The Bible Book by Book Part 26

Paul's Connection With the Church. He had never been there up to this time (1:11, 13, 15) and it is not likely that any other apostles had been there. For then Paul would have not have been planning to go since his rule was not to go where another had worked (15:20; 2 Cor.

10:14-16). This strikes a heavy blow at Catholicism, claiming that Peter was first bishop of Rome. If Paul would not have followed him, then Peter had not been there, and the most important test of papacy is overthrown. Paul had, however, many intimate friends and acquaintances at Rome, many of whom were mentioned in chapter 16.

Among them were his old friends, Aquila and Priscilia.

The Argument of the Book. The doctrines of the book are considered and discussed under four main propositions: (1) All men are guilty before G.o.d (Jews and Gentiles alike). (2) All men need a Savior. (3) Christ died for all men. (4) We all, through faith, are one body in Christ.

Date. Probably from Corinth, about A. D. 58.

Theme. The gift of the righteousness of G.o.d as our justification which is received through faith in Christ, or justification by faith.

a.n.a.lysis.

Introduction, 1:1-17.

I. All Men Need of Righteousness, 1:18-3:20.

II. All Men May Have Righteousness by Faith in Christ (justification) 3:21-4 end.

III. All Who Are Thus Justified Will Be Finally Sanctified, Chs. 5-8.

The believer's final redemption is thus guaranteed.

1. By the new relation to G.o.d which this righteousness gives. Ch.

5.

2. By the new realms of grace into which it brings him, Ch. 6 (no death in this realm).

3. By the nature given him, Ch. 7. This wars against the old nature and will win.

4. By the new possession (the Holy Spirit) which it gives, Ch. 8:1- 27.

5. By the foreordained purpose of G.o.d for them, 8:28-39.

IV. This Doctrine as Related to the Rejection of the Jews, chs. 9-11.

1. The justice of their rejection, 9:1-29.

2. The cause of their rejection, 9:30-10 end.

3. The limitations of their rejection, ch. 11.

V. The Application of This Doctrine to Christian Life, 12:1-15:13.

1. Duty to G.o.d-consecration, 12-12.

2. Duty to self-a holy life, 12:3 end.

3. Duty to state authorities-honor, 13:1-7.

4. Duty to society-love all, 13:8-10.

5. Duty as to the Lord's return-watchfulness, 13:11-14.

6. Duty to the weak -helpfulness and forbearance, 14:1-15:13.

Conclusion. 15:14-16 end. (1) Personal matters, 14:14 end. (2) Farewell greetings and warnings, ch. 16.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The greeting (1:1-7). What does it reveal about, (a) The call, duty and standing of an apostle or preacher? (b) The standing, privileges and duties of a church, or individual Christian? (c) The relation of the old dispensation to the new? (d) Christ's diety or his Messiahship in fulfillment of prophecy?

(e) The different persons of the Trinity? (2) Study sin as described in 3:10-18, and what can be learned concerning: (a) The state of sin, (b) The practice of sin, (c) The reason for sin. (3) Abraham as an example of justification by faith, ch. 4. (4) The plan and method by which G.o.d rescues men from sin, 5:6-11. (5) The contrast between Adam and Christ. 5:12-31. Do we get more in Christ than we lost in Adam?

(6) Why a matter under grace should not continue in sin, 6:1-14. (7) A converted man's relation to the law. 7:1-6. (8) The different things done for us by the Holy Spirit, 8:1-27. (9) The practical duties of a Christian, ch. 12. (10) Make a list of the following "key-words,"

showing how many times and were each occurs, and outline form the scripture references the teachings about each. Power, sin and unrighteousness, righteousness, justification, faith and belief, atonement, redemption, adoption, propitiation, election, predestination.

Chapter x.x.x.

First and Second Corinthians.

The City of Corinth. It contained 400,000 inhabitants and was the chief city of Greece when Paul visited it, being situated on a large isthmus where the commerce of the world pa.s.sed. The inhabitants were Greeks, Jews, Italians and a mixed mult.i.tude from everywhere. Sailors, merchants, adventurers and refugees from all the world crowded the city, bringing with them the evils of every country, out of which grew many forms of human degradation. Religion and philosopy had been prost.i.tuted to low uses. Intellectual life was put above moral life, and the future life was denied that they might enjoy the present life without restraint.

The Church at Corinth. It was founded by Paul on the second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-18). His spirit in founding the church is seen in 1 Cor. 2:1-2. While there Paul made his home with Aquila and Priscilla, Jews who had been expelled from Rome (Acts 18:2-3), but who now became members of the church. Apollos preached to this church and aided it in Paul's absence (18:24-28; 19:1). Both Epistles are full of information as to the condition of the church and the many problems which hit had to face from time to time. It must be remembered that Corinth was one of the most wicked cities of ancient times and that the church was surrounded by heathen customs and practices. Many of its members had but recently been converted from heathenism to Christianity and the church was far from ideal.

First Corinthians.

The Occasion and Purpose of the Letter. Unfavorable news had come to Paul concerning the Corinthian church and he had written them a letter (5:9) which has been lost. In that letter he seems to have commanded them to give up their evil practices and promised to visit them. In the meantime, members of the household of Chloe(1:11) and other friends (16:17) came to him at Ephesus and brought news of their divisions and of the evil practices of certain of their members.

Finally, they wrote him a letter asking his advice on certain matters (7:1). From all this we learn (1) that there were four factions among them, 1:2; (2) that there was gross immorality in the church as in the case of the incestuous person, Ch. 5; (3) that they went to law with each other, Ch. 6; (4) that many practical matters troubled them.

Paul, therefore, wrote to correct all these errors in doctrine and practice.

Content. This letter contains some of the greatest pa.s.sages in the New Testament. It is, however, remarkable especially for the very practical nature of its contents. It deals with many of the problems of every day life and has been said not to discuss but one great doctrine, that of the resurrection.

Date. From Ephesus in the spring of A. D. 57.

a.n.a.lysis.

Introduction, 1:1-9.

I. Concerning Divisions and the Party Spirit. 1:10-4.

Divisions are prevented: 1. By Christ as the center of Christianity, 1:10 end.

2. By spiritual mindedness, 2:1-3:4.

3. By a right view of preachers, 3:5-4 end.

II. Correction of Moral Disorders, Chs. 5-6.

1. The incestuous person, Ch. 5.

2. Lawsuits, 6:1-11.