1 John 3-5 Eternal Life in Christ

TMS Acts 1:8 Holy Spirit Power

Acts 1:6 “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

8 But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me

in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Observations: 1:8 The disciples had forsaken all to follow Jesus with the expectation of receiving power and glory. Jesus had promised them reward in the Sermon on the Mount, and in His calls to discipleship, and spoke of His kingdom which He would share with them, so they were anxious to receive His promised power/authority. Jesus said it wasn't the right time for the restoration of the OT kingdom promised to Israel, but if they wanted power, they would get it when the Holy Spirit came upon them. As a result (use of kai for a consecutive sequence), they would be witnesses to Christ. They should start where they were, with those most similar to themselves, and then branch out to the surrounding areas, and finally reach to the ends of the earth. This is what happened in the book of Acts (see additional comments on Acts 1:8). Believers in Jesus all have the Holy Spirit (Eph 1; 1Cor 12) and as a result should be witnesses to Christ, first to those around them, and then as they mature to others that are dissimilar. A witness is someone who has heard, seen, or experienced something. Every Christian should have an abiding relationship with God in which they are experiencing things about God which they can share with others.

Application: God works in our lives so we can be witnesses of Him to those around us.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for Your work in my life; please guide me in sharing You and Your work in my life with others. Amen.

1John 3-5 John continues to build the confidence of believers in the apostolic message against the false teaching of the anti-Messiahs. John gives a number of “tests” or validations that the experience of the believers is the real deal, so they won't fall for the devil's deceptions. Among those are victory over sin as a result of an abiding relationship with Christ, based upon obedience; a Christlike love for other believers; a vibrant prayer life; ministry to the sinning; inner conviction of the Holy Spirit that they are pleasing to God, validated by their love and obedience. John also affirms that God had given them eternal life in His Son, so they should continue to believe in Him, and not in any false gods the false teachers present.

1John 3 No Need to Sin

3:1 Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,

that we should be called children of God!

For this cause the world doesn’t know us,

because it didn’t know Him.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God,

and it is not yet revealed what we will be.

But we know that, when He is revealed,

we will be like Him;

for we will see Him

just as He is.

3 Everyone who has this hope

set on Him

purifies himself,

even as He is pure.

4 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness.

Sin is lawlessness.

5 You know that He was manifested to take away our sins,

and in Him

is no sin.

6 Whoever remains in Him

doesn’t sin.

Whoever sins hasn’t seen Him,

neither knows Him.

7 Little children, let no one lead you astray.

He who does righteousness is righteous,

even as He is righteous.

8 He who sins is of the devil,

for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

To this end the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin,

because His seed remains in him; and he can’t sin,

because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are revealed,

and the children of the devil.

Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God,

neither is he who doesn’t love his brother.

11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning,

that we should love one another;

12 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother.

Why did he kill him?

Because his works were evil,

and his brother’s righteous.

13 Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed out of death

into life,

because we love the brothers.

He who doesn’t love his brother

remains in death.

15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer,

and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

16 By this we know love,

because He laid down His life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him,

how does the love of God remain in him?

18 My little children, let’s not love in word

neither with the tongue only,

but in deed and truth.

19 And by this we know that we are of the truth,

and persuade our hearts before him,

20 because if our heart condemns us,

God is greater than our heart,

and knows all things.

21 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us,

we have confidence toward God;

22 and whatever we ask, we receive from Him,

because we keep His commandments

and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

23 This is His commandment,

that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ,

and love one another, even as He commanded.

24 He who keeps His commandments

remains in Him,

and He in him.

By this we know that He remains in us,

by the Spirit which He gave us.

Observations: 3:1-6 Believers are children of God, but the future blessings they will have as a result of that status aren't yet seen. When Christ is revealed in His glory, those who are pure in heart will see Him (one of the beatitudes - Mt 5:8). Those who have this hope of glory, purify themselves so as not to be disqualified (1Pt 1:22; 1Tim 1:5; Heb 10:22). The purpose in Christ coming wasn't to die for our sins, but remove them from us so we could have a relationship with God. In Christ there is no sin, since He is holy. Those who abide/remain in union with Him (“in Him”) don't sin. If we are drawing our motivations and strength from the vine, there's no room to sin. Whoever sins hasn't “seen” (used in 1:1, 2, 3 to describe the fellowship the apostles had with Christ) nor “known” Christ. There are three lines of interpretation. No one who read chapter 1 would claim sinless perfection, since that is refuted there. The more common view is to translate the present tenses as “habitual” which means those who know Christ don't continue to habitually sin. That view has some merit, but misses John's point. The view closer to John's thinking is that those who abide or remain in Christ don't wander off into trouble. A child staying contentedly on a parent's lap isn't going to get themselves into all kinds of trouble that would displease the parent (see comments on abiding in John 15).

3:7-15 To prevent the false teachers from leading abiding believers astray John points out that the believer who does what is right in God's sight is righteous, but the one who sins is of the devil (drawing their motivation from him, and his world). The devil has been sinning since before the Garden, and the Son of God was manifested, as promised in Genesis 3, to destroy the devil and His works of deceiving people into being unfaithful to God. The atoning work, and the indwelling Spirit of Christ put the devil out of business in the lives of those who abide in Christ. Whoever is born of God doesn't sin, because the seed of the word of God, energized by the Holy Spirit (1Pt 1:23; John 3:6) remains/abides in the believer. Those whose actions are sourced in God, don't sin. Those who don't do what is right in the sight of God, have their actions sourced not in God, but the devil. This particularly applies to those who don't love their brother (like Cain). Those who don't love are akin to murderers (Mt 5:21-22), and do not have eternal life (dominion of the Age, reward in the Messianic Kingdom) remaining in him. This is not about losing forgiveness, which is a permanent possession of those who are justified/born again, but it is about losing reward in the the Messianic Kingdom as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

3:16-24 Jesus sets the standard for the love glory-bound believers need to have for each other: self-sacrificial for the others' benefit. Those who love in word/truth and deed gain an assurance of their future reward, as well as confidence in praying. Those who keep God's commands, and do what is pleasing in His sight also have the assurance of answered prayer. This is because they are so in tune with God's will, that when they ask Him for help in doing what He wants them to do, He is more than happy to help them. John summarizes what God wants us to do: believe in the name/character/glory of His Son, Jesus the Messiah, and love one another as He commanded. The one who does this, abides/remains in Him, and He in them. Another source of confidence is the work of the Spirit (Phil 2:13).

John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

Application: Those who abide in Christ don't sin; if you find yourself sinning, you might want to move closer to God and do things His way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for Jesus, Your word, and Your Spirit, which make abiding in You possible, may I draw all my motivation and strength from You exclusively as I love others with a pure heart according to Your will. Amen.

1John 4 Victory

4:1 Beloved, don’t believe every spirit,

but test the spirits,

whether they are of God,

because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 By this you know the Spirit of God:

every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

3 and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes.

Now it is in the world already.

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them;

because greater is He who is in you

than he who is in the world.

5 They are of the world.

Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

6 We are of God. He who knows God listens to us.

He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us.

By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is of God;

and everyone who loves is born of God,

and knows God.

8 He who doesn’t love

doesn’t know God,

for God is love.

9 By this God’s love was revealed in us,

that God has sent His one and only Son into the world

that we might live through Him.

10 In this is love,

not that we loved God,

but that He loved us,

and sent His Son

as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God loved us in this way,

we also ought to love one another.

12 No one has seen God at any time.

If we love one another,

God abides in us,

and His love has been perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us,

because He has given us of his Spirit.

14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,

God remains in Him, and He in God.

16 We know and have believed the love which God has for us.

God is love,

and he who abides in love

abides in God,

and God abides in him.

17 In this love has been made perfect among us,

that we may have confidence in the day of judgment,

because as He is, even so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love;

but perfect(ed) love casts out fear,

because fear has punishment.

He who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love Him,

because He first loved us.

20 If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar;

for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen,

how can he love God whom he has not seen?

21 This commandment we have from Him,

that he who loves God should also love his brother.

Observations: 4:1-6 God has given us His Spirit, but that doesn't mean that every prophetic spirit is from God, because there is a world of evil spirits around us. Therefore, believers should apply this simple test to those “spirits” speaking though prophets: every spirit who confesses/acknowledges that Jesus is the promised Messiah who has come into the world in the flesh, is of God. Those that don't are anti-Messiah, empowered by the Anti-Messiah/Christ, Satan's chief agent. He is already in the world, but believers have nothing to fear, because greater is the One who is in them: the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Glory. Verse 4 is a good one to memorize and meditate upon. The false teachers draw their motivation and message from the world (and the evil one who runs this present age -Eph 2:1-3) therefore the worldlings listen to them, rather than to the apostolic teaching. Those who are sourced in God, listen to revealed truth. So one can discern the spirit of truth and the spirit of error based receptivity.

4:7-15 The one who is born of God not only listens to truth and doesn't sin, but loves as God has modeled and commanded. The one who doesn't love, doesn't know God, since God is the source and expression of love, as expressed in Jesus dying for our sins. God's love for us is the standard for us loving each other. If we do so, God abides in us, and His love is perfected (brought to fulfillment/completion). When we love like God intended, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit confirms to our conscience that we are abiding, and doing what pleases God. The apostles have seen/know and testify that the Father sent Jesus (His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased) to be the Savior of the world (as in everyone, not just a select few - John 3:16). Whoever acknowledges/confesses that Jesus is the Son of God has the abiding relationship with God, that is only possible through Jesus.

4:16-21 The one who abides in love (and thus maintains an intimate relationship with the God of love) has love perfected or brought to its intended purpose, so that the believer can have confidence on Judgment Day. That confidence comes about from loving as God loved, which is the standard to which we are held. The one who has loved “perfectly” or in whom love has been “perfected” has nothing to fear on judgment day, because hitting and maintaining the standard God requires (which is only possible through an abiding relationship with the Vine), eliminates any possible negative consequences. The one who fears judgment needs to work on perfecting their love. The one who loves God is loyal to God (Jn 14:15) in response to the love God has shown him/her (hesed). The love God wants us to have will overflow into a love for other children of God. The one who doesn't desire what is in another's best interest, doesn't love God.

Application: Love of truth and other believers (reflected in our ministry to them) are hallmarks of those who will do well on Judgment Day.

Prayer: God, thanks that Your Spirit dwells within me and is far greater than Satan or any of his minions; keep me from his deceptions, and guide me in loving others as You would. Amen.

1John 5 Life in the Son

5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

Whoever loves the Father also loves him who is born of Him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God,

when we love God and keep His commandments.

3 For this is the love of God,

that we keep His commandments.

His commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.

This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.

5 Who is he who overcomes the world,

but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is He who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ;

not with the water only,

but with the water and the blood.

It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

7 For there are three who testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood;

and the three agree as one.

9 If we receive the witness of men,

the witness of God is greater;

for this is God’s testimony which He has testified concerning his Son.

10 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.

He who doesn’t believe God

has made Him a liar,

because he has not believed in the testimony

that God has given concerning His Son.

11 The testimony is this,

that God gave to us eternal life,

and this life is in His Son.

12 He who has the Son

has the life.

He who doesn’t have God’s Son

doesn’t have the life.

13 These things I have written to you who 
believe in the name of the Son of God,

that you may know that you have eternal life,

and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

14 This is the confidence which we have toward Him,

that, if we ask anything according to His will,

He listens to us.

15 And if we know that He listens to us,

whatever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions

which we have asked of Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother

sinning a sin not leading to death,

he shall ask,

and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death.

There is a sin leading to death.

I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.

17 All unrighteousness is sin,

and there is a sin not leading to death.

18 We know that whoever is born of God

doesn’t sin,

but he who was born of God

keeps himself,

and the evil one doesn’t touch him.

19 We know that we are of God,

and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

20 We know that the Son of God has come,

and has given us an understanding,

that we know Him who is true,

and we are in Him who is true,

in His Son Jesus Christ.

This is the true God,

and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Observations: 5:1-3 Belief in Jesus as the Messiah promised in the OT (especially as the provision for our sins, the atoning sacrifice of Isaiah 53) results in being born again (Jn 1:12 the chiastic center of the prologue). Whoever loves the Father loves His children. When we love God and keep His commandments, we will love others. When our values change so that the sacrifices of love are not burdensome, we know we are loving as God desires.

5:4-10 The one who is born of God overcomes the world because of their faith in God's revelation. That revelation tells us that Jesus is the Son of God (the heir) who gives the Spirit to those who believe in Him, which makes overcoming and victory possible. Jesus came or was testified to by water and blood. When He was baptized, the voice of the Father testified that He was well pleased with His Son (Mt 3:17). The blood or sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection also testified to His identity, as did the ministry of the Holy Spirit in authenticating His works and His spokesman (particularly on the Day of Pentecost). Verse 7 has additional words in some versions which are most likely added in the eighth century, and are omitted in the WEB text above. The point is that there is more than one witness to the Sonship of Jesus, given by both men (the apostles) and God (in the life of Jesus). The one who believes has the testimony in themselves (their own lives), but the one who doesn't believe is calling God a liar, who authenticated Jesus.

5:11-15 The testimony is that God gives believers eternal life (dominion in the Age of the Messiah). This life is in His Son, the ruler of the Millennial Kingdom. The one who has an abiding relationship with the Son, has the life God promised. The one who doesn't have the relationship John has been talking about in the letter, doesn't have the life. It's one or the other. John says he is writing to those who believe in the name of the Son of God (Jesus -Jn 1:12) so that they may know they have eternal life (dominion in the coming Age), and that they may continue to believe, (so they don't forfeit what God has given them, like Israel did).

A relationship with God isn't just about what happens in the future, but has benefits in the present, like a vibrant prayer life. If we are abiding and knowing and doing His will, then asking anything according to His will gets a sure positive response from God.

5:16-21 While on the subject of praying according to God's will, if someone sees their brother in Christ sinning, he/she should intercede for the sinning believer, and God will give him life for those who are not sinning in such as way that they are headed to the discipline of deprivation of life. All unrighteousness is sin, but some have greater consequences than others. The one who is born of God, and in whom God's seed/Spirit remains/abides, doesn't sin (or continue to sin in the weaker alternative view). The one born of God keeps/guards him/herself so the evil one doesn't influence him/her. Believers are sourced in God's power, while worldlings are subject to the power of the evil one. Believers know that the Son of God has come in the flesh, and given them understanding so that they know Him who is true, and abide in Him who is true, that is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. This is the testimony of the true God, and the testimony of eternal life. John closes with an admonition to keep themselves from idols which are false gods, rather than the true God.

Application: Loving and obeying the Lord Jesus, the coming Messiah, is the best way to live happily ever after.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for giving me life in Jesus, both now and in the future; may I be on my guard and abide in You so that I may have confidence and joy when You return. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God gives us life in His Son when we believe, and gives us ample testimony to base our belief in Him.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the authenticated Son of God, in whom God gives us forgiveness and eternal life.

Us in a nutshell: We need to abide in Christ, obeying His commands, particularly loving other believers if we expect to live the victorious Christian life in this world, and the abundant life in the next.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

1 Corinthians 12-14 Purpose of Gifts

1 Corinthians 12-14 Purpose of Gifts

Psalm 137:1-9 Love and Hate

Ps 137:1 “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows in its midst, we hung up our harps. 3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" 4 How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you; if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, "Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!" 8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us. 9 Happy/blessed shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

Observations: 137:1-9 This imprecatory psalm laments the captivity in Babylon and calls down curses on those who rejoiced in the destruction of Jerusalem, namely Edom and Babylon. The Babylonians tormented the exiles with demands for songs of Zion. The psalmist replies that Jerusalem is his greatest delight, and one can't sing joyfully while away from it. He asks God to judge Edom for cheering the destruction of Jerusalem, and to justly repay the Babylonians, destroying their children as Babylon destroyed Israel's.

Application: If we loyally love God, we will hate His enemies, and long for His wrath to be poured out upon them.

Prayer: God, may I find joy in You regardless of my circumstances, and trust that You will execute justice upon the earth, as You've promised. Amen.

TMS John 15:7 Abiding in the Vine

Jn 15:7 “If you abide in Me,

and My words abide in you,

you will ask what you desire,

and it shall be done for you.“

10 If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. 12 My commandment is this --- to love one another just as I have loved you.

Observations: 15:7 We need to remain engrafted into Jesus, the true vine, if we wish to live the abundant life (see verses 10-12). We must draw our direction, motivation, and strength from Him, as a function of His word abiding/remaining In us. Only then can we claim the promise of this verse, that we can ask Him what we desire, and expect it to be done for us. This is not a blank check to fulfill our lusts; the promises is qualified by abiding, which changes our desires, and the next chapter elaborates the necessity of asking in Jesus' name (see comments on that post).

John 16:24 "Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive it, so that your joy may be complete."

Application: For a fruitful prayer life, we need to be abiding in Jesus, and have His words abide in us.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for caring about my joy, and outlining the way to achieve it; I'm glad that You know what's best for me, and will guide me towards it, as I prayerfully trust You. Amen.

1 Corinthians 12-14 This section considers the purpose and exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Body of believers. A gift was God's allotment of grace to NT believers at the time of conversion, given to exert Christ's control over His Body, by empowering believers to serve and build up the Body. To use one's gift for selfish rather than other-centered purposes is not Christlike. See the Goofy About Gifts outline on Truthbase.net.

1 Corinthians 12 Everybody is a Part of the Body

12:1 Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, "Jesus is accursed." No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," but by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. 6 There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; 10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. 11 But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

12 For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot would say, "Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body," it is not therefore not part of the body. 16 If the ear would say, "Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body," it’s not therefore not part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 The eye can’t tell the hand, "I have no need for you," or again the head to the feet, "I have no need for you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; 24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, 25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

Observations: 12:1-11 Paul now turns his attention to the questions the Corinthians had asked him regarding manifestations of the Spirit. Pagans had spiritual manifestations too that caused them to follow after demonic influences.  The content and result of spiritual manifestations is used to determine whether its good or bad, from God or satan.  When they were pagans, they were led astray to mute idols, and by ignorance, the same could happen regarding speech (most mystery religions had ecstatic utterances).  This section continues the theme of limiting individual rights and freedoms for the benefit of others, in light of God's future reward. After establishing the unity of the Trinity in the operation of “gifts” Paul states the basic principle that the manifestations of the Spirit are given for the benefit of all. The unity of the Body is the goal, and is achieved by diversity of the parts. The Holy Spirit distributes to each person, separately, as He desires. It's His will, not our seeking, that determines what the Holy Spirit distributes.

12:12-31 By the work of the Holy Spirit all believers were incorporated or immersed/baptized into the Body of Christ; this occurs when we believe and are regenerated (cf Eph 1:13). The result is that all are members of the Body, set in place as God desired (12:18), and all have an integral part to play. If the body were just one big part, where would the body be? Therefore, each member has a role to play for the benefit of the body. Recall that in the early church, there was no NT, there were only occasional visits and letters from the apostles. God supernaturally gifted people, with skills and abilities they did not have before they were believers, to meet the needs of the Body. In cases where God's will needed to be known, the Holy Spirit would communicate His words through the prophets. The church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, proclaiming the word of God (Eph 2:20-21). When God's message needed to be authenticated, God's Spirit would confirm His message with miracles. Not all had the same gift (bestowal of grace), and the grace was to be used for the benefit of all. Note that Paul lists tongues last, since that was causing some problems among the carnal Corinthians. Note too, that Paul tells them to earnestly desire the best gifts, but earlier clearly made the case that they already had the gifts as God desired and apportioned to each. So this doesn't refer to seeking a gift for oneself, but rather seeking the manifestation of the gifts for the common good. The eternal truth of God being communicated would have a greater benefit to the body than one individual being healed, because that word would be applicable every day to every believer, present and future. While the healing was an individual benefit that resulted in God being glorified (as did Jesus' authenticating miracles, and those of the apostles) the enduring truth had a longer term impact.

Application: We each have an important function to fulfill in a Body of believers, but not having a particular gift does not exempt an NT believer from serving the needs of others in love.

Prayer: God, may I be sensitive to how You want me to use what You've given me for the benefit of others. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13 Love is the Greatest

13:1 If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. 3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, 5 doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; 6 doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will pass away. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10 but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

Observations: 13:1-3 The odds are that if you've been to a Christian wedding, there was some mention of this chapter, and rightly so. But it should also be the marching orders for believers in an assembly/church, who were commanded to love one another by their Lord (Jn 13:35). It's one of the key questions on the final exam of life. How have you loved your fellow believers as yourself? Failure to act in love is failure to lay up treasure in heaven, and forfeiture of reward. Note that every time the Scriptures portray the angels speaking, their words are totally intelligible.

13:4-7 The characteristics of love (including the one in the beginning of verse 8) are worth defining, understanding, and applying; see application below.

13:8 Love endures, but gifts cease. Prophecies, tongues, and words of knowledge have a limited time for being useful. In the early church, when there was a need to know God's will, prophecy or a Spirit directed word of knowledge provided that answer (see last chapter comments). Two different verbs and tenses are used regarding the ending of the gifts. For prophecy and knowledge, when “that which is complete/perfect/mature has come” then the partial will pass away or no longer be in effect. Tongues would cease, in and of themselves (subjunctive middle) from a verb that is used of storms subsiding, or people stopping speaking.

There are three options for when this ending takes place, 1) in heaven or the kingdom, 2) when the NT canon was completed, or 3) when the Body reaches a level of maturity where it can grow and reproduce without them (a view which best accounts for all the NT data).

The first view, seeing and knowing clearly, could also be true of the other views. It would be obvious that when this ages ends, so would all that belongs to it. Therefore this view would be somewhat redundant. However, the last verse of this chapter (13:13) makes this view impossible.

Many who favor the second view consider the coming of the NT (canon), a function of the ministry of the apostles and prophets (the gifted men in Eph 4), who laid the foundation of the church, to be the end point Paul had in mind. When people had access to the NT they could know what Jesus said, and the Spirit wanted, because it was clearly and objectively written. They would have full knowledge, and there would be no longer need for supernatural revelation, other than what the Spirit of Truth had guided them to write and say.

The third view builds on the second, and incorporates data from the other epistles, where the ministries of the gifts and gifted men are supplanted the maturity of the Body. See comments in Ephesians 4 where a pretty airtight case will be made for the cessation of the gifted men mentioned there, when their purpose is fulfilled. Tongues aren't mentioned in Ephesians 4, which talks about the purpose of specific gifted men, but the purpose of tongues is spelled out in 1Corinthians 14 (next chapter).

Faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest is love. This statement invalidates the first view above, because the end point Paul had in mind, still had these three “graces.” Faith and hope are no longer operative in the kingdom, because faith has become sight, and the hope (of reward) is no longer a hope, but a realized possession.

Application: Look up each of the descriptions of love (in Thayer's Lexicon on OnlineBible or Biblos, or theWord, and then skim all the occurrences of the word in the NT, by plugging Strong's number into the program's search box); understand how such a characteristic would be useful in developing unified interpersonal relationships (with other Body members, family members, roommates, co-workers and other relationships); and then apply one each month.

“Lord, help me be patient and not do X when so and so does Y, but rather help me respond with Z.” (Imagining and ingraining the loving response to an irritation is a way of being transformed by the renewing of your mind - Romans 12:1-2).

Prayer: God, thanks for loving me, and teaching me what it is; may I love others as You have loved me. Amen.

1 Corinthians 14 Purpose of Gifts

14:1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you (as a Body) may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4 He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. 5 Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? 7 Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? 9 So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. 13 Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say? 17 For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up. 18 I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all. 19 However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language. 20 Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

21 In the law it is written, "By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord." 22 Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe. 23 If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy? 24 But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

26 What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. 27 If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern. 30 But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. 32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, 33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints,

34 let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the assembly.

36 What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone? 37 If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Observations: 14:1-5 The first verse is in the second person plural, addressing the Body, not the individual members. See comments on 12:1-11 for why this can not be a reference to the personal seeking of individual gifts (they were all distributed as God determined). The Body should seek the use or manifestation of the gifts that build up the Body, since that's their purpose. Prophecy accomplishes that purpose by edifying, exhorting, and consoling (which is a good functional definition -verse 3), and as a result builds up the Body. Tongues on the other hand, just build up the person speaking (maybe because their worth or value gets boosted by using their gift?), because no one can understand them. He speaks mysteries to God, but whatever he is saying is a mystery to everyone else, so why would the tongue speaker be wasting everyone's time with the incomprehensible? (Oh, some preachers do that all the time.) If it is only benefiting themselves, it's the selfish behavior that God judges, like that exhibited at the Lord's Supper. If the tongue was interpreted so that people could understand what was being said, the Body would be edified, which is why he'd rather they all prophesied rather than spoke in tongues. Paul's comment that he wishes they all spoke in tongues, but rather that they all prophesied, can be taken a number ways. 1) Once his readers understand the purpose of tongues (a sign to unbelievers14:22), he wishes they all spoke in tongues so more of his kinsmen the Jews would be saved. 2) In light of the comments at the beginning of this section, he can't mean that he wants a church full of tongue speakers, nor a church full of prophets, because God has already distributed to each as He wills. When tongues are interpreted, they can function as prophecy, an intelligible message from God. 3) The grammar of verse 5 is an indicative (“wish”), an infinitive (“to speak”), and a hina+subjunctive (which always expresses a purpose statement = “purpose prophesying”). This yields a translation: “Instead/but I wish that all you desiring to speak in tongues would rather instead purpose to prophesy.” Thus Paul wants all the tongues speakers to prophesy, but this would be incompatible with the fact that they can't change what God has given them, unless they do so via interpretation.

For those tongue speakers who are puffed up by their gift, Paul reminds them that prophecy is greater.

14:6-19 Tongues in Acts 2 were known languages. Angels always spoke intelligibly, even in heaven. The gift of tongues was translatable into known speech. There is no basis for equating tongues with the “ecstatic speech” of the pagan religions (they all had it, particularly the mystery religions), and it was frequently a result of demons possessing the bodies of the “worshipers.” Judeo-Christianity is a cognitive religion, with the understandable truth to an individual with a call for a response of the will (worship = response to revelation -See Gen 22). So to bypass one's mind is to fail to love God with all your mind. Unless the sounds have distinction/meaning, they are useless. The speaker of something unintelligible isn't even speaking to God, much less other believers, but rather the air. See Goofy about Gifts on Truthbase.net.

14:20-25 Children often fail to understand the purpose and nature of things, so Paul gives the purpose of tongues by quoting Isaiah 28:10-11. It's a reference to God raising up the Assyrians to judge the Israelites, who failed to listen to His prophets. The Assyrians spoke a language the Jews couldn't understand, as they were being taken into captivity. In NT times God was judging the Jews by demonstrating His power in a new group, the church. Tongues were a sign of encouragement the believers on the day of Pentecost that God was with them, but a sign of judgment that God was no longer with the Jews. So tongues are sign for unbelievers, not believers. Prophecy on the other hand, is for believers, and a means of convicting unbelievers, by presenting them with propositional truth which exposes their sin. An unbeliever walking into an assembly of people speaking languages no one understands would conclude that they are crazy. But if convicted by the Holy Spirit of truth, will confess that God is among the believers.

14:26 So when the church gathers everyone should bring something to build up the others. See the Catacomb Church Blog under Edification for how this should work. Everyone, means everyone needs to focus on offering something that will build up one another (there's another of the one another passages). If someone is going to speak in tongues, pray for an interpreter, otherwise, not a sound should be uttered, or they have crossed the line into self-centered sin. Prophets who speak for edification, exhortation, and comfort, (in the pre NT canon days), needed to do so in order, so all could hear and learn. In pagan religions the evil spirits took control of the people, in Yahweh worship, the prophets needed to be in control of themselves, yielding to others, for God is the God of order and peace. Women, mentioned previously in chapter 11 (see post comments there) were to keep silent, and listen. If they wanted to ask a question, they should ask their husbands at home (which is why the WEB translated “wives”). Who did single women ask? Could the church solicit questions, giving them permission to speak in a church setting? See more comments on this in the upcoming Catacomb Church Blog.

14:36-40 Paul ends with an admonition for the “spiritual” to recognize the words of the Spirit through His authenticated spokesman. He desires the primacy of prophecy, and forbids the forbidding of tongues (which had value when translated, and for unbelievers who could understand them in their native tongue). The last words are decently/honorably, and in order. Good ones.

Application: Our behavior in church should not be designed to bring attention to ourselves, but benefit to others. Next time you go, bring something that will build up others, and share it.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, thanks that You limited Yourself for my benefit, may I do the same for the benefit of those for whom You died and rose again, my brothers and sisters in You. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God is a God of order and peace, not random confusion.

Build-a-Jesus:

Us in a nutshell: We need to seek to build up others, especially when gathering in the name of the Lord, or we will engage in unprofitable, unrewardable behavior, worthy of judgment.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net