01 December

Bible In 365 Days   

1 Corinthians 9-11

1 Corinthians 9

The words, "my defence to them that examine me is this," reveal the opposition to him in Corinth. The two words, "defence" and "examine," are purely legal, and are in the language of the courts of justice. The apostle is speaking of himself as on his defense and under examination. The apostle declares that his right in the case of the Corinthians at least is based on his work. Whatever relation he may bear to others, he is an apostle to them at least, for they are the very seal of his apostleship in that they are, as he has said previously, his children in the Gospel.

While defending his rights, he declared his abandonment of them in the power of that compulsion of the Gospel through which he became all things to all men. The same principles are here enforced by a general illustration. The apostle used the race as an illustration, and laid down this one simple principle, "So run that ye may attain." The goal is always to be kept in view, and all present action is to be governed by the passion for reaching that goal and receiving the crown. There is 'therefore to be self-control in all things, in order that there may be ultimate victory.

The solemn closing words reach the very heart of the argument. The apostle, speaking now of himself, again for the sake of illustration, declares that he runs not uncertainly; that he fights not as beating the air; that he brings his body into bondage, even by buffeting, and all this because he sees the terrible possibility of himself being rejected, even though he has been a herald to others; the meaning of which most evidently is that failure to regulate life so as to help others imperils our own salvation.

1 Corinthians 10

A great warning based on an illustration in Israel's history is contained in these words, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." To this warning the apostle adds that there is no necessity for such falling, because the very temptations that come to man are under the divine control, and are limited to the capacity of the tempted, while out of them God always makes a way of escape.

Carefully connect the opening injunction here with the closing declaration of the previous verse. "God . . . will .. . make also a way of escape. . . . Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."

Then the Apostle gives the greatest argument of all for the Christian position. In sudden and startling fashion he puts the Christian feasts into contrast with the idol feasts.

Then followed a definite answer to their questions. The tests of Christian action is expediency. The test of expediency is edification. The test of edification is the good of the other. Everything closes with instructions. Things sold in the shambles may be eaten, no question being asked. Things set on the table at a Christian feast may also be eaten, without asking questions. If, however, at any gathering someone should challenge a believer by saying that the meat on the table had been offered in sacrifice, then for the sake of the man who raises the question, and for the sake of his conscience, the believer is to refuse to partake.

Finally, he condenses all into the form of two governing principles. First, "Do all to the glory of God"; second, "Give no occasion of stumbling."

1 Corinthians 11

Another Corinthian question concerned the position of woman and her true attitude in the exercise of divinely bestowed gifts. He declared that woman's true position is subservience to man. The nature of that subservience, however, the apostle was also very careful to indicate. God is equal with Christ. God co-operates with Christ. God is the Head of Christ.

Then follows a touch of purely local color. The women in Corinth itself, whose heads were shaven and went uncovered, were women of shame. The apostle therefore enjoined woman exercising gifts of ministry to do so with those outward manifestations of her true relationship to man which are proper and becoming. However, the great value to us of this teaching is its recognition of the right of women to pray and prophesy. The question of wearing a veil is of no permanent importance. Not wearing a covering for the head in this country has not the significance that it had in Corinth.

The last matter to be discussed was the Lord's Supper. Grave abuses had arisen, and in order to correct these abuses the apostle told the story of the institution of the Supper. In brief words, the apostle declared the value of the feast to the world. The arresting word is ''proclaim." The Supper of the Lord, observed by the saints from year to year, from century to century, is the one outward and visible sign and symbol of His death. It is to continue until He Himself shall return. Instituted in the concluding days of His First Advent, it must be maintained until He come.

And thus that dark betrayal night

With the last advent we unite,

By one long chain of loving rite,

Until He come.