Digital Logos Edition
Dr. Pratt tells us that Paul had established this church in Corinth during his second missionary journey and the believers there were very important to him. The first letter to the Corinthians was written in response to reports Paul had received about the church and a letter he received from them. Its purpose was to correct problems, edify and chastise. Paul addresses both doctrinal and practical themes in this epistle. Between this letter and his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul had visited the church at Corinth, but the visit was not a good one. This second letter again was the result of reports that Paul received about the church. False apostles had begun to influence the church and even turn some people against Paul. Paul had to refute these false apostles, mend his relationship with the believers there, set them straight on certain doctrines, and ask that they contribute to the needs of their fellow believers in Jerusalem.
“If a religious experience does not honor Christ as Lord, then it is not from the Spirit. If it does, then the Holy Spirit may be behind the experience.” (Page 213)
“The unworthiness he had in mind was participating in the Lord’s Supper in a way that failed to exhibit the unity of the church in Christ. That this was his meaning can be seen quite clearly in his exhortation in 11:33–34. To prevent unworthy eating and subsequent judgment, he did not advise the Corinthians to confess their sin, or even to recognize Christ’s presence in the elements, but to wait for one another and to eat at home.” (Page 202)
“In Paul’s day being a Christian was more than intellectual assent to a group of doctrines. The social price that followers of Christ paid forced them to take a stand in a hostile world.” (Page 258)
“Jealousy and envy begin when admiration and desire turn to resentment of others for what they have.” (Page 230)
“Love does not mean lying about human accomplishments. Rather, it means not exalting ourselves over others as if our accomplishments were based on our own merit and ability.” (Page 230)
2 ratings
RichThay47
10/29/2015
Thomas Overmiller
1/15/2014