The ninth Problem in the Church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians Study Guide

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1 1 Corinthians Study Guide Introduction: 1 Corinthians Problem ONE: 1 Corinthians Problem TWO: 1 Corinthians Problem THREE: 1 Corinthians Problem FOUR: 1 Corinthians Problem FIVE: 1 Corinthians & 1 Corinthians Problem SIX: 1 Corinthians Problem SEVEN: 1 Corinthians Problem EIGHT: 1 Corinthians Problem NINE: 1 Corinthians Problem TEN: 1 Corinthians Conclusion: 1 Corinthians Weekly study guides available at: Pastor Bob s BOOKS AVAILABLE Pastor Bob s books and study guides are now available by going to bobhighlands.com. There all his books and study guides are available in three different ways. 1) from AMAZON.COM 2) from CREATESPACE.COM 3) as KINDLE ebooks. The ninth Problem in the Church at Corinth copyright 2015 by Rev. Bob Highlands III The translation quoted here is the New International Version (NIV) DEALING WITH DISORDER IN WORSHIP 1 Corinthians HCSB NOTE: This lesson uses the Holman Christian Standard Bible for all quotes. The reason goes back over 400 years to the earliest translations of the English Bible. English as it was spoken then was very different than it is today. Many words used then in common language have either fallen out of use or have a different meaning in the modern world. As the Bible was translated it was put into the common language of the 17th century, so when the King James Bible came out in 1611 the average person on the street would be able to understand what was being said. One Greek word glōssa was translated two ways. The first way the word was used and can be translated is to describes the human tongue. This was the case in the story of the man who had gone to hades and was thirsty. Father Abraham! he called out, Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool Luke my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!' The word used for tongue is the Greek word glōssa. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations in this lesson are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 20

2 The second way the word was used and can be translated is to describe various languages people speak. This is the case at Pentecost, When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Acts 2.6 The word used for language is the same Greek word glōssa. The problem is in 1611 or 17th century English the word they used to mean languages was tongues. That was great for then, but now it does not have the same meaning and should be translated language for the modern reader. Yet, instead of this happening most modern translators have kept the word tongues and used it in both ways. So the modern reader has to determine if the word means the human tongue or languages. This is why the HCSB is being used in this lesson. They are one of the first to correct this translation problem and use the word language where it should be. 1 Cor How sure is Paul of God wanting order in the worship services of the churches? 1 Cor If someone in the church at Corinth did not listen to Paul about his how was he going to respond to their questions and preaching? 1 Cor What is Paul s final word on speaking in other languages? (if the rules are followed) Knowing the real meaning of the word and how it should be used will make this lesson easier. This section is the longest one dealing with a problem in 1st Corinthians. Because of this it will be necessary to skim some of it to get to and deal with the ninth problem in this church. This is a problem of sinful pride and being selfishly inconsiderate of other believers. The word languages appears 19 times in the section we are looking at. The problem was in the nature and background of the people in the church at Corinth. It was a crossroads for trade in the Roman Empire and as such a place with a wide background of people. These people came from a wide range of places and spoke many different LANGUAGES. As some of them became Christians and began to attend the church at Corinth they wanted the service to be in their native language. Different people were praying in their native language which much of the rest of the church did not understand. Others were teaching (prophesying) in their native 2 1 Cor As stated at the beginning, what does Paul see as the key to successful and Godly worship? FINAL NOTE: There are many false teaching surrounding the gift of tongues. There is not enough room to handle the objections or background of this teaching here. Let it suffice to say the problem was people speaking in foreign languages adding to the confusion of the worship services. Paul showed great patience in dealing with them and their failure to comprehend the depth of their sinful approach to life and church. We also need to show great patience with those around us who do not understand the nature of the church and the Kingdom of God. We must never allow our customs, traditions or commonly shared practices to come between us and God or between us and the world that so desperately needs His love and forgiveness. Maranatha Lord Jesus 19

3 What reason does he give to back this up? Read Romans 6.14 How does this diminish or temper the power of what he has just said? 1 Cor Does Paul ever say this is the will of God? Why is Paul so careful about this? language. When someone stood up to share what God was doing in their life they were each speaking in their native language which only a small portion of the church understood. The confusion in worship came from people not being able to understand what was being said, prayed, and taught. (Note: in the 1st century church anyone could stand up and share what they thought God was telling them. Many times there was no preacher and they relied on this sharing as a way of growth and development of their Christian faith.) With this in mind we will look at the nineteen times the word is used in 1st Corinthians. The text for each section will be included from the HCSB. The headings have been added by me to help in the study. HUMAN ABLIITIES and GIFTS FROM GOD How should the church in the 21st century view his advice? 1 Cor How does Paul want to handle the problem of women causing disorder in the church at Corinth? FINAL INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT ORDER IN CHURCH [1 Cor ] If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord's command. [38] But if anyone ignores this, he will be ignored. [39] Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in other languages. [40] But everything must be done decently and in order. 18 [1 Cor. 12.4] Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are different ministries, but the same Lord. [6] And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything. [7] A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial: [8] to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, [9] to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of languages, to another, interpretation of languages. 3

4 [11] But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each one as He wills. 1 Cor How are the gifts, ministries and manifestations (results) all linked together? PAUL S APPROACH TO WOMEN IN WORSHIP Remember Paul is always careful to delineate between his opinion, customs and the way of God. This question came up about women s hair length and women praying in church. He was clear he thought that women should have long hair. He cited nature 1 Cor as his example and stated clearly that this was their custom 1 Cor in the churches of God. He does not state it was from God. 1 Cor List three lessons we can learn about the spiritual gifts from this section? 1) 2) 3) How are the last two listed different from the rest on the list? 1 Cor How and why are the spiritual gifts given? When dealing with the question about marriage he also delineated clearly between his personal convictions and beliefs and God s will. [1 Cor. 7.10] I command the married not I, but the Lord-a wife is not to leave her husband. This in contrast to his person opinion. [1 Cor. 7.12] But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is willing to live with him, he must not leave her. With this clearly in mind let us look at [1 Cor ] As in all the churches of the saints, [34] the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says. [35] And if they want to learn something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church meeting. [36] Did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only? VARIETY IN THE CHURCH [1 Cor ] Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. [28] And God has placed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, 1 Cor What does Paul cite as his authority or reason he is about to give the following advice? 1 Cor What does Paul want the women to do in church? 4 17

5 1 Cor What restrictions does Paul place on them if there is no one to interpret the language they are speaking in? 1 Cor How does Paul work to keep order when people are share what they have seen in the Word of God? next, miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in languages? Do all interpret? [31] But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way. 1 Cor How does Paul keep one person from taking over the worship service? 1 Cor How is this description designed to help each person see their place in the church? 1 Cor Why would Paul need to tell the people at the church in Corinth to share one at a time? 1 Cor How is the order these were given to the church important as the church grew in the 1st century? 1 Cor Who is to judge or determine the validity of the message of the prophets or preachers? Why would Paul list being able to speak in other languages last when writing to the church at Corinth? 1 Cor Why does Paul say there needs to be order in their worship services? 1 Cor What is the answer to the questions Paul asked them? Why is this important for believers to know and understand? 16 5

6 1 Cor Are the greater gifts the same for all believers? Explain your answer. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT [1 Cor.13:1] If I speak the languages of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. What happens to the message of a person if they are not doing it for the right reason? [1 Cor ] How is it then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, another language, or an interpretation. All things must be done for edification. [27] If any person speaks in another language, there should be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and someone must interpret. [28] But if there is no interpreter, that person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God. [29] Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate. [30] But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent. [31] For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged. [32] And the prophets spirits are under the control of the prophets, [33] since God is not a God of disorder but of peace. [1 Cor. 13.8] Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 1 Cor What is the key to anything that is done in a worship service? How does Paul try to get them to turn from their selfcentered ways and see what they are missing? Will everyone share in the same way? Explain. RULES FOR VARIOUS LANGUAGES IN WORSHIP [1 Cor. 14:1] Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy. [2] For the person who speaks in another language is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. [3] But the person who 6 1 Cor What 3 limits does Paul put on people speaking in other languages in the worship service? 1) 2) 3) 15

7 (NOTE: The word sign means to give a mark or as a way to communicate. A mark is a sign or way that indicates what to follow or which way to go.) 1 Cor Why would the ability to speak about Jesus in other languages be a sign or a way to communicate with non-believers? prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation. [4] The person who speaks in another language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church. [5] I wish all of you spoke in other languages, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in languages, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up. Why would prophecy or preaching in the church to believes be a sign or a way to communicate with them? 1 Cor What is the problem of a person speaking in a language other do not understand? 1 Cor Why would a church full of people speaking in different languages that no most did not understand lead to outsiders thinking the church was full of crazy people? Why would this be called mysteries in the Spirit? 1 Cor Why is it better to prophesy or preach than speak in a language other do not understand? 1 Cor Why would a church full of people speaking clearly the word of God be a way to reach non-believers with the message of Jesus? 1 Cor Why would a person speaking in a language be described as building them self up? What would be the best results possible for the nonbeliever in a church where the message of Jesus could be understood? Why would a person who prophecies be building up the whole church? 14 7

8 1 Cor How does Paul try and bridge the gap between languages and helping the church? How does he make it clear it is important to be understood when a person speaks in church? What is needed in a church if a person is going to speak in a language most of the church does not understand? I will speak to this people; and even then, they will not listen to Me, says the Lord. [22] It follows that speaking in other languages is intended as a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers. But prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. [23] Therefore if the whole church assembles together, and all are speaking in other languages, and people who are uninformed or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? [24] But if all are prophesying, and some unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he is convicted by all and is judged by all. [25] The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall down on his face and worship God, proclaiming, God is really among you. 1 Cor Why would Paul think their attitude about speaking in foreign languages childish? Why would this change the importance of a person being able to speak in the church? 1 Cor Why would Paul want them to know that speaking in another language can be use of God? [1 Cor. 14.6] But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in other languages, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? [7] Even inanimate things producing sounds whether flute or harp if they don't make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? [8] In fact, if the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle? [9] In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be 8 What is the key to the message from these foreign peoples? 13

9 Why would this leave the hearer without understanding the blessing? 1 Cor Why would the person hearing in a language they did not understand not get any spiritual benefit from the service? known? For you will be speaking into the air. [10] There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, and all have meaning. [11] Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. [12] So also you since you are zealous in matters of the spirit, seek to excel in building up the church. 1 Cor What does Paul see the key reason to speak or communicate in the church? 1 Cor (Note: Paul spoke Aramaic the common language of the region he was raised in. He spoke Hebrew as a Jewish Pharisee. He spoke Greek as demonstrated when he spoke in Athens. He was well traveled and may have spoken several other languages and dialects.) Why would Paul want to brag about his language skills? 1 Cor How does Paul draw a parallel between a musical instrument and the lesson he is trying to teach them in the church at Corinth about speaking in other languages? How does Paul try to shame them about their being so proud of speaking in various languages? 1 Cor What is a key to speaking to others in the church? [1 Cor ] Brothers, don't be childish in your thinking, but be infants in evil and adult in your thinking. [21] It is written in the law: By people of other languages and by the lips of foreigners, 12 How does Paul see a person who is speaking in a language others do not understand? 9

10 1 Cor What is the key to all languages people speak in the world? more than all of you; [19] yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than 10,000 words in another language. 1 Cor What happens when two people do not know each other language? 1 Cor What should the goal of a person be if they want to speak in another language in the church? 1 Cor What should people strive to always do for the church? 1 Cor What is the difference between praying in another language and not being understood, and praying in a language others understand? What would this require if they spoke different languages? 1 Cor What is the goal of the person who is sharing or singing in a worship service? [1 Cor ] Therefore the person who speaks in another language should pray that he can interpret. [14] For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. [15] What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding. [16] Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will the uninformed person say Amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? [17] For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up. [18] I thank God that I speak in other languages 10 What will it take for this to happen? 1 Cor What is Paul saying when he says the person blesses in the spirit? 11