First Corinthians
Summary: Wealthy and a center of trade biblical Corinth could be compared to the California. Having a large temple to the Godess of love Aphrodite, Corinth had one of the largest most expensive population of temple prostitues and worship. It is no wonder Paul first letter is addresses sex, marriage, idolatry and do much more. Though my reading I noticed a great deal but this post I left done out due to possible misinterpretation due to lack of context. Still there is more the enough to see.
Things I Noticed:
1. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
2. God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.
3. God chose what is low and despised in the world. (What is rejected is a treasure to the King.)
4. God is the source in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
5. What no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.
6. The Spirit searches everything, even the depth of God. (To know the depths of God one must be lead by the Spirit of God.)
7. No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
8. Interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (Those who do not have the Spirit can not understand deep truths.)
9. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you we're not yet ready for it. And even now you are not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and be having only in a human way? (Sounds like competing churches.)
10. This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (Yes God has mysteries and we can know and understand them.)
11. Apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men.
12. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
13. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
14. For what right do we have in judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside.
15. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God.
16. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
17. The sexual immoral person sins against his own body.
18. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
19. For a wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.(Something to meditate on married couples.)
20. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (Yes have sex married couples and have it often.)
21. For it is better to marry then to be aflame with passion.
22. Only let each person lead the life that The Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.
23. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
24. For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them...that by all means I might save some.
25. Every athlete exercises self control in all things... But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself be disqualified.
26. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide away of escape, that you may endure it.
27. Imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
28. If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any questions on the grounds of conscience.
29. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? (Great question of ethics involving modern politics.)
30. Woman was made from man, so man is now born from woman.
31. When we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
32. All were made to drink of one Spirit.
33. If one member suffers, all suffers together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (How often is this forgotten.)
34. Earnestly desire all the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (That way is Love.)
35. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
36. Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
37. One who prophesies speaks to people for their uplifting and encouragement.
38. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
39. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
40. I die every day!
41. Bad company corrupts good morals.
42. Stars differ stars in glory.
43. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is a spiritual body.
44. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
45. If anyone has no love for The Lord let him be accursed.
I am still in Corinth starting tonfeel strong enough to get back in the rhythm of the journey. Leviticus has been a strange journey of "how to". Another letter from Paul arrived by messenger and I thought I would read it as I stay here. Time goes differently as you heal and think. Meditation on what is read, learned and absorbed is a catalyst for all sorts of things in the soul. Spend time listening to God and in meditation, more next time. Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.
