Snoopy Considers 1 Corinthians

[Jaebius]

There is no such thing for anyone under this New Covenant of Salvation as differences in race --or gender or languages or different Religious denominations under Christ ----or whether your gay or straight or something else ----

What freedom that is ---------from this world's way ----racism conflicts and wars ---trying to understand a person who speaks in another language ---Females verses males wars and conflicts ---gay verse straight etc-wars and conflicts ---Religious preferences conflicts and wars -----

Like Paul said about His Church following the leader instead of following the true master who Freed them from human masters --Christ who lives in them -----

Being a true Christian is no small Task to take on ----it requires thick skin ---steadfast faith and great stamina and self control and enormous trust in an unseen God to do as He Says in His word ====

Being a person in this world is no small Task either --- dealing with all the different conflicts and man made wars this human society has inflicted upon this earth takes its toll on many ---and many have taken their own lives over the stress and anxiety it has caused them personally ----

The difference between the 2 realms is under God's Spiritual realm ---you have Spiritual help to protect you and help you resist evil temptations and give us strength and encouragement when your Faith is grounded and rooted in Christ -----

Where as in this physical realm you have a spiritual enemy who is not so eager to help you succeed as he is in helping your fail to stay strong and keep the stress and anxiety at bay --
There is no encouragement in keeping your intellectual faith strong ---to resist temptations and help protect you -----
It is all left up to the individual person to seek out their own help in this physical world ----

Who do you want to be under ???????????

This to me is what Paul's message is about in the Chapters so far -----just my thoughts on this ----

Yes unsafe, Paul's emphasis on the unity we have in Christ is liberating. Under the New Covenant, we're no longer defined by our earthly distinctions. What unites us is far greater than what divides us.

We Christians must hold firmly to the belief that every person is made in the image of God. This understanding must compel us to work towards a more inclusive world, reflecting the Kingdom of God here on earth.

We're not alone in our journey through life. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Living under God's realm offers us a source of spiritual strength that the world can't provide. It’s a reminder that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ, who calls us to live in the freedom of his grace. This freedom empowers us to live out our faith with courage

 

[paradox3]

1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 - New English Translation

Remaining Unmarried - With regard to the question about people who have never married, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy. Because of the impending crisis I think it best for you to remain as you are. The one bound to a wife...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul provides further advice about remaining unmarried if possible.

The unmarried can more easily concern themselves with the things of the Lord and how to please Him. Without distraction, they can give constant and notable service.

There is no sin in marrying. But with the impending crisis, those who marry will face difficult circumstances. In Paul's opinion, the unmarried will be happier.

Time is short. The present shape of the world is passing away.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Question: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

How did Paul become so convinced he was living in end times?

 

[Jaebius]

Snoopy's Snappy Question: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

How did Paul become so convinced he was living in end times?

Paul was influenced by the teachings of Jesus, who spoke about the end times. These teachings reinforced Paul's sense of mission. Additionally, the early Christian community faced big challenges, which contributed to the belief that they were in the final chapter of history.

Paul's letters reflect a sense of immediacy. This urgency was about encouraging believers to focus on their faith, given the transient nature of the world around them.

So, Paul's conviction about the end times was really about fostering a community that lived with a sense of purpose

 

[unsafe]

Verses 25-40 ----

We see a statement by Paul that he is giving his advice on this subject of staying unmarried --
-------as he says this -----
I have no command from the Lord about this, but I give my opinion. And I can be trusted, because the Lord has given me mercy.

So here he is saying that he can be trusted with what he is saying because God has given him mercy -----

So what does that mean ---my view is -----that he is ensuring them that because he has been pardoned by God and his mind has been enlightened by the Holy Spirit he would not give advice out of selfish reasons as he acts to Honor God not himself for giving this advice ----

So he says if your married stay married --if your single stay single ------stay the way you are in these trouble times ----Being married can create trouble so being single is best ----and there is no sin in doing either ----

verse 31
31 ;You should use the things of the world without letting them become important to you. This is how you should live, because this world, the way it is now, will soon be gone.

I say -----So we see that he is saying it is Ok to use the things of this world but don't let them become more important than who you serve ---as this world as we know will pass away -----

I say ------here Paul is telling them that the time they have is short and they need to pay attention and be focused on God's Will for them not on Worldly Things or Matters ----as Jesus can return at any time ----
-I think----- he says this to encourage them to be obedient and this may cause them to be a little more on fire for the Lord and His work ---

Paul says a single person will devote more time to God's work where as a married man will be devoting his time to his wife not God's work ---

I say -----we are to make God our first priority in all we do ---not the spouse and family ----as when we put God first --He will provide the necessities needed for the family -----

I say ----this is a hard task for Many ---trust in an unseen God to provide all that is needed ---God's Dynamic Faith has to be grounded and rooted in Christ to get to this point ----this kind of Trust does not happen over night ---this takes one being Hungry and Thirsty to advance in the growing God's faith in us so as to achieve this status and level of trust in an unseen God ----

In the last verses he again stresses the fact that if one wants to marry or stay single there is no sin in that choice --and speaks of the widow and her staying unmarried or choosing to remarry ------and if she chooses to remarry it should be a Christian ----
-
Paul concludes that remaining single is best he thinks for the widow as they have more time to devote to God and again he say this is his opinion but that he also thinks that he is under the inspired influence of the Holy spirit to give this direction -----

I say ---
So married or single or widowed ---we are to put God first in all we do ------and He will look after our needs ----

Hard to trust but when you do ---it is so Freeing -----cause when he Blesses you ---you can Bless others -----both Spiritually and Physically

 

[Mystic]

Notice that Paul does not believe we can know God. Rather, we are known by God tin the sense of an intimate connection.

"If anyone loves, they are known by God (8:3)."

Thus, Paul has to correct himself on this matter in Galatians:

"Now that you have come to know God, or rather be known by God.. (Galatians 4:9)."

 

[Jaebius]

Notice that Paul does not believe we can know God. Rather, we are known by God tin the sense of an intimate connection.

"If anyone loves, they are known by God (8:3)."

Thus, Paul has to correct himself on this matter in Galatians:

"Now that you have come to know God, or rather be known by God.. (Galatians 4:9)."

In 1 Corinthians 8:3, Paul highlights that our love is a response to being known by God. It's like a divine embrace where God's knowledge of us sparks our capacity to love. It’s a relationship.

Paul’s slight correction in Galatians 4:9 further illuminates this intimate bond. It's a reminder that our journey with God is about his great knowledge of us. It’s God who initiates, who reaches out, who knows us intimately.

This insight encourages us to rest in the assurance that we are fully loved by God. It frees us to love others from that place of security

 

[paradox3]

About the correction in Galatians @Mystic and @Jae.

Many scholars appear to think Galatians was written before 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. Or so I discovered when I was considering my approach to Paul's letters.

I know there are different theories about these things.

 

[Mendalla]

About the correction in Galatians @Mystic and @Jae.

Many scholars appear to think Galatians was written before 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. Or so I discovered when I was considering my approach to Paul's letters.

I know there are different theories about these things.

The NT course I was watching on Great Courses at one point went with the Galatians first timeline, too. Prof was David Brakke of Ohio State, whose Ph.D. is from Yale so not exactly a weird, off-the-beaten path source.

 

[Jaebius]

About the correction in Galatians @Mystic and @Jae.

Many scholars appear to think Galatians was written before 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. Or so I discovered when I was considering my approach to Paul's letters.

I know there are different theories about these things.

You're absolutely right, p3, scholars do have varying theories about the dating. The precise chronology is a bit of a puzzle and has been debated over the years.

The issues between scholars from what I've heard are different interpretations of Paul's journeys and the historical context of his letters.

It's okay I feel for people to hold different views on such details, as long as they're united in their core beliefs and the message of the Good News

 

[Mystic]

As mentioned, Paul rejects the claim that we can know God. Paul accepts Isaiah's teaching that God's ways and thoughts differ from our own.
But Paul also teaches that we can know Christ (Philippians 3 :12); and through Christ we can experience God's love, even though we can't penetrate the mystery of God. In John 1 the "Logos," used philosophically, means that Jesus is the rational self-expression of God as opposed to God in His unknowability.

 

[paradox3]

1 Corinthians 8

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Corinthians 8 - New English Translation

Food Sacrificed to Idols - With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know. But if someone loves God, he is known by God. With...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul's message in this chapter is not to consume food sacrificed to idols.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Question: 1 Corinthians 8

Is this a metaphor? Is there a lesson we can extract for the present day?

 

[Jaebius]

1 Corinthians 8

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Corinthians 8 - New English Translation

Food Sacrificed to Idols - With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know. But if someone loves God, he is known by God. With...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul's message in this chapter is not to consume food sacrificed to idols.

Yes p3, Paul addresses the topic of food sacrificed to idols, emphasizing that it's love that truly builds up a community. Love is what unites people.

I see this chapter as a reminder of how actions must be guided by love. It's about understanding how our choices impact those around us and fostering a sense of care within our communities

 

[Jaebius]

Snoopy's Snappy Question: 1 Corinthians 8

Is this a metaphor? Is there a lesson we can extract for the present day?

The heart of Paul's message is about love for others. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (1 Corinthians 8:1) reminds us that our actions must be guided by love.

For today, we must learn a lesson on the importance of being mindful of how our actions affect others. It's a call to prioritize love within our communities, respecting different views. This principle can be applied to so many areas of life, from our friendships to our broader social interactions, even here at Wondercafe2

 

[paradox3]

An interesting point in this lesson is that Christians need to be careful about the image they project. They may attach no significance to eating meat sacrificed to idols in the temples. (Other than being hungry for dinner).

But others could be misled about Christian belief when they observe this this behaviour.

There are probably some present day parallels.

 

[Jaebius]

An interesting point in this lesson is that Christians need to be careful about the image they project. They may attach no significance to eating meat sacrificed to idols in the temples. (Other than being hungry for dinner).

But others could be misled about Christian belief when they observe this this behaviour.

There are probably some present day parallels.

Good point, p3. We believers must remember that our actions speak louder than words. We must be mindful of how our behaviors are interpreted by others. Our actions unintentionally mislead others about our beliefs, creating confusion.

For example, we can consider how our behavior on social media is perceived. Are we promoting love, or are we spreading negativity? We Christians must live out our faith in every aspect of our lives, being conscious of the message we project to those around us

 

[paradox3]

Hmmm. What if one of us bought a lottery ticket? Would that signal we approve of gambling?

I was just asking myself if the bible mentions gambling. Then I remembered the Roman soldiers casting lots for Christ's clothing. Wasn't this based on something from the OT?

Gambling is a serious addiction these days. Ditto alcohol. The bible definitely mentions drunkenness.

 

[unsafe]

Chapter 8

So it seems that Paul's Church has ask a question about food that is offered to Idols and Paul is addressing this issue -----

He says that they have knowledge of this issue already ----- but Knowledge can sometimes make you puffed up and you become prideful -----But Love builds one up ----

This Love here is not Human Love being talked about that builds one up ---it is Agape ---

AI
Agape builds one up by fostering a sense of self-worth and positive identity through unconditional love, encouraging acts of kindness and compassion towards others, which in turn creates a supportive community that uplifts and strengthens individuals; essentially, by prioritizing the well-being of others, one experiences a deeper sense of purpose and personal fulfillment.

What Paul is mainly addressing here in my View is the New Babes in Christ who are not Mature in their thinking ----This is the Carnal Christian who still has their old way of thinking when they were in the world ---Old Habits are still in play

So the More Mature Christians are suppose to help these New Babes with their old habits thinking regarding meat and idol worship ----So he talks to them about Knowledge and Agape ----If one really thinks they know everything then they know Nothing as he should know it ---The only Important Knowledge to be known is that when we Agape God He knows Us ----

Therefore Idols are nothing in this world ---they are made up idols ---there is only one true God ---so if meat is offered to an idol ---it is being offered to Nothing ---as there is only one true God ---their meat offering means nothing ----

Paul says they are free to eat any foods ---he explains that some of the new Christian are weak in their conscious still and the more Mature Christians must be careful not to cause them to do something they think is wrong -----

He ends with this --- EasyEnglish Bible

10 You may be eating food in a place where people worship idols. Then another Christian sees you there. You know that the idols are not real gods. But the other Christian may have weak thoughts about this. So, because he sees you, he may think that he can eat that food too.

11 Because you understand properly, you are hurting someone who does not understand so well. In that way, the life of your Christian friend has become completely spoiled. Remember that Christ died to save that friend.

12 If you do that kind of bad thing to hurt your Christian friends, you are hurting Christ himself. You are causing them to do something which they think is wrong.

13 I do not want to hurt any of my Christian friends. So, if the food that I eat causes them to do something wrong, I will never eat meat again

I say --Mature Christians need to be kind and show great care -and do what they have to to help the New Christian ---Show -agape and understanding when dealing with people who are New Christians being weak in their Faith and understanding of what is right and wrong in their actions and old way of thinking -----

When we first receive Christ in our hearts ---we still have much of the Old Person remaining in us when it comes to our thinking -----Your Spirit has been renewed to Holy but our intellect still has to be dealt with so it lines up with your New Holy Spirit ----who dwells in us and believe me that takes much work for ourselves to accomplish and being helped by other mature Christians is very much needed in this area ------and that is what I think Paul is telling His Church ----in my view ----

 

[unsafe]

Hmmm. What if one of us bought a lottery ticket? Would that signal we approve of gambling?

I don't personally think so -----but as for the Christian not buying lotto tickets it is showing we rely on God for our finances not the world's way of quick schemes of getting money -----

Most people who win Big from the Lotto end up miserable ----as they don't know how to handle Millions -----

God doesn't work from the Luck of the Draw ---He works from showing Him that we are good stewards of the finances we have and how we help others with the amount he Gives us ---

He bases His financial gain for His Children on Giving from a good heart and right motive ---

God says Take Heed