Having wrapped up his points about the problems in Corinth, Paul spends the final paragraphs of this letter as he does so many of the other letters: hitting a few … Continue reading Chapter 16: Final Words to Corinth
Tag: Corinthians
Chapter 14: What Paul Probably Didn’t Say About Women
Jessi and I stared at the verses. We had both read those words in isolation many times before. We had wrestled with them and responded to them already, but they … Continue reading Chapter 14: What Paul Probably Didn’t Say About Women
A Personal Note about Speaking in Tongues (Prelude to Chapter 14)
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “speaking in tongues”? Do you imagine a group of people praying together in languages unique to them with a leader … Continue reading A Personal Note about Speaking in Tongues (Prelude to Chapter 14)
1 Corinthians 13 (Part 5): The Greatest of These Is Love
Love is the greatest because while faith is preached and hope pertains to the future life, love reigns. As 1 John says: ‘By this we know his love, that he … Continue reading 1 Corinthians 13 (Part 5): The Greatest of These Is Love
1 Corinthians 13 (Part 3): Words for Love and Why They Matter
Copious ink has been spilt over the different Greek words for love in the New Testament. There’s eros, which refers to romantic love. Philia describes affection like you might feel … Continue reading 1 Corinthians 13 (Part 3): Words for Love and Why They Matter
1 Corinthians 13 (Part 2): Clanging Symbols
Love is the very head of religion, and someone who has no head is dead. —Ambrosiaster I sometimes find myself in debates about the finer points of theology, and while … Continue reading 1 Corinthians 13 (Part 2): Clanging Symbols
Chapter 13 (part 1): Putting “The Love Chapter” Back in Context
Paul tells the Corinthians that love is the greatest of all because there was jealousy and strife among them, and the church was in danger of being divided. —Theodore of … Continue reading Chapter 13 (part 1): Putting “The Love Chapter” Back in Context
Chapter 12: One Body
As we discussed last week, when Paul talks about worship with the Corinthians, he also emphasizes equality among Christians. The Corinthians were really messing up in this department by granting … Continue reading Chapter 12: One Body
Chapter 10: Whether You Eat or Drink…
Paul starts off this chapter not with a litany of heroes of the faith or great accomplishments in God’s name, but with a list of all the times Israel screwed … Continue reading Chapter 10: Whether You Eat or Drink…
Chapter 9: All Things to All People
Back in chapter 8, Paul explained to the Corinthians just because they can do something doesn’t mean they should. Specifically, just because they can eat meat sacrificed to idols doesn’t … Continue reading Chapter 9: All Things to All People