Commuter Bible NT

The first half of today’s reading will cover Paul’s recommendation to the Corinthian church concerning head coverings for women. While different cultures and different interpreters come to varying conclusions as to whether or not this particular recommendation is prescriptive in all societies, it is clear that Paul intends to establish a distinction between male and female, as well as a structure of authority. Next, Paul moves on to consider the celebration of the Lord’s Supper within the church, particularly as it regards to fair distribution, unity within the body between those of varying socioeconomic status, and self-examination before partaking.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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In today’s reading, Paul offers a word on faithfulness in the midst of temptation. Referencing the book of Moses which we call Numbers, Paul reminds his hearers that Israel desired evil things rather than God, and thereby received just punishment from the God with whom they had covenanted as a people. When we are tempted, we may feel that we are the only ones who have ever experienced what we are experiencing, but Paul reminds us that no temptation is out of the ordinary. Moreover, with every temptation one might face, God provides a way out so that you may be able to bear it. As such, we should devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord, using our freedom to give God glory, instead of using it as a cover-up for evil.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Chances are that if you visit a friend’s house for dinner tomorrow night that you won’t be offered food offered to an idol, but in Paul’s day, that would have been more common. Paul says that there is only one God and all food is from him, so food sacrificed to idols, in reality, means nothing. Just because you can eat food sacrificed to idols, however, doesn’t mean you should, because it might cause your brother or sister to fall into sin. Later, Paul argues that those who serve as a minister of the gospel should be cared for with provisions, because if God cares about a farm animal reaping the rewards of his work, then surely he cares for those who preach and teach the Scriptures.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Paul continues to write to the church in Corinth concerning sexual ethics, and in today’s reading, he writes specifically about situations concerning marriage. In general, men and women are to give themselves to each other, for in marriage one’s body is not one’s own. If someone is married to an unbeliever, Paul commends that such a person should stay married because he or she may be able to save their spouse through their faithful, daily witness. Paul goes on to tell individuals in the church to be content to live life in whatever situation the Lord assigned when God called them. Finally, Paul spend an extended amount of time discussing matters of singleness and divorce.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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The church in Corinth had some messed views about what was permissible, especially where it pertains to sex and morality. Our reading opens with Paul addressing the church on resolving a matter the could fit well on day time talk shows: a man is having sex with his stepmother, and the church isn’t doing anything about it. Paul directs the church to execute church discipline, telling them to “hand that one over to Satan” but not so that he might be forever lost, but “so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” Paul continues by discouraging the church from internal lawsuits, saying it is better to be wronged and cheated than go to court against a brother. Finally, Paul tells the church to flee sexual immorality.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Paul continues his thoughts from our last reading into today’s chapter concerning the way leaders are revered among the Corinthian church. As you’ll recall they had been attaching themselves to particular leaders within the church, causing unnecessary division. One shouldn’t be concerned with how others judge, but on how God judges, and he sees the intentions of the heart. Paul doesn’t want any of them to become arrogant, especially those among them who have become arrogant as teachers. Those who instruct may be many, but those who come alongside believers as humble and loving fathers are few. Paul aims to be a father, and he wants others to imitate this posture within the church.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Paul tells the church in Corinth that he was not able to speak to the Corinthian church as those who were mature in Christ, but as those who were immature and unable to process deeper truths, for envy, strife, and disunity are abundant among them. In humility, Paul tells the Corinthian church that he is nothing but servant, and that the glory for growth within believers goes to God alone. While a church is not, in fact, a building, Paul compares the people of God to a building, saying that their foundation is Christ and that there will be others who come to build upon that foundation. Therefore, no one should boast in human leaders, but in Christ, to whom we belong.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Today’s chapter is pretty short, but nonetheless intriguing. Though Paul is a man of great intelligence, he tells the Corinthian church that is resolved to know nothing among them except Christ and him crucified. This does not mean that he is emptying his mind, but that he orients all of his knowledge in such a way that Christ and his cross and central in his mind. The power of God’s wisdom was not given to the rulers of this age, but to the church. He has revealed his truth to us by his Spirit. Those who do not have the Spirit find God’s wisdom to be foolishness, because they are not equipped to evaluate spiritual things. Those with the Spirit, however, have the mind of Christ.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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We’re beginning Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, a congregation that was comprised mostly of Greeks rather than mostly Jews. As we make our way through this letter, you’ll realize that in some ways, the Corinthian church was really messed up, but praise the Lord, this give us hope for Christ’s local church and our own congregations. Divisions had already begun among the church at Corinth, and some of the division came because believers began attributing themselves to mere men. Paul directs them to boast, not in the teachers they follow, but in Christ and Him crucified. In other words, “let one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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We’re beginning the second half of 2 Thessalonians, and so far Paul has spent a good amount of time talking about God’s judgment and God’s glory, particularly as it relates to the end times. He continues to encourage the church to stand firm in the faith and count their suffering and persecution for the Gospel as evidence that they belong to the Lord. Paul asks the church to pray for him and those that labor with him in the Gospel. He warns them against those people who claim to be the Lord’s servants, but who aren’t willing to labor among them. If anyone acts this way, Paul says that they shouldn’t be treated as an enemy, but they also shouldn’t associate with them.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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