Tag: Corinthians

All is Then Vain

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1Corinthians 15:12-19 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 

‘Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?’ Some false apostles at Corinth denied the resurrection of the dead, that of Christ which was fully proven by these eyewitnesses and the first resurrection of the dead which takes place at the rapture (11:13-15;). Most believers today believes in Christ’s resurrection but has no idea what the first resurrection is and that refers to the rapture (15:35-58). There are many proofs of the resurrection: from Scripture (15:1-4; Job 19:25; Ps. 16:10; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; John 20-21; Acts 2:27); from fact (15:5-8; John 21:14; Eph. 1:20; Rev. 1:12-18); proved by the absurdity of unbelief in the resurrection (15:12-19); proved by declaration of fact (15:20-22); proved by prediction (15:23-56); proved by the inconsistency of those who deny it (15:29); proved by faith and consecration in sacrificing all for it (15:30-34); proved by nature (15:33-49); proved by the absolute necessity of immortality of body in order to inherit the kingdom and other promises (15:50-54); proved by fulfillment of prophecy in the final victory over death (15:54-57). ‘And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.’ Twelve calamities “if Christ be not risen”: We have no guarantee of the resurrection [rapture] (15:12-13, 20-23); our gospel is then in vain (15:14). our faith is then in vain (15:14, 17); the apostles then were false witnesses because they have preached such a doctrine (15:15); we are then all yet in our sins (15:17); all the dead are then perished (15:18); we then have no hope (15:19); we are then most miserable (15:19); we are then plain fools (15:30-32); nature is then a farce (15:35-49); all promises are then lies (15:50-54), and all prophecies are then false (15:55-56).

The Least of the Apostles

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1Corinthians 15:9-11 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. 

‘For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.’ This is true in reference to his being chosen last and after the 12 apostles. As a preacher he was greater than any of the other apostles, hence the fourteen New Testament books he wrote through Holy Spirit inspiration. Paul always considered himself the least and not worthy to be an apostle because of his past persecution of Christ’s followers (1Tim. 1:11-16). The sixfold former state of Paul: Blasphemer of Christ (1Tim. 1:13); persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:1-3); injurious – killed saints (Acts 9:1); ignorant of the gospel (1Tim. 1:13); an unbeliever in Christianity (1Tim. 1:13); chief of sinners (1Tim. 1:15).

‘But I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.’ 2Corinthians 11:16-28 list all the sufferings Paul endured in labour. He laboured, yet not him, but he acknowledges God’s grace that enabled him.

He Was Seen

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1Corinthians 15:4c-8  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 

‘Seen’ – Over 514 witnesses saw Christ after the resurrection, we have 12 appearances of Christ: firstly to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; John 20:15-16); to the women at the tomb (Matt. 28:9); to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31); to Peter (15:5; Luke 24:34); to ten of the apostles (John 20:19); to eleven of the apostles (John 20:26); to seven of the apostles (John 21:1-22; this was after the second Sunday); to eleven of the apostles on a certain mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16); to all twelve apostles, which including Matthias (15:5; Acts 1:26); to five hundred brethren (15:6); to James, the Lord’s brother (15:7; Gal. 1:19); to all the apostles again (15:7; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:3-12, 26).

‘Cephas’ this was Peter (Luke 24:34; Mark 16:14).

‘The twelve’ – the term is used here officially, including Matthias (Acts 1:26) and excluding Paul (15:7-8).

‘He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.’ This could be the same as in Matthew 28:16.

‘He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.’ This is James, the half-brother of Jesus (Gal. 1:19).

‘And last of all he was seen of me also’ – This is proof that Paul did not class himself as one of the 12 apostles (15:5-8). They were chosen because they had been eyewitnesses from the beginning.

‘One born out of due time’ [Greek: ektroma] a child untimely born; an abortion. Paul referred to being born out of the season when the 12 apostles were chosen (Isa. 66:6-7; Rom. 11:25-29; Zech. 12:10-13:1).

According to the Scriptures

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1Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures… 

‘The gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand.’ Man’s five-fold responsibility to the gospel: It must be studied, as preached by the apostles through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (15:1; Mark 16:15). It must be received (15:1; John 1:12). It must be obeyed (15:1; Rom. 1:5; 6:17). It must be kept in memory – held fast (15:2; Heb. 3:6; 10:23; 12:14). It must be believed from the heart that will lead to obedience to every command and a life conformed to Christ’s image (15:2; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10; John 3:16-20; 1Pet. 2:21-23).

‘By which also you are saved’ – Four main parts to the gospel of salvation: Death of Christ (15:3; 4:14-21; Rom. 5:6-10; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:15); burial of Christ (15:4; Matt. 26:12; John 12:7; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12); resurrection of Christ (15:4, 12; Rom. 14:9; 2Cor. 5:15; 1Thess. 4:14); manifestation of Christ after the resurrection (15:5-8).

‘Keep in memory’ [Greek: katecho] holdfast.

‘What I preached unto you.’ What Paul preached – by the unction of the Holy Spirit – included in the four main parts to the gospel of salvation.

‘Believed in vain’ – It is possible to believe in vain or to no purpose (Luke 8:13; Jas. 2:19).

‘According to the scriptures’ – referring here to how that Christ died for our sins as quoted in Psalm 16:10; 22:1; Isaiah 52:14; and 53:1-12.

‘According to the scriptures’ referring here His burial and resurrection on the third day as quoted in Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:12; Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40 and Luke 11:29.

All Things Be Done Decently

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1Corinthians 14:34-40 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 

‘Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak.’ This does not contradict the fact that women were free to pray and prophesy at the gatherings (11:5, 13; Acts 2:16-21; 21:9; Joel 2:28-32).

‘But they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.’ A reference to Genesis 3:16. Man is now the head of the woman (11:3-12; Eph. 5:22, etc.), that is the husband over his own wife, not as some claim that all men are head over all women. The husband is the head – just as Christ is the head of the body – for the purpose of taking care of that body as described in Ephesians 5:23-31.

‘If they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.’ If they will learn anything, not preach, pray, testify, or prophesy anything. Let them ask their husbands at home and not at the congregational gatherings.

‘What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?’ Did the Word of God come from you or did it come only to you, that you should have rules and customs different from all other congregations? If you have gifts and are spiritual, you will acknowledge these teaching to be true commandments of the Lord and good for you. If you continue in ignorance after receiving these teachings, then remain ignorant (14:36-38).

‘Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.’ In conclusion, three things I command you: Covet to prophesy (14:1-3). Forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all gifts be exercised lawfully and in order as I have taught you.

Not the Author of Confusion

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1Corinthians 14:27-33 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

‘Unknown tongue’ – there is no word in the Greek for unknown here. No language spoken in any place in the universe is actually unknown to the people who speak it. The only sense in which tongues or languages are spoken by the ability of the gift of tongues is unknown is that the speaker himself does not know the language or languages which he speaks (14:2).

‘Let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.’ In congregational meetings, the command is that no more than three messages in tongues should be allowed in any one service, and that, provided they are truly interpreted. The order should be by course with the first message being interpreted before a second, if any, is given. One who thus speaks shall not interpret himself, his words must be interpreted by another gifted to do so (14:13). Even if more than one person speaks the rule is no more than a total of three messages in a single gathering. After that, they must remain silent regardless of how much they seem to be inspired. If there is no interpretation to the first message, they likewise must remain silent (14:27-28, 32). These laws concerning the gifts of tongues are to be obeyed as the commandments of God (14:32-33, 37-38).

‘Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.’ Prophets are also to speak two or three messages in turn letting others judge whether or not they have spoken the truth. Both kinds of messages (tongues and prophecy) are to be judged as to their truth. The basis of judgment is the written revelation of God (Deut. 18:10-12, 20; Isa. 8:19-20; Rev. 22:18-19). If any message in tongues or prophecy does not harmonize with the Bible or does not come to pass, then it is to be judged false and the person said to be speaking by his own spirit (13:1-3; Deut. 13:1-9; 18:20-23; Jer. 23:25-29, 32; Ezek. 13:2-3).

‘If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace.’ Everything revealed to a person is not a divine revelation. This is why everything must be judged.

‘All prophesy’ – men and women were permitted to prophesy (11:1-16; Acts 2:16-21). ‘The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.’ Among people who have inspirational experiences of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, it is very easy for one to claim that the Holy Spirit is moving upon him and that he should not quench the Spirit (1Thess. 5:19). This attitude of being determined to obey the Spirit leads to abuse of such gifts over and over, causing much confusion in gatherings. Let no man claim to be moved by the Holy Spirit who acts disorderly and causes confusion, for God is not the author of such (14:32-33).

Done Unto Edifying

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1Corinthians 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 

‘When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.’ Congregational activities: singing of psalms (Eph. 5:1-33; Col. 3:1-25); teaching doctrines (Acts 2:14, 42; 8:4-5, 35; 10:33-44; 1Cor. 1:18-24; 2Tim. 4:2-4); tongues and interpretations (1Cor. 14:27); prophecies (1Cor. 14:3, 24-25, 29-30); exhortations by laymen (Heb. 10:25); the Lord’s Supper (1Cor 10:16-17; 11:17-34; Jude 1:12); scripture reading (Luke 4:16; Col. 4:16; 1Thess. 5:27; 1Tim. 4:13); prayers (Acts 2:42; 4:24-31; etc.); exercise of other gifts – healing, faith, and miracles (Acts 3:6; 5:12-16; 8:5-8; 15:12; 19:11); exercise of discernment and judgment (Acts 5:1-11; 13:6-11; 1Cor. 5:1-13); baptism (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 16:33); laying on of hands for enduement of the Holy Spirit and gifts (Acts 8:14-19; 9:17-18; 19:1-7; 1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6; Heb. 6:1-20); collection of tithes and offerings (Acts 11:29; 1Cor. 16:2); disputings (Acts 19:8-10; Gal. 2:1-21); congregational trials (Matt. 18:15-18; 1 Cor. 5-6; Acts 5:1-42; 11:1-30; Gal. 2:1-14).

God is In You of a Truth

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1Corinthians 14:22-25 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 

‘Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.’ This is Paul’s explanation of the main purpose of tongues. They are designed as a sign to unbelievers that through their miraculous exercise sinners might see the manifestation of the supernatural (Isa. 28:11-12). Examples of this are found in Acts 2:1-11; 10:44-48; 19:1-7 and 1Corinthians 14:1-40.

‘Will they not say that you are mad?’ This will naturally be the result of such misuse of tongues.

‘And so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.’ The chief end of all gifts and worship services is to bring people to repentance and surrender to God. This is the chief purpose of the death of Christ (John 3:16).’

In Understanding Be Men

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1Corinthians 14:20-21 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be you children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, said the Lord. 

‘Be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be you children, but in understanding be men.’ Three stages of human growth are mentioned: [1] The Greek word nepios, meaning an infant who cannot yet speak and who knows nothing of sin (the verb nepiazo is translated “be you children” in 1Corinthians 14:20). [2] The Greek word paidion, a child beginning schooling to receive their first instructions. [3] The Greek word teleios, a man of mature age and thought; a man of growth and understanding. In other words, don’t be as little children in understanding. In malice be infants who cannot speak and who knows nothing of sin, but in understanding be people of maturity and growth.

‘Law’ – the law was a term used by Jews to express the whole Scriptures of the law, the prophets, and the psalms (Luke 24:44; John 10:34; 15:25), which we call the Old Testament today. ‘…written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.’ This is the 5th and last Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in 1 Corinthians (Isa. 28:11-12). This prophecy reveals that God intended over 700 years before Christ to speak to people with stammering lips and other languages.

By My Voice

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1Corinthians 14:18-19 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 

‘I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all’ – Paul admits his ability to talk in tongues, yet says there is a time and place for tongues.

Six times not to speak in tongues: When not impelled by love (13:1-3). When there is no interpreter present (14:5, 27-28). When it is time to give truth to the public (14:6-13, 19, 14:23-25).  When invited to say grace at the table (14:16-17).  When others speak in tongues and people are present who would stumble over such action (14:23-25).  After two or three messages in tongues have been given and interpreted (14:27).

‘Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.’ This does not belittle tongues or make them unimportant in their place, but it shows that the public will not get as much truth in 10,000 words in a language they cannot understand as they would get from 5 words they could understand. Most people try to impress others of their higher spiritual status when speaking or in a tongue, which is only used for self-edification, and means that God can heal and restore the speaker. Praying in tongues is also a new addition to the fallacies surrounding the use of the gifts, for no one in Scripture ever did so or was commanded to do so.

‘Teach others also’ – This emphasizes the purposes of all gifts and public Christian services. At least 20 out of 40 verses in this chapter emphasize the importance of public good, not the personal display of one’s gifts (14:1, 3-9, 11-13, 15-17, 19, 23-25, 26-28, 31, 40). The speaking of tongues is not a sign of your status as a Christian, rather a necessity for the broken who needs edification of their spirits.