Stumbling block - 1 Corinthians 8:9

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak (KJV)

Then: Paul is in the middle of his explanation about eating food offered to idols. Scholars and Commentators come at his explanation, try to explain and categorize it, and understand its full meaning. Khiok-Khng Yeo summarizes four methods: theological, religious (historical), sociological and rhetorical (p. 5-9). Theological is the straight "what-matches-the-Lord's- precepts" approach. Wright's information about eating in the temples belongs in the sociological. The historical religious interpreters try to define who are the strong and who are the weak. Yeo himself works with rhetorical study, considering the methods of verbal communication and including information on audience identification, historical context, and Paul's interpersonal relations with the Corinthians. The verse is not a "pound-the-table, do-what's-right" style, but it is of the "look-you-in-the-eye" and "tell-it-like-it-is" variety.

Now: Usually teachers just read and relate the principle being presented (theology) and bring out its application to believers' lives. Often they use the Paul's teaching pattern: Give the principle, state current problems, and challenge listeners to live God's way by showing love at all times.

Extra Sources: Rhetorical Interaction in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10: A Formal Analysis With Preliminary Suggestions for a Chinese, Cross-Cultural Hermenuitic by Khiok-Khng Yeo (Brill Academic Publishers 1994) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=SdPaIlT1_PoC&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=Paul

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (KJV)

Then: Paul shifts from anger with the Corinthians' actions to worry about their eternal souls. They're part of the kingdom. They're filled with his Holy Spirit. They've received his promise of justification ... yet life is not good. Their souls are in peril. Paul wants to help them hold on, repent, and reclaim the joy of walking forward in faith. They must not dally with misdeeds. The Corinthians need reminders of their former conversion just as much as Paul needs to give them. Surely, as long as they listen, there is hope.

Now: No one knows why others can immediately see and recognize a fellow Christian's difficulty with some particular sin, yet the sinner is blinded. Jesus teaches us to take the beam out of our own eye before concentrating on the speck of sin in someone else. Like the Corinthians, we often cannot see the depth or extent of a problem. Like the Corinthians we don't like confronting our defects. Thankfully, the Lord doesn't try to overwhelm us with spiritual change all at once. He addresses one area at a time by sending friends, teachers and pastors. Through friendly conversations, sermons, biblical passages and prayer, he patiently shepherds our souls. He doesn't give up. Neither should we.

Extra Source: Commentary on the Whole Bible (Acts to Revelation) by Matthew Henry, online see
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc6.iCor.xi.html

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (KJV)

Then: Paul's phrase here parallells the English idiom "All talk and no action." Christians deeply committed and connected to Christ have the knowledge, skill, and ability to witness Christ crucified in their communities. In addition they are embued with the Lord's power. Change occurs and the church grows. Thiselton (p. 377) touches on the various approaches to figuring out "power." It's not a matter of miracles or outside control, but one of concrete results. The goal of teaching the gospel and baptizing the nations can be realized through the faithful work of empowered Christians. Do the Corinthians keep at the job or do they hand that work over to others?

Now: Many of us have lived in a culture of Christianity for such a long time that the hard work of bringing an understanding of Christ -- the one and only son of God, the one pathway to heaven, the one who has power to forgive -- is never part of what we do. We live in the kingdom helping one another with spiritual growth, but do not work with the initial entry. We lack the power because we have never asked Christ to make us agents of change. We need to accept Paul's standards, evaluate needs of the kingdom and seek God's desire for our service.

Extra source: The First Epistle to the Corinthians: a commentary on the Greek text by Anthony C. Thiselton (Authentic Media, c2000) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=IHG_DNLpmroC&dq=1st+Corinthian+commentaries&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=W9fQSpC1GILplAfHiumoCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CB8Q6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1 Corinthians 4:12

And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it (KJV)

Then: "Work" is the turning point at which Paul gives the Corinthians more information about how the apostles deal with life and meet its problems. First off, they use their hands to work. Among the wise and regal, there is little status in that approach. When reviled because they are homeless, they bless others. When persecuted or buffeted, they suffer. Paul's listeners need these details (plus those yet to come in verse 13) in order to evaluate their attitudes.

Now: When Christians concentrate on the personal benefits of living a life with Christ, it's easy to adopt a Corinthian lifestyle. We live in Christ's presence, have his love, mercy and forgiveness. Occasionally thought is directed towards sending offerings to the poor, along with opinions as to ways they can move towards the riches in eternity. The other half of following Christ, the "Go ye and teach" part is ignored. Ever so often we need to take time for self-examination. Where do we stand in the kingdom? Where do we stand in our service to the one who died to save us?

I Corinthians 4:8

Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you (KJV)

Then: Either on a rhetorical roll or highly upset that some Corinthians would still block out his teachings, Paul speaks sarcastically. "Now." They act like the last days are in effect. Already they are rich kings reigning in eternity. How absolutely wonderful if Paul, Apollos, and all the other apostles could reign right along with them. The Corinthians are marking themselves as unable to attain greater riches in glory because of the pride which surrounds their minds (Henry).

Now: If the fanciful statements like "ye are full" are not enough to let us feel Paul's sarcasm, we have confirmation in the phrase, "I would to God ye did reign." The Greek text lacks the words "to God," but Hodge (p. 72) believes that saying "Would ye did reign" is still enough to show Paul's derision. Morris (p. 76) refers readers to Matthew 5:6, Christ's teaching that we need to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Our goal is to keep wanting more and to stay continually in the Lord's service. Christ calls us to keep growing. He does not want us to be like the self-deluded Corinthians.

Extra source: Commentary on the Whole Bible Acts to Revelation Vol VI by Matthew Henry online at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc6.iCor.v.html
Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians by Charles Hodge (Grand Rapids MI: Eerdman's, c1950, 1995) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=p_eicwvOhUAC&dq=Corinthians+commentary+Hodge&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=N5y0XtoVzJ&sig=ho-hOQGsur5Q_AT-t9joFxZjDrc&hl=en&ei=jtQ4S8-tHdOhlAf_t9GeBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CCEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=&f=false
The First epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: an introduction and commentary by Leon Morris (Grand Rapids MI: Eerdman's Press, 2002) online http://books.google.com/books?id=lNc0AYIqQvAC&dq=Corinthians+Morris&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=NwNTeWfd4I&sig=XgqcdeZIJ7jIfOrxTT7PUqQqo_4&hl=en&ei=F-MkS82TPIvWlAfW55D-CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAwQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=&f=false