Presbyterian Teacher: Teaching Notes I CORINTHIANS 9 to 12

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Teaching Notes I CORINTHIANS 9 to 12

Hugh Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

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The first Quarantine in the USA since 1918 continues. It is Day 30 or something. Today is Easter. Sunday April 12, 2020. This is the first time in my life when we cannot go to a church for Easter. Perhaps it will have to be virtual this year.

April 8 - 16, 2020 is Passover. I pray that the Angel of Death that is out there "passover" me and my house. Amen.

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"The grass withers and the flower [fades], but the word of [the Lord] endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8."

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This Book, the First Letter to the Church at Corinth, was almost certainly written by Paul. It is addressed to the church in Corinth, in Greece. It is in every early accepted copy of the Bible. It is likely written by the end of AD 53 or the spring of 54.

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Ancient Corinth, Greece

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Chapter 9. Pay for The Ministry

One of the objections which Paul’s critics had brought against

'him was that he had taken no pay for his work‘in Corinth, II

Cor 12:13, which, to their covetous minds, looked suspicious.

Paul explains that he had a right to be supported at the expense

of the Church, 4-7. The Lord had deﬁnitely ordained that the

Ministry should be so supported, 14. But, so far as is recorded,

Paul took pay from no Church except Philippi. In Corinth,

Ephesus, Thessalonica, he supported himself by working at his

trade. It was his life principle, so far as he could, to Preach

without pay, 16-18. It gave Paul great personal satisfaction to

think that he was doing more than he had been commanded to do.

Then, too, he did not want his example to be abused by false

- teachers Whose main concern would be their Salary, II Cor11: 19-13.

Chapter 10: l-l3. Danger of Falling Away

Paul had just spoken of exerting himself to the utmost, lest

he should be a Castaway. That reminded him of the same danger

to Christians generally. They had better take their Religion

seriously. Most of those who were delivered out of Egypt never

got to the Promised Land. The Temptations that caused them to

Fall by the wayside were very much the Same Temptations that

the Corinthians Were facing, 7-8, Lustful Indulgence. If they would

strive whole-heartedly, with resolute determination, to overcome,

as he was doing, 9:25-27, God’s promise to protection is sure

against any temptation, 13.

Chapter 10:14-33. Meal Sacriﬁced lo Idols

Continued from ch'8. There he had stated the general prin-

ciple of governing our conduct in such matters by the law of

Brotherly Love. There are some things more important than

meat. Here Paul forbids' Christians to participate in Heathen

Temple Festivals; but explains that, in 'buying Meat in the

markets, it is not necessary to ask whether it had been sacri-

ﬁced to an Idol, 25, nor at a feast in a private home, 27, but. if

some one tells him it is Idol meat, to refrain.

I CORINTHIANS

Chapter 11:2-16. Woman's Part in Church

It was customary in Greek and Eastern cities for women to

cover their heads in public, except women of immoral charac-

ter. Corinth was full of temple prostitutes. Some of the Christian

women, taking advantage of their new-found liberty in Christ,

were making bold to lay aside their veils in Church meetings,

which horriﬁed those of more modest type. They are here told

not to defy public opinion as to what was considered proper in

feminine decorum.

Men and women are of equal value in God’s sight. But there

are certain natural distinctions between women and men without

which human society could not exist. Christian women, living

in heathen society, should be cautious in their innovations, lest

they bring reproach on their religion. It is had generally when

women become too much like men.

Angels, 10, are onlookers in Christian worship.

Chapter 11:17-34. The Lord's Supper

It seems that after the Pentecostal Community of Goods. Acts

2:44-45, ceased, the wealthier members of a Church would bring

food to certain services, for a Love-Feast, Jude 12, to be held

after the Communion, in which rich and poor joined.

This, in Corinth, it seems, had overshadowed the Lord’s Sup-

per. Those that brought the food ate it in their own clique, with-

out waiting for the whole congregation to assemble.

Imitating the drunken revels of heathen peoples in their Idol

Temples, Christians were thus making their Love-Feasts occasions

for gluttony, losing sight entirely of the true signiﬁcance of the

Lord’s Supper.

Chapter 12. Spiritual Gifts

Before the New Testament was completed, while it was in the

process of being written, in certain places, and at certain times,

God gave special Miraculous Manifestations of the Holy Spirit to

help the Churches guide themselves in the Truth.

This was necessary, because the Apostles were few, the

Churches far apart, the means of transportation and communica-

tion slow, no railroads, telegraphs, or radios. Ideas could travel

no faster than people could travel. the Churches everywhere

overrun with false teachers making all kinds of false claims, and

Churches had no written records as to actual facts.

Apparently there had recently been a brilliant display of Gifts

of the Holy Spirit in Corinth, One of these gifts was that of

Speaking in Tongues, that is, in a Foreign Language, probably,

as the Apostles did on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:8. This gift,

whatever it was, was very popular with the Corinthians. They

all wanted it. If a brother could get up in meeting, and speak

right out in a language that his neighbors knew he had never

studied, that would be plain evidence that he was under direct

control of the Holy Spirit. And they would look up to him. Then,

as now, some people went to Church for the honor they could get

out of it for themselves.

The various gifts of the Spirit, some natural, some supernatural,

as enumerated in 8-10, were Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healings,

Miracles, Prophecy, Tongues, Interpreting of Tongues.

It is in a discussion of the Relative Value of these various gifts

that the Love chapter is set.

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From The Bible Project (c)

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I CORINTHIANS

1 Corinthians 9 New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

9 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas[a]? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? 8 Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[b] Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 9:5 That is, Peter

1 Corinthians 9:9 Deut. 25:4

1 Corinthians 10 New International Version (NIV)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a] 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did-and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ,[b] as some of them did-and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did-and were killed by the destroying angel.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say-but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”-but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[f]

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God- 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6

1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord

1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.

1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1

1 Corinthians 11 New International Version (NIV)

11 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

On Covering the Head in Worship

2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,[a] and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head-it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

7 A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[c] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice-nor do the churches of God.

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

THE LORDS SUPPER

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:

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The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 11:3 Or of the wife is her husband

1 Corinthians 11:7 Or 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head-she is just like one of the “shorn women.” 6 If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. 7 A man ought not to have long hair

1 Corinthians 11:10 Or have a sign of authority on her

1 Corinthians 12 New International Version (NIV)

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body-whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28

1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with; or in

1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages

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[1] From the Museum at Milan, Italy.

Leonardo's Last Supper
church of Santa Maria delle Grazie church of Santa Maria delle Grazie church of Santa Maria delle Grazie church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

A bit of history about the Leonardo's Last Supper
The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci (Cenacolo Vinciano) is one of the most famous paintings in the world. This artwork was painted between 1494 and 1498 under the government of Ludovico il Moro and represents the last "dinner" between Jesus and his disciples.

In order to create this unique work, Leonardo carried out an exhaustive research creating an infinity of preparatory sketches. Leonardo abandons the traditional method of fresco painting, painting the scene "dry" on the wall of the refectory. Traces of gold and silver foils have been found which testify to the artist's willingness to make the figures in a much more realistic manner, including precious details. After completion, his technique and environmental factor had contributed to the eventual deterioration of the fresco, which had undergone numerous restorations.

The most recent restoration was completed in 1999 where several scientific methods were used to restore the original colors as close as possible, and to eliminate traces of paint applied in previous attempts to restore the fresco.

What is the Leonardo's Last Supper nowadays?
Leonardo’s Last Supper is located in its original place, on the wall of the dining room of the former Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, exactly in the refectory of the convent and is one of the most celebrated and well known artworks in the world.

Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper", a huge painting of 4.60 meters high and 8.80 meters wide was made with tempera and oil on a gypsum preparation instead of the technique commonly used in the fresco period.

Several measures have now been implemented to protect the paint from deterioration. To ensure that the fresco is maintained at room temperature, since the last restoration, visitor's' entry has been restricted to a group of 25 people every 15 minutes.

Curiosities about the Leonardo's Last Supper
Did you know that the great fame of this masterpiece has awaken the interest of many historians, researchers and novelists who seek to solve the supposed mysteries and enigmas that surround this painting. For example, in the books "The Templar Revelation" by Clive Prince and Lynn Picknett and in the novel Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, it is affirmed that the figure to the right of Jesus is not the apostle John, but a female figure. The truth is that these mysteries and curiosities have not yet been solved.

Did you know that during the French Revolutionary War Napoleon's troops used the wall of the refectory to make target practice and during the Second World War in 1943 the bombings managed to tear off the roof of the old Dominican dining room leaving the paint in the open for several years.

Why visit the Leonardo's Last Supper?
The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci is undoubtedly one of the most important works of art of all times, both for its innovative approach and for the impact it has had on artists of all ages. This magnificent work of art has been seeing by Leonardo's contemporary artists as the "painting that speaks," something that had never happened before.

How to visit the Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci?
The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci is undoubtedly one of the most interesting attractions in the city of Milan. The availability of tickets is very limited, so the advance reservation is considered "mandatory". Tickets to see this masterpiece can be booked online but must be sold as part of a package, so it is recommended to combine them with a Milan Audioguide, or with entries for the Brera Gallery or for the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana.

Naturally, it is also possible to book a guided tour that may also include visiting other churches or attractions located in the center of Milan.

It is also possible to request a visit with a private guide that includes, in addition to the entrance to the Last Supper, a visit to the adjacent Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Other attractions in the area

Milan is a big city full of surprises. On a short distance from Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is the Duomo Square in the historic center of the city. In this square is located the famous gothic Cathedral of Milan and the statue of Victor Emanuel II erected in 1896 in honor to the king of Italy. Here you will also find the wonderful Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, a shopping center full of cafes, restaurants and shops. After crossing this gallery you will arrive at the luxurious theater of the city of Milan, La Scala. A walk through a historic center simply unforgettable!

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New International Version (NIV)

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

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END

Presbyterian Teacher

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Teaching Notes I CORINTHIANS 9 to 12

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