Second Epistle to the Corinthians

Journal #5 I really enjoyed reading 1 Corinthians during this past unit. It is a book that I very often read bits and pieces from, but do not typically take the tame to read straight through. I have been finding it notably refreshing to read the entirety of Bible books in this study, and doing so with 1 Corinthians was no exception. My main takeaway from reading Paul 's letter can be summed up in this question: Where is your focus? The culture that Paul was writing to in Corinth was very self-absorbed; highly concerned with their own customs, traditions, methods, beliefs, and desires. It is clear, however, that Paul was yearning for this people group to live unto something far beyond themselves. Paul wanted the church to stop focusing on themselves and look to Christ. Over and over again, the apostle called the Corinthians to choose an eternal focus, rather than a temporary one; a spiritual focus, rather than the physical; a faith focus over a works/law focus; a focus on the glorification of Christ rather instead of man.…

Paul wrote what is now the book of First Corinthians as a letter to the church of Corinth. After hearing of disputes and worries from members of the church, Paul wrote the congregation letters (including first and second Corinthians) as counsel to guide the church back to the right path (Elwell & Yarbrough, 273). One of the problems listed is the concern of marriage. Paul responds to questions such as: should Christians get married? And what basis is there for divorce? In relation to today’s…

A sin described in the Old Testament as so heinous, ugly, and despicable that the Lord requires the offending individuals to be cut off from their people. In addition, as referenced in the text, the sin of incest caused even the pagans of the Corinthian culture to cringe. Specifically, the sin identified is that of a man in the church, in a sexual relationship with his father’s wife. From the accounts and wording in the text, it appears to be his stepmother. Furthermore, this sinful behavior was…

Paul’s final call of the church in Colossians 3:1-15 is witnessed in Colossians 3:14-15 which reads, “And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Both love and thankfulness, but especially love, are some of Christ’s most prominent characteristics. 1 John 4:19 states, “We love because he first loved us.” (ESV 1 John 4:19) Again, we are taught to…

laughing at that one because instead, I ended up finding His Word continuously telling me I am weak. I didn’t feel affirmed. I was looking for a fake affirmation that is shaped like the approval of shattered men. I have heard multiple times throughout my journey with Jesus that Christians should boast in their weaknesses. I was always told but never taught how to do that or what it even means. Thus, I started my own research. As I dove into what scripture was telling me, I asked the Holy Spirit…

H. Lecture 8 – 2 Corinthians Word Count: 525 1. Itemize four main principles of giving that Paul enunciates in 2 Cor. 8:1-15? The principles that Paul enunciates are for giving are: (1) it should be sacrificial. Paul contrasts them to the Macedonian church—which gave even in extreme poverty, (2) Christians should surrender even themselves as a gift to God, (3) giving should be done with sincerity and gladness, and (4) giving ought to be proportionate to ones blessings. Those with excess…

effect on each and every one of us either personally because we have sacrum to temptations or by proxy because of the actions of another has an effect upon our lives. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us about the power of temptations on our lives. The very first thing we learn from 1 Corinthians 10:13 is whatever you are being tempted by or enticed to do is not something that you alone is being offered. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. Open up any…

Paul commences his letter to “the Church of God that is in Corinth” as he thanks the Corinthians for their efforts and faithfulness (Corinthians 1:2). However despite making such assertions, the author of this letter directly proceeds to list the problems that had arisen among such converts. The first issue addressed is the division existent within the church. It has been brought to the author’s attention that the Church of Corinth has become divided between the preachers of Cephas (Paul) and…

This would lead to a strange conclusion that a tongue speaker is not allowed to sing or pray in normal speech. This same problem applies to 1 Cor 14:34-35. There is an absolute application that would not fit with anything else in scripture. For example, a literal application would forbid women from praying or prophesying which would contradict 1 Cor 11:2-4. The context of Corinthians is dealing with specific problems, and this needs to be treated as an address of something specific. The Timothy…

Through striving to learn more of what it means for Christ to truly be preeminent in life, Christians are called to consider how that affects our health. The result of Christ’s preeminence can be seen when applying it to the understanding that we are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and we have a responsibility as image bearers to honor God with how we maintain our image. The Bible clarifies for believers how one is to honor God with our bodies through choices that involve nutrition, time…