EXEGESIS OF
FIRST CORINTHIANS
I. The
Parties:
A. Paul and Sosthenes,
1:1.
1. Paul the writer,
1:4-10. 2. Sosthenes
mentioned only in the
salutation. Unknown
unless the chief ruler
of the synagogue. Acts
18:17.
B. Church of God at
Corinth and all other
saints.
1. Epistle intended
for general circulation.
II.
Circumstances of the writer:
A. Place—in Ephesus,
15:32; 16:8,19. B.
Time—Second visit to
Ephesus, 16:18, 19; Acts
18:20, 21. (Between book
burning and mob, I Cor.
16:18 with Acts 19:19-23)
C. Had written to them
before, 5:9-10. Had received
a letter from them, 7:1.
D. Engaged in making
collection for the poor
saints in Judea, 16:1-3.
E. His great distress on
their account.
III.
Circumstances of the church:
A. In a cultivated and
commercial but very
dissolute city. B. Founded
by Paul with 18 months
labor, 3:9,10; Acts 18:1-4.
C. Strife and divisions
among them, 1:10, 16; 3:1-4.
D. They tolerated incest,
5:1, 2; 6:9, 20. E. Law
suits, 6:1, 4. F.
Inquiring about marriage and
divorce, Chapter 7. G.
Some eating idolatrous
sacrifices, 8:10-13. H.
Questioning Paul's Apostolic
authority, chapters 9 and
10. I. The women immodest,
11:1-6; 14:34-36. J.
Profaning the Lord's Supper,
11:17-34. K. Jealous about
spiritual gifts, 12:1-14;
12:28-31; 13:1-13. L. Some
denied the resurrection,
15:1-2.
IV
SYNOPSIS
Section I, 1:1-9.
Salutations and
commendation.
Section II, 1:10-4:7.
Strife and division
discussed.
Section III, 4:8-21.
Their depreciation of Paul.
Section IV, Chapters 5,
6. Fornication and
covetousness discussed.
Section V, Chapter 7.
Marriage and divorce.
Section VI, Chapter 8.
Idolatrous sacrifice
discussed.
Section VII, 9:1-23. His
Apostolic authority.
Section VIII, 9:24-10:33.
Examples and marriage.
Section IX,
Chapter 11.
Improprieties in their
public worship.
Section X, Chapters
12,13, 14. Spiritual gifts.
Section XI, Chapter 15.
The resurrection.
Section XII, Chapter 16.
Personal statements and
salutations.
SECTION I
Salutation
and Commendation
I Corinthians
1:1-9.
I. Salutation, 1-3.
A. The writer a "called
Apostle," Acts 26:15-18.
1. Through the will
of God, Gal. 1:15; Rom.
1:1; Acts 22:14.
B. Party addressed—the
names.
1. "Church of God."
a. This is a
general designation.
2. "Sanctified in
Christ," II Thess.
2:13-14. 3. "Called
Saints." 4. "With all
who call." (Connection
between with and call.)
5. "Theirs and ours."
6. Connection of their
thoughts with each
other.
C. Benediction: Favor of
whom? Peace with whom?
Source of them.
II. Commendation, 4-9.
A. Thanks for favor in
Christ. B. Specification
of this favor, 5-7. C.
Their gifts establish the
testimony of Christ which
Paul had presented.
D. Revelation made by
them preparatory to
revelation made by Christ,
1:7.
E. They establish
testimony of Christ and he
will establish them, 8.
F. Assurance of this,
1:9. G. Another effect of
the call.
1. Into the
fellowship of Christ,
1:9.
SECTION II
Strife and
division discussed.
I Corinthians 1:10-4:7.
I. Their divisions
rebuked, 1:10-17.
A. Exhortations to:
1. "Through the
name," Compare 1:2, 3,
9. 2. To speak the
same things for it
prevents schisms and
brings unity. 3.
Possibility of this.
B. Statement of their
case as a reason for the
exhortation, 1:11.
1. Source of his
information 2. "The
strifes," not "schisms"
of verse 10 but lead to
them.
C. Strifes explained,
1:12.
1. The names of Paul,
Apollos, etc., were
substituted for the real
names, 4:6. 2. The
probable issues between
the parties were those
discussed in the
epistle.
D. Absurdity of the
existence of parties.
1. Implies Christ is
divided. 2. That
leaders immersed into
their own names.
E. Rebukes the boast
about immersing, 1:14-16.
F. Immersion is
subordinate to preaching.
1. Arguments of some
against immersion for
remission of sins.
a. Paul sent to
do that (which) was
necessary for
salvation.
b. Was not sent
to baptize, ergo
baptism not for
remission of sins.
2. Answer:
a. Though he was
not sent to baptize,
all his converts
were baptized by
someone.
(1) Are
always addressed
as baptized when
there is any
allusion to the
subject,
b. When no one
with him, he "Paul"
baptized hence:
(1) Baptism
so important it
was never
neglected or
omitted. (2)
Paul went beyond
his commission
to prevent its
being omitted.
II. Preaching the cross
versus wisdom, 1:17-25.
A. The two are in
opposition, 1:17.
1. "Wisdom" equals
speculation about God,
24, and human good,
1:30. (Eophia
equals philosophy.)
a. This proved by
the position of the
parties, 1:18. b.
Foretold by the
prophets, 1:17; Isa.
29:14.
B. This prediction was
fulfilled.
1. In the present
condition of the wise.
2. In the contrast
between believer and
unbeliever, 1:21, 24,
30.
C. God's method wiser and
more efficient than man's.
1. Proposition, 1:25.
This proposition is laid
down in 1:25, and we
have the proof.
a. The wise not
among the saved.
b. The other class
in advance of them,
or if H. T.
Anderson's version
is correct, the
preachers more
effective than the
wise, 1:27, 30.
Reason of
difference: It was
not in the
superiority of the
preachers, not in
the individuals
chosen for the
sanctification and
redemption—but in
the work of Christ
for them and in
them.
D. Paul's preaching
according to the preceding
precepts, 2:1, 5.
1. Not a display of
wisdom, but of Christ
crucified, 2:1, 2.
a. "Know
nothing,"—make known
nothing. b. Christ
crucified—Everything
necessary to make
Christ the savior.
2. His feeling
opposed to the display
of wisdom. 3. He made
a display of the
presence and power of
the spirit. 4. This
done to give a solid
basis to faith.
III. True wisdom and how
attained, 2:6-3:4.
A. He does preach wisdom,
2:6, but only to the
matured, 3:1,2.
1. It is unlike the
former wisdom. 2. Is
God's wisdom,
2:7,—mysterious and
hidden. 3. Unknown to
the rulers of the ages.
Hence they crucified
Christ, 2:8. 4. What
is it? 2:9. Includes all
the blessings in Christ
but chiefly the
forgiveness of sins
through his blood.
B. How obtained?
1. By revelation
through the Spirit,
2:10.
a. Spirit able to
reveal it, 2:10,11.
b. Spirit given for
that purpose, 2:12.
2. By words of
inspired men.
a. These words
dictated by Spirit.
3. Not obtained by
natural man, 2:14.
a. For it is
foolishness to him.
b. He cannot know
them because they
are spiritually
discerned.
4. Obtained by
spiritual man. 2:15.
a. Reason of
difference, 2:16.
5. Corinthians not
prepared for this, 3:1,
4, because not spiritual
but carnal, i.e. babes
in Christ, hence food
suited to them. Compare
2:6.
a. Proof of
carnality, 3:4.
NATURAL MAN
AND SPIRITUAL MAN
Conjectures
I. Natural man.
A. The unconverted man.
B. The uninspired man.
C. The man without the
spirit's teaching, i.e.
revelation.
D. The man who rejects
the spirit's
teachings—revelation.
1. If either of these
is true, then the
spiritual man may be
known by the
antithesis—hence:
II. Spiritual man.
A. The converted man,
B. The inspired man. C.
The man with Spirit's
teaching. D. The man who
accepts Spirit's teachings.
1. The question is to
be determined by the
context. 2. What does
it require
III. Facts in the case.
A. Natural man.
1. Receives not
things of the Spirit,
2:14. 2. Are
foolishness to him. 3.
Cannot know them for
they are spiritually
discerned.
B. Spiritual man.
1. Examines (H.T.A.)
all things of Spirit,
2:15. 2. Is examined
by no one, i.e. in
reference to these
things, 2:15. 3. He
has the mind of Christ.
C. Conclusions:
1. Conjecture A (I.
Natural man) forbidden
by 2 and 3 of natural
man, (III). 2.
Conjecture B (I. Natural
man) forbidden by 1, 2,
3, of natural man,
(III). 3. Conjecture C
(I. Natural man)
forbidden by 2 of
natural man, (III). 4.
Conjecture D (I. Natural
man) agrees with all
natural man, (III).
a. Verse 19
confirms the
conclusion that "D"
of natural and
spiritual man
correct.
b. The antithesis
of "D" natural man
agrees with all the
facts of spiritual
man.
IV. Preachers and
teachers not to be party men,
3:5-4:7.
A. Humble position of
preachers.
1. Mere servants for
faith. 2. Mere hired
laborers, 3:8, 9. 3.
Builders of God's house,
3:9,10.
B. A warning to builders,
3:10,15.
1. Must build on true
foundation.
a. Corollary—if
anything built on
other foundation,
not Church of
Christ. (Infants in
the church on the
foundation of
circumcision, etc.)
2. Character of the
materials, 3:12.
a. Shall be made
manifest, 3:13.
3. His wages or
reward depends on the
materials built on,
3:14.
C. Caution against
destroying the church.
1. It is God's temple
in which His Spirit
dwells, 3:16. 2. God
will destroy him who
destroys it, 3:17.
D. Caution against
self-deceit.
1. Shows how the
conceited may become
wise, 3:17-20. 2.
Preachers and all things
belong to the church,
3:21, 23.
E. Accountability of
preachers and teachers.
1. They are stewards
and required to be
faithful, 4:1,2. 2. It
is a small matter to be
judged by men or
self—but will be judged
by God, 4:3, 4. 3. The
Lord's judgment not to
be anticipated.
F. Design in preceding
argument.
1. States the
disguise, 4:6. 2. The
object of it, 4:6. 3.
Another argument to same
point.
SECTION III
Depreciation of Paul
I Corinthians 4:8-21-5:1
I. Rebuke for despising
him, 4:8-13.
A. Their boasted
independence of him, 4:8.
B. Abasement of Apostles,
4:9.
1. Force of
"spectacle," unto the
world, theatrical show.
Extent of "to angels and
to men," is to all
intelligence.
C. Their pretensions
ridiculous, 4:10.
D. Specification of
abasement, 4:11, 13.
II. They ought to be like
Paul, 4:14-17.
A. Object of this
section, 4:14. B. Paul
their father in Christ,
4:15. C. Hence they should
imitate him, 4:16. D. Sent
Timothy, older son, for this
purpose, 4:17.
III. Paul asserts his
authority, 4:17-5:1.
SECTION
IV
Fornication and Covetousness
I Corinthians 5 and 6
I. A case stated and
adjudged, 5:1-5.
A. The crime specified,
5:1.
B. Their indifference,
5:2.
C. Sentence pronounced.
(Question: How then is the
flesh destroyed? Satan would
not inflict punishment to
reformation.)
1. Some argue a
miraculous infliction of
bodily punishment such
as disease, blindness,
etc., by Christ from:
a. Verses 4, 5.
Say Christ's power
of a physical
nature. Also, 4:20,
21. b. Prom II
Cor. 13:2,10.
(1)
Objections to
this
interpretation.
(a) These
latter are
just as hard
to
understand
as the
passage
under
consideration.
(b) I
Cor. 11:30
contains no
proof. (c)
No proof
that
miraculous
power was
ever
exercised by
Apostles in
the
discipline
of the
church.—Ananias
and Sapphira
not a
parallel
case. (d)
Exclusion
from the
church is
sufficient
to account
for the
language.
(e) If a
person is
not in the
kingdom of
Christ, he
must be in
the kingdom
of Satan.
"Whosoever
is not for
me is
against me."
(f) The
power of the
Lord must
attend their
act to
satisfy it.
Jno. 20:22,
23; Matt.
18:18.
2. Exclusion agrees
with the facts in the
case, Comp. 5:13, with
II Cor. 2:6.
a. We see from
this that he was
excluded from the
church and that
grief caused him to
repent.
b. He was
afterwards restored.
How was his spirit
to be saved? c.
Exclusion was the
only means. This
will lead him to
repentance. If he
had been kept with
the church and no
notice to him of his
crime, he might have
thought he was good
enough.
II. Necessity for
excluding corrupt persons,
5:6-8.
A. Their pride again
rebuked, 5:6.
B. Diffusiveness of
corruptiveness, 5:6.
C. It must be removed.
1. First to keep the
church pure. 2. To
enable them to keep the
passover, 5:7.
D. The new passover like
the old—to be kept without
leaven.
1. What does leaven
here mean? a. Malice and
wickedness.
2. What does unleaven
here mean? a. Purity and
truth.
III. Non-intercourse with
fornicators and some others
enjoined, 5:9-13.
A. Explanation of former
prohibition, 5:9.
1. Former prohibition
stated again, 5:9.
a. Proof that
Paul has written
them an epistle
before this. Verse 9
may refer to this or
a former letter— and
other to a former.
b. No such
prohibition in
former part of this
epistle. c. Now
(11) is contrasted
with former writing,
therefore: d. He
must have written a
former epistle.
2. Those out of
church not included,
5:10. 3. Repeats it
more definitely, 5:11.
B. Reason of this
distinction between those
out and those in the church,
5:12, 13.
1. Church's judgment
restricted to those
within. 2. Those out
left to God's judgment,
5:13.
IV. Covetous practices
rebuked, 6:1-11. (Their
covetousness led to their law
suits. This digression was
suggested by 5:11)
A. Suits before the
unrighteous, 6:1-8.
1. Should go before
the saints in
preference, 6:1. 2.
Saints are qualified —
will judge the world and
angels, 6:2, 3.
a. How judged
there ?
(1) It must
be in same
subordinate
sense for Christ
is the superior
judge. (2) The
Apostles were to
sit on twelve
thrones judging
the twelve
tribes, Matt.
19:28. (3)
Paul and the
church not to
judge those
without, 5:12.
(4) It is not in
matters of this
life, 6:3-4.
(5) Farther we
know not.
3. The least esteemed
to be appointed to
judge, 6:4. 4. Their
excuse (saints not
qualified) 6:5. A shame
to them, 6:3-6, compare
with 4:10. 5. No
excuse for the suits,
6:7. 6. Really unjust
and wrong, 6:8.
B. Fate of all the
unrighteous, 6:11.
1. They shall not
inherit the kingdom
(Heaven.) 2. Some of
the unrighteous
specified, 6:10. 3.
Corinthians were such
but now are changed.
a. The conclusion
is suppressed, but
is strongly implied,
that they should not
become such again.
V. Fleshly indulgence
restricted, 6:12-20.
A. All things lawful for
use, i.e., in their proper
way.
1. Two restrictions:
a. It must be for
good. b. They must
not control us,
6:12.
B. Meats: They and that
for which they are used
temporary, 6:13.
C. Body not for
fornication, but for the
Lord, 6:13. Proof in part:
1. The Lord is for
the body to raise it up.
2. Our bodies members of
Christ, hence not to be
joined to harlot,
6:15-17.
D. Fornication is sin
against the body. In this
different from other sins.
1. Drunkenness and
gluttony effect our
bodies, but not so much.
2. It has been recorded
from statistics that
prostitute women average
not more than seven
years of life after they
begin their course of
vice.
E. Body a temple of God
bought by him. Hence must be
used for His glory, 6:19,
20.
SECTION V
Marriage
and Divorce
I Corinthians 7
I. Celibacy preferred but
matrimony permitted, 7:1-9.
A. About to answer
letter, 7:1.
B. Marriage advised to
avoid fornication, 7:2.
1. Monogamy implied.
C. Marital duties
prescribed.
1. Each to yield to
desire of other. 2. No
separation but by
agreement for a short
time for prayer, 7:5.
a. Seasons of
self-denial for
prayer implied.
3. Why for a short
time only? 7:5.
D. The above given as
advise and not as a command,
7:6.
E. Paul's preference:
Prefers all to be like
him—unmarried. Admits this
not suited to some, 7:7-9.
II. Divorce and marriage
of divorced person treated of,
7:10-24.
A. General prohibition of
divorce, 7:10,11.
1. Wife not to leave
her husband. 2. If she
leaves him, she must
remain unmarried. 3.
Same law for the
husband. 4. It is
implied in v. 11, that a
woman may rightly leave
her husband, but if she
does, she must remain
unmarried. (May leave
him for adultery, comp.
Matt. 19:1-12)
B. Special prohibition.
Where one party is an
unbeliever, 7:12-18.
1. The believer
(husband or wife) must
not put away or leave
the unbeliever. 2.
Reason for it:
unbeliever sanctified in
the believer.
a. Proof:
Cleanliness of their
children who are
also unbelievers,
7:14. b.
"Sanctify" and
"holy" used in
opposition to
"unclean" in a
figurative sense.
Comp. Ex. 9, 10,
whence the Jews got
their ideas.
3. If the unbeliever
depart, the believer not
in bondage to him, 7:15,
but must keep peace.
Must try to live with
him (or her.) 4.
Another reason why
should not separate. May
save the unbeliever by
living together, 7:16.
C. No social or political
relation dissolved by the
Gospel, 7:17-24.
1. General under
"walk" in these
relations as when
called, 7:17. 2. So
of circumcision, 7:18.
3. So of slavery,
7:20-22. Admits that
freedom is to be
preferred, 7:21.
Enforces this by
relation of both servant
and freeman to the Lord,
7:22. 4. Limits
service not to be the
slave of men. This means
that we are not to be
the slaves of men in
such a way as to prevent
our being free in the
Lord.
III. Giving virgins in
marriage, 7:25-40.
A. No sayings of Jesus on
this subject, but he gives
his judgment as an apostle,
7:25.
B. Prepares for his
conclusion by general
statements, 7:26-35.
1. Repeats the
judgment, 7:7-9, more
fully, 7:27-28.
a. Reason:
Present distress.
2. Times require
freedom from earthly
care, 7:29-32.
a. "The times,"
equal "present
necessity" of the
preceding, 7:28.
3. The married have
more worldly care than
unmarried, 7:27-32. This
the general rule in such
times. 4. These
statements made for
their good, 7:35, and
not merely to bring them
under his control, 7:35.
C. Conclusions, 7:36-40.
(May marry on certain
conditions.)
1. On certain
conditions may let
virgin marry.
a. If the father
thinks he would be
treating her harshly
by preventing her
marriage. b. If it
is necessary that
she should marry.
2. In absence of
these conditions, keep
her single, 7:37. 3.
Who keeps his daughter
does better than he who
does not, 7:38. 4.
Caution: If she marry,
she is bound for life,
7:39. 5. The woman is
happier in the single
state, 7:40.
a. All these
modified by the
"times" and
circumstances of the
Corinthians.
6. Claims the Spirit
of God for all of this,
7:40. a. "I also,"
alludes to the claims of
his opponent.
SECTION VI
Meats
offered to idols.
I Corinthians
8
I. Not to be eaten by
Christians, chapter 8.
A. Knowledge of brethren
in reference to idols.
1. Subject named,
8:1. 2. Digression
suggested by "we know."
a. Inferiority of
knowledge to love.
Gal. 4:9. b.
Compare Matt. 7:23;
II Tim. 2:19.
3. Theme renewed and
eating specie fixed,
8:4. 4. Brethren knew
difference between idols
and God, 8:5,6. 5.
Some without this
knowledge, 8:7, and
defiled their conscience
by eating.
B. Admission: Abstractly
considered, eating neither
good nor bad, 8:8.
C. Why wrong for them who
had knowledge to eat, 8:12.
1. It emboldens the
other class. 2. It
causes the ruin of the
weak class. 3. This is
a sin against them and
Christ.
D. Several conclusions.
1. Eat no flesh when
such is the effect.
a. Corollary: Do
nothing to cause a
brother to stumble
unless it is a
positive duty.
Applies to dancing,
etc.
SECTION VII
Depreciation of Paul
I Corinthians
9:1-23
I. Paul's equal rights
with other Apostles, 9:1-6.
A. Free from human
control because he is an
Apostle.
1. Proves he is an
Apostle.
a. By seeing
Jesus. b. By their
existence as a
church.
(1) He was an
apostle to them
at least, 9:1,
2.
B. He has the same right
to eat, drink, marry and
cease labors as other
Apostles, 9:3, 6.
1. These things were
admitted to be right for
others, ergo, they were
right for him.
II. His right to a support
for preaching, 9:7- 23.
A. He argues his right to
support:
1. From analogy of
soldiers, vine dressers
and shepherds, 9:7. 2.
From the law of Moses.
3. From the law of
equitable exchange,
9:11. 4. From what
others had received,
9:12.
a. Paul had
waived this right
for the sake of the
Gospel.
5. From examples of
priests and Levites,
9:13. 6. From the
Lord's order on the
subject, 9:14. a.
Compare, Matt. 10:9, 10;
Luke 10:7.
(1) Corollary: If
this argument good
for Paul— good for
evangelists now.
B. How he had acted in
this matter and why,
9:15-23.
1. Had waived his
right and would still do
so, 9:15.
a. Rather die
than not have cause
for glory in the
Gospel.
2. He must preach,
pay or no pay, 9:17-18.
a. This so of
every one who is
called—every man to
whom in the judgment
of his brethren, God
has given the
ability. They are to
be judges. If he
cannot get a
support, he must
work enough to get
it and preach the
rest of the time.
3. His reward:
Satisfaction that
laboring without pay
gave, 9:18. 4. Had
resigned his freedom to
gain the more souls,
9:19.
5. Became all things
to all men for the same
purpose.
a. He became all
things not
inconsistent with
the law of Christ.
Such a course
pursued for selfish
manners would be the
height of meanness,
but pursued for the
sake of the Gospel,
it is the height of
self-sacrifice. This
should be our
example.
SECTION VIII
Examples
and Warnings
I Corinthians
9:24-10:33
I. Examples of
perseverance, 9:24-27.
A. Example from the race
course, 9:24.
1. Urging them to
run.
B. Example from boxers,
9:25, urging self-control.
C. Example of Paul
himself, 9:20, 27.
1. He was like the
runners and boxers.
II. Warning from Jews in
the wilderness, 10:1-22.
A. Cases are analogous,
10:1-4.
1. They were immersed
into Moses as Christians
are into Christ. 2.
Had the same food in
type that the Christian
has in antitype.
a. Argument: For
infant baptism: All
in the type must be
in the antitype.
Children in the
type, therefore they
must be in the
antitype. b.
Answer:
(1) Granting
the major
premise: cattle,
sheep, and goats
in the type,
therefore in the
antitype. This
proves too much.
(2) Infants,
cattle, etc.,
could be
immersed into
Moses, (i.e. be
put under his
government and
authority,) but
not into Christ.
Hence the major
premise false.
(The Israelites,
their cattle,
etc., were not
fully under the
rule of Moses
till they
crossed the red
sea. Up to that
time, they were
in the dominion
of Pharaoh.)
(3) Paul's
statement
includes only
those who were
over 20 years of
age at the time
of their
passage. Compare
1 and 5. "our
fathers," "they
were," "most of
them," Hence the
minor premise
false. Away it
goes.
B. Most of them fell,
10:5. Therefore Christians
in the same danger.
C. As types of us they
warn us, 10:8-12.
1. Against desire of
evil things. 2.
Against idolatry. 3.
Against tempting
(testing) the Lord. 4.
Against murmuring,
10:10. 5. Against
fornication, 10:8. 6.
Repeats more fully,
10:5.
D. An excuse anticipated,
10:13.
1. They might say,
"ours an uncommon
temptation."
a. Theirs, not
uncommon temptation.
b. God would not
allow an
irresistible
temptation to come
upon them.
E. Special application to
idolatry, 10:14-22.
1. Their attention
called to the subject.
2. The Lord's Supper a
joint sharing of his
body and blood, 10:16,
17. This illustrated by
the priests and altars,
10:18. 3. Idols' table
a sharing with demons,
10:19, 20. 4. Shows
they cannot share both.
(i.e., The Lord's table
and that of demons.)
10:21. 5. To try this
is to stir God's
jealousy, 10:22.
a. Compare Ex.
20:5, "Jealous God."
in. Returns to
principles of verses
8 and 12,
10:23:11:1.
F. Extent of its
application.
1. All things allowed
for use but limited by
good for ourselves and
others, 10:23, 24. 2.
No question about meats
sold in the markets or
on the tables, 10:25,27.
3. When said to be
offered to idols,
abstain from them for
others good, 10:28. 4.
Objection: "Why am I
judged by other's
conscience? 10:29, 330.
a. Answer: All
things must be done
for glory of God.
b. Tripping a man of
any class contrary
to this, 10:31, 32.
5. Paul sets an
example, 10:33 and 11:1.
SECTION IX
Improprieties in Worship
I Corinthians
11:2-12:1
I. In reference to
covering the head, 11:2-16.
A. Introduction to the
subject, 11:2.
1. The grades of
authority, woman, man,
Christ, God. 2. States
proof in reference to
man and woman, 11:5.
3. Proof:
a. As to woman.
By their admission,
11:6. b. As to
man, in the image of
God, 11:7. c.
Returns to case of
the woman—she to be
subordinate,
11:8-10.
(1)
Angels—they
present and
pleased with
good order but
displeased with
bad.
4. Neither
independent of the
other, 11:11, 12. 5.
Argues as to both by
their natural notion of
propriety, in reference
to wearing hair, 11:13,
15.
a. "Nature," the
general sense of
propriety among men.
6. Contentions
answered.
a. The Apostles
and churches have no
such customs. (i.e.,
of wearing long hair
and therefore they
ought not.) 11:16.
II. In reference to the
Lord's Supper, 11:17-34.
A. Another exception to
verse 2.
1. Their public
assemblies for the
worse, 11:17.
B. First specification:
Divisions, 11:18, 19.
1. The necessity
stated in verse 19, not
absolute, but
conditional.
C. Eating one's own
supper instead of the
Lord's, 11:20, 22.
1. Some brought a
feast, others did not.
11:21, 22. 2. The ones
who brought a feast ate
it before the Lord's
Supper, 11:20. 3. This
was displeasing to the
church (not the house)
and shaming those who
had brought nothing,
11:22. 4. No praise
for this, 11:22, comp.
verse 2.
D. Correct order of
Lord's Supper, 11:23, 24.
1. How instituted,
11:23, 25.
a. This to show
how celebrated and
its design.
2. In doing this they
show forth the Lord's
death, 11:26.
a. To be done
till He comes, (i.e.
to be done in all
ages of the church.)
11:26.
3. Guilt of eating
unworthily. Meaning of
unworthily, 11:27.
4. Corinthians were
suffering punishment for
this guilt, 11:30, 32.
5. How to avoid this in
future, 11:33, 34.
SECTION X
Spiritual
Gifts
I Corinthians
12, 13, 14
I. Introduction, 12:1-3.
A. Must not be led about
as when idolatrous, 12:2.
B. None with the Spirit
dishonor Christ—none honor
Christ but by the Spirit,
12:3.
II. Sameness of Spirit in
all gifts, 12:4-11.
A. Proposition of
sameness (or identity) in
gifts, services, and
workings, 12:4-6. (Notice
the distribution between
Father, Son and Spirit.)
B. Object of every gift:
Good of the church, 12:7.
C. Specifications under main
proposition, 12:8-10.
1. "Faith", 12:9, the
faith to perform
miracles. There was need
of a conviction of power
to do them. 2. Compare
Matt. 14:31, 21:20-22;
James 5:15. 3.
Discerning of Spirit
equals the
distinguishing of true
from pretended
inspiration. (See I John
4:1).
D. Repeats proposition
more fully, 12:11.
1. Why the emphasis
on this?
III. Unity of the body of
Christ, 12:12-31.
A. The many members are
one body, 12:12.
1. Proposition stated
and illustrated, 12:12.
2. Came to this
oneness by the one
Spirit, 12:13.
a. Of the first
clause of verse 13,
there are two
interpretations:
(1) We are
immersed in the
Spirit into the
body. This done
when the person
receives the
Holy Spirit and
Holy Spirit
brings him into
the church.
(a)
Objections:
Immersion in
water brings
into the one
body, Romans
6:3-4; Matt.
28:19.
(b). The
known
immersion in
the Spirit
did not
bring the
persons into
the body,
Acts 2:4;
10:47, 48.
(2) By or
under the
control of the
Spirit, we are
immersed in
water into the
one body. The
first
interpretation
disproved by (a)
and (b) of
objections,
hence second
correct. This
agrees with
"speaking words
of wisdom,"
"faith,"
"healing" by the
Spirit in verses
3, 8, 9, also
with process of
conversion.
B. No member independent
of another, 12:15-20.
1. Lowliness of some
does not separate them.
12:15-20. 2. The more
honorable members not
independent of the
others, 12:21, 22. 3.
Less honorable more
adorned, 12:23, 24. 4.
The design to harmonize
the parts, 12:25. 5.
Complete sympathy among
all, 12:26.
C. The above applied to
the body of Christ,
12:27-31.
1. The church is
Christ's body and the
members part of it. 2.
Special application to
members with gifts,
12:28-30. 3. Seek the
best gifts, but still a
better way, 12:31.
a. That way is
love, 13:2.
IV. Love superior to
gifts, chapter 13.
A. All gifts and
self-sacrifice worthless
without love, 13:1-3.
B. Superior effect on
character, 13:4-7. C. Its
permanency compared with
gifts, 13:8-12. D.
Superior even to faith and
hope, 13:13.
V. Prophecy the best gift,
14:1-25.
A. Seen by its effect on
the church, 14:1-19.
1. Tongues speak only
to God and edify the
possessor— prophecy
edifies the church,
14:1-4. 2. No
edification in tongues
unless translated,
14:5-6. 3. Illustrated
by musical instruments
and other sounds,
14:7-11.
4. One with gift of
tongue should pray for
the power to translate,
14:12-15. 5. No
edification in tongues
reported, 14:15-19.
B. Seen by its effect on
unbelievers and those
ungifted, 14:20-28.
1. Must think like
men, 14:20. 2. Tongues
for
unbelievers—prophecies
for believers, 14:20-28.
3. In the church even
unbelievers best
affected by prophecy,
14:23-25.
VI. All gifts must be used
for edification, 14:28-40.
A. The miraculous gift,
14:26-33.
1. Proposition,
14:26. 2.
Specifications (two)
a. As to tongues,
14:27, 28. b. As
to prophecy, 14:28,
33.
B. Women to be silent in
church, 14:34, 36.
1. It is not
permitted them to speak,
14:34. 2. Law of
subjection (Gen. 3:16)
forbids, 14:34. 3.
Indecorous for them to
:speak, 14:35. 4. This
church (one at Corinth)
not superior that it
should have novel
customs, 36.
a. Reconcile this
(B) with 11:5. Two
Methods:
(1) Women
with miraculous
gifts an
exception to
this rule. (2)
In 11:5, Paul
only rebukes the
manner, but here
the thing
itself. In favor
of the last, II
Tim. 2:11, 12.
Let the women
(wife) learn in
"silence."
(a)
Question—"Why
did the
women have
these gifts
if not to be
used?"
b. Answer: Their
gifts for use in
private and among
their own sex. Titus
2:4. Greater need of
this then than now.
Not so much mingling
of the sexes in the
East as in countries
of Europe and
America. Women had a
separate court among
the Jews.— "Court of
the women."
C. Conclusion, 14:37-40.
1. The way this
instruction and by the
prophets a test of their
claim, 14:37, 38. 2.
Prefer prophecy, but
forbid not tongues,
14:39. 3. Decorum in
good order to govern in
all things, (can't be
too careful on this
point.)
The
Word PROPHECY In This Section
CHAPTER 14
1. It primarily means
foretelling future
events. 2. Its
effects: Edification,
and encouragement,
Compare 3, 4. 3.
Distinguish from
revelation, knowledge
and teaching, 6.
"Revelation" not used in
its widest sense. In
that sense would include
all the others. 4. It
convicts unbelievers,
24, 25. 5. It teaches
something. 6.
Conclusion: It is a
hortatory address,
enforced by predictions
leading to conviction
and edification. Compare
the prophetic books of
the Old Testament, John
the Baptist's teaching
as that of others in New
Testament.
SECTION XI
The
Resurrection
I Corinthians
15
I. The resurrection a
part of the Gospel, 15:1-11.
A. Will restate in what
form he (Paul) had preached
and they had received the
Gospel, 15:1, 2.
B. The form stated,
15:3-4.
1. Force of
"according to the
scriptures," means the
full teaching of all
prophecies as types on
subject.
C. Witnesses of the
resurrection introduced,
15:5-7. Refers also to self.
D. Parenthesis on his own
unworthiness, 15:8-10.
E. Such the preaching of
all the Apostles, and such
the former belief of the
Corinthians themselves.
II. Absurdity of denying
the resurrection, 15:12-19.
A. It would prove that
Christ not risen. 15:12-19.
B. This proved, his
preaching vain, 15:14.
C. Apostles false
witnesses, 15:15-16.
D. They yet in their
sins, 15:17.
E. The dead saints
perished; the living ones
miserable, 15:18-19. (This
argument assumes the mutual
dependence of the
resurrection and separate
existence of the Spirit; as
in Matt. 22:31-32. If anyone
should prove the existence
of the spirit after death,
the Sadducees would
acknowledge the
resurrection. Christ did
this.)
III. The resurrection of
all argued from that of Christ,
15:20-28.
A. Christ, the first
fruit, implying the
gathering up of all the
other harvest, 15:20.
B. Proposition that all
will rise in him, 15:21, 22.
1. "In Kim,"—by his
influence.
C. This will be at his
coming, 15:23.
D. Proved by all enemies
being put under his feet,
death being one and the last
enemy, 15:24-27.
E. A limit to "all things
under him," God excepted,
15:27-28.
IV. Argument from
immersion and exposure of life,
15:29 34.
A. From immersion, 15:29.
1. Resurrection
declared in raising the
immersed person from the
water. Compare Romans
6:4; Col. 2:12.
"Immersed for the dead"
used because immersion
and rising from it
declare the resurrection
of the dead.
B. From Paul's exposure,
15:30-32.
C. Hints at the cause of
their unbelief, 15:33-34.
V. The resurrection body,
15:35-50.
A. An objection implying
doubt and making inquiry
discussed, 15:35.
B. Decay of the body not
in the way, as proved by
grain, 15:36. C. As in the
case of the grain, should
expect the resurrection of
the body to be different
from the present. 15:37-38.
D. Difference illustrated by
the difference in other
bodies 15:39-42. E. Points
of difference stated,
15:42-44. F. Illustrates
the difference by the two
Adams, 15:45 49.
G. The resurrection body
cannot be flesh and blood,
15:50.
1. Therefore there
must be a change of the
present body.
VI. Change of the bodies
of the living saints at the
resurrection, 15:51-57.
A. The last generation
before the resurrection
shall not die, but shall be
changed, 15:51-52.
B. Shall be changed to
the same as those raised,
15:53.
C. The triumph over death
and sin, 15:54-57.
VII. An exhortation,
15:58.
A. To firmness.
B. Activity.
C. The certainty of the
reward.
SECTION XII
Personal
Statements and Salutations
I Corinthians
16
I. The great collection,
16:1-4.
A. Compare:
II. Cor. 8:1-11; Romans
15:25, 26; Acts 24:17.
II. His intended visit,
16:5-9.
III. Visit of Timothy and
Apollos, 16:10-14.
A. Compare Acts 19:21.
1. Why was Apollos
not willing to go?
VI. Condition of Stephanos
and house, 16:15-18.
V. Salutations, 16:19-24.
Finis Dec.
12th./66. |