1 Corinthians Bible Study Winter/Spiring March

Transcription

1 1 Corinthians Bible Study Winter/Spiring March 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1 and Romans 14:1-15:13 1. Using a bible dictionary or on-line resource, look up and define these terms: A. Knowledge. Gnosis - "A seeking to know, an inquiry, investigation, denotes, in the N. T., knowledge, especially spiritual truth" 1 B. Freedom. Eleutheria - "liberty, is rendered 'freedom' in Gal 5:1, 'With freedom did Christ set us free." 2 D. Slave Doulos, - "a slave, a bondsman, one in a condition of servitude." C. Servant. Oiketen, "domestic servant," is not the usual word doulos, 'slave.' 3" E. Disputable Matters (doubtful disputations - KJV Rom 14:1). "Quarrels about opinions." Regarding some matters God has made specific commands. For others, it is left up to us to form our convictions (Smoking, drinking, chewing, music, food, etc.). 2. What is the subject in 1 Cor 8:1? What can you discover about ancient idol worship in Greece and Rome? The worship of the ancient Greco-Roman gods was being practiced (e.g., Act 17:16-23). Middle eastern "mystery religions" had also infiltrated both Greece and Rome. The Romans had even proscribed some cults to keep the out of their territory. The cult of Mithradites, Cybele, Dionysius, etc. we're all things that the Corinthians would have had familiarity with. Allegiance to the gods was fairly superficial; being more tradition than anything else, but the forms were kept. Te worship of some gods/goddesses involved ritual prostitution, animal sacrifice, special days and seasons. Some gods/goddesses were the patrons of city or provinces. Athena was the representation of Athens etc. 3. What is Paul's point in verses 8:1-3? Knowledge is not much good if exercised in the absence of humility. Love for one's brother or sister is concerned with building them up. Knowledge alone merely puffs one up (pride/over-inflated opinion of one's knowledge and wisdom (See James 3:13-18). 1 Vine, W. E., "The Expanded Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words" Bethany House, Minneapolis, MN, pg ibid pg., Walvoord, John, F., "The Bible Knowledge Commentary," Victor Book, Wheaton, IL, 1983, Vol 2, pg. 492

2 4. What does the text say about idols in verses 4-6? An idol is nothing. Just the representation of a flawed, human concept of divinity. No matter what else is worshipped around us, for us there is only one God the Father and one Lord from whom all things come. 5. Why must a believer practice caution in dealing with food offered to idols? (7-8). Some people's faith is weak and they do not understand their freedom. They have weak consciences that the exercise of a strong person's faith may damage. A. Who is he warning? Those with knowledge. That is, those who understand that idols are nothing and have no problem eating meat offered to them. Meat is meat. B. What admission does he make in verse 8? In and of itself, food cannot bring us near to God. We are no closer if we eat or if we refrain. 6. From verses 9-13 Paul gives a warning: A. What is the warning? Believers are warned not to exercise their freedom in such a way as to cause the weak to stumble. B. On what does he base this warning? (vs 10-12). The exercise of our freedom can lead one with. Weak faith to make sinful choices. Our knowledge when applied in a selfish or insensitive manner can be destructive to others. If I do that, I sin against Christ. C. What conclusion does he come to in verse 13. I will restrain the exercise of my freedom if it may damage the faith of another. D. What modern parallels can you think of that might apply today? Smoking, drinking, music, movies, etc, etc. HOMEWORK for 17 March 2013 Read 1 Corinthians 9 and answer the following: 1. From verses 1-2 who was Paul to the Corinthians? He was the. Apostle who God used to bring them the gospel. They were the result of his work in The Lord. 2. From verses 3-18 A. What were Paul's rights? Material support, to minister accompanied by a believing wife (As the other apostles, the Lord's brothers and Cephas/Peter were). B. How did Paul forgo his rights for the benefit of others? He subordinated everything to the cause of Christ. Was seeking support from the Corinthians possibly going to be a stumbling block? He'd take support from others churches and/or work to support himself in the ministry.

3 3. From verses 19-27, how did Paul conduct himself with people of differing cultures and backgrounds? He tried to find common ground as a base from which to share the gospel. A. How did he do this? He met the Jews and Gentiles on their own cultural "turf." and he subordinated his wishes, comfort and convenience to the needs of his evangelistic ministry. The gospel was his priority and everything else was made to serve it. B. How did he "compete" to get an enduring prize? He lived his life with purpose, just as an athlete lives with purpose when they are in training. They work out, eat with discernment, practice self- denial etc. All is made to serve their goal.

4 1 Corinthians Chapter 10:1-11:1 1. A "blast from the past." A. Don't be ignorant - rebellion results in judgment. - God (Christ) sustained Israel in the wilderness, led them and defended them. - He also held them accountable and a generation perished in the desert. B. Learn from their example: - Don't set your heart on evil things. What is the context here? How were they idolatrous? - Don't indulge in immorality. - Don't provoke The Lord and suffer judgment. - Don't grumble (Phil 2:14-16) - Don't get cocky, it only sets you up for a fall. * if you think that you have it all handled, think again. * God is faithful. 2. Flee idolatry A. Do not participate with its practitioners. Those who worship false gods are actually offering homage to demons (Dt 32:15-18, Ps 106:32-39) B. idolatry is demonic "worship." Read Eph 2:1-3 - before we were saved we followed "the ways of this world," living in transgression ("crossing a line") and were dead sins, "Falling short" of God's standard of righteousness - see also Rom 3:23). We followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Satan). Any purported "worship" that is not worship of the true God, falls into this category, "the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air." 3. Freedom, use it wisely A. Seek the good of all, not just your own. It is either all about us or it is about our Lord Jesus and His kingdom. To be obsessed with the exercise of our freedom, of asserting our "rights" reveals a worldly heart that is not focused on the things of God. The two great commandments reveal much about the priorities we should have: love God and love your neighbor. An obsession with my rights, my agenda, my freedom goes contrary to either commandment. It is in fact, idolatry. B. Use common sense and don't go looking for trouble. Some believers seem to go out of their way to look for issues. C. Respect the conscience of those around you. Seek to glorify God in your dealings with others. Unbelievers can have a greater sense of God's holiness times than some believers. And they can have a definite view of what a believer's life should look like. They are certainly wrong a lot of the time but...i do not want them rejecting God because of any determination on my part to indulge myself merely because I can.

5 D. Seek His glory in all that you do. This is the essence of worship. What will please the one who died for me? E. Paul's example should be followed. - How did he use his freedom in Christ? To glorify God and seek the good of others. - What limits did he place on his freedom? The good of all. When that would be hindered by the exercise of my freedom.