Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 29

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 29

2 Corinthians 3:1 – 4:6

Through My Bible – December 29

2 Corinthians 3:1 – 4:6 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 3

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.

Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent by ourselves to claim that anything comes from us; rather, our competence is from God. He also made us competent as ministers of a new testament [1] (not of letter, but of spirit). [2] For the letter kills, but the spirit [3] gives life.

The Ministry of the Spirit

If the ministry that brought death (which was engraved in letters on stone) came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look directly at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (though it was fading), how will the ministry of the spirit [4] not be much more glorious? For if the ministry that brought condemnation has glory, the ministry that brought righteousness has even more glory. 10 In fact, in this case, what was glorious is no longer very glorious, because of the greater glory of that which surpasses it. 11 Indeed, if what is fading away was glorious, how much more glorious is that which is permanent!

12 Therefore, since we have this kind of hope, we act with great boldness. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the Israelites could not continue to look at the end of the radiance, as it was fading away. 14 In spite of this, their minds were hardened. Yes, up to the present day, the same veil remains when the Old Testament is read. It has not been removed because it is taken away only in Christ. 15 Instead, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 But all of us who reflect the Lord’s glory with an unveiled face are being transformed into his own image, from one degree of glory to another. This too is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Treasure in Clay Jars

2 Corinthians 4

Therefore, since we have this ministry as a result of the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. On the contrary, we have renounced shameful, underhanded methods. We do not operate in a deceitful way, and we do not distort the word of God. Instead, by proclaiming the truth clearly, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing. In the case of those people, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from clearly seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is God’s image.

Indeed, we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For the God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” [5] is the same one who made light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the person [6] of Jesus Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:6 As in last will and testament. See Galatians 3:15.
  2. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Or Spirit
  3. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Or Spirit
  4. 2 Corinthians 3:8 Or Spirit
  5. 2 Corinthians 4:6 See Genesis 1:3.
  6. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Or face




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 28

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 28

2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:17

Through My Bible – December 28

2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:17 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 1

23 I call God as my witness, on my very life, that I avoided coming to Corinth in order to spare you. 24 Not that we are lording it over your faith, but we are working together with you for your joy. For you stand firm by faith.

2 Corinthians 2

That is why I made up my mind that I would not make another sad visit to you. For if I make you sad, then who is there to make me glad, other than those I made sad? I am writing [1] for this very purpose: That when I arrive, I will not be made sad by those who should make me glad. I am confident about all of you—that what gives me joy is what gives joy to all of you. In fact, out of much trouble and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears. My goal was not to make you sad, but that you would know how very much I love you.

Forgive and Comfort the Repentant Sinner

Now if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not done it to me, but to all of you to some extent (not to overstate it). This punishment inflicted on such a person by the majority is enough, so that instead you should rather forgive and comfort him, or else such a person could be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. For that reason, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. In fact, this was also the purpose of my writing: I wanted to know the result of your being tested, that is, if you are obedient in all things.

10 If you forgive anyone anything, I do too. To be sure, if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake, 11 so that Satan would not take advantage of us. We are certainly not unaware of his schemes.

The Fragrance of Christ

12 When I came to Troas to proclaim the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and went on to Macedonia.

14 But thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ and reveals the fragrance of his knowledge through us in every place. 15 Yes, we are the fragrance of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are the odor of death that is a prelude to death, to the others the fragrance of life that is a prelude to life. And who is qualified for these things? 17 To be sure, we are not like many who peddle the word of God for profit. Instead, in Christ we speak with sincerity in the sight of God, as men from God.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:3 Or I wrote




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 27

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 27

2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Through My Bible – December 27

2 Corinthians 1:12-22 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 1

Paul Explains a Change in Plans

12 Indeed, this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world with God-given holiness [1] and sincerity, not with the wisdom of the flesh, but rather in God’s grace—especially toward you. 13 In fact, we are not writing you anything other than what you read or also understand. And I hope you will understand completely— 14 as you have also understood us in part—that on the day of our Lord Jesus we are going to be your reason for boasting, just as you are our reason.

15 In this confidence, I was planning to visit you first, so that you would have a second gracious gift. 16 Then I planned to travel from you on to Macedonia, and to return again from Macedonia to you to receive help from you on my way to Judea. 17 So when I made this plan, I did not do it lightly, did I? Or the things I plan, am I planning them the way the sinful flesh does, so that I would be saying both “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

18 As surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us (by me, Silas, [2] and Timothy), was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him the “Yes” stands firm. 20 In fact, as many promises as God has made, they have always been “Yes” in him. For that reason we also say “Amen” through him to the glory of God.

21 God is the one who makes both us and you to be strong in Christ. He anointed us. 22 He sealed us as his own and gave us the Spirit as the down payment in our hearts.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Some witnesses to the text read honesty. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.)
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:19 Silvanus in Greek




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 26

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 26

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Through My Bible – December 26

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 1

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, together with all the saints who are everywhere in Achaia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God Comforts and Rescues Us

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trouble, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. If we are troubled, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the ability to endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is sure, since we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so you also share in our comfort.

Brothers, [1] we do not want you to be unaware of the trouble that happened to us in the province of Asia. We were burdened so greatly, so far beyond our ability to bear it, that we even gave up hope of living. Yes, we even felt the sentence of death within ourselves. This happened so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. 10 He rescued us from such a terrible death, and he will continue to rescue us. We have set our hope on him that he will also rescue us again, 11 as you join in helping us with your prayers for us. Then many people will thank God for the gracious gift given to us through many prayers.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:8 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 25

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 25

Psalm 41

Through My Bible – December 25

Psalm 41 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 41

Even My Friend

Heading
For the choir director. A psalm by David.

David’s Confidence of Delivery

How blessed is the person who understands the plight of the weak!
May the Lord deliver him in the day of trouble.
May the Lord guard him and keep him alive.
May he be blessed in the land.
May you not surrender him to the desire of his enemies.
May the Lord sustain him on his sickbed.
You raise him up from his bed.
I said, “Lord, have mercy on me.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.”

The Treachery of the Conspirators

My enemies speak evil about me:
“When will he die and his name perish?”
If one comes to see me, he speaks falsely.
In his heart he collects malicious plans.
He goes out. He speaks about them in the street.
All who hate me whisper together against me.
They plan evil for me. They say,
“A deadly affliction is poured out on him.
He will never get up from the place where he lies.”
Even a man who was at peace with me,
a man whom I trusted, who ate my bread,
    has raised up his heel to step on me.

Closing Prayer

10 But you, Lord, have mercy on me.
Raise me up, so that I can repay them.
11 From this I know that you are pleased with me:
My enemy does not triumph over me.
12 As for me—in my integrity you uphold me,
and you set me up in your presence forever.

Closing Doxology

13 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from eternity to eternity.

Amen and Amen.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 24

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 24

Psalm 40:11-17

Through My Bible – December 24

Psalm 40:11-17 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 40

Messiah’s Prayer in Distress

11 Lord, you do not hold back your compassion from me.
Let your mercy and your truth always protect me,
12 although troubles without number surround me.
Punishments for my guilt have smothered me, so I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head, so my courage deserts me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to save me.
Lord, hurry to help me.
14 Let all who seek to end my life be frustrated and completely confused. [1]
Let everyone who desires my ruin be turned back and disgraced.
15 Let those who say to me, “Aha! We got you!” be dismayed,
because they have been put to shame.
16 But let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation always say,
“The Lord is great!”
17 Yet I am poor and needy.
May the Lord think about me.
You are my help and my deliverer.
O my God, do not delay.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 40:14 Or be ashamed and completely humiliated




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 23

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 23

Psalm 40:1-10

Through My Bible – December 23

Psalm 40:1-10 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 40

Psalm 40

I Desire to Do Your Will
(Psalm 40:13-17 parallels Psalm 70)

Heading
For the choir director. By David. A psalm.

Messiah’s Prayer of Thanks

I waited and waited for the Lord.
Then he turned to me and heard my cry.
Then he pulled me up from the deadly quicksand,
from the mud and muck.
He made my feet stand on a rock to keep my steps from slipping.
Then he put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear.
They will trust in the Lord.

How blessed is everyone who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud
or to those who turn aside to falsehood.
Many are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
No one can explain to you all your thoughts for us. [1]
If I try to speak and tell about them,
they are too many to count.

Messiah’s Willing Sacrifice

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire.
Ears you have opened for me. [2]
You did not ask for burnt offerings and sin offerings.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come.
The book written on a scroll tells about me.
My God, I take pleasure in doing your will.
Your law [3] is in my heart.”

Messiah’s Preaching of Good News

I preach righteousness in the great assembly.
Indeed, I do not hold back my lips, O Lord, as you know.
10 I do not conceal your righteousness deep in my heart.
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not hide your mercy and your truth from the great assembly.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 40:5 The meaning of this line is uncertain.
  2. Psalm 40:6 The Greek text of this psalm and Hebrews 10:5 read a body you have prepared for me. This seems to be an interpretive paraphrase that makes a general application (to the whole body) of the more specific point of the Hebrew (to the ears).
  3. Psalm 40:8 Law here is used in its wide sense, God’s whole Word.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 22

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 22

Psalm 39

Through My Bible – December 22

Psalm 39 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 39

Show Me My Life’s End

Heading

For the choir director. For Jeduthun. [1] A psalm by David.

The Psalmist’s Anguish

I said, “I will guard my ways
so that I do not sin with my tongue.
I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
    as long as the wicked are confronting me.”
I said nothing. I kept silent.
I did not even say anything good,
but my pain became worse.
Inside me my heart grew hot.
As I fretted, the fire burned.
So I spoke with my tongue.

The Shortness of Human Life

Lord, help me understand my end.
What is the limit of my days?
Let me know how fleeting I am.
See, you have cut short my days. [2]
My brief time before you is like nothing.
Indeed, every person, even at his best,
    is just a puff of air. [3] Interlude
A man flickers like a mirage.
He really has no more effect than a breeze. [4]
He piles things up, never knowing who will get them.

The Enduring Goodness of God

But now what do I wait for, Lord?
My hope is in you.
Save me from all my rebellious acts.
Do not let fools scorn me.
I said nothing.
I did not open my mouth,
because you are the one who caused this.
10 Stop punching me.
By the attack of your hand I am finished.
11 By your rebuke against guilt you discipline a man.
Like a moth you consume what he desires.
Indeed, every person is nothing but a puff of air. Interlude

Closing Prayer

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Listen to my cry.
Do not ignore my tears,
for with you I am an alien,
just a visitor, as were all my ancestors.
13 Look away from me, so I can smile again
before I depart and am no more.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:1 For Jeduthun may refer to the director of music to whom David entrusted this psalm. Or, if translated according to Jeduthun, this may refer to a musical style or a melody associated with Jeduthun.
  2. Psalm 39:5 Literally made them a few handbreadths. A handbreadth is about three inches.
  3. Psalm 39:5 Or a vapor that vanishes
  4. Psalm 39:6 Or he is all worked up for nothing




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 21

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 21

Psalm 38

Through My Bible – December 21

Psalm 38 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 38

Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger

Heading
A psalm by David. To bring to remembrance.

Opening Plea

Lord, do not rebuke me in anger.
Do not discipline me in wrath.

The Greatness of David’s Burden

Indeed, your arrows have stuck in me.
Your hand has come down on me.
There is no health in my flesh because of your rage.
There is no wellness in my bones because of my sin,
because my guilt has gone over my head.
Like a heavy burden, it is too heavy for me.
My wounds stink and ooze because of my folly.
I am drooping. I am completely bent over.
All day long I go around mourning.
Even my back burns with pain. [1]
My whole body [2] is unhealthy.
I have become numb. I am totally crushed.
I groan loudly because of my anxious thoughts.

Lord, all my needs lie before you.
My sighs are not hidden from you.

10 My heart beats quickly. My strength leaves me.
Even the light of my eyes is gone from me.
11 My loved ones and my friends stand far away
    because of the blow I have suffered.
My neighbors stand at a distance.
12 Those who pursue my life set traps.
Those who seek to harm me talk about my ruin.
All day long they plot deception.
13 I am deaf. I cannot hear.
Like a mute person, I cannot open my mouth.
14 I am like a man who cannot hear.
No response comes from his mouth.

David’s Confidence of Delivery

15 Yet I wait for you, Lord.
You will answer, O Lord my God.
16 So I said, “Do not let them celebrate because of me.
Do not let them gloat when my foot slips.”
17 Look! I am about to fall,
and I am always in pain,
18 so I declare my guilt,
and I am troubled by my sin.
19 My aggressive enemies are numerous.
Those who hate me for no reason are many.
20 Those who repay evil for good
    slander me because I pursue what is good.

Closing Plea

21 Do not forsake me, O Lord.
My God, do not be far from me.
22 Hurry to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 38:7 Or my body burns with fever
  2. Psalm 38:7 Literally my flesh




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 20

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 20

Psalm 37:21-40

Through My Bible – December 20

Psalm 37:21-40 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 37

Continue to Live a Godly Life

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous are gracious and give.
22 So those God blesses will inherit the earth,
but those he curses will be cut off.
23 By the Lord the steps of a person are made secure.
Then he will delight in his way.
24 Though he falls, he will not stay down,
because the Lord holds him by his hand.
25 I was a young man. Now I am old.
But I have never seen a righteous person forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26 Every day he is gracious and lends.
His children will be blessed.
27 Turn back from evil and do good.
Then you will remain forever.
28 For the Lord loves justice.
He will not forsake his favored ones. [1]
They will be protected forever,
but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.
29 The righteous will inherit the earth.
They will dwell on it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom.
His tongue speaks what is just.
31 The law of his God is in his heart.
His steps do not slip.

Review of the Theme

32 The wicked spy on the righteous one and seek to kill him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in their hand.
He will not let him be condemned when he is put on trial.
34 Wait for the Lord and keep to his way.
He will raise you up to take possession of the earth.
When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35 I saw a wicked, ruthless man.
He was rooted like a green plant in its native soil,
36 but he passed away. Just like that, he was gone!
I searched for him, but he could not be found.
37 Take note of the blameless. Look at the upright.
Yes, there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But rebels will be completely destroyed.
The future of the wicked will be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord.
He is their stronghold in times of stress.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them.
He delivers them from the wicked.
He saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 37:28 Or faithful ones




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 19

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 19

Psalm 37:1-20

Through My Bible – December 19

Psalm 37:1-20 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 37

Psalm 37

Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers

Heading
By David.

Do Not Be Frustrated by the Wicked

Do not fret because of evildoers.
Do not be envious of those who do wrong,
for like grass they will wither quickly.
Like green plants they will wilt.

Trust in God’s Goodness

Trust in the Lord, and do good.
Dwell in the land and feed on faithfulness. [1]
Take pleasure in the Lord,
and he will grant your heart’s desires.
Commit your way to the Lord.
Trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your righteousness shine like light,
your justice like noon.
Be silent before the Lord. Wait patiently for him.
Do not fret when an evil man succeeds in his ways,
when he carries out his wicked schemes.

Consider the Final Destiny of the Wicked

Let go of anger and abandon rage.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For evildoers will be cut off,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the earth.
10 After a little while the wicked will be no more.
When you search for them at their place, they are not there.
11 But the meek [2] will inherit the earth.
They will enjoy plenty of peace.
12 The wicked person plots against the righteous.
He gnashes his teeth at him,
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
because he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked draw their sword,
and they bend their bow
    to make the poor and needy fall,
    to slaughter those whose ways are upright.
15 Their swords will pierce their hearts,
and their bows will be broken.

Be Satisfied With God’s Blessings

16 Better the little that one righteous person has
    than the wealth of many wicked people,
17 because the arms of the wicked will be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless.
Their inheritance will last forever.
19 They will not be ashamed in time of disaster.
In days of famine they will be full.
20 Surely the wicked will perish.
The enemies of the Lord will be
    like beautiful flowers in the pastures.
But they will vanish. Like smoke they will vanish.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 37:3 Literally shepherd faithfulness or shepherd faithfully
  2. Psalm 37:11 That is, those who quietly trust in God




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 18

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 18

Psalm 36

Through My Bible – December 18

Psalm 36 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 36

Concerning the Rebelliousness of the Wicked

Heading

For the choir director. By the servant of the Lord. By David.

A declaration about the rebellion of the wicked is deep in my heart. [1]

The Arrogance of the Wicked

There is no dread of God before his eyes,
because he flatters himself in his own eyes
    too much to notice his guilt and to hate it.
The words from his mouth are deception and deceit.
He has given up being wise and doing good.
He plots deception even on his bed.
He sets out on a path that is not good.
He does not reject wrong.

The Goodness of God

Lord, your mercy reaches to the heavens.
Your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is as high as the mountains of God.
Your justice is as deep as the ocean.
You save both man and animal, O Lord.
How precious is your mercy, O God!
So all people [2] find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They are satisfied by the rich food of your house.
You let them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life.
In your light we see light.

Closing Prayer

10 Stretch out your mercy over those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Do not let the foot of the proud trample me.
Do not let the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers have fallen.
They have been thrown down.
They are not able to rise!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 36:1 A variant found in a few Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac reads: rebellion speaks to the wicked within his heart.
  2. Psalm 36:7 Or the sons of man or the sons of Adam




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 17

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 17

Psalm 35

Through My Bible – December 17

Psalm 35 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 35

David’s Defender

Heading
By David.

Opening Prayer

Lord, oppose those who oppose me.
Fight against those who fight against me.
Put on your armor and shield. [1]
Rise up to help me.
Wield a spear and block the way [2] of those who pursue me.
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

First Petition

May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame.
May those who plot to harm me be turned back and dismayed.
May they be like chaff driven by the wind.
May an angel of the Lord drive them away.
May their path be dark and slippery.
May an angel of the Lord pursue them.
Without cause they hid their net to catch me.
Without cause they dug a pit to trap me.
May devastation overtake him before he knows it.
May the net which he hid catch him.
May he fall into it to his own destruction.

First Vow

Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord.
It will delight in his salvation.
10 All my bones [3] will say, “Lord, who is like you?
You rescue the poor from the one too strong for him,
the poor and needy from the one who robs him.”

The Attacks of the Wicked

11 Malicious witnesses arise.
They ask me about things I do not know.
12 They repay me with evil instead of good.
They rob my soul of happiness.
13 But when they were sick, I dressed in sackcloth.
I afflicted myself with fasting.
My prayers returned unanswered. [4]
14 I walked around mourning,
    as if mourning for a friend or for my brother.
I bowed down, dirty with ashes, [5]
    as though mourning for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they were happy.
They gathered together.
Yes, attackers gathered together against me
    though I did not expect it.
They ripped me and were never quiet.
16 Like profane mockers, [6] they gnashed their teeth at me.

Second Petition

17 Lord, how long will you look on?
Restore my life from their devastating attacks,
my precious life from these young lions.

Second Vow

18 I will give thanks to you in the great assembly.
In a large crowd I will praise you.

Third Petition

19 Do not let them rejoice over me—
those who are my enemies without cause.
Do not let those who hate me without reason mock me. [7]
20 For they do not speak for peace,
but they devise false accusations
    against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They also open their mouths wide against me.
They say, “Ha! Ha! We see with our own eyes.”
22 Lord, you have seen all this.
Do not be silent.
Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Wake up and rise up to my defense!
My God and Lord, rise to my cause.
24 Judge me according to your righteousness,
    O Lord, my God.
Do not let them rejoice over me.
25 Do not let them say in their hearts,
    “Aha! Just what we wanted!”
Do not let them say,
    “We have swallowed him.”
26 May those who rejoice over my trouble
    be put to shame and disgrace.
May those who exalt themselves over me
    be clothed with shame and contempt.
27 May those who are pleased by my acquittal
    shout for joy and be glad.
May they always say, “The Lord is great.
He takes delight in the peace of his servant.”

Third Vow

28 My tongue will report your righteousness
and your praise all day long.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 35:2 This may refer to two kinds of shields.
  2. Psalm 35:3 Many translations read this term as the name of a weapon: a lance, javelin, or battle-ax. This reading yields a translation like: Wield spear and javelin against those who pursue me.
  3. Psalm 35:10 My bones means my strongest part.
  4. Psalm 35:13 Or I prayed with a bowed head. Literally my prayer returned to my lap.
  5. Psalm 35:14 Literally dark
  6. Psalm 35:16 Literally, the Hebrew words are among the profane mockers for a cake. Because of the difficulty of making sense of this, many translations emend the text.
  7. Psalm 35:19 Literally wink the eye. It is not certain what this body language means in this context.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 16

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 16

Psalm 34

Through My Bible – December 16

Psalm 34 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 34

Blessed Is the Person Who Takes Refuge in God

Heading

By David. When he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelek, who drove him away, and David left. [1]

David’s Thanks for Deliverance

I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise will always be in my mouth.
In the Lord my soul will boast.
The humble will hear and rejoice.

An Invitation to Join David in Praise

Proclaim the greatness of the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.

The Story of David’s Deliverance

I sought the Lord, and he answered me.
From all my terrors he delivered me.
His people look to him and are radiant,
and their faces will never blush.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard.
From all his distress the Lord saved him.
The Angel of the Lord [2] camps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

The Application of This Truth to All Believers

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
since those who fear him lack nothing.
10 Young lions may lack food and be hungry,
but those who seek the Lord do not lack any good thing.

11 Come, children, listen to me.
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who wants to find pleasure in life?
Who would love to experience many good days?
13 Guard your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn from evil and do good.
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over the righteous.
His ears listen to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is set against those who do evil,
    to cut off memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears.
From all their distress he delivers them.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.
20 He watches over all his bones;
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked.
Those who hate the righteous will be found guilty.
22 The Lord redeems the soul [3] of his servants.
Anyone who takes refuge in him will not be found guilty.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:1 See 1 Samuel 21.
  2. Psalm 34:7 This seems to allude to the Angel of the Lord, who led Israel through the wilderness.
  3. Psalm 34:22 Or life




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 15

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 15

Psalm 33

Through My Bible – December 15

Psalm 33 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 33

Blessed Is the Nation Whose God Is the Lord

Introductory Praise

Shout joyfully to the Lord, you righteous.
The praise of the upright is beautiful.
Thank the Lord with a lyre.
Make music for him with the ten-stringed harp.
Sing to him a new song.
Play skillfully and shout praises.
Yes, the word of the Lord is right,
and everything he does is trustworthy.
He loves righteousness and justice.
The mercy of the Lord fills the earth.

God’s Love in Creation

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
By the breath of his mouth he made the whole army of stars. [1]
He gathers the water of the sea into a heap.
He puts the depths into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord.
Let all the inhabitants of the world revere him.
For he said, “Let it be,” and it was!
He gave a command, and there it stood.

God’s Rule of History

10 The Lord wrecks the plan of the nations.
He hinders the intentions of the peoples.
11 The plan of the Lord stands forever.
The intentions of his heart stand through all generations.
12 How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose to be his possession.

13 From heaven the Lord observes.
He sees all the children of Adam.
14 From his throne room he looks at all the inhabitants of earth.
15 He alone is the one who shapes all their hearts.
He understands all their deeds.
16 No king is saved by the great size of his army.
No hero is rescued by his great strength.
17 You cannot rely on a horse to save you.
Its great strength will not deliver you.
18 Look, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who wait for his mercy.
19 He will deliver their souls from death.
He keeps them alive in famine.

Concluding Prayer

20 Our souls wait for the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
21 Yes, in him our heart rejoices,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 May your mercy, O Lord, be on us,
    even as we wait confidently for you.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 33:6 And/or army of angels




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 14

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 14

Psalm 32

Through My Bible – December 14

Psalm 32 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 32

How Blessed Is the Person Whose Rebellion Is Forgiven

Heading

By David. A maskil. [1]

The Joy of Forgiveness

How blessed is the person
    whose rebellion is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
How blessed is the person
    whose guilt the Lord does not charge against him,
    in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Obtaining the Joy of Forgiveness

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away as I groaned all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me. Interlude
My moisture was dried up by the droughts of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover up my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord,” Interlude
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Because of this, let everyone who receives favor pray to you
    at a time when you may be found.
Surely when the mighty waters overflow,
they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place.
You will protect me from distress. Interlude
You will surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Sharing the Joy of Forgiveness

I will make you wise.
I will instruct you in the way that you should go.
I will guide you, keeping my eye on you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, which has no understanding.
Its mouth must be controlled by a bit and bridle,
or else it will not come to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but mercy will surround those who trust in the Lord.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and celebrate, all you righteous,
and shout joyfully, all you upright in heart.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 A maskil is a type of hymn. It means a song that makes one wise or a skillful song.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 13

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 13

Psalm 31

Through My Bible – December 13

Psalm 31 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 31

Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Heading
For the choir director. A psalm by David.

A Declaration of Confidence

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge.

Petition

Let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me.
Turn your ear toward me.
Hurry! Rescue me!
Be a rock where I take refuge,
a fortified place that saves me.

The Basis for Confidence

Yes, you are my rocky cliff and my stronghold.
For the sake of your name you will lead me and guide me.
You will pull me out of the net that they hid for me,
because you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit.
You have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.
I hate those who keep worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy,
because you saw my affliction.
You knew the distress of my soul.
You have not left me in the hand of the enemy.
You have made my feet stand in a wide-open space.

The Prayer for Delivery

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress.
My eye grows weak with sorrow—
my soul and my body too.
10 Yes, my life is consumed by grief,
and my years by groaning.
My strength fails because of my guilt,
and my bones grow weak.
11 Because of all my foes,
I am a disgrace, especially to my neighbors.
I am dreaded by those who know me.
Those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like a dead man, gone from memory. [1]
I have become like a broken pot.
13 Yes, I hear the slander of many.
There is terror on every side.
When they conspire together against me,
they plot to take my life.

Confident Petition

14 But I—I trust in you, O Lord.
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand.
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies
and from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your mercy.
17 Do not allow me to be put to shame, O Lord,
because I have cried out to you.
But let the wicked be put to shame.
Let them be silent in the grave. [2]
18 Let lying lips be silenced,
those who speak against the righteous
    impudently with pride and contempt.

Closing Praise

19 How great is your goodness,
which you store up for those who fear you,
which you deliver for those who take refuge in you
    in the presence of the people.
20 You hide them in your presence from the schemes of man.
You conceal them in your shelter from accusing tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord,
because he made his mercy wonderful for me
    when I was in a besieged city.
22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from before your eyes!”
But you heard the sound of my cry for mercy
    when I cried out to you.
23 Love the Lord, all his favored ones!
The Lord preserves the faithful,
but he pays back in full the one who acts proudly.
24 Be strong, and let your heart be firm,
    all you who wait confidently for the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 31:12 Literally from the heart
  2. Psalm 31:17 Or go wailing to the grave




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 12

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 12

Psalm 30

Through My Bible – December 12

Psalm 30 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 30

You Brought Me Up From the Grave

Heading
A psalm. A song for the dedication of the Temple. By David.

Praise for Answered Prayer

I will exalt you, O Lord,
because you lifted me up.
You did not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried out to you,
and you healed me.
Lord, you snatched my life from the grave.
You kept me alive so I did not go down into the pit.

Join Me in Prayer

Make music to the Lord, you his favored ones,
and give thanks when you remember [1] his holiness,
for we spend a moment under his anger,
but we enjoy a lifetime in his favor.
In the evening, weeping comes to stay through the night,
but in the morning, there is rejoicing!

Wrestling in Prayer

But I—I said in my security,
“I will never be knocked down.”
Lord, in your favor you made strength
    stand like a mountain for me.
Then you hid your face. I was terrified.
To you, O Lord, I call.
To the Lord I cry for mercy:
“What gain is there in shedding my blood,
in sending me down to destruction?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your truth?
10 Lord, hear and be merciful to me.
Lord, be a helper for me.”

A Happy Outcome

11 You turned my mourning into dancing.
You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 so that my whole being [2] may make music to you
and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I thank you forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 30:4 Or commemorate. In psalms the act of remembering God’s deeds is often done in a setting of public worship, in which it becomes a testimony to others.
  2. Psalm 30:12 Literally my glory. Glory here seems to refer to the heart or the soul, the inmost being.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 11

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 11

1 Corinthians 16

Through My Bible – December 11

1 Corinthians 16 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Plans for a Collection and Travel Plans

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, do as I directed the churches in Galatia to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to set something aside in keeping with whatever he gains, saving it up at home, so that when I come, no collections will need to be carried out. When I arrive, those whom you approve will be provided with letters, and I will send these representatives to deliver your gracious gift to Jerusalem. If it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.

I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am going to go through Macedonia. Perhaps I will have an extended stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way, wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now in passing. I hope to stay with you for a while, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a door has opened for me, a great opportunity for action, and there are many adversaries.

10 But if Timothy comes, make sure he has no reason to be afraid while he is with you, for he does the work of the Lord, as I do. 11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me, because I am expecting him, and so are the brothers with me. [1]

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. It was not at all his desire to go now, but he will when he has an opportunity.

Closing Messages

13 Keep alert. Stand firm in the faith. Demonstrate manly courage. Be strong. 14 Let everything you do be done in love.

15 Brothers, you know Stephanas and his household. You know that they are the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they volunteered for service to the saints. 16 I urge that you also submit to them and to everyone who joins in and works hard. 17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came, because they supplied what was lacking on your part, 18 and they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such people.

19 The churches in the province of Asia [2] greet you. Aquila and Priscilla [3] greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the church that meets in their house. 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 This greeting is written by me, Paul, with my own hand. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord—let him be under a curse! [4] Marana tha! [5] 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ [6] be with you. 24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. [7]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:11 Or him and the brothers with him
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Asia was the name of a Roman province in the western part of present-day Turkey.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Some witnesses to the text read Prisca.
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Greek Anathema
  5. 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Aramaic phrase Marana tha means Our Lord, come!
  6. 1 Corinthians 16:23 A few witnesses to the text omit Christ.
  7. 1 Corinthians 16:24 A few witnesses to the text omit Amen.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 10

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 10

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Through My Bible – December 10

1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

1 Corinthians 15

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone will object, “How can it be that the dead are raised? With what kind of body are they going to come?”

36 You are being foolish. What you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that will be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body of the kind he wanted it to have, and to each of the seeds he gives its own body.

39 Flesh is not all the same kind. Instead, people have one kind of flesh, animals have another kind, birds another, and fish yet another. 40 There are also celestial bodies and bodies on earth, but the glory of the celestial bodies differs from that of the bodies on earth. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; in fact, one star differs from another in glory.

42 That is the way the resurrection of the dead will be. What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown as a natural [1] body; it is raised as a spiritual [2] body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living natural being.” [3] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, that which is spiritual is not first; rather, first comes the natural, then the spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord [4] from heaven. 48 As was the man made of dust, so are the people who are made of dust, and as is the heavenly man, so the heavenly people will be. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the man made of dust, let us [5] also bear the image of the heavenly man.

The Change to Immortality on the Last Day

50 Now I say this, brothers: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and what is perishable is not going to inherit what is imperishable. 51 Look, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 But once this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then what is written will be fulfilled:

Death is swallowed up in victory. [6]
55 Death, where is your sting?
Grave, where is your victory? [7] [8]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:44 The Greek adjective translated natural comes from the term for soul.
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:44 The Greek adjective translated spiritual comes from the term for the spirit or Spirit.
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:45 Genesis 2:7
  4. 1 Corinthians 15:47 Some witnesses to the text omit the Lord.
  5. 1 Corinthians 15:49 Some witnesses to the text read we will.
  6. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8
  7. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Hosea 13:14
  8. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Some witnesses to the text read Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 09

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 09

1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Through My Bible – December 09

1 Corinthians 15:1-34 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

1 Corinthians 15

Christ’s Resurrection Is Foundational

1 Brothers, I am going to call your attention to the gospel that I preached to you. You received it, and you took your stand on it. You are also being saved by that gospel that was expressed in the words I preached to you, if you keep your hold on it—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:

that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
and that he appeared to Cephas, [1] then to the Twelve.

After that he appeared to over five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles. Last of all, he appeared also to me, the stillborn child, so to speak. For I am the least of the apostles, and I am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted God’s church. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not ineffective. On the contrary, I worked more than all of them (and yet it wasn’t my doing, but it was the grace of God, which was with me, that did it). 11 So whether it is I or they, that is what we preach, and that is what you believed.

12 Now if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is pointless, and your faith is pointless too. 15 Then we are even guilty of giving false testimony about God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise, if it were true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then it also follows that those who fell asleep in Christ perished. 19 If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. 22 For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ as the firstfruits and then Christ’s people, at his coming. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has done away with every other ruler and every other authority and power. 25 For he must reign “until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” [2] 26 Death is the last enemy to be done away with. 27 Certainly, “he has put all things in subjection under his feet.” [3] Now when it says that all things have been put in subjection, obviously that does not include the one who subjected all things to him. 28 But when all things have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected [4] to the one who subjected all things to him, in order that God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what will those people do who get baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why do they even get baptized for them? 30 Why do we live in danger every hour? 31 Day by day I face death, as surely as I boast about you, brothers, [5] in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild animals in Ephesus with human motives, what good did it do me? If the dead are not raised, then “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” [6] 33 Do not be deceived! “Keeping bad company corrupts good morals.” [7] 34 Use sober judgment, as is right, and do not sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:5 Cephas is the Aramaic name for Peter. Both Cephas and Peter mean rock.
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:25 Psalm 110:1
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Psalm 8:6. The Greek word order emphasizes all things.
  4. 1 Corinthians 15:28 Or then the Son will also subject himself
  5. 1 Corinthians 15:31 Some witnesses to the text omit brothers.
  6. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
  7. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Ancient testimony ascribes this quotation sometimes to the playwright Menander (about 344–291 bc) and sometimes to the playwright Euripides (about 480–406 bc), but the relevant plays are no longer extant. Paul may have learned the quotation from popular culture.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 08

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 08

1 Corinthians 14

Through My Bible – December 08

1 Corinthians 14 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Using Spiritual Gifts in Love to Benefit the Church

1 Keep on pursuing love, and eagerly seek spiritual gifts, but especially prophecy. For the person who speaks in a tongue [1] speaks to God, not to people. For no one understands him, but he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. However, the person who prophesies speaks to people things that edify, encourage, and comfort. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but I would prefer that you prophesy. For the person who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

Brothers, [2] if I come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you, unless I communicate to you a revelation, or some knowledge, or a prophecy, or some teaching? Even lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as a flute or a harp, if they do not make the notes distinct from one another, how will anyone know what is being played on the flute or harp? If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will get ready for battle? So also with you: Unless you use your tongue to produce intelligible speech, how will anyone know what is being spoken? To be sure, you will be speaking only into the air.

10 There are perhaps ever so many kinds of languages in the world, and not one of them is without meaning. 11 Accordingly, if I do not understand the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and he will be a foreigner to me. 12 So also with you: Since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to use them abundantly in a way that will build up the church.

13 That is why a person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding [3] is unfruitful. 15 So what is to be done? I will pray using my spirit, and I will pray also using my understanding. I will sing using my spirit, and I will sing also using my understanding. 16 Otherwise, how will an uninformed person [4] say the “Amen” after you give thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 To be sure, you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking, but be like babies in regard to evil, and be mature in your thinking. 21 It is written in the law, “By different tongues and by foreign lips I will speak to this people, and even so, they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” [5] 22 Therefore, tongues are a sign meant for unbelievers, not believers, whereas prophecy is for believers, not unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together in the same place and all speak in tongues, and uninformed visitors or unbelievers come in, won’t they say that you are crazy? 24 But if all prophesy and some unbeliever or uninformed visitor comes in, he is reproved by all and judged by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are revealed, and under those circumstances he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring, “God really is among you!”

Specific Directions for Order in the Church

26 So, brothers, what is to be done? When you come together, each one of you [6] has a psalm, or a teaching, or a revelation, or an utterance in a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done in a way that builds people up. 27 If someone speaks in a tongue, limit it to two or at most three (speaking one at a time), and have one person interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in the church and keep his speaking between himself and God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others carefully evaluate what was said. 30 But if a revelation comes to another person as he sits there, let the first person become silent. 31 For you all can do your prophesying one at a time, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 The spirits of the prophets are also subject to the prophets, 33 for God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, [7] 34 the [8] women are to keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Instead they are to be subordinate, as also the Law says. 35 If they desire to learn something, let them ask their own men [9] at home, because it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Or are you the ones from whom the word of God has gone out? Or did it come to you alone?

37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual person, let him recognize that the things I write to you are the Lord’s commands. [10] 38 But if anyone disregards them, he should be disregarded.

39 So, brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But let all things be done decently and in good order.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or language
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:6 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Or mind
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Literally someone occupying the position of an uninformed person
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:21 Isaiah 28:11-12
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:26 Some witnesses to the text omit of you.
  7. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Some translations place As in all the churches of the saints at the end of the previous paragraph.
  8. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Some witnesses to the text read your instead of the.
  9. 1 Corinthians 14:35 Or husbands
  10. 1 Corinthians 14:37 Some witnesses to the text read is the Lord’s command.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 07

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 07

1 Corinthians 13

Through My Bible – December 07

1 Corinthians 13 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Love Matters More Than the Other Gifts

1 If I speak in the tongues [1] of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all the mysteries and have all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give up my body that I may be burned [2] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. It does not brag. It is not arrogant. It does not behave indecently. It is not selfish. It is not irritable. It does not keep a record of wrongs. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. It bears [3] all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [4]

Love never comes to an end. But if there are prophetic gifts, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be done away with. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, 10 but when that which is complete has come, that which is partial will be done away with. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see indirectly using a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I was fully known.

13 So now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
  2. 1 Corinthians 13:3 A few witnesses to the text read that I may boast.
  3. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Or keeps silent about
  4. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Or It always endures, always believes, always hopes, always perseveres




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 06

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 06

1 Corinthians 12

Through My Bible – December 06

1 Corinthians 12 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

All the Gifts of the Spirit Are Beneficial

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were deceived and somehow led away to mute idols. Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by God’s Spirit says, “A curse be upon Jesus,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of ministries, and yet the same Lord. There are various kinds of activity, but the same God, who produces all of them in everyone.

Each person is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one person a message of wisdom is given by the Spirit; to another, a message of knowledge, as the same Spirit provides it; by the same Spirit, faith is given to someone else; and to another, the same [1] Spirit gives healing gifts. 10 Another is given powers to do miracles; another, the gift of prophecy; another, the evaluating of spirits; someone else, different kinds of tongues; [2] and another, the interpretation of tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them to each one individually as he desires.

The Diversity of the Gifts Enhances the Unity of the Body of Christ

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by [3] one Spirit we all were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free people, and we were all caused to drink one Spirit. 14 Furthermore, the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it does not on that account cease to be part of the body. 16 If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,” it does not on that account cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has arranged the members in the body, each and every one of them, as he desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But as it is, there are many members, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are much more necessary. 23 As for the parts of the body we consider less honorable, these we provide with more honor. We treat our unpresentable parts with more modesty, 24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God put the body together in a way that gave more honor to the parts that lack it. 25 He did it so that there might not be any division in the body, but that the members might all have the same concern for one another. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 You are the body of Christ, and individually you are members of it. 28 And God appointed in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then miracles, healing gifts, helpful acts, leadership abilities, kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? 30 Do all have healing gifts? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly seek the greater gifts. And now, I am going to show you a more excellent way.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:9 Some witnesses to the text read one.
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages, also in 12:28 and 12:30 and throughout chapters 13 and 14
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or in




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 05

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 05

1 Corinthians 11:2-34

Through My Bible – December 05

1 Corinthians 11:2-34 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

1 Corinthians 11

Concerning Head Coverings at Worship

I praise you, brothers, [1] for remembering me in all things and holding firmly to the teachings [2] as I delivered them to you. However, I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and man is woman’s head, and God is Christ’s head. Every man who prays or prophesies with a covering hanging down from his head dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is one and the same thing as being a woman with a shaved head. Indeed, if a woman does not wear a head covering, she should cut off her hair too. But if it is shameful for a woman to cut off her hair or shave her head, she should wear a head covering.

For a man ought not to wear a head covering, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is man’s glory. For man is not from woman, but woman from man, and man was not created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, [3] because of the angels.

11 Nevertheless, in the Lord, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man comes through woman, and all things are from God.

13 Judge for yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Doesn’t the nature of things itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is disgraceful for him, 15 whereas if a woman has long hair, it is glorious for her? For her long hair has been given to her as a covering. 16 But if anyone is inclined to be contentious—we have no such custom, and neither do God’s churches.

A Sinful Practice at the Lord’s Supper Needs to Be Eliminated

17 Now in giving you this next command, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For in the first place, I hear that when you come together in an assembly, there are divisions among you. And to some extent I believe it, 19 for there also have to be factions among you so that those who are approved may become evident among you. 20 So when you come together in the same place, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat. 21 For when you eat, each one goes ahead and takes his own supper, and so one person goes hungry while another is drunk. 22 What, don’t you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise God’s church and humiliate those who have nothing? What am I to say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I do not praise you!

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, [4] “This is my body, which is [5] for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after the meal, he also took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new testament [6] in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the Lord’s body and blood. 28 Instead, let a person examine himself and after doing so, let him eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For if anyone eats and drinks in an unworthy way [7] because he does not recognize [8] the Lord’s [9] body, he eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 Because of this, many among you are weak and sick, and quite a few have fallen asleep. [10] 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not be undergoing judgment. 32 However, when we undergo judgment, we are being disciplined by the Lord so that we may not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. [11] 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home so that your coming together may not result in judgment. The rest of my instructions I will give when I come.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Some witnesses to the text omit brothers.
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Or traditions
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Literally ought to have authority upon the head
  4. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Some witnesses to the text add “Take, eat.
  5. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Some witnesses to the text add broken.
  6. 1 Corinthians 11:25 As in last will and testament. See Galatians 3:15.
  7. 1 Corinthians 11:29 A few witnesses to the text omit in an unworthy way.
  8. 1 Corinthians 11:29 Or discern
  9. 1 Corinthians 11:29 Some witnesses to the text omit Lord’s.
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:30 Or have died
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:33 Or receive one another courteously




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 04

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 04

1 Corinthians 10:1 – 11:1

Through My Bible – December 04

1 Corinthians 10:1 – 11:1 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

A Lesson From Sacred History: Be Careful Not to Fall

1 Corinthians 10

For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, and they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them—and that rock was Christ! Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them. He had them die in the wilderness.

Now these things took place as examples to warn us not to desire evil things the way they did. Do not become idolaters like some of them—as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to celebrate wildly.” [1] And let us not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. Let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and so were being destroyed by the serpents. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them grumbled, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 All [2] these things that were happening to them had meaning as examples, and they were written down to warn us, to whom the end of the ages has come.

12 So let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you except ordinary testing. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability, but when he tests you, he will also bring about the outcome that you are able to bear it.

The Table of the Lord and the Table of Demons

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to you as to sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I am saying. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a communion [3] of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a communion [4] of the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

18 Consider the people of Israel. [5] Those who eat the sacrifices are partners of the altar, aren’t they? 19 So what am I saying? That food from idol sacrifices is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say this: What the Gentiles sacrifice, “they sacrifice to demons, and not to God,” [6] and I do not want you to become partners of demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons. 22 Or are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he is?

Live for the Good of Others and for the Glory of God

23 “Everything is permitted” [7]—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permitted”—but not everything builds up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of others. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without asking questions for the sake of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” [8] 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat whatever you are served without asking questions for the sake of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This is from a sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. [9] 29 I mean the other person’s conscience, not your own. For why is my freedom judged by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I eat the food with thankfulness, why am I criticized for something for which I give thanks?

31 So whether you eat or drink, or do anything else, do everything to the glory of God. 32 Do not give offense to Jews, or Greeks, or God’s church, 33 just as I also try to please all people in all things, by not seeking what is best for me but for the many, so that they may be saved. 11 Be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:11 A few witnesses to the text omit All.
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or joint partaking
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or joint partaking
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:18 Or Israel according to the flesh
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:20 Deuteronomy 32:17
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:23 Some witnesses to the text add for me.
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:28 Some witnesses to the text add For the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 03

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 03

1 Corinthians 8 – 9

Through My Bible – December 03

1 Corinthians 8 – 9 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Love Builds Up

1 Corinthians 8

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone supposes that he knows something, he does not yet know the way he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this person has been known [1] by him.

So, concerning the eating of food from idol sacrifices, we know that an idol is not anything real in the world and that there is no God but one. Indeed, even if there are so-called “gods,” whether in the heavens or on earth (as in fact there are many “gods” and many “lords”), nevertheless for us there is one God—the Father, from whom all things exist and we exist for him—and one Lord—Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist and we exist through him.

However, that knowledge is not in everyone. Instead some, who are still affected by their former habit with the idol, eat the food as something sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

Food will not bring us closer to God. We do not lack anything if we do not eat, nor are we better off if we do. And be careful that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, a person who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of this man, weak as he is, be emboldened to eat food from an idol sacrifice? 11 You see, the weak person is being destroyed by your knowledge—the brother for whose sake Christ died! 12 And when you sin in this way against your brothers and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I do not cause my brother to sin.

What Paul Does With His Rights and Freedom

1 Corinthians 9

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus, our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet at least I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defense to those who examine me. Do we not have a right to eat and to drink? Do we not have a right to take along a wife who is a believer, as the rest of the apostles do, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? [2] Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have no right to be spared from manual labor? What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat some of its fruit? Or who takes care of a flock and does not drink milk from the flock? Am I saying this just from a human point of view? Doesn’t the law also say this? Yes, it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain.” [3] Is God really concerned about oxen, 10 or does he say this entirely for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher ought to thresh in hope of getting a share. 11 If we sowed spiritual seed for your good, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? 12 If others have some right to make this claim on you, don’t we even more? But we did not use this right. Instead, we endure everything so as not to cause any hindrance for the gospel of Christ.

13 Do you not know that those who do the work in the temple eat food from the temple, and those who attend to the altar receive a portion from what is on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel are to receive their living from the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things.

I am not writing this to have it done this way in my case, because it is better for me to die than to let anyone deprive me of my boast. 16 You see, if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, because an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I do this as a volunteer, I receive compensation. But if not, I have been entrusted with a responsibility as a steward. 18 What then is my compensation? To present the gospel of Christ [4] free of charge when I preach it, instead of making use of the right I have when I preach the gospel.

19 In fact, although I am free from all, I enslaved myself to all so that I might gain many more. 20 To the Jews, I became like a Jew so that I might gain Jews. To those who are under the law, I became like a person under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might gain those who are under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, I became like a person without the law (though I am not without God’s law but am within the law of Christ) so that I might gain those who are without the law. 22 To the weak, I became weak so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people so that I may save at least some. 23 And I do everything for the sake of the gospel so that I may share in it along with others.

Christian Effort and Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that when runners compete in the stadium, they all run, but only one receives the prize? Run like that—to win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable victor’s wreath, but we do it for an imperishable one. 26 That is why there is nothing aimless about the way I run. There is no pummeling of the air in the way I box. 27 Instead I hit my body hard and make it my slave so that, after preaching to others, I myself will not be rejected.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 8:3 Or chosen. The Greek word sometimes refers to divine election.
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Cephas is the Aramaic name for Peter. Both Cephas and Peter mean rock.
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:9 Deuteronomy 25:4
  4. 1 Corinthians 9:18 Some witnesses to the text omit of Christ.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 02

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 02

1 Corinthians 7

Through My Bible – December 02

1 Corinthians 7 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Celibacy, Self-Control, and Marriage

1 Now concerning the things you wrote: It is good for a man not to touch [1] a woman. But because of sexual sins, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband is to fulfill his obligation to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body—her husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body—his wife does. Do not deprive one another, unless you both agree to do so for a time, in order to devote yourselves to [2] prayer and then come together again, so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. However, I say this as a concession, not as a command. For [3] I wish all people were like me, but each person has his own gift from God. One person is blessed in this way, another in a different way.

I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain as I am. But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, because it is better to marry than to burn with desire.

10 Next I command the married (it is the Lord’s command not mine): A wife is not to leave her husband 11 (but if she does leave, she is to remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband), and a husband is not to divorce [4] his wife.

12 But I, not the Lord, say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is willing to go on living with him, he is not to divorce her. 13 If any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he is willing to go on living with her, she is not to divorce her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified in connection with his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified in connection with her husband. [5] Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. The brother or the sister is not bound in such cases, and God has called us [6] to live in peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

17 However, each person is to live in the situation the Lord assigned to him—the situation he was in when God called him to faith. I give this same command in all the churches. 18 If a man was circumcised when he was called, he should not become uncircumcised. If a man was uncircumcised when he was called, he should not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping God’s commands is important. 20 Let each person stay in that calling in which he was called. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it bother you. But if you are able to become free, take advantage of it. 22 For the slave who was called to be in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person. Likewise, the free person who was called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price. Do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, [7] let each person remain before God in the situation he was in when he was called.

25 Now concerning virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one whom the Lord in his mercy made worthy of trust. 26 Accordingly, I think this is good because of the difficult situation we face, [8] namely, that it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be freed. Are you unattached? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do get married, you have not sinned, and if a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. Yet such people will be under pressure in their earthly lives, and I am trying to spare you.

29 I also say this, brothers: The time is short. From now on, let those who have wives live as if they have none; 30 those who weep, as if not weeping; those who rejoice, as if not rejoicing; those who buy, as if not possessing; 31 and those who use the world, as if not getting any use out of it. For the way of life that belongs to this world is passing away.

32 I would like you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord and thinks about how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is concerned about the things of the world and thinks about how to please his wife, 34 and so he is divided. The unmarried woman and the virgin are concerned about the things of the Lord, so as to be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the things of the world and thinks about how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own benefit, not to impose a restriction, but to encourage honorable, undistracted devotion to the Lord.

36 But if someone thinks he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, [9] if his feelings are strong [10] and it seems necessary, he should do what he desires. It is not a sin. They should marry. 37 But if someone stands firm in his heart and is not driven by need, but has control over his own desire [11] and has decided in his own heart to keep his virgin as she is, he does well. 38 So then, he who marries his virgin [12] does well, and he who does not marry her [13] does better.

39 A wife [14] is bound to her husband for as long as he lives, but if the husband has died, she is free to be married to any man she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But she is more blessed if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I too have God’s Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:1 The Greek word translated touch was a euphemism for sexual relations.
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:5 A few witnesses to the text add fasting and.
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:7 Some witnesses to the text read Yet.
  4. 1 Corinthians 7:11 The Greek word translated divorce here and in verses 12 and 13 can also mean send away or leave.
  5. 1 Corinthians 7:14 Some witnesses to the text read brother.
  6. 1 Corinthians 7:15 A few witnesses to the text read you.
  7. 1 Corinthians 7:24 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
  8. 1 Corinthians 7:26 Paul was writing about distress or trouble that was either present or imminent at that time.
  9. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or virgin daughter
  10. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is past marriageable age
  11. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Or and is not being pressured, but has freedom to make up his own mind
  12. 1 Corinthians 7:38 Or gives his virgin daughter in marriage
  13. 1 Corinthians 7:38 Or give her in marriage
  14. 1 Corinthians 7:39 Some witnesses to the text add by law.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 01

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 01

1 Corinthians 5 – 6

Through My Bible – December 01

1 Corinthians 5 – 6 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

The Need for Church Discipline and Personal Sanctification

1 Corinthians 5

It is actually [1] reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and it is a kind of sexual immorality that not even the Gentiles practice: A man has his father’s wife! Yet you are proud! Shouldn’t you have been filled with sorrow so that the man who did this deed would be removed from among you? Even though I am absent in body, I am present in spirit, and as one who is present, I have already decided about the man who has done such a thing. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and my spirit is there, along with the power of our Lord Jesus, [2] hand such a man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that the spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus. [3]

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Purge out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, just as you are unleavened. For our Passover lamb has been sacrificed, namely, Christ! So let us keep celebrating the festival, not with old yeast, not with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

When I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with the sexually immoral, 10 I did not at all mean the sexually immoral people of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world. 11 But in this situation, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother if he is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolater, or verbally abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what business is it of mine to judge people outside the church? Do you not judge those inside? 13 God will judge the people outside the church. “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” [4]

Lawsuits and Unrighteous Behavior

1 Corinthians 6

If any one of you has a case against another, does he dare to seek judgment before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you not competent to deal with insignificant lawsuits? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the matters of this life! So if you have lawsuits involving matters of this life, do you appoint those people as your judges whom the church considers of no account? I say this to make you feel ashamed. Is it really the case that there is not one wise man among you who would be able to decide a dispute between his brothers? Instead, brother sues brother, and that in front of unbelievers! The fact that you have lawsuits with one another is already a complete failure on your part. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? Instead, you yourselves do the wronging and defrauding, and you do it to your brothers!

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor males who have sex with males, [5] 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor the verbally abusive, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And some of you were those types of people. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [6] and by the Spirit of our God.

Flee From Sexual Immorality!

12 “All things are permitted for me”—but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted for me”—but I will not allow anything to control me. 13 “Foods are for the belly, and the belly is for foods, but God will do away with both of them.” However, the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14 God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then remove the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Certainly not! 16 Or [7] do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body with her? For it says, “The two will become one flesh.” [8] 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

18 Flee from sexual immorality! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 5:1 Or widely
  2. 1 Corinthians 5:4 Some witnesses to the text add Christ.
  3. 1 Corinthians 5:5 Some witnesses to the text add Christ.
  4. 1 Corinthians 5:13 Deuteronomy 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21; 24:7
  5. 1 Corinthians 6:9 The Greek text here has two distinct terms to identify passive partners and active partners in a homosexual relationship.
  6. 1 Corinthians 6:11 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord Jesus.
  7. 1 Corinthians 6:16 Some witnesses to the text omit Or.
  8. 1 Corinthians 6:16 Genesis 2:24




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – November 30

Through My Bible Yr 03 – November 30

1 Corinthians 3 – 4

Through My Bible – November 30

1 Corinthians 3 – 4 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

1 Corinthians 3

Brothers, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but as people who are led by the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, because you were not yet ready. Why, even now you are still not ready, because you are still people who are following the flesh. Indeed, insofar as jealousy, strife, and factions [1] have a place among you, are you not people who are following the flesh? Are you not behaving in a merely human way? When one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

Analogies Illustrating Ministry and the Church

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are ministers through whom you believed, and each served as the Lord gave him his role. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but it is God who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters are united, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For God is the one whom we serve as coworkers, and you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 In keeping with the grace of God given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. But let each person be careful how he builds on it. 11 In fact, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 But if anyone is building on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each person’s work will become evident. The Day will make it plain, because it is going to be revealed in fire, and the fire will test each person’s work to show what sort of work it is. 14 If what someone has built remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but it will be like an escape through fire.

16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in [2] you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this world, let him become a fool so that he may become wise. 19 To be sure, the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” [3] 20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise; he knows that it is worthless.” [4] 21 Therefore let no one boast about men. For all things belong to you— 22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

1 Corinthians 4

This is the way a person should think of us: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. In this connection, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But it is a trivial matter to me if I am evaluated by you or by a day in a human court. Why, I do not even evaluate myself. I do not in fact know of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this; rather, the one who evaluates me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing ahead of time, until the Lord comes. He will bring to light whatever is hidden in darkness and also reveal the intentions of hearts. Then there will be praise for each person from God.

Lessons From Apostolic Life and Teaching

Brothers, I turned these things into a lesson using myself and Apollos as examples. I did this for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not be arrogant, favoring one person over the other. For who makes you so special? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? Oh, you are already filled! You have already become rich! You have begun to reign without us! If only that were really true, so that we could reign with you!

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, in the lowliest position, like men sentenced to death, because we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak—but you are so strong! You are honored! But we are despised. 11 At the present we still hunger and thirst and lack proper clothing. We are treated roughly, and we have no settled place to live in. 12 We toil, working with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we bless. When persecuted, we endure. 13 When slandered, we speak kind words. We have been treated like the world’s garbage, like everyone’s trash, right up to the present time.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my dear children. 15 Indeed, even if you would have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you would not have many fathers. I say this, because in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 I urge you, therefore, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways in Christ, [5] just as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out about the power, not the talk, of those who are arrogant. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:3 Some witnesses to the text read jealousy and strife.
  2. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Or among
  3. 1 Corinthians 3:19 Job 5:13
  4. 1 Corinthians 3:20 Psalm 94:11
  5. 1 Corinthians 4:17 Some witnesses to the text add Jesus.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.