Tag: Corinthians

The Lord’s Supper

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1Corinthians 11:23-27 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, 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. 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 you, as oft as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 

‘I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you.’ This was by direct revelation from Jesus Christ to Paul (11:23-34; Gal. 2:2).

‘Betrayed’ [Greek: paradidomi] delivered (11:2, 23; John 18:30; Acts 3:13; Rom. 8:32).

‘This is my body, which is broken for you.’ This is a symbol of Christ’s body. As this bread is broken, so His body was marred and scourged for us (Isa. 52:14; 53:4-5; 1Pet. 2:24). This bread was leavened – for He took our sins upon Him.

‘This do in remembrance of me’ – This is a memorial of Jesus until He comes (11:24-26). After He comes it will be observed in the kingdom (Luke 22:16, 18-20, 30; Matt. 26:29).

‘This cup is the new testament in my blood’ – This is a symbol of Christ’s blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:20; Acts 20:28; Rev. 1:5; 5:10; 1Jn. 1:7). It symbolizes His blood that seals the new covenant which is based upon better promises (Heb. 8:6; 9:15-22).

‘As oft as you drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till he come.’ As oft – daily (Acts 2:46), weekly (Acts 20:7), or anytime you do this you show forth the Lord’s death till He comes again (11:25; Luke 22:19).

‘For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till he come.’ This is the 10th New Testament prophecy in 1 Corinthians. This again emphasizes that the Lord’s Supper can be taken at any time. Set laws in congregations that it has to be taken every Sunday or only once a year is man-made and without scriptural authority.

‘Unworthily’ [Greek: anaxios] irreverently; unworthy; unfit (11:27, 29).

Eight ways to partake unworthily: By taking the Lord’s Supper in envying and strife (11:18). By taking it to commemorate a mere historical fact, as the Jews celebrated the Passover (11:19). By taking it in gluttony and drunkenness (11:21-22). By taking it in irreverence to God and His congregation (11:22). By taking it in disrespect to the poor and needy (11:22). By taking it in unbelief, not realizing its true significance, and not discerning the Lord’s body and blood to receive the benefits by faith (11:27-30). By taking it as an unsaved man with sin in the life and without making proper confession and acknowledgement of personal needs (11:27-30). By taking it without judging oneself so as to escape chastening from God (11:31-32).

No Such Custom

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1Corinthians 11:12-16 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 

‘Is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?’ Middle Eastern men did not wear their hair long.

‘Covering’ [Greek: peribolaion] something thrown around anyone (Heb. 1:12). The long hair of a woman is given her for a mantle, veil, or covering. That is, long hair can be used as a veil if she insists on her new freedom of deliverance from old customs of always wearing a veil. Please note that this was only discussed with the congregation because of their customs and the issues it created and not because of something that God has commanded us to uphold today.

‘But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.’ It appears that some Corinthian women claimed for their sex equality with the men on the basis that there is no difference in benefits in Christ (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). They overstepped their authority in coming forward to pray and prophesy unveiled. This is what the apostle disapproves of in 1Corinthians 11:1-16. He sums up his argument here by stating that if any man sets himself up as a defender of such new freedom for women, then a woman may pray or prophesy with an uncovered head and a man may have long hair if each one wants to bear the reproach and shame of such action. Paul makes it plain that there is no set law or custom governing such in the congregations of God.

In the Lord

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1Corinthians 11:5-11 But every woman that prayed or prophesied with her head uncovered dishonours her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 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. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 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. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 

‘But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.’ Women were to remain under their customary veils when praying or prophesying.

Ten reasons Middle Eastern and Eastern women were to be veiled: It had been a custom for ages for women to be veiled (Gen. 24:65; 38:14, 19; Ruth 3:15; Isa. 3:23; Son. 5:7). It was a Jewish law that no woman be seen in public unveiled. Among Greeks, Romans, and other nations it was also a custom. Only public prostitutes in the East went without veils, hence to pray or prophesy without a veil would be identifying Christianity with harlotry. If a woman appeared in public without a veil, she would disgrace her head – the husband (11:3). It would be the same as women who had hair shorn off as punishment for whoredom and adultery (11:5-6; Num. 5:18). The man was not to wear a veil because he was the image and glory of God. The woman needed one because she was the glory of the man being created for him (11:7-9). The woman needed to wear her veil on her head as a sign of the husband’s authority over her, thus setting an example of humility and submission to her head – the husband. She would thus be a lesson to angels to submit to God (11:10; 4:9; Eph. 3:10-11; Eccl. 5:6; 1Tim. 5:21). The woman needed to cooperate fully with the husband and keep the customs as being equally blessed by God (11:11-12; 1Tim. 2:9; 1Pet. 3:1-7). It was becoming to a woman in that day to be veiled and not common for a Christian woman to pray or prophesy unveiled. That would make her like the heathen priestesses who prayed and delivered the oracles bareheaded or with dishevelled hair. It was natural for women to have long hair thus indicating they should be veiled.

‘Prayed or prophesied’ – This is proof that women did pray and preach in the congregations (11:5; 14:3, 23-25, 31; Acts 2:16-21; 21:9; Joel 2:28-32).

‘Uncovered’ [Greek: akatakaluptos] unveiled (11:5, 13).

‘Covered’ [Greek: katakalupto] veiled (11:6, 7) not hats as proclaimed by churches today.

The Head of Every Man

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1Corinthians 11:1-4 Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonours his head. 

‘Followers’ [Greek: mimetes] imitators. Follow or imitate me as I imitate Christ (4:16; 11:1; Eph. 5:1; 1Thess. 1:6; 2:14; Heb. 6:12; 1Pet. 3:13).

‘Praise’ [Greek: epaineo] commend (Luke 16:8); laud (Rom. 15:11), and praise (1Cor. 11:2, 17, 22).

‘Keep’ [Greek: katecho] hold fast (1Thess. 5:21; Heb. 3:6, 14; 10:23).

‘Ordinances’ [Greek: paradosis] a handing down; doctrines; traditions (Matt. 15:2-6; Mark 7:3-13; Gal. 1:14; Col. 2:8; 2Thess. 2:15; 3:6). What ordinances he refers to are not listed, but they no doubt include the whole body of truth of the gospel and not only the Lord’s Supper and water baptism.

‘The head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.’ Three headships in 1Corinthians11:3: God is head of Christ. Christ is head of man. Man is head of woman – the husband is the head of his wife.

‘The head of Christ is God’ – God and Christ are two separate and distinct persons (1Tim. 2:5).

‘Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonours his head.’ Every man praying or prophesying with a cap or turban on his head dishonours his head, Christ (11:3). This was in direct contrast to the canons of the Jews which did not permit a man to pray or prophesy unless veiled. Their idea was that man is unworthy to have an open face before God.

‘Dishonours’ [Greek: kataischuno] shame (Luke 13:17; Rom. 5:5; 9:33; 10:11; 1Cor. 11:22; 2Cor. 7:14; 9:4; 1Pet. 3:16); confound (1Cor. 1:27; 1Pet. 2:6); and dishonour (11:4-5). Christianity is an open-faced religion and nothing is to be done in secret or under cover.

Idols

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1Corinthians 10:27-33 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 

‘If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.’ If any man invites you to a common meal, you are free to go. If it is an idol festival you cannot go (10:18-28; 8:4-13), make sure however not to eat with those clearly stated in 1Corinthians 5:11-13.

‘But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake.’ You are free to eat the meat at the table unless you are informed that it is a sacrifice to idols. In this case, you have to refrain for the sake of the one who invited you (10:28-29). You are to let it be known that you have no part as a Christian with any traffic with idols and demons (10:20-22).

‘For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks.’ It would still be lawful for you to eat of meat sacrificed to idols, as an idol is nothing, but if it is so sacrificed then it must be recognized that it is in honour of devils and for this reason you have to refuse to partake (10:20-22). You would be a stumbling block to a weak brother or a heathen who perhaps knows the stand of Christianity on the question. We must be true to our religion and convictions.

‘Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.’ Ten rules of Christian diplomacy: Eat for the glory of God without being glutinous (10:31). Drink for the glory of God (not implying the drinking of alcohol). Do all things for God’s glory. Give no offense to Jews (10:32). Give no offense to Gentiles. Give no offense to brethren (Christians). Seek to please all people in God (10:33). Seek to please people in all things in God. Do not seek personal profit, but seek the profit of others (10:33; 9:19-23). Above all, do all things with the view setting the correct example for the sake of redemption of the lost souls of people (10:33).

All Things

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1Corinthians 10:23-26 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof. 

‘All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.’ All things will always refer to that which God created which never included anything that is under the curse, which is sinful or defiling. All edible foods are lawful, but all are not profitable and edifying to others, so I will not partake of them lest others stumble and be lost (10:23-33; 8:4-13; Rom. 14-15; Col. 2:14-17; 1Tim. 4:1-16). Today we cannot just eat anything edible without considering their quality and wholesomeness, for junk food although edible is most definitely junk to the body and thus not at all expedient or for edification.

‘Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.’ Let no man seek to gratify his own appetites at the expense of another soul.

‘Shambles’ [Greek: makellon] the slaughterhouse; market. ‘Asking no question for conscience sake.’ Do not ask questions as to whether anything was offered in sacrifice to idols (10:25-28; 8:7-13). Do not act as Jews do, torturing themselves and others with questions. Was it offered to idols? Who killed it? Was it strangled or was it properly bled?

‘Conscience sake’ [Greek: suneidesis] conviction or being conscious of a custom. Some had done this all their lives and still regarded sacrifices to idols as real acts of worship, not having true knowledge that idols were nothing. For such to take part in eating meat offered to an idol was to defile the conscience.

‘For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.’ All creatures on earth are the Lord’s and nothing is impure or unholy in itself, if used for the correct purpose it was created for; some for food and others for scavenging (Gen. 7:2; Lev. 11). All food must be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth (1Tim. 4:1-8; Rom. 14:14, 17, 20; Tit. 1:15). The only problem is that of causing others to stumble (8:4-13; 10:23-33; Rom. 14:1-15:3).

Sacrifice

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1Corinthians 10:18-22 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 

‘The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils.’ The fact that sacrifices to idols are really sacrifices to devils is sufficient to condemn all traffic with idols even though they are nothing in themselves (10:18-20). Those who partake of idol worship have fellowship with devils, and those who partake of Christ cannot have fellowship with idols or devils (10:21).

‘Idols’ – the Greek word eidololatreia means image-worship which is also idolatry (10:14; Gal. 5:20; Col. 3:5; 1Pet. 4:3). Idolatry includes anything on which affections are passionately set; extravagant admiration of the heart (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). Any

‘Cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.’ We cannot partake of the table of devils or anything of the worldly people that serves sin and satan.

‘Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?’ God is provoked to jealousy by our sins. Provoking God to jealousy is referred to 6 times (Deut. 32:16; 1Kin. 14:22; Rom. 10:19; 11:11; 1Cor. 10:22). When His people, whom He commands to have no other gods, insist on mixing idolatry and demon worship with true worship, as some of the Corinthians did and most so-called-Christians today, then God is under obligation to judge them (8:4-13; 10:1-22).

In Exodus 20:5 we read for the first of 10 time of God’s jealousy (Ex. 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; Jos. 24:19; Ezek. 39:25; Joel 2:18; Zech. 1:14; 8:2). There is godly jealousy (2Cor. 11:2), and ungodly (Pro. 6:34; Son. 8:6).

Flee From Idolatry

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1Corinthians 10:14-17 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge you what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 

‘Flee from idolatry’ – God is more glorious than any part of creation and must be recognized as such. When men worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator it is idolatry and this calls for the curse of God (Rom. 1:18-32). Creation was made by God for His own glory and pleasure, not for creation itself to worship (Rev. 4:11). Fornication in the Bible means: adultery of married or single people (Mat. 5:32; 19:9; 1Cor. 7:2; 10:8; 1Thess. 4:3; Rev. 9:21); incest (1Cor. 5:1; 10:8); idolatry and adultery in honour of idol gods (2Chron. 21:11; Isa. 23:17; Ezek. 16:15, 26, 29; Acts 15:20, 15:29; 21:25; Rev. 2:14-21; 14:8; 17:2-4; 18:3-9; 19:2); natural harlotry (John 8:41; 1Cor. 6:13-18); spiritual harlotry (Ezek. 16:15, 26, 29; Rev. 17:2-4; 18:3-9; 19:2); sodomy and male prostitution (1Cor. 6:9-11; Heb. 12:16; Jude 1:6-7; Rom. 1:24-29; 2Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5). Do all these scriptures apply to single people only? If not, then fornication does not apply only to single people as some teach.

Two results of idolatry: Judgment from the judge and a denial of God Himself (Job 31:28).

‘Wise men; judge you what I say’ – Since you are wise, you can see the necessity of refraining from idolatry.

‘The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?’ This refers to the Lord’s Supper (11:23-29).

‘For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.’ All believers who partake of Christ and the holy communion are one religious body in Christ and form the body of Christ (12:13; Col. 1:18, 1:24; Eph. 1:20-23; 2:19-22; 4:1-8).

Written for Our Admonition

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1Corinthians 10:11-13 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

‘For our admonition’ – There is no need of these things being written for our warning if we cannot be cut off from God and be lost like the Israelites in these examples. They could not be referring to sinning sinners only and not to sinning saints.

‘Admonition’ [Greek: nouthesia] ] warning (10:11; Eph. 6:4; Tit. 3:10).

‘Upon whom the ends of the world are come’ – The examples of Israel at the beginning of the Mosaic ages are for you upon whom the end of those ages has come; or, they are for you that have come to the closing ages.

‘Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.’ This verse concludes the warning against backsliding and following the examples of Israel of 1Corinthians 10:1-12.

‘There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.’ This verse gives assurance of the eternal keeping of God in all temptations and His help in every one of them, providing we obey the warnings of 1Corinthians 10:1-12. No man can be kept from a fall if he persistently refuses to meet conditions. Our standing depends upon our faith and union with God and steadfastness in prayer. The greatest saint can stand only as long as he depends upon God and continues in obedience to the gospel (Gen. 2:17; 3:1-19; Deut. 8:11-18; Pro. 1:10-17; 2:10-16; 4:14-15; 5:6-21; 6:27-28; 7:7-23; 9:15-17; 12:26; 14:27; 16:29; 19:27; 28:10; Isa. 33:15-16; Matt. 13:22; Luke 8:13; Rom. 6:12-23; 8:12-13; 12:21; 14:13-21; 1Cor. 7:5; 8:9-13; 10:1-12; 2Cor. 2:11; 11:3; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 4:27; 6:10-18; 1Tim. 5:15; 6:9-17; Heb. 3:6, 3:12-14; 6:4-11; 10:26-38; Jas. 1:2-16; 4:7; 2Pet. 2:9, 20-22; 3:17; 1Jn. 2:15-17). Any man who rejects these conditions of living right will someday see that he cannot escape death and eternal punishment.

God Was Not Well Pleased – Part 3

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1Corinthians 10:5-10 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be you idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur you, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

‘And were destroyed of serpents’ – In Numbers 21:6-9 we see the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. They were called “fiery serpents” because of the violent inflammation and thirst caused by their bites, not because of their colour (Deut. 8:15). They caused many to die but produced repentance and confession of sin (Num. 21:6-7). The bronze serpent was a type of Christ bearing the sins and sicknesses of all men (Matt. 8:17; John 3:14; 10:10; 1Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:1-12). A serpent of brass was made for their salvation as a type of Christ. Israel later made a god of this bronze serpent and it was finally destroyed in the days of Hezekiah (2Kin. 18:4). The nine-fold type of Christ: The serpent itself was a symbol of sin; Christ was made sin for us that we might be made free from sin (2Cor. 5:21).  The serpent was lifted up on a pole; Christ was lifted up on a cross (John 3:14-15). The sick of Israel received healing by looking on the brass serpent; others have received healing by looking to Christ (Matt. 8:17; John 3:14-15; 1Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:1-12). As the Israelites who looked on the serpent continued to live, so those who truly look to Christ will live eternally (John 3:14-15). God provided no other remedy for the Israelites at this time; so Christ is the only remedy for those who wish salvation (John 3:14-16; Acts 3:16; 4:12; Rom. 10:9-10). As the Israelites had to have faith in the brass serpent as the remedy for their sin and sickness, so people today must have faith in Christ (John 3:14-16; Eph. 2:8-9). As God’s power was the invisible force in the remedy of the brass serpent, so it is with salvation through Christ (Matt. 1:21; Rom. 1:16; Col. 2:12-13). As the serpent on the pole brought peace and reconciliation with God, so Christ did on the cross (Col. 1:20-21). As a confession of sin and prayer were necessary for Israel to receive the benefits of the remedy of the brass serpent, so they are necessary to obtain the benefits of Christ and the cross (John 3:14-16; Rom. 10:9-10; 1Jn. 1:9).

‘Murmur you, as some of them also murmured’ It does not take much to cause the average person to complain. The slightest temporary lack of water, food, clothing, money, or convenience will test the mettle of every man. One is virtually a prisoner to his own desires, appetites, and passions if he is without God. The best will finally complain if the pressure increases beyond normal.

‘The destroyer’ – The plagues in the wilderness was no doubt caused by a destroying angel as in Exodus 12:1-51; 2Samuel 24:16 and Isaiah 37:36.