Bible Introductions

Unity in the church, 1-4
      I appeal that you agree with one another and that there be no divisions amongst you.
      When I came to you, I did not set about forming my own party, (baptising) but rather preached the gospel. I know you criticise it because of its simplicity, (weak) and it is simple, yet it contains great depths of wisdom which the Spirit reveals to many. Yet I only gave you the simple basis (milk) because you were fleshly, but it was a valid basis and those who intend to build on it, must be careful how they build. Therefore you should regard me ("us" i.e. apostolic witness) as a faithful servant of Christ and not judge me.
      You, the Apollos group, regard yourselves as distinct from your other brethren, yet you are no different. It is true you have spiritual gifts, yet these are gifts from God. Therefore why do you boast. You think you are so great and yet here we are, the true apostles, facing trials and tribulations each day.
      What I have said to you is as a father, and I am your father because I founded you in the gospel.

The case of incest, 5
      It is reported to me that a man is living with his father's wife. Remove him from amongst you. Such behaviour affects the fellowship of the congregation and this is why I told you before, not to associate with immoral people. I was not referring to non-Christians, but rather to members of the congregation.

Lawsuits before heathen judges, 6:1-11
      I hear that you take each other to court before heathen judges. Do you not know you will judge angels, therefore lay the matter before the congregation.

Immorality, 6:12-20
      You people who proclaim total freedom in matters of the flesh, say that "all things are lawful", yet is it lawful to sin? He who sins is a slave to sin, yet I am a servant of Christ and will not be enslaved to anything. You also say "Food is meant for the stomach", that is, our sexual desires are there to be used and satisfied, yet this does not give you license to act in an immoral way. To join yourself to a prostitute is to make one flesh out of the two, thus you become one with rebellious sin. You end up sinning against yourself, the temple of the Holy Spirit, for which Christ died.

Celibacy, 7
      I suppose it is good for a man not to touch a woman, yet we were not really designed that way, so it's best to get married and thus not sin. My personal advice is to remain in the state you're in, whether married or single, because the end, with its tribulation, is near, yet he who marries has not failed in any way.

Eating food offered to idols, 8-10
      As for the issue of eating meat offered to idols; the principle is to act according to love and not just knowledge. Therefore in eating such meat, you may know that there is no God associated with it, yet your action may cause a brother to stumble, therefore the action was not according to love. For example, as an apostle, I have rights of financial support from you. To take it is correct and scriptural, yet I forbear this action so as to allow no obstacle to prevent the gospel, and thus bring salvation to many. That is acting according to love. Although I am free from all men, I have become their slave. You want to be careful of your action. The Israelites, as chosen people, fell in the wilderness. You might think you are secure but watch out, therefore shun this worship of idols, for in some sense you are associating with demons in this act. Do then what is for your neighbour's good (act in love). If there is a chance of leading him astray, don't be in it. This is how I act, I set out to be right in all men's eyes so that I may save many.

Proper dress within the congregation, 11:1-16
      A woman should wear a veil within the church to hide her natural (human) beauty and thus not distract members from their act of worship.

Divisions in the Lord's Supper, 11:17-34
      I hear that there are divisions amongst you in the Lord's Supper. Some are hungry, some are drunk. Christ instituted the Lord's Supper so that we, as a group, may express our faith in his sacrificial death for us, with the result; an increased bond of fellowship. Therefore when you participate as you do, you spurn what Christ did for you at Calvary. Thus examine yourselves as to your relationship with your brother, seeking to maintain a bond of fellowship, especially at the Lord's Supper.

Speaking in tongues, 12-14
      Now concerning speaking in tongues. When you were pagans you were involved in much tongue-speaking, but now you are Christians the type of activities which are important, and how you exercise them, has changed. e.g. You are not free to curse Christ under the influence of the Spirit.
      There are for us a variety of spiritual gifts, the important ones being related to the proclamation of truth, e.g. Wisdom etc. while the least important for the Christian is tongues. These gifts have been given to the individual members of the congregation by the Holy Spirit. Each is important in its own way and therefore those who have one type of gift must not think theirs is the only type. There are many gifts of ministry, with the least important often being the most overt. This gives balance to the range of gifts in the church and therefore encourages unity in the fellowship.
      You Corinthians are one body and as such have within the church numerous ministries, the greatest being teaching, while the least being tongues. You are not all one type. You should be different and thus express this range within the church. None-the-less desire the higher gifts.
      It is easy to think that if you have a gift you are complete, yet in fact gifts are nothing without love, and will, in the last day, not be needed, while love will remain. Love does not allow the festering of pride, etc. which can flow from an over-emphasis on gifts.
      Therefore let love be your aim, and as well desire the higher gift of prophesy.
      Tongues are really of little value, they don't edify and have in the past had a bad history. In fact, unintelligible words from God are usually a sign of his judgement. Tongues are also very disturbing to non-Christians, while prophesy edifies and convicts the non-Christian.
      If you must use tongues make sure you can interpret what you are saying. Well then, when you do come together, limit tongues and make sure there is an interpreter. Organise those who are to prophesy, always having your aim the edification of the congregation.

The resurrection, 15
      Doubt has arisen as to the resurrection, yet here is one of the basic truths of the gospel. Christ himself has visibly risen from the dead and is with his Father. At this very moment he is about to come to establish the Kingdom. In that day all believers will rise from the dead to meet him.
      Some ask, "How is the body risen?" Well, it is like a grain of wheat which goes to the earth, but which comes forth totally new in character. So it will be with us. Yet some will not die but be actually changed in an instant, they will be the ones who are alive at Christ's coming.