NT 3323 Study Questions 3 & 4

What is an ambassador (2 Cor 5:20)?

ministers of reconciliation, representatives

How did Paul apply "Do not muzzle the ox while he is threshing (Deut 25:4 quoted in 1 Cor 9:9)" to apostles of his day?

ministry workers deserve to get paid and earn a living for their labors

What were the four problems in the Corinthian church as reported to Paul by members of Chloe's household that Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians chapters 1-6?

1) A. Church factions 1:10-4:21 2) B. Incest; apostolic discipline 5:1-13 3) C. Dealing with courts 6:1-8. 4) D. Immorality 6:19-20

What are some possible explanations for Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor 12:7-9)?

1) As part of the crucible of physical difficulty through which God led Paul, there was a thorn in the flesh. Most scholars believe this was a physical infirmity, which would certainly match up with what he had already described in the physical difficulties of 11:16-33. However, it is speculative work to guess what the infirmity was, for there are many possibilities: malaria, some other type of sickness, a speech impediment, bad eyesight (as Gal 4:15 and 6:11 may indicate), crippled in his legs or arms (maybe from the stoning at Lystra), or even such a hideous appearance that he was unimpressive when he appeared in person (10:10-11).

1. Why does Paul say it is better for the unmarried in Corinth to stay unmarried (1 Cor 7)? Was Paul against marriage? Why or why not?

1) Because of the coming persecution 2) No because in other writings Paul advocates marriage. Eph 5:21-22; Col. 3:18-21

1. What is an obvious social application to the prohibition against being equally yoked (2 Cor 6:14)?

1) Do not be bound together with unbelievers" (6:14) includes marriage, but it goes even beyond that special covenant between a man and a woman. This unequal yoking can include business partnerships or close friendships with unbelievers. The basic danger is: the bad usually drags down the good. In a marriage of a Christian to a pagan, the pagan usually drags down the Christian

Explain the reasons for the four letters Paul wrote to Corinth and their chronological order.

1) First, Paul founded the church at Corinth in AD 50 or 51 on his 2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 18:1ff.). 2) Second, Paul wrote a previous letter (call it Corinthians A) to Corinth (before he wrote 1 Corinthians). Paul mentioned this letter in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11. It is lost, and this writer believes God never intended for it to be in the NT. 3) Third, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians (call it Corinthians B) in the spring of AD 55 or 56, and he wrote it from Ephesus on his 3rd Missionary Journey. It is unclear who took 1 Corinthians to Corinth. Was it Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus? 4) Fourth, Timothy's visit to Corinth may have occurred next, returning to Paul in Ephesus with a bad report (1 Cor 4:17; 16:10-11). 5) Fifth, Paul made a painful visit (2 Cor 2:1). Rather than the nice, leisurely visit he mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16 that he hoped to make, he made a hard visit to correct an unresponsive church. He visited them because they did not do as he instructed them to do in 1 Corinthians. 6) Sixth, Paul wrote a sorrowful letter (call it Corinthians C, mentioned in 2 Cor 2:4; 7:8). Like the "previous letter," the "sorrowful letter" is lost, and God never intended for it to be in the NT canon. Paul wrote this sorrowful letter upon his return to Ephesus following the "painful visit." He probably sent this letter to them via Titus. 7) Seventh, after delivering the letter and seeing the positive response of the church at Corinth, Titus returned to Paul and gave him an encouraging report in Macedonia (2 Cor 7:5-13). 8) Eighth, Paul then wrote 2 Corinthians (call it Corinthians D) from Macedonia in the fall of AD 56. Ninth, Paul then made his 3rd visit to Corinth (2 Cor 12:14; 13:1-2; Acts 20:2)

Paradise" is another name for what (2 Cor 12:4)?

1) Heaven

What four immediate steps of discipline did Paul tell the Corinthian church to take in 5:5?

1) In the four clauses that go with "deliver" in verse 5 there are good guidelines for enacting church discipline: (1) in Jesus' authority ("in the name of our Lord Jesus"); (2) as a church-community action rather than There is not a spiritual gift of sarcasm, but if there were, I would have it. But I try to restrain my sarcastic tendencies when dealing with students! 8 by a group of vigilantes ("when you are gathered"); (3) in oneness of spirit ("I with you in spirit"); and (4) with Jesus' power.

How is a sexual sin different from other sins (1 Cor 6:18)?

1) Paul later mentioned that sexual sins are worse than other sins because in a sexual sin a person sins against his (or her) own body (6:18). All other sins are outside the body. Somehow sexual immorality strikes against the very core of who God made humanity to be. 2) Paul wrote that sexual sins are worse than other sins, because in doing them a person sins against his or her own body (1 Cor 6:18), which is a temple of the Holy Spirit (v. 19) for a Christian

who was Sosthenes (1:1)?

1) Paul mentioned Sosthenes as a coworker in v. 1. It is a very good assumption that he was the synagogue official at Corinth when Paul was dragged by unbelieving Jews to the bema of Gallio (Acts 18:17). So, evidently, he became a Christian at some point after that event and before Paul wrote 1 Corinthians

When and from where did Paul write 2 Corinthians?

1) Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in fall, AD 56, from Macedonia. It is listed after 1 Corinthians in the canon because it is shorter than 1 Corinthians. However, it is also chronologically later than 1 Corinthians (see the description of Paul's four-fold written correspondence to Corinth in the introduction to 1 Corinthians).

What two main questions about eating meat that Paul answers in 1 Corinthians 8, 10? What answer did he give to each question? Give three modern applications for this teaching

1) It was two-fold in the concerns of whether or not a Christian should: a. (eat meat sold in the marketplace which had previously been offered in pagan sacrifices, and/or b. go to a pagan temple and eat a cultic meal there. Paul's answers led to the larger subject of how a Christian should use his or her liberty in Christ. Paul gave the principle that love for your brother or sister in Christ should be the motivating factor in using your liberty (8:1-13). 2) Now Paul addressed the answers to the two questions from chapter 8. The answer to the first question was: a. it depends. The first use of "don't ask; don't tell" comes into play here. If you are at someone's house, and they serve you meat, don't ask where it came from, and you are fine to eat it (10:27). Thus, eating the meat is not in and of itself a problem. b. However, if someone asks, and the answer is that it came from the idol market, do not eat it because someone seeing you eat it may stumble (10:28- 29). Paul noted that a practice may be lawful while also may not be profitable or edify (v. 23). Thus, the same self-restraint and love Paul showed concerning his apostolic rights that he willingly gave up (described in ch. 9) should be applied in the present problem. The stronger Christian should give up his or her right to eat meat if it caused another Christian to stumble. The guiding principle is: "do all to the glory of God (10:31) 2. Watching R-rated movies. Drinking alcohol. Trick or treating

We call 1 Corinthians 13 the __________ chapter. However, it was written with what issue in its immediate context?

1) Love 2) Spiritual gifts

Because of their abuse of the Lord's Supper, what had happened to many of the Christians in Corinth (1 Cor 11:30)?

1) Many are weak and ill, and some have died.

What four issues or questions in a letter to Paul did Paul answer in 1 Corinthians 7-15 (in other words, the main outline points of these chapters

1) Marriage issues 2) Meat offered to idols 3) Worship abuses a. women's head covering b. Lord's Supper c. Spiritual gifts 4) The Resurrection

How did Paul prove his apostleship in 2 Cor 11:23-28?

1) Notice the totally different approach to proving his apostleship which Paul took in 11:22-29. Yes, he had a Jewish pedigree, being a descendant of Abraham. However, his apostolic credentials were not what one typically mentions today: beaten, imprisoned, in danger of death, hungry, and in addition to these and other physical difficulties were the mental and spiritual concerns for the churches (11:28)

What was a charge Paul's enemies brought against him concerning his letters, personal appearance, and speech (2 Cor 10:10)?

1) One of their criticisms of Paul was that he was "unimpressive" in appearance and "contemptible" in speech when among them and "bold" only when writing to them (10:1, 11-12). Paul responded that he purposefully was meek and gentle when among them (10:1-2). Further, the outward appearance (of strength) is not so important, because the real battle is spiritual and internal (10:3-7).

What does Paul teach about divorce in the case of a Christian who is married to a non-Christian (1 Cor 7)?

1) Paul addressed a common problem in the early church: marriages in which one partner became a Christian and the other partner did not. Paul gave clear instructions. The believer was not to leave the unbeliever; a mixed marriage should not be broken up. However, if the unbeliever left then the believer "is not under bondage in such cases" (7:15). 2) Keeping a mixed marriage together shows how important the institution of marriage is. Also, through this bond with a believer, the unbelieving partner will be "sanctified" (7:14). However, this teaching does not mean the unbeliever will become a believer against his or her will; nor does it refer to any kind of moral purity of the unbeliever. Rather, it refers to God's claim on that person and family to be set apart for Him (see Acts 20:32; 26:18). The perfect tense of hēgiastai ("sanctified") emphasizes the reality that by being in a Christian family the unbeliever has already become and also remains part of a family unit upon which God has claim and which He can use to bring about His will. In addition, the children are "holy" (hagia, "set apart for God") in this mixed marriage. With even just one believing parent they are covenant children, who are to be counted as a part of God's people and should be nurtured in the Christian faith and in the fear of the Lord (Eph. 6:4)

What judgment does a Christian face (1 Cor 3:10-15)?

1) Paul described a judgment of works in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 which every Christian will experience. This judgment is not to determine whether or not this person will go to Heaven; that decision was determined at the moment of salvation for this believer. This judgment is simply to determine which works an individual Christian did that are for Christ. These Christ-honoring, Christ-exalting works will be rewarded. This future time of reward ought to be a motivation in the present to walk in the ways of the Lord. Works done against Christ will be burned up, which should give Christians a present motivation to avoid such Christ-dishonoring works

In 1 Corinthians 1:16 Paul wrote that he baptized the house of Stephanas, but other than that household, Paul did not remember if he baptized anyone else in Corinth. What does this statement tell us about the process of the inspiration of the Bible?

1) Paul forgetting exactly who he baptized at Corinth (1:14) shows that somehow in the process of inspiration, the Holy Spirit used the personality and memory of the writers. However, the end result is that the entire Bible- even every word-is inspired.

To what kind of athletic events does Paul liken the Christian life in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27?

1) Paul gave an analogy of the Christian life as a foot race or boxing match. The Corinthian Christians were certainly familiar with athletic contests due to the Isthmian Games held nearby every two years. One joins the "race" by becoming a Christian. Each Christian should run as if there were only one winner (v. 24). In ancient athletic contests there was only one winner, but in the Christian life every believer wins by receiving eternal life. One should exercise selfcontrol (v. 25). Athletes had to abide by a list of rigorous rules in both their preparation prior to the contest as well as during the contest. Christians should obey God's Word out of a love for Him. One must practice discipline in the Christian life just as an athlete does in the games (vv. 26-27).

We call 1 Corinthians 15 the _____________ chapter. Did Paul believe in a bodily resurrection for believers? How will it differ from our earthly body?

1) Resurrection 2) Yes, "And with what kind of body will they come (v. 35b)?" It will be different, like a plant is different in form from the seed that was planted (vv. 37-38). Here are the differences: (1) perishable vs. imperishable (v. 42), (2) in dishonor vs. in glory (v. 43), (3) weakness vs. power (v. 43), (4) natural vs. spiritual (v. 44), and (5) earthy vs. heavenly (v. 47-49). Thus, "we shall all be changed" (v. 51) in our resurrection bodies.

Of the four letters Paul wrote to Corinth, why are only two of them in the NT?

1) So, Paul wrote four letters to the church, but only two of them are in the Bible. 2) The beloved professor is certain that was God's plan. 3) Paul no doubt wrote other letters that are not in the NT, and that God did not intend to be in the NT, such as the letter to the Laodicean church (Col 4:16).

Give three different interpretations of "the perfect" in 1 Corinthians 13:10? How does each one impact if you believe tongues (glossolalia) & prophecy are still valid gifts for today?

1) The completion of the NT 2) Christian maturity 3) The return of Christ

How was the issue of baptism divisive at Corinth?

1) The first problem addressed by Paul that he heard from Chloe's people concerned the divisiveness at Corinth. These factions were destructive, and they were divided into groups by who baptized them. Paul was thankful he baptized only a few, among whom were "the household of Stephanus (1:16)."

Name and define the three kinds of people Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:14—3:4.

1) The problem with the Christians at Corinth was they were "fleshly" or "carnal" Christians. They should have been "spiritual" Christians by this time, but they were not. Paul began describing these categories in 2:14 when he contrasted a non-Christian with a Christian. He used the terms "natural" people (psuchikoi) versus "spiritual people" (pneumatikoi). 2) A natural person (a nonbeliever) will not understand spiritual matters because he or she does not have the Holy Spirit to lead in such matters. However, the situation was more complicated than just these two categories. 3) The problem with the church at Corinth was they were in a third category. They were "men of flesh," "carnal" (sarx)—immature Christians who still followed the desires of the flesh. Paul could not write about mature spiritual matters to the church at Corinth because they were so immature—clearly seen in their jealousy, strife, worldly way of life (3:3), and by their divisiveness (3:4-5).

Who came to Paul with a good report that the Corinthian church had responded positively to Paul's letter (2 Cor 7:5-16)?

1) Titus returned with a good report about the Corinthian church, and Paul was joyful as a result (vv. 5-6, 13, 16).

Give the main themes of chapters 12-14 in how they relate to one another

1) What is a spiritual gift 2) Using spiritual gifts 3) How does a spiritual person use a spiritual gift

What were the three worship abuses Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 11-12?

1) Women's head covering 2) Lord's Supper 3) Spiritual gifts

Did Paul speak in tongues (1 Cor 14:18)? Are all Christians supposed to speak in tongues (12:30

1) Yes 2) No

What was the immorality Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5? What does "deliver such a one to Satan" mean (5:5)?

1) in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 as he addressed the second problem reported to him by the household of Chloe. Some scholars believe Paul enacted apostolic discipline here, which was his right as an apostle but would not be an option for Christians today; however, there does not appear to be a need of special, apostolic discipline in this case. This blatant sin of incest required regular church discipline that any church of any age should use. A member of the church at Corinth was living in sexual immorality with his stepmother. The phrase "father's wife" in 5:1 likely meant stepmother, and "to have a woman" meant to be married to her (as in Matt 14:4; 22:28). Since Paul was concerned only with the man, then the woman involved was probably not a Christian. Thus, church discipline on her would not be necessary or possible. What was even worse than this blatant sin—that even non-believers ("Gentiles") did not normally do—was that the church at Corinth was arrogant about the sin rather than mourning because of it (1 Cor 5:1). 2) This phrase meant to give the unrepentant man back to the world, which is Satan's domain (since he is the prince of the power of the air, Eph 2:2). This phrase also may be a euphemism for not allowing the man to gather with the church for worship or meals. "Destruction of the flesh" (v. 5) meant some kind of physical suffering, and it may even have led to death. Satan does have the power to hurt the body and cause demonic oppression against a Christian. However, this destruction is for the body only—a Christian cannot lose his or her salvation.

How is a Christian an aroma of life to a Christian and from death to death to a non Christian (2 Cor 2:15-16)?

God parades us a willing servants before the world

To what kind of building does Paul liken a Christian (1 Cor 3:16)?

God's Temple

Give three examples of types of situations when discipline is needed. Give three "rhyming reasons" for church discipline

Here are three rhyming reasons for church discipline: 1) for "indignation" (to show God takes sin seriously), 2) (2) for "reformation" (to save his spirit and soul), and 3) (3) for "isolation" (to clean out the old leaven).

What three groups in the Corinthian church did Paul tell "be quiet" in 1 Corinthians 14?

In chapter 14 Paul told three groups to "be silent" in a very strong way to say it, as in "shut up!" 1) First, the tongues speaker without interpretation should "shut up." 2) Second, the prophet who is interrupted by another prophet as a corrective (even for being too long) should "hush up." Since there were several speakers, this situation may be more akin to the giving of testimonies today than to a sermon. 3) Third, women in worship are to "hush up," but to what situation did Paul refer in this latter instruction?

Does Paul becoming "all things to all men" to lead them to a saving faith in Christ mean that he is accommodating the message or the messenger to his listeners?

Messenger

In what kind of cases is it wrong for a Christian to take another Christian to court (1 Cor 6)? Instead, what should Christians do?

Paul did not address criminal matters here. In a criminal matter it is the state rather than an individual that brings a suspected criminal to court. 1) So, 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 has no application in criminal matters such as child abuse, spouse abuse, robbery, or other crimes against the state. A Christian has a duty to report a crime to the authorities. Keeping society safe by punishing evildoers is one of the main God-given functions of government (Rom 13:3-4). 2) God's purpose for government also mitigates against any kind of vigilante justice—matters of punishment must be left for action by the government rather than an individual or self-appointed group. Certainly, Christians are competent to judge civil matters. In some way Christians will be used in the final judgment of the world (6:2), which will include judging angels (6:3). The angels in the judgment must be fallen angels—demons (see Rev 19:19-20; 20:10).

What are the four clear guidelines for speaking in tongues in a public worship service (1 Cor 14:27-28)?

Paul gave four clear guidelines for speaking in tongues in a public worship service (14:27-28): 1) two or three at most speaking in tongues; 2) one at a time; 3) with an interpretation to follow each one; or, 4) shut up. This writer's observation of present-day charismatic use of tongues is that the people who use tongues in public worship rarely follow these guidelines. They wrongly think that by calling their tongues a "prayer language" they do not have to follow these scriptural guidelines. However, renaming tongues to be something else does not cause the practice to come out from under scriptural guidelines.

What kind of collection did Paul write about in 2 Corinthians 8, 9? In what two letters by Paul did he mention the collection for the saints in Jerusalem?

Paul previously mentioned this freewill offering in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. This was a collection for the saints in Jerusalem: an offering from primarily Gentile Christians to help primarily Jewish Christians, and it would help bind the rift between the two groups. Thus, in chapters 8 and 9, Paul was not addressing the tithe

What are three ways to understand how a woman in Corinth might have her head uncovered? Also, give three explanations for why Paul said this was a wrong practice.

What was the head covering for the female to which Paul referred? There are three possibilities in understanding this situation. 1) First, the traditional view says it was an external covering, like a veil or shawl (worn over the hair but not covering the face, as in the picture of the statue on the left). However, it is hard to reconcile this meaning with verse 15 that says a woman's long hair is given to her as a peribolaion ("wraparound"). 2) Second, it may have been long hair—that she should keep it long and not cut it; however, the language and grammar of verses 5-6 speak against this view. 3) Third, a more recent view says it referred to "loosed hair" (letting down the hair in public and thus experiencing shame). Ken Hemphill notes that Jewish women wore their hair tightly braided on top of their head or in a bun as a covering. 2 For women to loose their hair in public made a sexual statement. The harlots did that. Thus, these women disgraced their own heads by wearing their hair like a prostitute. The key word in understanding this situation is "authority" (v. 10). She disgraced her husband's authority by looking like she was sexually available. 3 Reasons it was wrong for a wwoman to uncover her head. I got 1. It signified she was usurping her husband's authority, and 2. it made her look sexually available to others. What is the third one...angels

What was the "previous letter" about (1 Cor 5:9-11)?

christians who are walking in egregious sin