Scripture of the Day:
10 Therefore I take pleasure in ainfirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in bpersecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am cweak, then am I dstrong.
Historical Background:
Epistles to the Corinthians. Corinth was the meeting point of many nationalities because the main current of the trade between Asia and western Europe passed through its harbors. Paul's first visit lasted nearly two years; his converts were mainly Greeks, men gifted by race with a keen sense of the joys of physical existence, with a passion for freedom and a genius for rhetoric and logic, but reared in the midst of the grossest moral corruption, undisciplined and self-conceited. Some time before 1 Cor. 2 was written he paid them a second visit (2 Cor. 12: 14; 2 Cor. 13: 1) to check some rising disorder (2 Cor. 2: 1; 2 Cor. 13: 2), and wrote them a letter, now lost (1 Cor. 5: 9). They had also been visited by Apollos (Acts 18: 27), perhaps by Peter (1 Cor. 1: 12), and by some Jewish Christians who brought with them letters of commendation from Jerusalem (1 Cor. 1: 12; 2 Cor. 3: 1; 2 Cor. 5: 16; 2 Cor. 11: 23).
Analysis of 1 Corinthians
1. Salutation and Thanksgiving (1 Cor. 1: 1-9).
2. Rebuke of the Corinthian Church for lack of unity (1 Cor. 1: 10 - 6: 20).
a. The spirit of partisanship and insubordination (1 Cor. 1: 10 - 4: 21).
b. The case of impurity (1 Cor. 5: 1-13; 1 Cor. 6: 9-20).
c. The lawsuits (1 Cor. 6: 1-9).
3. Paul's reply to inquiries made by them as to
a. Marriage (1 Cor. 7: 1-40).
b. Meat offered to idols (1 Cor. 8: 1 - 11: 1).
c. The order of worship, with special reference to the Lord's Supper and the use of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 11: 2 - 14: 40). This section contains 1 Cor. 12: 31 - 13: 13) a magnificent description of love, the greatest in the trio of things that abide forever.
4. Doctrine of the resurrection -
a. Of Christ (1 Cor. 15: 1-19).
b. Of the dead (1 Cor. 15: 20-34).
c. Degrees of glory (1 Cor. 15: 35-58).
5. Directions about a collection for the Christian poor at Jerusalem; information about Paul's, Timothy's, and Apollos's plans; final exhortations and salutation (1 Cor. 16: 1-24).
Soon after writing the first epistle Paul was driven from Ephesus by a riot (Acts 19). In Macedonia he met Titus (2 Cor. 7: 6), who brought him news from Corinth that his letter had been well received and had produced the desired effect; the Church had cleared itself of all complicity in a sexual offense and had excommunicated the offender (2 Cor. 2: 5-11). But Paul found that a personal coolness had sprung up between himself and his converts (2 Cor. 7: 2; 2 Cor. 12: 15), which unscrupulous opponents were turning to their own account.
Analysis of 2 Corinthians
1. Salutation and thanksgiving (2 Cor. 1: 1-11).
2. Personal, arising out of the report of Titus.
a. His own movements and feelings toward the Corinthian Church (2 Cor. 1: 12 - 2: 17).
b. The characteristics of the Christian ministry as exemplified by true apostles (2 Cor. 3: 1 - 6: 10).
c. An account of the impression produced on his own mind by the report of Titus (2 Cor. 6: 11 - 7: 16).
3. Welfare collection for the churches of Judaea (2 Cor. 8: 1 - 9;15).
4. Assertion of his own position as an apostle (2 Cor. 10: 1 - 12: 10).
5. Conclusion (2 Cor. 12: 11 - 13: 14).
Gospel Principles Outlined:
1) We have adversities to help remind us of the power of the Savior's Atonement.
2) The Savior's grace can always save us, regardless the circumstances.
3) In order to make are weaknesses strong, we must specifically address the issue with the Savior.
4) All people battle with weaknesses in this life.
5) The Lord is ready and willing to assist us in the process of improving.
What I Learned Today:
I take comfort in the stories of the scriptures that demonstrate how apostles and other leaders of the Church have overcome their weaknesses and adversity to do the will of the Lord. Sometimes it can seem overwhelming to try to do the things that the Lord would have us do because we do not feel that we have the capacity to accomplish it. Alone, we may not. With the power of the Savior's Atonement, though, we can accomplish anything that He would have us do. The effort that we must make is to align our will and thinking with that of our Father. Then we will be able to do all that the Lord would have us do.
Things I Will Implement:
I need to do a better job of addressing my weaknesses specifically and directly with the Lord so that I can apply the Atonement to improve my situation and my ability to build the kingdom.
No comments:
Post a Comment