peter emphasizes the subject matter spoken before by the ‘holy prophets,’ referring to the major and minor prophets of Old Testament Scripture from Isaiah to Malachi—pointing to them as Holy [ἅγιος – hagios – (an awful thing)] and certainly in contrast to the misleading false prophets and teachers against whom the Apostle has already warned.

Secondly, Peter equates Apostolic authority in this reminder mentioning the Holy Prophets speaking God’s word even before Jesus instructed them in Person.
- and of the commandment of us,the apostles of the Lord and Savior..
  - commandment of the apostles of your Lord and Savior
  - or commandment of your apostles of the Lord and Savior.
ἐντολή – entolē

– an order, command, charge, precept, injunction;

– a commandment

The commandment of the LORD in Old Testament Scripture IS the same as the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostles!

“I and the Father are one.”

Gospel of John 10:30

The Last Days – ἔσχατος – eschatos

knowing this first:

that scoffers will come in the last days,

walking according to their own lusts,

You’ve heard of it (even if you hesitate to think about THE END) — eschatology – study of the last things or the end times.
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Are we in them? 
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And [the scoffers] saying, Where is the promise of his coming?

“What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?

“Where is his promised return?

2 Peter 3:4a – various translatrions
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The end was neither 
— the incarnation of JESUS the Son of God nor 
— resurrection of JESUS the Son of David hoped for by some of the Jews. 

And don't Common Era scoffers also want a conquering King 
— bringing victory without cost and proclaimation without persecution, 
also saying:
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… all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:4c NKJV

And so they do, Peter suggests, but these [scoffers and doubters of Christ] are without excuse.

For this they willfully forget: that

by the word of God the heavens were of old,

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.
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A clear reference to Noah, who Peter has just mentioned. 
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2 Peter 3:5-6 NKJV

But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word,

are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition [apōleia – the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell]

of ungodly [ἀσεβής – asebēs – destitute of reverential awe towards God]

men [anthrōpos – men or women].

2 Peter 3:7 NKJV
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Has your Common Era Pastor preached this Apostolic caution? 
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And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: …

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

Genesis 7:21, 9;11 KJV

The Apostle’s Timeless Response
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agapētos HEAR THIS: 
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But, beloved, do not forget this one thing,

that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us [or you]

not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance..
Gospel of Matthew 3:8 – a caution of JESUS to the religious

The DAY of the LORD

In the year of the Lord 2025 — dismissed by scoffers as: 2025 of the Common Era [2025 CE] — Do you fear the wrath to come when Christ returns?

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,

in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise,

and the elements will melt with fervent heat;

both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

[literally, utterly burned up and consumed by fire!]

2 Peter 3: 10 NJKV

Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along.

On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

2 Peter 3:11-13 New Living Translation

The Apostle’s command to look ahead may not appeal to you anymore than considering your inevitable death of the flesh.

Ah, but what of your spirit, the resurrection of our familiar flesh and the judgment to come?

Peter assures Christ’s true followers — the saints of the Chruch which may include you:

And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen,

make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.

2 Peter 3:14-15a NLT

Might the Apostle actually be calling YOU, beloved member of Christ — in need of repentance for your impure fruit, to reject those easy false teachings which oppose the Lord Jesus Christ?

The APOSTLES, including Paul

NEXT, we will briefly study just one Epistle or Letter of the Apostle to the Gentiles [or Hellenists or Greeks], Paul.

Here Peter now mentions the Apostle Paul, due to an already developing false teaching in the early church broadly known as gnosticism [a Greek word meaning “knowledge.”]

Gnosticism

Such ‘knowledge‘ often accelerates into a down-hill slope into the pit of error. Therefore a brief summary here from BibleHub.com
- Dualism: Gnosticism is marked by a strong dualistic worldview,
  - The material world is often seen as the creation of a lesser deity,
    
    sometimes identified with the God of the Old Testament,
    
    who is distinct from the true, transcendent God.
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This, of course, is NOT SCRIPTURAL from either Jewish Scripture 
OR the Gospel of the New Testament.
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- Gnostics believe that.. salvation involves awakening this divine spark through gnosis.
- Some Gnostic texts depict Christ as a purely spiritual being .who did not truly suffer or die.
- Gnosticism generally views the physical world as corrupt or illusory.
  - This belief often leads to ascetic practices or,
  - conversely, to libertine behavior, as the material is deemed irrelevant to spiritual salvation.
Peter confirming Paul

So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters.

There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Second Epistle of the Apostle Peter 3:16b-18a RSV

Doxology

αὐξάνετε δὲ ἐν χάριτι καὶ γνώσει τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ νῦν καὶ εἰς ἡμέραν αἰῶνος ἀμήν

Grow, urges the Apostle — connecting our growth in faith to ‘our kyrios [lord] and sōtēr [savior]

iēsous christos

— and referring to Him, a traditional doxology as the Apostle’s final words in his final letter and will for the church:

autos ho doxa

To him be the glory

kay nyn

both now

kai eis hēmera aiōn

and to the day of eternity.

ἀμήν amēn
- so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled.
- firm: a metaphor for faithful
2 Peter 3:18

Thus ends the epistles of the Apostle Simon Peter, the Rock upon whom Jesus began the building of His Church.

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
December 8, 2025
The Clarity and Connections of Apostolic Faith
How do WE respond after hearing a letter from an Apostle of Jesus Christ written to our Church?

We are about to take a look at the faith of three Apostles through Epistles they sent to many churches.

But more than that:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims connections — relationships that matter.

We receive the same love evident through these connections to God and the Apostles, who continue to mean much to 21st century Christians who believe with Apostolic faith.

Apostolic Unity in the Gospels

When someone asks us about our faith, their questions may boil down to a single foundational question:

“Faith in what?”

or perhaps, “faith in whom?”

Let’s begin with what the Lord says about these connections. Jesus actually presents His clarifying question to the Apostles.

And out of all the possibilities of their answers, one stands out in every Gospel.

Peter’s answer to Jesus
- Gospel of Luke
9: And calling the twelve together, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick…

And departing, they were going from village to village, proclaiming the gospel and healing everywhere.

Peter Confesses Jesus Is the Christ

(Mat 16:13–20; Mar 8:27–30 )

.. and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

.. And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Luke 9:18b,20a BSB

And Peter answered and said,

“The Christ of God.”
- Gospel of Matthew
And Simon Peter answered and said,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Mat 16:16 LSB
- Gospel of Mark
And He continued asking them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Mark 8:29 LSB

Peter provided an answer communited to him by the Holy Spirit of God. And the Apostle John through the same Spirit says the same more fully and in mysterious revealed detail.

Gospel of John

Nearly all of us are familiar with John’s introduction of Jesus in his Gospel:

IN THE BEGINNING was the Word [logos]

(We will come to discover that John refers to JESUS as the Word in the flesh.)

and the Word

was with God [Theos]

[but now, in John 1:1, the Apostle clearly states:]

And the Word was God.

1:1 ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος

John 1:1 LSB – English translation from Greek New Testament

JESUS IS GOD !

The Gospels all record that the twelve Apostles witness God’s power personally MANY TIMES in JESUS.

“I and the Father are [in essence] one,” John records later in his Gospel [John 10:30].

The Apostle’s Gospel of connection to the Living God revealingly becomes even stronger and more forward-facing after Jesus’ resurrection.

We see this first in Peter and John, but with an additional absolute faith in Christ later proclaimed to all the world by the Apostle Paul.

John 20 – Apostolic Authority from God

ἐμφυσάω

emphysáō – John 20:22, where Jesus, after the manner of the Hebrew prophets, expresses by the symbolic act of breathing upon the apostles the communication of the Holy Spirit to them

He breathed on them and *said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit.

Gospel of John 20:22b LSB

Christ’s communication from the One God — Father, Son and now the Holy Spirit given — to His Apostles sent into all the world with Gospel Good News!

What is Apostolic Faith?

πίστις – faith, assurance,believe, belief,them that believe, fidelity occurs 244 times in 228 verses in the TR Greek.

conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it
- the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
- a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
- the religious beliefs of Christians
- belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
- fidelity, faithfulness
- the character of one who can be relied on
Source: Lexicon :: Strong’s G4102 – pistis – faith

This is Apostolic faith,

which finds its roots in the eternal truth that GOD IS — the Person of JESUS IS God — and Christ chose Apostles to continue God’s work of redemption of sinners by proclaiming the Gospel to all mankind.

Who are Apostles?

ACTS on Mission

Tens of Thousands of men, women and children witnessed the Son of God, JESUS, born as a man to a virgin.

Many followed JESUS as DISCIPLES, listening to His teachings and commands. Sometimes Jesus taught thousands. At other times hundreds would follow their Master (Lord) as a Rabbi sent from God. Jesus would teach a houseful of guests or sometimes just one chosen by Him even without witness of the Twelve.

More than five hundred witnessed Jesus AFTER the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection from the grave (even as several had seen Him raise Lazarus and others).

.. He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:

Luke 6:13, also Matthew 10 & Mark 3

Disciples followed their itinerant Rabbi from mountainside to village to city over three years, hearing the Messiah Jesus teach true faith. Yet even one of the Twelve had been chosen before time to betray the Lamb of God, our Savior redeeming our sins on a Cross in Jerusalem.

The APOSTLE’S sent out by Jesus were all chosen as witnesses to the Son of Man — an itinerant Teacher who was not of this world, but IS before all time — with God and was God.

Three Apostles nearer to Jesus

And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James.

And six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain alone by themselves. And He was transfigured before them;

Gospel of Mark 5:37, 9:2, additional references

James, the older brother of John, became the first Apostle martyred for his faith in Jesus just fourteen years into the establishing of the Church. Another would later replace him, as Matthias would replace Judas Iscariot.
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It would be James the half-brother of Jesus who would later lead the church in Jerusalem, writing epistles to followers of The Way and conferring with the Apostles including Peter and John. 
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We witness these three Apostles nearest to Jesus on several occasions, both before and after the Lord’s resurrection.

Many witness the boldness of Simeon Peter and John in the Temple after Jesus is risen. It’s just once instance where Apostles proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of imprisonment, persecution and even death.

Σίμων Πέτρος – Simon Peter

So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go?”

Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

Gospel of John 6:68-69 LSB

“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

And I also say to you that you are Peter,
and upon this rock
I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Gospel of Matthew 16:17b-18 LSB

a Fisher of Men

Ἰωάννην Βοανηργές – John son of thunder

Jesus called these two brothers and close friends of His inner-circle of Apostles, “sons of thunder,” and more than once James and John had caused a commotion among his disciples.

And they [James and John] said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.”

.. And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.

Gospel of Mark 10:37,41 LSB

And nearer the time of their journey to Jerusalem for Jesus’ crucifixion:

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

But He turned and rebuked them..

Luke 9:54-55a LSB

THEN on a hideous hill outside Jerusalem, as Peter and the other Apostles hid distanced from the iniquitous crucifixion of Christ, the youngest of these dared a nearby witness of this most ironic Sacrifice of all time — the Son of God, their friend, hanging and pierced on a cursed Cross.

When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother,

“Woman, behold, your son!”

Then He said to the disciple,

“Behold, your mother!”

From that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Gospel of John 19:26-27 LSB + Witness of the Disciple Jesus loved – youngest of the Twelve

The Lord Jesus entrusted His own mother Mary to the beloved Disciple John, who so often would cling to Him and His every word.

Christ would also restore Peter as the Rock upon which He would build His church.

“Children, have you any fish?”

Jesus’ love and connection to these two Apostles cannot be disputed.

Σαῦλος – Saûlos – Ῥωμαῖος Ταρσέα

After His resurrection the Lord will also embrace an arch-enemy who had not only denied a connection of the Son to God the Father, but even worse had persecuted and killed followers of The Way.
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- Saul, Roman Citizen of Tarsus and Leading Jew of the Pharisees 
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And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

Acts of the Apostles 9:26 NKJV

Παῦλος – Paulos – ἀπόστολος ἐθνῶν
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apostolos ethnos  
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ACTS on Mission

But I say unto you, Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them that hate you,

and pray for them which despitefully use you,

and persecute you..

Gospel of Matthew 5:44 KJV – from Jesus’ sermon on the mount

.. and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen…

‘Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.’

And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts of the Apostles 7:58-60 excerpt KJV

Next: Introduction to the letters of Peter

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
October 6, 2025
Propriety in Worship of the Church – 1 Corinthians 14
Paul wanted his churches to exhibit a modesty and propriety recognized by the surrounding culture, especially in worship.

(1 Corinthians 14)

THE BAKER ILLUSTRATED BIBLE COMMENTARY P.1303

An Overview of Paul’s Epistle

Most outlines of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians include what we are about to read next under a smaller heading of ‘spiritual gifts’ or ‘the gifts of tongues and prophesy’ as part of a larger section of the epistle — as a conclusion of the previous chapters.

Remember that like our letters to anyone it had no chapters.

Without returning to my original introduction to 1 Corinthians, I would like to point to these larger points of Paul’s letter here:
Introduction & reason for writing to the Corinthians

Response to their questions [chaps. 7-16]

Recommendation of others & closing
One of the central cultural issues of propriety and order the Apostle has addressed in response to several Corinthian questions is that of the role of women.

Within the Apostle’s response to the Corinthian elders some of these issues include:

* Immorality in the Church (5:1–6:20)
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These issues applied to men certainly affect all women. 
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- But actually, I wrote you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person.
  - 1 Cor 5:2
- Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.
  - 1 Cor 6:18
Marriage in the Church (7:1–40)
- 3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband.
- 10 To the married I give this command — not I, but the Lord — a wife is not to leave her husband.
Liberty in the Church (8:1–11:1)
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This section ends with Paul's personal example: 
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Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

AND — (as introduction to our current larger section of his epistle) — the Apostle continues by encouraging those who have done so.

Worship in the Church (11:2–14:40)

Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

3 But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ.

– 1 Corinthians 11:2-3 CSB

Intro to Apostolic instructions about Head Coverings
- Roles of Men and Women in the Church (11:2–16)
- The Lord’s Supper (11:17–34)
- Spiritual Gifts (12:1–14:40)
The Context of Worship – A.D. 55 or 2025 CE

As you can see, the Apostle has introduced this smaller section of his letter about spiritual gifts in the context of worship

AND that he has already addressed some of the roles of men and of women who worship the Lord Jesus Christ as the Apostle has ‘delivered‘ ‘the traditions’ to them.

What is propriety?
- for a first century Corinthian
- or (for example) a 21st c. Cincinnatian
This photo next to the BAKER commentary for 1 Corinthians 14 got my attention to focus back on
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the propriety and modesty of a classic Corinthian woman. 
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Propriety – conformity in socially acceptable conduct and speech, appropriateness, fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior especially between the sexes.

source

In light of this, consider propriety from the earlier BAKER quote.

At Corinth he [Paul] was particularly concerned about women’s reputation. For women modest draped clothing with a head covering was common. (see 1 Corinthians 11:2-16),

as seen here in a sculpture from 300 BC (Tanagra, Greece)

ibid.

Here is more background on the culture of Corinth named for a goddess descended from the Greek Titans [also pictured on our cover to this post].

In Greek mythology, Tethys was Consort of Oceanus, father of the river gods and goddesses including a Greek goddess who founded Corinth named Ephyra.

The Greeks and Romans honored many gods and goddesses of culture and worshipped these with some order and propriety, while worship of others included temple prostitutes, so much debauchery and excess witnessed in festive celebrations.

(Sound familiar, 21st c. christian?)

Yet the modesty of a proper woman is important to the Corinthians, both men and women, thus the Apostle’s insistence on the propriety of head-coverings in worship of the church.

What’s allowed in proprietary worship of God?

1 Corinthians 14:

Concerning Prophesy and Tongues

Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

.. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

.. — since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.

13Therefore the person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he can interpret.

Who’s in charge?
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Using several references from Paul's letters to the Corinthians in "DIVINE PROVIDENCE," STEPHEN CHARNOCK [pub. AD 1680, updated 2022] provides us with a helpful overview of the Apostle's thinking: 
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The edification of the church is the great end that we are commanded to work toward:
Stephen Charnock – DIVINE PROVIDENCE, p.146

Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”

1 Cor, 14:13 – ibid.
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Then, under the heading 'The Gifts and Common Grace of Bad Men and Women' Charnock addresses Paul's order of propriety mentioned in this and other epistles. 
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God is the giver of gifts, Christ is the governor of those gifts, and all is for your sake.

ibid.

I find this particularly helpful.

Think of it:

God the Father (or because of their Oneness in substance, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) — who created ALL things —

charges CHRIST (Jesus, the Person of the Son of Man and Son of God) — THE CORNERSTONE of the Church — as its governor —

with perfect distribution of the gifts to the church — gifts that GOD has given to the church for the LORD’s divine purpose for the sake of those chosen before creation to worship him .
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Now think of Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares for this next one: 
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There are some husks that come up among men and women, and God uses them to shelter the church in common works, and he [GOD] restrains these men and women through the knowledge of Christ.

God gives gifts to them out of love for his church, not out of love for them.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE, P.147

Get a grip on this: it’s not about YOU — God’s love is about HIS CHURCH.

REMEMBER, what the Apostle has just written?
- IF I [do any of so many things]
- BUT have NOT [agape {love}]
- I am nothing
- and I gain nothing.
To have and to hold Christian Love

Dearly beloved,

Do you take this bond of your church to have and to hold..?

OR is our desire to try out relationships of LOVE —

to try out church es

— NOT having or holding any commitment to Christ Jesus and His body the Church?

What then, brothers?
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We realize that this is not a politically correct question in this common era (and some English translations soften it), but Paul uses the Greek word ἀδελφός - adelphos - a masculine noun for brethren. 
```
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.

Let all things be done for building up.

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV

The Apostle, under Christ, under God addresses the men of the church — not the women saints of Corinth — as was proper in Corinthian culture.

The Apostle has addressed:
- quarreling among you, my brothers. (1:11)
- But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. (3:1)
- But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of.. [a long list of sins] (5:11)
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV

Order and Propriety

Each of you (brothers).. (not the sisters.. and not ONLY the pastor in charge under Christ).

What then is it, brothers? When you may come together, each has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.

Let all things be done for edification.

1 Corinthians 14:26 Berean Literal Bible – [more study]
- Tongues?
  - two or three at most
  - in turn &
  - must have interpretation
- Prophets?
  - two or three
  - others weigh in on what is said
  - IF a personal revelation is made to one present, the man receiving it must remain silent.
  - all may profit by learn and be encouraged by (this kind of) prophesy
  - prophets are subordinate [hypotassōto] to each other
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Now do not be offended by Paul's next orderly instruction for worship — for it uses the same Greek word [hypotassō] — for the Corinthian women of propriety and modesty expected in worship. 
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For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches.

For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission , as the Law also says.

1 Corinthians 14:33-34 ESV

Note that the Apostle — who has been addressing order and propriety in worship throughout his epistle to the saints of Corinth — also speaks to ALL the CHURCHES [ekklēsia] of the SAINTS [hagios].

ARE YOU, beloved 21st century worshipers of the Lord Jesus Christ, not also His saints?

and we have believed,
and have come to know, that you are the Holy One [hagios] of God.”
Gospel of John 6:69 ESV – Simon Peter to the Lord Jesus
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Yes, the women of Corinth and of your 21st century church could be of the Holy Ones - saints - of God; so don't be offended by what the Apostle Paul next instructs the saints by the Spirit - even if God formed you as a woman. 
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If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

1 Corinthians 14:35 ESV

Paul then proceeds to instruct ‘the brothers’ in those issues the apostle has already addressed, prophesies and spiritual gifts (essentially reiterating ‘listen to me about these things).

And the Apostle Paul’s conclusion to this large section of his letter to the Corinthian saints

— who are of course free from the Law (as servants of God, Christ and each other) —

But let all things be done properly and with order.

1 Corinthians 14:40 BLB
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And since Paul's epistle (like any letter) lacks chapters, what does the Apostle NEXT remind the Corinthians -- the saints of Christ's Church? 

About THE RESURRECTION. 
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Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
May 8, 2025