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January 23, 20253. Factions and Status at Corinth
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1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Paul sent this letter to the Corinthians along with Sosthenes, the synagogue official (Acts 18:17). Paul calls them sanctified saints, emphasizing the idea of separation from the world. Lastly, he includes a statement that they are part of the larger family of God throughout the world.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Chloe was probably a business owner in Corinth or Ephesus. Her people were likely employees (or slaves) who reported to Paul about what was happening in the church at Corinth. The main issue he addresses first is divisiveness.
Julio-Claudian Influence in Corinth
Julius Caesar decided to found Corinth, naming it after himself.
Corinth had twelve voting tribes, most of which were named after family members of Julius and his adopted son, Augustus.
The names on coins likewise show a great emphasis on the Julio-Claudian extended family.
Nevertheless, the emperors and their family members were badly behaved by any standards. Their lust for power, ruthlessness in executing the opposition, willingness to commit adultery, and hubris in divinizing deceased predecessors combined to provide the Corinthian people with terrible examples.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 4:1 Paul’s message was simple. We’re all on the same team. Paul and Apollos are both servants of Christ who are stewarding God’s mysteries. Don’t divide; instead pursue unity.
Wealth in Corinth
Most of the Corinthians were not wealthy (1 Cor 1:26).
Corinth was known for lavish spending.
“For it is not to furnish gymnastic or musical contests that the Corinthians need so much money, but they buy bears and panthers for the hunting shows which they often exhibit in their theatres. And they themselves by reason of their wealth are naturally able to support these great expenses.” (Pseudo-Julian, On Behalf of the Argives 409a)1
Corinthian Bronze
“How great was the wealth which was plundered or burnt may be judged from the fact that we are told that all the Corinthian bronze work, which enjoys so high a repute throughout the world, was a survival from the conflagration. For the damage inflicted on this rich city in itself caused a higher value to be placed upon Corinthian bronze, because, by the melting together of countless statues and images by the flames, brass, gold and silver ore were fused into one common mass.”2 (Florus, Summary of Roman History32)
“Corinthian bronze is valued before silver and almost before gold…This is a compound that was produced by accident, when Corinth was burned at the time of its capture; and there has been a wonderful mania among many people for possessing this metal.” (Pliny the Elder, Natural History1, 6)3
“Nine of the ten gates were overlaid with gold and silver, their side-posts and lintels likewise, but the other gate, outside the sanctuary, was of Corinthian bronze, and far more valuable than those with silver and gold plating.”4 (Josephus, Jewish War 201)
Corinthian Rulers
aedile (aediles): two elected each year to maintain streets, public works, the forums, public revenue, and judge cases
duovir (duoviri): two elected each year to oversee political, religious, social, and legal systems
flamen (flamines): a priest who oversaw worship, festivals, and temple management for a a particular god like Jupiter or the divinized Julius Caesar
Augustalis (Augustales): wealthy nonaristocrats who used their wealth to promote the honor of the Julio-Claudians through monuments, buildings, and festivals.
agonothetes (agonothetae): president of the Isthmian games who underwrote most of the expenses (highest honor in the city)
quaestor (quaestores): an administrator who managed the city treasury and oversaw public contracts
Wealthy Individuals
Gnaeus Babbius Philinus: “…was not prepared to take the chance that his successor might not agree with the projected monument! The absence of his father’s name suggests that Babbius was an ex-slave, which is confirmed by his servile cognomen Philinus or “Darling.” His origins perhaps explain his sense of insecurity.”5
Crispus and Sosthenes: each called a ἀρχισυνάγωγος (archisynagogos), a title honoring benefactors who donated to the synagogue
Gaius: as the host to the whole church (Rom 16:23), he must have been wealthy enough to have a large house
Erastus: city treasurer, which likely means he was a quaestor though we also have an inscription labelling (a different?) Erastus aedile
Phoebe: benefactor of Paul and many others who lived in Cenchreae and served as a deacon (Rom 16:1-2)
Paul Reveled in the Corinthian Christians’ Low Status
1 Cor 1:26 Not many of them were wise, powerful, or of noble birth.
1 Cor 6:9-11 Some of them were sexually immoral, thieves, and drunks.
1 Cor 1:27-29 God’s wisdom was to work with the foolish, weak, low, and despised in the world to shame the wise, strong, and exalted.
1 Cor 4:7-13 Paul put himself and the other apostles as last of all, inverting the typical power structure
Bibliography
Elder, Pliny the. Natural History: Books 33-35. Translated by H. Rackham. Vol. 394. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard, 1952.
Florus, Lucius Annaeus. Epitome of Roman History. Translated by Edward Seymour Forster. Loeb Classical Library. London, England: William Heinemann, 1960.
Josephus, Flavius. The Jewish War. Translated by Martin Hammond. Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford, UK: Oxford Univerity, 2017.
Julian. The Works of the Emperor Julian. Translated by Wilmer Cave Wright. Vol. 3. Loeb Classical Library. London, UK: William Henemann, 1913.
Murphy-O’Connor, Jerome. St. Paul’s Corinth: Texts and Archeology. 3rd ed. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002.
Julian, The Works of the Emperor Julian, trans. Wilmer Cave Wright, vol. 3, Loeb Classical Library (London, UK: William Henemann, 1913), 89-91.
Lucius Annaeus Florus, Epitome of Roman History, trans. Edward Seymour Forster, Loeb Classical Library (London, England: William Heinemann, 1960), 143.
Pliny the Elder, Natural History: Books 33-35, trans. H. Rackham, vol. 394, Loeb Classical Library (Cambridge, MA: Harvard, 1952).
Flavius Josephus, The Jewish War, trans. Martin Hammond, Oxford World’s Classics (Oxford, UK: Oxford Univerity, 2017), 271.
Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, St. Paul’s Corinth: Texts and Archeology, 3rd ed. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002), 27.
The post 3. Factions and Status at Corinth first appeared on Living Hope.
46 min
January 18, 20252. Paul Founds the Church at Corinth
Download: Paul Found the Church at Corinth
Paul grew up in Tarsus, Cilicia as a zealous practitioner of Judaism. As an adult, he joined the Pharisees, a strict sect focused on living out the Torah meticulously. When Christianity started spreading, Paul did everything he could to stop the new sect. On his way to Damascus to prevent Christianity from spreading, he had a visionary experience in which Jesus appeared to him. Convinced that he had been wrong and that Jesus really was the Jewish Messiah, Paul flipped. He became Christianity’s most zealous evangelist and missionary. On Paul’s second missionary trip, he visited fourteen cities and started little cells of Christianity everywhere he could. After travelling through Macedonia (northern Greece), Paul came down to Corinth by land. Acts 18 records what happened while Paul was there.
Aquilla and Priscilla’s Expulsion from Rome (Acts 18:2)
Suetonius: “Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city.”1 (Claudius 25)
Cassius Dio: “As for the Jews, who had again increased so greatly that by reason of their multitude it would have been hard without raising a tumult to bar them from the city, he did not drive them out, but ordered them, while continuing their traditional mode of life, not to hold meetings.”2 (History 6.6)
Anthony Thiselton: “They were probably freed persons of Jewish origin who left Rome in ad 49 when the Emperor Claudius closed down a Roman synagogue because of continuous disturbances centering on the figure of Christ. They may well have been converted in Rome, and then came directly to the Roman colony of Corinth to set up their small shop in which to sell leathercraft among the commercial developments off the Lechaeum road.”3
Tentmaking in Corinth (Acts 18:3)
Tents and awnings applied to many situations in antiquity.
Canvas cloths were used as awnings in theaters (Pliny the Elder, Natural History23).
Sailcloth awnings provided shade in the forum (ibid.).
Awnings were used in inner courts of houses (ibid. 19.24).
Shops had linen awnings projected over the pavement (Juvenal, Satires168).
Linen pavilions were used at beaches (Cicero, Against Verres 5.30, 80).
Merchants at festivals used heavy canvas booths to sell their wares (Juvenal, Satires 153).
People likely slept in leather or canvas tents when crowds flocked to Corinth for the Isthmian games every 2 years.
Paul’s Workplace in Corinth
The north forum contained 44 shops around a square, surrounded by porticoes.
The shops were 13 feet tall by 13 feet deep with widths varying from 9 to 13 feet.
Jerome Murphy-O’Connor: “In the back of the shop a series of stone or brick steps was continued by a wooden ladder to a loft lit by an unglazed window centered above the shop entrance. This is where the family that owned the business slept, cooked, and ate. A hired man, such as Paul, would have slept in the workroom. …Each worker had a bench on which tools were laid out, such as straight and curved needles, an awl, a punch, pincers, half-moon knives, shears, and an edge-shaver. They worked seated in leather aprons stained by the wax they used both to roll the flax thread and to protect the hides.”4
A shop like this was optimal for evangelism to customers and other shopkeepers.
The work was tedious, the hours were long, and the pay was little.
Lucian of Samosata: “Their trades, however, were petty, laborious, and barely able to supply them with just enough. … All the men in the workshops … toiling and moiling from morning till night, doubled over their tasks, they merely eke out a bare existence from such wage-earning…”5 (Lucius, Fugitives 13, 17).
Paul mentioned his long hours toiling in 1 Thess 2:9 and 2 Thess 3:7-8.
Initial Conversions in Corinth (Acts 18:4-8)
Initially Paul went to the synagogue to tell them about Jesus. Although he made a couple of converts, they “opposed and reviled him.” He went to the house of Titius Justus next door to the synagogue. Crispus, “the official of the synagogue” was likely a benefactor who had made a sizeable donation. Sosthenes, too, has that title in verse 17.
Appearing before Lucius Junius Gallio (Acts 18:9-17)
Gallio was the brother of Seneca, the philosopher, whose books have survived. Emperor Claudius appointed Gallio proconsul (a one-year term) of the province of Achaia.
Seneca: “All I could say was what my mentor Gallio had said when he was on the point of starting to have a fever in Greece. He immediately boarded a ship, and kept insisting that his sickness was due to the location and not to his body.”6 (Letters 1).
Jerome Murphy-O’Connor: “[I]t is natural to assume that Gallio took a dislike to Achaia and used a minor illness as an excuse to leave his post. Such an unreasoning aversion to a place is normally the result of a first impression; it may intensify with the passage of time, but it does not usually begin late. If this assessment is correct, it is unlikely that Gallio remained in Achaia more than four months, i.e., from June to September.”7
Gallio left Corinth and stopped at Delphi on his way to Rome. While there he noticed how small the city’s population was. He told Claudius about the situation, which resulted in Claudius sending an official letter to Delphi, which they inscribed in stone. Archeologists have identified nine fragments and, on that basis, reconstructed the entire letter. This is how we know Gallio was proconsul in the year 51-52.
Paul’s Departure (Acts 18:18-19)
After more than a year and a half in Corinth, Paul journeyed east to the port of Cenchreae from which he sailed to Ephesus. He would remain there for another two or three years.
Timeline of Events8
51 Paul visited Corinth.
52 Apollos visited Corinth (Acts 18:27-19:1; 1 Cor 3:5-7)
52 Paul stayed in Ephesus for 2+ years (Acts 19:10)
53 Paul wrote a lost letter to the Corinthians about sexual purity (likely based on a report from Apollos when he returned from Corinth) (1 Cor 5:9).
54 Chloe sent some people (employees or slaves) to Corinth who reported on scandalous behavior in the Corinthian church (1 Cor 1:11).
54 Paul sent Timothy to Corinth to remind them of how to live as a Christian (1 Cor 4:17).
54 Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus of Corinth visited Paul in Ephesus with a letter from the church, requesting instruction (1 Cor 7:1; 16:17).
54 Paul wrote 1 Corinthians9 based on his experience of visiting and founding the church, the report of Apollos, the report of Chloe’s people, and the letter from the Corinthians.
Bibliography
Dio, Cassius. Dio’s Roman History. Translated by Earnest Cary. Vol. 7. Loeb Classical Library. London, England: William Heinemann, 1955.
Murphy-O’Connor, Jerome. St. Paul’s Corinth: Texts and Archeology. 3rd ed. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002.
Samosata, Lucian of. The Runaways (Fugitivi). Translated by A. M. Harmon. Vol. 5. Loeb Classical Library. London, England: William Heinemann, 1962.
Seneca, Lucius Annaeus. Letters on Ethics. Translated by A. A. Long Margaret Graver. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago, 2015.
Suetonius. The Twelve Caesars. Translated by Robert Graves. London, England: Penguin, 2007.
Thiselton, Anthony C. 1 Corinthians: A Shorter Exegetical & Pastoral Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2011.
Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Vol. 13. Nigtc. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000.
Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, trans. Robert Graves (London, England: Penguin, 2007), 195.
Cassius Dio, Dio’s Roman History, trans. Earnest Cary, vol. 7, Loeb Classical Library (London, England: William Heinemann, 1955), 383.
Anthony C. Thiselton, The First Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, vol. 13, Nigtc (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000), 1343.
Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, St. Paul’s Corinth: Texts and Archeology, 3rd ed. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002), 194.
Lucian of Samosata, The Runaways (Fugitivi), trans. A. M. Harmon, vol. 5, Loeb Classical Library (London, England: William Heinemann, 1962), 69, 73.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Letters on Ethics, trans. A. A. Long Margaret Graver (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago, 2015), 412.
Murphy-O’Connor, 166.
I based this timeline on Murphy-O’Connor.
Thiselton estimates Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in 53 or 54. Anthony C. Thiselton, 1 Corinthians: A Shorter Exegetical & Pastoral Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2011), 25.
The post 2. Paul Founds the Church at Corinth first appeared on Living Hope.
46 min
November 08, 2024 15. Who Receives Eternal Life
Sessions 14 & 15 Notes Download
Matthew 7:1-5   As disciples with pure hearts who are merciful, we see the needs and faults in others and desire to help them.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
We are warned against adopting an arrogant, superior, and condescending attitude that makes us believe we have the right to straighten others out.
6   We must discern or judge the genuineness of others so as not to give God’s Word to those who are unworthy (Matthew 13:13-16). Likewise, we must be aware of false prophets and teachers (Matthew 7:15-20).
7-12   Understanding that God provides for our every need places us in the position to treat and love others without ulterior, self-centered motives. We are free to love others without seeking anything in return.
13-14   The way is narrow because it requires commitment, discipline, faithfulness and often goes against worldly desires and pressures. This path leads to eternal life and fulfillment, but not many choose it because of the sacrifices it demands. The wide gate and broad road represent living for the flesh, worldly desires, and self-indulgence.
21-29   The most important matter for us is obedience to our God.
The post 15. Who Receives Eternal Life first appeared on Living Hope.
28 min
November 06, 2024 14. Genuine Christianity or Religious Hypocrisy
Sessions 14 & 15 Notes Download
Matthew 6:1-18   Three examples are provided – righteous deeds, prayer and fasting. Jesus indicated that all three were practiced for he used the word “when” and not “if”.
Matthew 6:1-4   As we live according to the beatitudes, we are different than the religious and the non-religious, but we are not separate from the world. We are the salt of the earth and the lights of the world (which certainly implies that our lifestyle and merciful acts are viewed by others). The point relates to our intentions and motives. We do what we do out of a pure heart with the purpose of glorifying God and reconciling people to Him.
Genuine, God-centered Christianity is not about appreciation or validation from people. We are at peace with God and believe He has called us, loves us, and includes us in His eternal family. We understand our identity is now in Christ and not self-accomplishment.
Galatians 2:20   I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Those who struggle to embrace their new identity in Christ may still seek validation from others, relying on their good works to feel valued. Those who do identity with “Christ in you” as their new identity no longer need or yearn for the acceptance and approval from people. Knowing that God is at work within us to will and do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13) voids out co-dependance with others. We are truly free to serve in love.
Galatians 5:13-14   For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”.
Feigning to serve with godly intentions, while actually being driven by selfish motives, is pure hypocrisy. We need to check our motives. God rewards us for serving, but the reward alone is not our primary motivation. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heave” (Matthew 5:16).
It does feel good to bless God and help others. As Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Scripture to consider regarding rewards are Matthew 25:31-40; 1 Corinthians 3:8-15; 4:5; 9:17.
Matthew 6:4 The word “giving” is translated from the Greek word eleemosune meaning deeds of mercy.
The insatiable craving for human praise was the Pharisees’ great downfall. Their lust for power, control, and acclaim proved devastating for them and those around them. They used people to feel good about themselves.
John 5:44   How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?
Matthew 6:5-7   Again we are warned not to be like the religious people nor the pagans. The religious hypocrites feigned piety and devotion to God, but in reality, they sought to impress others and draw attention to themselves. The right way to pray is the opposite with devotion completely on God with no regard for self or others. Be real with God, never just going through the motions. He looks at the heart, so make sure it is from your heart.
Do not be like the Gentiles with vain, meaningless repetition. Repetition is not wrong. Jesus prayed three times the same prayer in the garden. He teaches us to be repetitious in Luke 11 and 18. The issue of concern is to have your heart and mind engaged. Be real with God, not robotic.
Matthew 6:9-13   This prayer is an outline and guideline for daily prayer.
OUR – The pronoun “us” in verses 11,12, and 13 demonstrates that the prayer is not only self-focused but also intercessory, encompassing the needs of others.
FATHER – First and foremost, we acknowledge that God is our Father. In the sermon, Jesus refers to God as “Father” 17 times. In the entire OT, God is referred to as “Father” around 15 times. The one to whom we pray is not some remote, untouchable deity but rather a loving, caring, compassionate parent.
6:8, 26, 32; 7:7-11 Foremost and central in Jesus’ instruction regarding prayer is our awareness of the parent/child connection we have with God.
YOU ARE IN HEAVEN – Our God, Yahweh, is the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever present Almighty God, ruler of heaven and earth. We pray to the one who can really help by answering our petitions.
HOLLOWED BE YOUR NAME – We must always hold a reverent attitude to God for He is holy, holy, holy (Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8). Indeed, He is our Father, but He is also Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth. “Hallow” means to honor as holy or to revere. God’s name to be revered and kept sacred.
YOUR KINGDOM COME YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN – Jesus preached about the Kingdom both before the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 4:17) and continued teaching about it afterward (Matthew 9:35). During the sermon, he mentioned the Kingdom nine times. We are instructed to include the coming Kingdom in our daily prayer because it is the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19) in this evil world. The patriarchs and matriarchs of our faith all kept the hope in the forefront of their minds (Hebrews 11).
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD – This highlights both our physical and spiritual needs, emphasizing our daily reliance on God as we seek His guidance in all our actions.
FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS – 1 John 1:6-10 – If we want forgiveness, then we MUST forgive others.
Matthew 6:14-15   Forgiveness is not optional.
Some dismiss this because they believe forgiveness is entirely dependent on the blood of Jesus and not their works; however, Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13 (among other verses) support the above truth. It is not wise to discount Jesus’ teachings as 1 Timothy 6:3-4 warns – If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing….
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL – We have Jesus’ example of how to deal with temptation in Matthew 4 and the promise in      1 Corinthians 10:13 that He will help us escape, so we pray.
Matthew 6:17-19   Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food, drink, or certain activities for a spiritual purpose. It is used to seek closeness to God, repentance from sin, or to seek guidance (Acts 13:1-2).
Matthew 6:20-24 We are to shift our focus from earthly, temporary gains to eternal, spiritual treasures.
Where our treasure is, there our heart will be, and what is in your heart is in your life. Guard your heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23).
A healthy eye has a clear, focused, and pure perspective on the good and righteous things thereby influencing our thoughts, actions, and overall life. The opposite is also true.
Matthew 6:22-33   Do not be swallowed up in all the things the nonbelievers focus on; rather, keep your eye on the Kingdom.
Matthew 6:34   Live one day at a time.
The post 14. Genuine Christianity or Religious Hypocrisy first appeared on Living Hope.
38 min
November 01, 2024 13. Personal Relationships 2
Sessions 12 & 13 Notes Download
Matthew 19:3-9. We should interpret the shorter in the light of the longer. Remember a lot of Jesus’ teaching was to confront the wrong doctrine propounded by the religious leaders. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, there was controversy about divorce between two rival rabbinic schools (that of Rabbi Shammai with a rigorous line and of Rabbi Hillel with a lax view). They questioned Jesus to see whose side he was on.
Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24 Jesus responded with God’s original plan. Marriage is both exclusive (man and his wife) and permanent.
The Pharisees called Moses’ provision for divorce a command; Jesus referred to it as a concession.
Their quote of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 was inappropriate in regard to their conclusions and questions. They took divorce lightly; Jesus took it so seriously that it allowed only one provision, adultery. He emphatically endorsed the permanence of marriage. With people who are not spouses, we have been instructed to reconcile and have peace. How much more so with a spouse? What follows about loving our enemies should also be considered. We should not hold a rigid legalist view of what Jesus states here. 1 Corinthians offers more information
Matthew 5:33-37   Integrity in speech
Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21
Matthew 23:16-22; James 5:12   When people swear to God, on the Bible or their mothers’ grave, they are really making a pathetic confession of their own dishonesty. Oaths arise because people are so often liars. Always strive to have your words salted. We are the salt of the earth!
Mattew 5:38-39   You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH’. But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
This OT quote refers to the law of retaliation also called commensurate retribution, that the judges were to implement and not personal retaliation or revenge. The Pharisees turned it into unjust personal retaliation. Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:17-23 – life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand, foot, burn, bruise, fracture
Deuteronomy 13:11; 17:13; 19:20; 21:21 “thus you shall purge the evil from among you.” This limits over retaliation, personal revenge, and evil from spreading.
“Slap you on your right cheek” is more of an insult than a physical attack. Some extremists misinterrupt this as advocating pacifism, believing we should never defend ourselves, even in self-defense. The way God created us with the autonomic nervous system which produces involuntary responses is contrary to this interruption.
Resist not evil because resisting causes you to act the same way. Let it go!
Mattew 5:40-42 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
If at all possible, avoid getting pulled into the evil of this world. These insignificant matters are not worth our time and energy for in the end, justice will prevail.
Romans 12:17-21 Love we can warm our enemies and good can overcome their evil or at least it’s impact on us.
1 Peter 2:13-23 Jesus is our example.
Matthew 5:43-48   “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The religious leaders said “hate your enemies” which is not written in Scripture. To love like this requires all the beatitudes in action.
We are different as salt and light who love like this we standout and attract glory to God and desire for Him.
Can we love our enemies based on their behavior toward us? Do we bless them who curse us because of their words? Is the good we give to those who hate us going to be drawn out of us by them? Our motivation is not given by our enemies but rather by our Father, His love for us, and our love for Him.
The post 13. Personal Relationships 2 first appeared on Living Hope.
38 min
October 31, 2024 12: Personal Relationships
Sessions 12 & 13 Notes Download
Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
DO NOT COMMIT MURDER, the 6th commandment, is not a prohibition against taking all human life in any and every circumstance, but in particular against murder which is the unlawful premeditated killing of another human. Some contend that neither war nor capital punishment should be exempt from this prohibition because every human life holds inherent value. However, with this view retaliatory justice is ignored.
Genesis 9:6   Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.
Exodus 21:12   He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.
In the law, instruction is given about the death penalty for a number of injustices and always from a legal point of view and not for personal revenge. Jesus deals with the greater issue−how to avoid murder.
In Greek, two words are used for “anger” to communicate two aspects of anger. Orge is anger as a state of mind, and thumos is used to express an outburst of anger which attacks others. The word here (in verse 22) is anger as a state of mind.
Ephesians 4:26, 27, 31; Colossians 3:8
Psalm 37:8   Anger in the Hebrew literally means nose or nostrils meaning flaring of nostrils. The judgment for anger is the same as murder according to Jesus.
“You good-for-nothing” was translated in KJ as “Raca” which is an Aramaic word meaning empty or worthless (to demean someone’s character or worth). We might say “bonehead”, “numskull”, “nitwit”, “blockhead”. The word had both religious and moral overtones.
Murder
Court
Anger
Court
You good for nothing
Sanhedrin – supreme court
You fool
Gehenna – hell fire

Angry thoughts and insulting words may never lead to the ultimate act of murder. Yet, they are tantamount to murder in God’s sight.
1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates [miseo] his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Two Greek words are used to communicate two aspects of “hate”. Ekthra is hate as inner disposition of the mind, and miseo is hate as an active ill will towards others.
Sin is not only in actions but also in our thoughts and words. Jesus elevates the standard from mere outward actions to issues of the heart. Anger and hate are serious issues that can lead to destructive outcomes. If we control the lesser, the greater will never happen. Jesus’ commands are deeper and more demanding in the sixth commandment.
Matthew 5:23-26 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
If anger and insult are so serious and dangerous, we should treat them with utmost caution and address them without delay. The two illustrations are given − one is with the church and the other with a law court. One is with a brother and the other with an enemy. Immediacy of action is the point. Immediately, as soon as we are conscious of a broken relationship, we must take the initiative to mend the grievance or to pay the debt. Procrastination often opens the door for deeper problems. We are to be humble, righteous seekers, who are merciful and peacemakers.
Matthew 5:27-30   You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’ [the 7th and 10th commandments]; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
The prohibition of murder included angry and the insulting word, adultery includes the lustful look and imagination. We can commit murder with our words; we can commit adultery in our hearts and minds. He is not forbidding looking at a woman but looking lustfully. We know the difference between looking and lusting. This is not just referring to married men and adultery for it includes women, single people, and all forms of immorality.
If heart-adultery is the result of eye-adultery, then the only way to deal with the problem is at its beginning, which is our eyes.
Job 31:1, 7, 9   “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?
7 “If my step has turned from the way, or my heart followed my eyes, Or if any spot has stuck to my hands,
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or I have lurked at my neighbor’s doorway,
Women, looking attractive is different than making yourself seductive.
Matthew 18: 8-9
Colossians 2:20-23 This is not to be taken literally like the third-century scholar, Origen of Alexandria. He went to extremes of asceticism, renouncing possessions, food, and even sleep. In an over-literal interpretation of this passage, he actually made himself a eunuch.
Pornography is a major problem today. Some of us are tempted with certain movies and others are not. Do not judge others.
Matthew 5: 31-32 “It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’; [Deut. 24:1-4] but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 19:3-9. We should interpret the shorter in the light of the longer. Remember a lot of Jesus’ teaching was to confront the wrong doctrine propounded by the religious leaders. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, there was controversy about divorce between two rival rabbinic schools (that of Rabbi Shammai with a rigorous line and of Rabbi Hillel with a lax view). They questioned Jesus to see whose side he was on.
The post 12: Personal Relationships first appeared on Living Hope.
38 min
October 25, 202411. Mosaic Law
Sessions 10 & 11 Notes Download
To fully grasp Jesus’ teachings about the Mosaic law and much of his Sermon on the Mount, it’s crucial to recognize that he was addressing and correcting the prevalent religious teachings of his time, particularly those promoted by the Pharisees and scribes. If Jesus were present today as he was back then, the confrontation would arise with the numerous Christian pastors and teachers who preach a gospel starkly at odds with his.
The way Jesus phrases this negative statement suggests that some may have wrongly accused him:
Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
The law encompassed three primary dimensions: moral principles, sacrificial elements, and governmental functions. Jesus did not abolish the moral principles of the law; instead, he offered deeper insights and enhancements, some of which demanded greater commitment. The sacrificial parts of the law all pointed toward him as the complete and final sacrifice for humanity’s sins, transgressions, and iniquities. When Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled what was necessary for people to receive forgiveness and reconciliation thereby completing what the law only foreshadowed. When Jesus returns as King of kings, he will implement all the righteous requirements for a theocratic government that were marginally outlined in the Mosaic law. He will rule by the spirit of God.
Matthew 5:18   For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
KJV   For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
A “jot” represents the minutest Hebrew letter, while a “tittle” signifies a small horn-like mark above a letter. Jesus employed these vivid terms to emphasize the meticulous fulfillment of every aspect of the Mosaic law. However, he didn’t specify when this fulfillment would occur, for some matters are related to when he returns.
Jesus fulfilled the ethical precepts by obeying them, for he was “born under the Law” and was determined to satisfy all righteousness. He did more than obey them himself; he explained what obedience would involve for his disciples. He rejected the superficial interpretation of the law given by the scribes; rather, he supplied the true interpretation. His purpose was not to change the law, still less to annul it, but to reveal the full depth of meaning that it was intended to hold. So, then he fulfilled it by declaring the radical demands of the righteous God. This is what he stressed in the rest of Matthew 5 by giving examples. Pharisees were content with an external and formal obedience, a rigid conformity to the letter of the law; Jesus taught us that God’s demands are far more radical than this. The righteousness which is pleasing to Yahweh is an inward righteousness of mind and motive, for Yahweh looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 16:15).
Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:27   The two promises were fulfilled when He sent the holy spirit. God put His law within us and His spirit within us to coincide. The spirit, law, righteousness, and heart all belong together. The Pharisees thought an external conformity to the law would be righteous enough.
Romans 8:1-4 Those who walk by the spirit fulfill the law.
Romans 13:8-10   Love is the fulfilling of the law.
Hebrews 7:22; 8:6-13
Matthew 5:19   Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The commandments in the law are to be obeyed within the context of Jesus’ teachings. The moral principles, not sacrificial or governmental laws, are to be obeyed. Greatness in the Kingdom belongs to those who are faithful in doing and teaching the whole moral law.
Matthew 5:20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 23:1-35   We are much different than the religious and also the irreligious.
The rest of Matthew 5 contains examples of this greater or deeper righteousness. Jesus’ comments are not to refute the law, rather the wrong interpretation of it that the religious leaders taught. They made the law’s demands less demanding and the law’s permissions more permissive. What Jesus did was to reverse both tendencies. He insisted instead that the full implications of God’s commandment must be accepted without imposing any artificial limits; however, the limits which God had set to His permissions must also be accepted and not arbitrarily increased.
“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’” (21)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;” (27)
“It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE;’” (31)
“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’” (33)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’” (38)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’” (43)
EACH OF THE ABOVE IS FOLLOWED WITH – “BUT I SAY TO YOU….”
The post 11. Mosaic Law first appeared on Living Hope.
29 min
October 23, 2024 10. Salt and Light
Sessions 10 & 11 Notes Download
SALT and LIGHT – Mathew 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
The beatitudes applied enable us to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. Top of Form
To understand these metaphors, we must first consider their literal properties and purposes. The need for light is obvious. Salt was used as a preservative and a disinfectant.
Salt
Before the advent of refrigeration, salt was the primary preservative for keeping meat and fish fresh and for preventing decay. Today, foods like beef jerky, pickles, and salmon are still preserved using salt.
PRESERVATIVE – Numerous records in the Scriptures reveal the powerful impact that prayers had on individuals, communities, and whole nations. Our prayers can have a positive saving and protecting impact (e.g. Moses with Israel).
God’s blessings are with His faithful children. Where we go, God goes with us, and His blessings are present which affect our community, schools, work places. An example is when Abraham talked with Yahweh about saving Sodom which revealed the significant influence of prayer and the protection and preservation of the righteous.
As the salt of the earth, we model godliness inspiring others to glorify God and to adopt a similar lifestyle to ours. We are different but not separate from the world. For others to witness the supernatural change that we have experienced is impossible if we are isolated at home. We must get out and about just like Jesus was in his earthy ministry. As ambassadors for Christ, we represent the way, truth, and life necessary for a person to be saved which is the most preserving impact of all – eternal life
DISINFECTANT – Before modern medicine, salt was widely used as a disinfectant for wounds, cuts, and burns. Throughout history, especially during times of war or mass migration when medical resources were scarce, salt played a crucial role in maintaining hygiene in unsanitary environments and in promoting healing. The expression “salt on an open wound” developed from this aspect of salt.
The world is constantly attacked by the evil one and his cohorts, thereby shaping society into a sinful cesspool of wickedness. We hold the spiritual antidote to this moral decay and the disinfectant for incessant depravity. Our responsibility is not to sit around complaining about the sad state of our times but to model purity and speak truth that confronts the lies. We are not to just peacefully coexist and acquiesce to the world’s insanity. As disciples of Christ, we are to follow Jesus’ example set forth in the Gospels. He was continually out in the community modeling holiness and confronting evil.
Salt was used as a means for healing, and as the salt of the earth, we hold the means to the spiritual healing that Jesus provides.
SALT ALSO REPRESENTED MORAL INTEGRITY
Leviticus 2:13   “You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.”
Salt in their offering represented purity and the enduring and incorruptible nature of the covenant between God and His people.
2 Chronicles 13:5   Do you not know that the LORD God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?
Ezekiel 16:4 Newborns were washed in salt to promote health and God’s blessings plus to indicate the child would have integrity.
The qualities symbolized by salt − integrity, purity, fidelity, honesty, loyalty, commitment, and love.
Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:33-35   For effectiveness, a disciple must retain his Christlikeness, as salt must retain its saltiness. If we become assimilated to non-Christians and contaminated by the impurities of the world, we lose our influence. The effect of Christians in and on society depends on our being distinct, not identical. If we are indistinguishable from non-Christians, we are useless just like salt that has lost its saltiness.
Light
Matthew 5:14-16   A city nestled in a valley is hard to see as is a light hidden under a basket. We have been made to be lights, so others can see, for then God will be glorified. You and the world will be blessed. We are expected to be out and about like Jesus was. This means we are meeting people and witnessing this glorious gospel with our lifestyle and words.
John 8:12; 9:5   Jesus called himself the light of the world and light of life. Now that he ascended and sent the holy spirit, we are the lights of the world because he lives in us.
Ephesians 5:8-9; Philippians 2:15-16
The two essential aspects for us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world are: 1) living the beatitudes and 2) getting out into the world so we can connect with others. As we act accordingly, God will be glorified, you will be blessed, and there will be a godly influence in the world.
The post 10. Salt and Light first appeared on Living Hope.
34 min
October 18, 2024 9. Persecuted
Sessions 8 & 9 Notes Download
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
God does not promise a life free from struggles, but He does promise His presence and support in our times of need, along with blessings as we endure.
John 15:20; 16:33   Jesus warns his disciples and gives encouragement.
Mark 4:16 and 17   Everyone who hears God’s Word faces temptation and, without deep roots, will fall away.
Matthew 5:10-12 The typical reaction to persecution often includes hurt feelings, sadness, rejection, anger, and a desire for retaliation. However, Jesus calls us to respond differently—with rejoicing and cheer. Such a response is truly supernatural.
Throughout history, Christians have had varying degrees of persecution, as it is today. According to the 2024 World Watch List by Open Doors, some of the most dangerous places for Christians include:
“North Korea: Being discovered as a Christian can lead to imprisonment, torture, or even death. Somalia: Christians face severe persecution from extremist groups and societal pressure to adhere to Islam. Afghanistan: Converts to Christianity face extreme danger from both the government and their communities. Libya: Christians, especially converts from Islam, face intense persecution and violence. Pakistan: Blasphemy laws are often used to target Christians, leading to imprisonment and violence.
Other countries where Christians experience significant persecution include Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria, and India.”
All of us face persecution, although it may be less extreme than physical beatings. Ironically, most persecution comes from family, friends, associates, fellow employees, or schoolmates. The sad reality is that often Christians are persecuted by fellow Christians! James, the Lord’s brother, persecuted the Apostle Paul. John Calvin was responsible for burning Michael Servetus at the stake.
We cannot control the abusive words and actions of others, but we always have the power and responsibility to control our response. The virtues preceding this beatitude—humility, mourning, meekness, hunger, compassion, pure-heartedness, and peacemaking—equip us to respond as instructed. We also have Jesus’ repeated example recorded in the Gospels.
Matthew 5:44   Persecution often seems designed to push us away, but its true aim is the opposite. It is evil attacking us, tempting us to respond in kind. When someone reviles us, the bait is set to hook us into reviling back. This evil seeks to hurt us and provoke an evil response. If we take the bait, we suffer twice—once from the initial attack and again by responding with evil. Persecution itself does not separate us from God; it is our evil response that does. Therefore, we are instructed to overcome evil with good. Our persecutors should receive the blessings of our prayers, not reciprocal persecution. Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
To live this way takes great courage. The pain that persecution causes acts as a signal. To the deceived, it may be a signal to respond in some addictive, obsessive, or compulsive way. Some will get drunk when attacked. Some will start acting obsessively to fix themselves or someone else. Others will respond by acting aggressively with anger. For the clear minded, pain can be a signal to run to God for His help and comfort. For those who respond in a godly manner, persecution is something in which to rejoice because it draws them closer to God, and He has promised to reward them.
Prayer is a proper, godly response to persecution, and blessing the offender is another right response. Note I did not say this is the normal response, rather the right, godly reaction. Most prefer to curse their attacker; however, we are not to be like everyone else. We are like Jesus. We are DIFFERENT.
Psalm 31:11-20   David endured much persecution.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10   Paul also suffered much.
Persecution comes from outside us. Tribulation comes from within. Tribulation is mental pressure. This pressure may originate from without (circumstances or situations), but the emphasis is the pressure in the mind. The way to respond in a godly way to tribulation is to focus on the hope of the return of Jesus Christ and God’s coming Kingdom. Whatever we endure now is nothing to compare with the eternal blessings which are ours. When we do this, we can rejoice in tribulations also.
Romans 5:2-5; 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Our current affliction or tribulation is light compared to the eternal weight of glory.
1 Peter 2:19-23 The way Christ responded to his suffering on the cross serves as an example to follow. However, before his passion, he stood up to those who constantly persecuted him and did so without sinning.
Many times, Peter, Paul, and the other disciples escaped suffering and death. God does not want us to suffer. Whenever it is possible to avoid suffering without compromising our faith, we are encouraged to do so. If avoidance is not available, we can rejoice and be exceeding glad because we can draw closer to God, and He will reward us as we endure.
1 Peter 3:12-18 God knows when we are suffering and will help us. He looks for opportunities to help us.
1 Peter 4:12-16 Too often, Christians doubt God or themselves because they are suffering tribulation or persecution. This response is inappropriate and will cause separation from God. We should not think it strange or different that such trials come our way.
Romans 8:35-39
The post 9. Persecuted first appeared on Living Hope.
31 min
October 16, 2024 8: Peacemakers
Sessions 8 & 9 Notes Download
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
God is the author of reconciliation, and reconciliation is the means to achieve peace. From our relationship with God, we gain peace within our soul, peace with God, and peace with others.
Romans 15:33 “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
Romans 16:20   The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
1 Corinthians 14:33   God is not a God of confusion [disorder, instability] but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Philippians 4:9   The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:23   Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord.
God’s plan of redemption aims to restore humanity’s relationship with Him through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. This act establishes peace, making Jesus the bridge for reconciliation with God and fostering harmony among believers.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The remainder of the Sermon on the Mount provides profound and radical guidance on maintaining inner peace and promoting peace with others. It offers essential teachings for living a peaceful and righteous life.
The Beatitudes: Humility, mourning sin, meekness, gentleness, hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercy, and pure in heart all foster inner peace and encourage reaching out to others.
Love Your Enemies: This radical love helps to break cycles of hatred and violence and promotes peace.
Forgiveness: Emphasizing the importance of forgiveness, Jesus teaches that we should forgive others as God forgives us. Forgiveness is crucial for resolving conflicts and maintaining peaceful relationships.
The Golden Rule: Jesus summarizes his teachings with the Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”. This principle encourages empathy and mutual respect, which are foundational for peaceful living.
Avoiding Judgment: By focusing on our own faults rather than criticizing others, we can create a more understanding and peaceful community.
Romans 8:4-8; Galatians 5:22   Walking by the spirit, we enjoy peace.
Romans 12:18-21 (Proverbs 25:21-22) A radical approach to dealing with enemies is to prioritize love, kindness, and generosity rather than seeking revenge or retaliation. We should not take the ungodly behavior of others personally for the Scriptures reveal that humanity apart from God is evil. Their behavior is not about you; it is about them.
Romans 14:1-3, 12-19; 15:5-7, 33   Peacemakers are accepting of and not judging fellow believers over disputable matters. We do not quarrel over differences such as dietary practices and the observance of special days.
If a particular practice causes fellow believers to struggle, it is better to abstain from that practice out of love and consideration for them
Ephesians 1:2; 2:13-22; 4:1-3; 6:15   Jesus paid the price for peace. We should do everything we can to maintain it.
Philippians 4:6-9   Prayer is vital for maintaining, getting, and holding peace.
Colossians 3:14-16
1 Peter 3:8-12; Psalm 34:12-14
Matthew 18:15-17 This is a godly format to follow when experiencing difficulties with a brother.
Matthew 5:9   “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:48   “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
When we exhibit the qualities set forth in the beatitudes and become peacemakers, we are reflecting God’s nature and as such are called the sons of God.
The post 8: Peacemakers first appeared on Living Hope.
34 min

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