Day 330: 1 Corinthians 13-16

(Remember, in the previous chapter Paul began another three chapter answer. This time the topic was spiritual gifts. In Chapter 12, Paul explained Manifestational Spiritual Gifts as gifts that happened by the Holy Spirit flowing through a believer. Any of these gifts could happen through any believer for the benefit of others, for the benefit of the church. Paul told people to desire the greater gifts, but paused in this answer to explain a most excellent way (how) to operate in spiritual gifts.)

1 Corinthians 13
¹ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.

(Paul spoke with tongues (languages) of men and angels but if he did this without love, it was just noise. Speaking languages (words), known or unknown is a what. The right how/why is in love.)

² And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

(Prophecy, knowing mysteries, all knowledge, and having all faith made you nothing if you did not have love. Again, love is a right how/why which leads to profitability. Remember, Paul began his addressing of the questions from the church in Corinth with a brief introduction (1 Corinthians 8:1-3) that contrasted knowledge with love. That was the way Paul began his first three chapter answer. Verse 2 showed that "all knowledge without love" resulted in no profitability.)

³ And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

(Sacrificing your possessions and your body is nothing without love. Paul continued to emphasize love being a right how/why. Remember, the definition of love according to Jesus in Luke 6:35 was "giving without expecting anything in return from the one to whom you gave." Verse 3 presented half of the definition of love: giving. Verse 3 did not present the right how/why, only the what. Consequently Paul called it giving without love and the result was not profitable.)

(Verses 4-8: sixteen effects of love, the effects of "giving without expecting anything in return from the one to whom you gave." Notice also that nine of these effects were what the effects of love were not.)

⁴ Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
⁵ doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;
⁶ rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth;
⁷ beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
⁸ Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.

(If you do God's definition of love, all sixteen effects listed will be a result. Notice, verse 8 stated that knowledge would eventually be "done away," but love will never cease. Again, this was another example from Paul contrasting knowledge and love. In eternity, knowledge will eventually end because all facts will eventually be known, which means all languages will be known (tongues) and all prophetic events will be known. (Notice, Paul began this chapter contrasting knowledge, tongues, and prophecy with love.) However, Paul wrote in Ephesians 4 that the Bride will eternally build itself up in love, by speaking the truth in love to one another. It appeared truth would also never cease. Notice, the what of truth will cease: knowledge. However, the right how/why of truth will never cease just as the right how/why of love will never cease.)

⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
¹⁰ but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

(Some people use these verses to say that today, tongues and prophesying has ceased. They would say that the Holy Spirit, which is perfect has come. However, Paul wrote this letter after the Holy Spirit had come and they were still operating in these gifts. Has knowledge been done away with? Knowledge will be done away with, eventually, when we are perfect, which will eventually happen in eternity.)

¹¹ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.
¹² For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

(Some people only quote verse 12 to justify our inability to know anything more than we know right now. Verse 11 told us to not have that childish mentality, but to become an adult. We ought to act as mature adults and continue to learn more. We will eventually have full knowledge but this is not an excuse to not learn more now. How will we eventually have full knowledge? We will have to continue to grow and learn in the new Jerusalem.)

¹³ But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

(Now abides faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love, because love is an action with a right how/why. The belief that love is the most excellent way has been a consistent reoccurring theme throughout this letter.)

(Theme of Chapter 13: Love. Paul made the case that love is the most excellent way, and that the things believers tend to desire (knowledge, tongues, and prophecy) are not profitable without love and will eventually cease in eternity. Next, Paul was able to conclude his three chapter answer to the topic of spiritual gifts.)




1 Corinthians 14
¹ Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

(Follow after (do) love and desire gifts but especially prophesying. Paul established a hierarchy so that people would not focus on the rest of his answer out of context. First and foremost: love. Second, desire spiritual gifts, especially prophesying.)

(Verses 2-4: Paul began contrasting tongues and prophesying.
-Tongues being a heavenly language that people cannot understand with their natural mind.
-Prophesying being a statement of revelation that could only come from divine inspiration. Prophesying covered more than prophecy. It also covered encouraging/comforting people with a revelatory perspective from God or teaching someone revelatory information from God.)

² For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

(Clearly the word "tongue" referred to a language that was unknown to man because no man understood the man who spoke tongues. The person spoke in the spirit something God understood and was a mystery to man. Tongues, in and of itself, did not bring understanding.)

³ But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.

(Doctrine: The effects of prophesying were edifying, exhorting, and comforting.)

⁴ He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

(Doctrine: The person speaking tongues edified themselves; prophesying edified the church. Notice, this did not say that speaking tongues did not edify. Speaking in tongues benefited the individual that was speaking in tongues. Prophesying ought to benefit everyone else.)

⁵ Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

(Paul's measure was profitability. It was better to prophesy because more people benefited than just the individual that spoke in tongues, unless the tongues was interpreted for the whole church to be edified. Paul identified a way that speaking in tongues could benefit more than the person speaking in tongues.)

⁶ But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

(Verse 6 alluded to love: what would Paul be giving to another if he spoke in tongues and it did not benefit the other person? Paul's answer: nothing. It would not be love.)

⁷ Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
⁸ For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?
⁹ So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.

(Remember how Paul began the previous chapter that presented love as the most excellent way? Verse 1: "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal." Verses 7 and 8 of this chapter also showed that speaking tongues without love was the same as musical instruments played simply to sound or clang, played without a right how/why.)

¹⁰ There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification.
¹¹ If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

(There was no profit to the church if tongues were not interpreted. Unless what was spoken brings revelation, knowledge, encouragement, comfort, or Doctrine what profit was there? However, do not forget that tongues does profit the person speaking in tongues.)

¹² So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

(Doctrine: Our objectives regarding gifts ought to be the edification of the church.)

¹³ Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

(If you speak in tongues pray for interpretation. Paul was helping the reader focus on benefiting others.)

¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

(Doctrine: Praying in tongues is your spirit praying, but without understanding. Tongues benefits you through experience. So, it looked as if prophesying covered all the gifts that brought understanding:
-word of wisdom and
-word of knowledge.

It could cover speaking in tongues, if the tongues was interpreted.)

¹⁵ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
¹⁶ Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

(Paul prayed and sang both in spirit (tongues) and with understanding. He knew the benefit of tongues was for him and speaking in understanding benefited others. Paul continued to keep other's best interest in the forefront of his mind.)

¹⁷ For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

(We ought to understand the prayers and the singing or else no one else is edified.)

¹⁸ I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:
¹⁹ howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

(Doctrine: Paul spoke in tongues, more than anyone in the church in Corinth. Paul was grateful for speaking in tongues, but he would rather speak five words in understanding (how) so that he could teach others (why) than 10,000 words that no one could understand.)

²⁰ Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.

(In the KJV, this verse was translated, "...but in understanding be men." Premise: Be children in matters of evil but be men in understanding. Again, Paul emphasized that we ought to continue to grow in understanding.)

²¹ In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.

(Paul referenced Isaiah 28:11.)

²² Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.

(Doctrine: Tongues are a sign for unbelievers, like at Pentecost in Acts 2.)

²³ If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?

(This happened at Pentecost: Acts 2:13-14.)

²⁴ But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;
²⁵ the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

(Prophesying would involve making the secrets of the unbelieving man's heart manifest so that he would realize God must exist because there was no earthly way these people would know this information about this man (as happened with Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well: John 4:15-26). Prophesying could lead to convicting the heart of the unbeliever.)

²⁶ What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

(Paul established the context of the following verses with verse 26: In the church of Corinth everyone was claiming to be prophesying. Paul wanted all of it be done as long as it was edifying. Next, Paul gave guidelines to the church in Corinth, in light of their circumstances as understood from verse 26.)

²⁷ If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret:

(Paul did not want more than three people speaking in a tongue in the church of Corinth before an interpretation was given.)

²⁸ but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

(Paul stated that if there was not an interpretation, then everyone should remain silent. This ought to have caused the people who spoke in tongues to be more sensitive to whether they were being led by the Holy Spirit. Basically, the easiest way for a person to appear to flow in the gifts of the Spirit was to speak in tongues without interpretation. It appeared that so many people were doing this there was unedifying chaos, and Paul gave guidelines to limit this unprofitability. It seemed that if interpretation was given, then more people could speak in tongues.)

²⁹ And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.

(Likewise, Paul wanted prophecy to be treated the same way as tongues. The word "discern" spoke to understanding the why behind what was stated. Again, the discerning ought to have made what the prophets spoke profitable. So, prophecy was not prophesying unless discerning/understanding was also presented.)

³⁰ But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.

(Paul stated that if one person began to speak and another person began to understand, the person speaking ought to be silent so that the person with understanding could make the church profitable.)

³¹ For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;
³² and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;

(Verse 31 stated that everyone could prophesy so that all would learn, all would benefit. There was not a limit on how much prophesying could be done in church because, by definition, prophesying led to profitability through understanding.)

³³ for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
³⁴ let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.
³⁵ And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

(Paul was trying to facilitate Marriage here. He wanted the husbands to teach their wives the Word of God (Ephesians 5:25-31). Every Jewish boy memorized the Torah, while the girls memorized the Psalms and Proverbs. This was done so that the men would teach their wives the Law, and the wives would be more attracted to their husbands. A woman speaking in church to understand or be taught (this was the context of these verses) would be stating that her husband was unable to teach her, which would be a shame to her and her husband.

Notice, Paul had stated in this letter that women could pray and prophesy. In this chapter he stated that everyone was speaking in church. Verse 35 could not mean that women were not to speak at all in church. Paul began this chapter saying he wanted everyone to follow love and desire after spiritual gifts, especially prophesying.)

³⁶ What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?

(Verse 36 referenced the fact that God spoke His commands to Adam before Eve was created, and Eve was supposed to get her understanding of God's Word from her husband. Again, this verse continued supporting the context that women could speak in church to operate in spiritual gifts.)

³⁷ If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

(Doctrine: Following love and desiring spiritual gifts so that the church is edified is a command from God when it comes to the topic of spiritual gifts and people who think they operate in these spiritual gifts.)

³⁸ But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

(However, if a person does not think they operate in spiritual gifts, then they can continue thinking that and not have to be aware of the instructions from this chapter.)

³⁹ Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
⁴⁰ But let all things be done decently and in order.

(Paul concluded with a reminder to desire earnestly to prophesy because it edified the church and do not forbid others from speaking in tongues because it edified the individual speaking in tongues. People who prevented the speaking in tongues were contradicting God's Word.

It appeared that the greater gifts were:
-word of knowledge,
-word of wisdom,
-tongues with interpretation, and
-prophecy with interpretation.

All four of these fit under the category of prophesying. Notice that discerning of spirits could also be included as a gift that brought understanding. This means that faith, healings, and workings of miracles would be the lesser gifts, yet they are the most attractive gifts. Remember, Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 12 with this list of gifts that some parts of the body are attractive but not necessary, while other parts are not attractive but necessary. Now we can see that healings and workings of miracles are attractive but not necessary.

Look at it this way: How much do you benefit today from a healing or miracle Jesus did thousands of years ago? How much do you benefit today from a word of wisdom or word of knowledge Jesus gave thousands of years ago? Paul stated the overarching principle behind spiritual gifts: God wants all spiritual gifts to be done decently and in order.)

(Theme of Chapter 14: Paul concluded his three chapter answer on the Doctrine of spiritual gifts. Paul wanted everyone to first be guided by love. Second, Paul wanted all believers (including women) to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophesying which edified the church. Paul spoke in tongues and thirdly wanted people to speak in tongues with interpretation so it benefited the church. Finally, Paul wanted people to speak in tongues because it edified the individual speaking in tongues. We have seen Paul presented two answers that required three chapters to answer. Next, we will see a very long chapter that covered a lot of Doctrine.)




1 Corinthians 15
¹ Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,

(Paul declared the Gospel. The Gospel that he had preached, they (Corinthians) had received, and in which they stood...)

² by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.

(…and by which they are saved if they keep in memory (believe) what Paul preached to them, unless they believed in vain (empty; void of truth; unprofitable). These two verses were the introduction for Paul's presentation of the Gospel.)

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
⁴ and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;

(Doctrine: This is the Gospel:
-Christ died,
-was buried, and
-rose again.

The Gospel has three distinct parts. "According to the scriptures" was mentioned twice in these verses, Paul was referring to the Old Testament. The Doctrine of the Gospel was not new, it had been written about in the "scriptures.")

⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;

(After the resurrection, Jesus was seen of Cephas (Peter) and the twelve (Apostles).)

⁶ then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;

(After that, Jesus was seen of more than 500 believers at once.)

⁷ then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;

(After that, Jesus was seen of James and then to all of the apostles. Notice, Paul mentioned being seen by all of the apostles after he had already mentioned Jesus appearing to the twelve Apostles. There were (and are) more than just the twelve Apostles. The Book of Acts stated that James was located in Jerusalem and served as the leader of the council for the church.)

⁸ and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.

(Last of all, Jesus was seen of Paul. Paul did not include himself as one of the twelve Apostles. Also, Paul saw Jesus after Pentecost. It may be that Jesus appeared to James and council in the same way Jesus appeared to Paul.)

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

(Paul did not think he qualified to be called an Apostle because he persecuted the church. Paul's humility was amazing. He did not testify of himself.)

¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

(Doctrine: Grace flows through the individual's being in order to accentuate the unique abilities of the being. It is as if each of us is a unique jewel (that God created) and God is the light that shines into and then through each of us. The result is a unique array of colors because of the uniqueness of the individual, however, the light itself is God flowing through us. Likewise, Paul gave God all the credit (by grace) for who he was. This verse proved that grace is the work of God and God gets the credit for what we do in grace.)

¹¹ Whether then it be I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
¹² Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:
¹⁴ and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.

(The resurrection was the most important of the three aspects of the Gospel. Paul stated that if that portion was not preached, then all of the preaching and faith was in vain/unprofitable.)

¹⁵ Yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.

(If Christ did not rise, then Paul's (and those with him) preaching were false witnesses of God.)

¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised:
¹⁷ and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

(If Christ had not risen then our faith is vain and we are in our sins. This meant we would have no Salvation. Christ's resurrection was what gave eternal life.)

¹⁸ Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

(And if there was no resurrection, then believers who had already died were perished - ruined - destroyed.)

¹⁹ If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

(If our hope in Christ was only in this life (Paul meant existence in this context) then all men would be "most pitiable." Pitiable meant "miserable.")

²⁰ But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

(Christ rose on the feast of First Fruits, which was the third feast of God from Leviticus 23. Christ died on Passover which was the first feast of God. Christ was buried on Unleavened Bread which was the second feast of God. The Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost (the feast of Weeks) which was the fourth feast of God.)

²¹ For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

(Christ had risen and had to be the first to rise. Without Christ, no one would have eternal life. The sin that led to damnation came into the world by Adam. Paul contrasted Christ with Adam, by Christ came the ability to overcome the sin (which all people have) that led to damnation. Paul continued to contrast Adam and Christ...)

²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

(Paul blatantly stated all were affected by Adam's sin and all could have eternal life by Jesus. Notice, this verse contradicted Calvinism because all can be made alive. The next twenty-two verses served as foundation before Paul returned to contrasting Adam with Jesus.)

²³ But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.

(Paul stated that Christ would be the first to be resurrected, then those that are believers when Jesus physically comes at the end of the Tribulation and the beginning of Christ's millennial reign on earth.)

²⁴ Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.
²⁵ For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.

(Christ must reign during the Millennium until He has put all enemies under his feet.)

²⁶ The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

(Death will be the last enemy destroyed, which Adam let into the world. Death (and Hades) will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14) at the last judgment which occurs after Christ's Millennial Reign is completed.)

²⁷ For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.
²⁸ And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.

(Paul showed that all things, except God the Father, would be under Jesus...and that since Jesus would be under God the Father, God the Father would be over all.)

²⁹ Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
³⁰ Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?
³¹ I protest by that glorifying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

(Paul transitioned from all being subjected to God the Father to every individual being completely surrendered to God. Paul stated: "I die daily." Paul meant he continually killed his flesh so that God could work through him. We ought to get ourselves out of God's way so He can work through us.)

³² If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.

(Remember, Paul wrote this letter while he was in Ephesus. Beasts have no understanding. Paul was pointing out that without Christ's resurrection, Paul's difficult discussions (that he must have been having at the time of this writing) meant nothing. Furthermore, if Christ was not resurrected, everyone ought to become beasts and focus on the physical: eat and drink.)

³³ Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

(Doctrine: Destructive friends can corrupt your profitable beliefs. Thinking this cannot happen was an example of a person being deceived. A person's thought process is easily shaped or molded. We will drift towards the thought process of the people we surround ourselves with.)

³⁴ Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.

(Awake to Righteousness was the cause. If we are Righteous through grace, we (Mind/Soul) will not sin. Paul also stated that some people still had no knowledge of God, and this was stated to shame the believers in the church of Corinth because they ought to be evangelizing to these people.)

³⁵ But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come?
³⁶ Thou foolish one, that which thou thyself sowest is not quickened except it die:
³⁷ and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind;
³⁸ but God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own.

(The people who asked, "How are the dead raised?" and "What manner of body do they come?" were focused on the physical. Paul then gave a physical example that could be stated to these physically-minded people to help them understand: a seed being sown must first die before it bore fruit. The seed was of one form and the tree and fruit were of another form.)

³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fishes.
⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.

(Paul went further to say that all flesh was not the same. First he showed not all physical flesh was the same, then he expanded it to show that physical flesh was not the same as celestial (spiritual) flesh.)

⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
⁴³ it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

(Doctrine: By stating, "If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body," Paul showed that everything that was natural (physical) came from a spiritual cause. Next, Paul returned to his contrasting of Adam with Jesus.)

⁴⁵ So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

(Paul quoted Genesis 2:7 concerning Adam. Then, Paul followed the statement he made in the previous verses and stated the "last Adam" (i.e., Christ) was the spiritual cause. Paul then got more specific.)

⁴⁶ Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.
⁴⁷ The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven.
⁴⁸ As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

(In our natural world, the natural comes first and the profitable effect comes second. Paul called Adam (and all of us) "earthy," while he called Jesus (and those whom believe) "of heaven," which was spiritual.)

⁴⁹ And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

(Doctrine: We need to choose to make our spiritual lives preeminent over our physical lives.)

⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,

(Paul showed a mystery: we will not all sleep (physically die) but we will all be changed. Notice, Paul was showing a mystery. Mysteries in the Bible were supposed to be understood by believers.)

⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

(The trumpet sounding was the pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church. The last trump referenced the last feast of God that used a trumpet: Rosh Hashanah. This was the fifth feast of God and was known as the feast of Trumpets. It was a two day celebration during the fall harvest in which the shofar ram's horn was blown (trump). No one knew when the last trump would be blown, but when it was, everyone was supposed to drop everything and gather for a feast. The symbolism was consistent with the purpose of the pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church. Notice, the first four feasts of God occurred leading into the postponement of the Dispensation of the Law. Now, we see the re-establishment of the Dispensation of the Law (and the end of our dispensation) would occur during the last trump of the fifth feast of God.)

⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
⁵⁴ But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

(Paul concluded his discussion about the pre-Tribulation Rapture by stating it would result in believers (both dead and alive) going from earthly bodies to spiritual bodies in a twinkling of an eye. If the believers are alive, they will not die; they will immediately go from a physical body to spiritual body without experiencing a physical death. Paul referenced Isaiah 25:8.)

⁵⁵ O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?

(Paul referenced Hosea 13:14.)

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:
⁵⁷ but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(We have victory over sin through Christ, which leads to eternal life in paradise because of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.)

⁵⁸ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.

(Our labor (works) are not in vain (unprofitable) if they are in the Lord by grace.)

(Theme of Chapter 15: Paul presented the Gospel: Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Paul explained how sin and death came into the world through Adam, while redemption and life came through Jesus. Just as all were affected by Adam, all are able to be affected by Jesus.)




1 Corinthians 16
¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.
² Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
³ And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:

(Paul gave advice on how to handle collections for him. Paul wanted these resources to be used in the most profitable way.)

⁴ and if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me.
⁵ But I will come unto you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia; for I pass through Macedonia;

(Paul did pass through Macedonia on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:1-6). That was where he wrote the letter to the Romans.)

⁶ but with you it may be that I shall abide, or even winter, that ye may set me forward on my journey whithersoever I go.
⁷ For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

(Paul hoped that he could stay in Corinth for a while if God permitted.)

⁸ But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost;
⁹ for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

(However, Paul would tarry (remain) in Ephesus until Pentecost, which was where he was when he wrote this letter. This confirmed that Paul was having a tough time with some of the "beasts" in Ephesus.)

¹⁰ Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do:
¹¹ let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.

(Paul vouched for Timothy and told the Corinthians to help Timothy move forward in his journey.)

¹² But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren: and it was not all his will to come now; but he will come when he shall have opportunity.

(Apollos, whom also had an influence on the church of Corinth, did not believe it was time for him to go to the church in Corinth even though Paul "besought him much" to go to them.)

¹³ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
¹⁴ Let all that ye do be done in love.

(Paul reinforced his main theme: Let all things be done in love.)

¹⁵ Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints),
¹⁶ that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth.
¹⁷ And I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they supplied.

("for that which was lacking on your part they supplied." - An application of the principle of uniqueness.)

¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours: acknowledge ye therefore them that are such.
¹⁹ The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
²⁰ All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
²¹ The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
²² If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.
²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

(Paul wrote this letter himself. Paul concluded this letter mentioning grace and love.)

(Paul wrote 1 Corinthians near the end of his three years' stay at Ephesus (Acts 20:31) during his third missionary journey. It was not written with Timothy, who Paul had sent ahead into Macedonia (Acts 19:22). This letter was written after the letter to the Romans which covered the foundational Christian Doctrine of Salvation. This was the second letter of the section known as the Pauline Epistles. It was placed second because it dealt with the basic Doctrine necessary to begin a New Testament Church. Paul wrote this letter to the church he founded in Corinth in order to break down divisions within the church through settling fundamental doctrinal questions. Paul's main theme was to do everything according to love and you will always be profitable.)

Day 331