1 Corinthians

1 Cor 16:3 And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I shall send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; 1 Cor 16:4 and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me. Their collections of gifts was not necessarily money. And these gifts were to go to Jerusalem.

1 Cor 15:55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" Paul quotes Isaiah and Hosea in their descriptions of the resurrection. Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. Hosea 13:14 Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight. 1 Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; Sin has power because of the curses given in Torah for disobedience. 1 Cor 3 – "milk" is one that refers to their immaturity. They are being like babies in their diet of Scripture. 2016 1 Cor 3:2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, The reference to "milk" is one that refers to their immaturity. They are being like babies in their diet of Scripture. Isa 28:9 And all the people know it, That is, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, Asserting in pride and in arrogance of heart: They were only accustomed to the very basic things of Scripture and ignoring the solid food of righteousness. Heb. 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

1 Cor 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. Paul makes the comparison of how we will see things much more fully when Messiah returns. He compares the way we see things now as to how we will see them to the way a child sees things and the way things are clearer when we are adults. 1 Cor 13:13 But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. When Messiah returns, we will still have faithfulness and hope (assurance), but our love (actions) toward one another is the most important. 1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. This chapter picks up where the previous chapter leaves off. Paul told us the importance of love in all things. Without love, we are wasting our time. This does seem to go against what I have commonly stated "Obey whether you like it or not." Obedience is the most important factor. However, our obedience should be out of love for Elohim and out of love for each other. That is what Paul is saying in chapter 13. In this chapter, Paul is going to discuss those that speak in a tongue. There does not seem to be any controversy in the other assemblies concerning this issue. What exactly were some in the assembly doing to cause Paul to write to them and tell them to be more orderly and for women to be silent in the assembly? In previous chapters, Paul spoke of envy, strife, and division in the assembly. 1 Cor. 1:10-12 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 1 Cor 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ. 2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 1 Cor 11:18-19 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe it. 19For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you. In chapter 12, Paul mentioned that they cannot all have the same gifts and the same roles. It appears that some were envious of others who did not get the honor in the assembly they felt they should get. 1 Cor. 12:19-26 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness, 24whereas our seemly members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it It appears that Paul will now get to the crux of the matter. It is likely the aforementioned envy, strife, and lack of honor was causing some in the assembly (apparently some women) to claim to be able to speak in a strange tongue, stand up and babble incessantly, and demand the attention they desire. The reason they did this is discussed later in this chapter. In this chapter, Paul will distinguish between speaking in a tongue (babbling) and speaking in tongues (languages). There is a noun inflection at the end of the Greek word for "tongue" that determines whether it is singular or plural. Paul is going to say that speaking in a tongue (singular) is not a thing to be desired. Rather, he wants those in the assembly to prophesy (profess Truth).

1 Cor 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. Faithfulness, healing, miracles, prophesying (professing Truth), distinguishing spirits, speaking in kinds of tongues, and interpreting tongues are all vastly different, but they all come from the same Elohim. I do not see that these things have passed away. But I also do not see that Elohim hands these supernatural things out indiscriminately. It all must be for a purpose. And it must be His purpose. 1 Cor 12:12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. It appears that Paul is trying to settle disagreements among the alleged "brethren." So far, we have seen that some wanted to claim they were of Apollos, some of Paul, and some of Cephas, etc.. We have seen that they have gross immorality among them, even incest. They are trying to sue each other in pagan courts. The problems with these people were many. Now he is addressing the envy they are exhibiting toward one another in the assembly. They were envious of different spiritual abilities some had and other did not possess.. 1 Cor 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Cor 12:15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 1 Cor 12:16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 1 Cor 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? Paul is combining sarcasm with logic in order to make his point. Modern Christianity tries to make this section of Scripture to be an argument over duties in the church. They attempt to shoehorn this section to mean, "We cannot all sing in the choir. We cannot all teach. But as one body, we can all give our tithes to Reverend Lovejoy…"The people were apparently upset because some were genuinely performing miraculous feats, and some were discerning the Word of Truth, while others were just there... in faithfulness. 1 Cor 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Cor 12:19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 1 Cor 12:20 But now there are many members, but one body. 1 Cor 12:21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." We are all members of the assembly. The function of each individual is a part of the plan of Elohim that we must all trust in. The subject of this section is not for people to take "spiritual gifts tests" and find out who can sing, who can teach, who can manage church money, and that we can all tithe into the collection plate. Paul is saying that envy is unwarranted. We all serve a purpose for Elohim if we are truly His.... 1 Cor 12:22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 1 Cor 12:23 and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness, The alleged less honorable parts of the assembly are the ones who should receive the honor. Paul is trying to give honor to those who are overlooked and upset about it. 1 Cor 12:24 whereas our seemly members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 1 Cor 12:25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Cor 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Those in presentable positions in the assembly do not need certain or special honor. If anyone in the assembly is honored, the whole assembly should rejoice in it. 1 Cor 12:27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. 1 Cor 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. There are different members in the body who are appointed by Elohim to different positions.

1 Cor 10:18 Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? Paul is referring to the Peace Offerings of Leviticus. Lev 7:11-17 ‘Now this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which shall be presented to the LORD. 12‘If he offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of well stirred fine flour mixed with oil. 13‘With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread. 14‘And of this he shall present one of every offering as a contribution to the LORD; it shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings. 1 Cor 10:19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 1 Cor 10:20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. Those who give sacrifices as Peace Offerings to Elohim are partakers of that altar. Likewise, those who sacrifice to demons are sharers in demons. 1 Cor 10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 1 Cor 10:22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we? Paul says that to partake in paganism is to partake with demons. We cannot combine service to Elohim and service to demons. Indeed, Elohim does not want to be honored or served in this way. 1 Cor 10:23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Paul just stated that if we participate in sacrifices to false gods, we are one with demons. Paul is still speaking of the meat of sacrifices. The meat is not evil in and of itself. The Hebrew word for "all things" is usually translated as "all." He is not saying that sin no longer exists.

1 Cor 7:28 But if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. Once again, Paul is going to give his opinion concerning those who are virgins. He does not have a command in Torah in dealing with this issue, so he tells them his opinion. Paul thinks a man should remain single. 1 Cor 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 1 Cor 7:30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 1 Cor 7:31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away. Paul wants all people to be free of concern in everything except in how to better serve Elohim. 1 Cor 7:32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 1 Cor 7:33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 1 Cor 7:34 and his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. Paul wants us to be free from concern. He wants us to only concern ourselves with the things of the Father.

1 Cor 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. The things of Elohim are revealed through the Spirit. It is not of our own intellect or insight. The understanding of Scripture does not come from us, but from the Spirit of Elohim alone. 1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, 1 Cor 2:13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. Wisdom of Elohim does not come from human wisdom. It is only taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. Wisdom and insight into the Word of Elohim will come through the Spirit to those who are chosen.

1 Cor 1:22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; 1 Cor 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, The Jews asked for signs. Matt. 12:38-40 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth Matt 16:1-4 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Him asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2But He answered and said to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3“And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? 4“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them, and went away. Mark 8:11-12 And the Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. 12And sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” Those steeped in Judaism are no different today. They say that if Messiah had come, there would be peace in the world and all the world would be following Torah. The Greeks seek the wisdom of the world. Acts 17:18-21 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. And some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? 20“For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; we want to know therefore what these things mean.” 21(Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) However, Messiah became a stumbling block to the Jews just as prophesied. Isa 8:13-16 “It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. 14“Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15“And many will stumble over them, Then they will fall and be broken; They will even be snared and caught.” 16Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. The Gentiles consider Messiah, Torah, and all things about Him to be foolishness.