October 21. Reading 294. Church Priorities 1 Corinthians 14 “I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified” (1 Cor. 14:5-6). We gather to worship and build one another up. Background MoreRead More …

October 20. Reading 293. True Spirituality 1 Corinthians 12-13 “Love is patient, love is kind…. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor. 13:4, 7). Love is the true test of spirituality. Background Tongues in Corinth. In first-century pagan culture, ecstatic expression and trances had long beenRead More …

October 19. Reading 292. Women And Worship I Corinthians 11 “In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman” (1 Cor. 11:11). Worship is still too significant to be conducted in an unworthy manner. Background Women and social customs. First Corinthians 11 isRead More …

October 18. Reading 291. God And Idols 1 Corinthians 8-10 “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor. 8:9). A person can be right about doctrine, and yet very, very wrong. Background Meat offered to idols. These chaptersRead More …

October 17. Reading 290. Marriage Morality 1 Corinthians 7 “But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2). Marriage is intended to be a joy—and a lifelong commitment. Background Confusion in Corinth. Paul didn’t spell outRead More …

October 16. Reading 289. Church Discipline 1 Corinthians 5-6 “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked man from among you’” (1 Cor. 5:12-13). It is the responsibility of believers toRead More …

October 15. Reading 288. Servants Of Jesus 1 Corinthians 2-4 “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned each his task” (1 Cor. 3:5). “Only servants” is good for leaders to remember. And followers too. Overview InRead More …

October 14. Reading 287. The Divided Church 1 Corinthians 1 “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind andRead More …

1 Corinthians Introduction Paul wrote his letter to Christians in the wealthy seaport city of Corinth in a.d. 55, some four years after he founded the church there. After Paul left, a number of problems developed in the church, and the Corinthians sent for advice. So 1 Corinthians is aRead More …

October 13. Reading 286. Sisters And Brothers Romans 16 “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea” (Rom. 16:1). Lists of names mean little to us. But each name represents a person who is important to God. Overview Paul closed with personal greetings toRead More …