Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 39

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

As one theologian states, the Psalms, particularly one of praise and thanksgiving, are not only a record but also a product of the wondrous acts of God. The Lord’s continuous display of his immense love and grace throughout history is absolute cause for praise, which in turn moves the psalmist to call for collective praise. Worship rightly begins this psalm, for when a man coherently understands who God is, worship is the proper and immediate response. The Hebrew word Leb which is translated heart here encompasses the wholeness of a man. This heart-filled worship which pours from the entirety of a man is a true reflection of what Jesus describes as the greatest commandment. Extoling the Lord may begin inwardly in the heart and mind, but eventually it overflows from the heart and manifests outwardly in speech and action. This particular hymn is written in acrostic format, meaning it is specifically designed in such a way that the first letter of each line in the original language spells out a word, message or even the alphabet; the latter being true in this case. All 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet are present beginning at each half-line and in subsequent order. Such strategic format intentionally displays the sovereign and complete work of God. The Lord’s righteousness is witnessed from beginning (alpha) to end (omega), everlasting to everlasting, generating glory to his name that endures forever.

(Proverbs 1:7; Jeremiah 31:3; Lamentations 3:22-23; Habakkuk 3:3-6; Matthew 22:36-38; Luke 1:68; Ephesians 2:7; Revelation 15:3-4)

The Preacher gives three specific lines of wisdom in this section: approaching God correctly, avoiding the shallowness of wealth, and finding the essential joy in the basics of life. First, the congregation is advised to approach God with a reserved reverence and strongly warned against being impulsively reckless, giving empty lip-service to God. The Lord knows our hearts, exposing vain flattery and haphazard promises. Both are void of any substance or praise, but merely attempts to inflate pride, of which God does not possess or endorse. Heartfelt and honest praise is pleasing unto the Lord for it carries meaning and truth. Wealth, while not inherently evil itself, often entraps mankind into the endless pursuit and greed of it. Success and an accumulation of wealth can be a blessing if the possessor is able to maintain a humble and charitable heart; cheerfully giving back to the Lord and assisting the oppressed, as opposed to giving way to selfish desire. It is vital to remember wealth is simply a vehicle used to obtain needed commodities: food, clothing, shelter, etc. Intentionally juxtaposed to the issues of wealth is the joy one can find within what biblical doctrine refers to as common grace. Regardless of an individual’s faith or standing before God, all mankind receives general or universal and unmerited blessings. Such blessings do not have any salvific nature and are things all humans can enjoy, such as the rain from heaven that brings forth crops and herbs, intellectual capability and the beauty of creation. The Preacher makes mention that joy and fulfilment can also be found in the meaningful purpose of hard work; the ability to produce results through manual labor.

(Psalm 10:4, 136:25, 145:9; Proverbs 6:16-17, 8:13, 12:22; Matthew 5:33-37, 45, 6:24, 19:24; Acts 14:17, 17:28; James 4:6)

The apostle Paul, knowing that Christ is the absolute, continues to lay the foundation of the cross, on which the rest of the epistle may solidly stand. The good news pronounced to the world is Christ crucified; the wisdom and righteousness of God revealed. In line with correcting their disunity over human ability and polity, the apostle reminds the Corinthian church that he himself is simply a witness sharing a testimony of God’s truth. No man can wield or temper the wisdom of God, but can enjoy the privilege of being a vessel of deliverance used by God. The first century Greek culture that Paul engages here in Corinth would have been consumed by the teachings of ancient philosophers such as stoicism, which focuses on the individual’s ability of self-reliance and the mastery of one’s own life and emotions. No doubt many would have looked down on Paul for his minimalization of human effort and the elevation of God’s wisdom and sovereignty. Paul effectively alludes to the work of the Holy Spirit of God, who illuminates the Word of God to all of those who are of faith in Christ. The true wisdom of God can only be revealed by God. Any righteous wisdom inhabiting the likes of man is not achieved, but the gift of God working through the indwelling Spirit received by faith. Therefore, those apart from God can never comprehend the mind of God nor accept his truths, as they will seem foolish to the spiritually blind.

(Jeremiah 18:4; Romans 1:21-22, 9:21; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 3:19; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:16-18; 2 Timothy 2:20-21)

As Paul continues his thread regarding the role of the Holy Spirit, the topic of spiritual maturity arises, or immaturity to be exact. Although this group of believers had the privilege of sitting under Paul’s tutelage for some time, they had not yet matured to the level Paul would have hoped for. Rifts had begun to form among the Corinthian converts due to them foolishly attributing the work of God to men. Paul addresses this with an agricultural analogy, explaining that all disciples are merely servants striving in God’s field. No man can claim any convert as their own, for it is the work of God that calls and most certainly God who brings forth the growth. Even though there may be some disappointment in Paul’s language concerning their spiritual infancy, the apostle assures them of their standing in Christ and encourages them to acknowledge and yield to the Holy Spirit who indwells within them.

(Ecclesiastes 11:5-6; John 14:26; Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 2:20, 4:11-16; Hebrews 5:12-13; 1 Peter 2:5)

Now that Paul has exposed the Corinthians’ immaturity, particularly their error of validating man rather than God, the apostle begins to teach them how to properly view those in church leadership and ministry. By highlighting the humility and obedience of the apostles, Paul also exposes the Corinthians’ lack of biblical understanding, as well as their distorted self-perception. Although those within this church had received faith in Christ, sin had creeped in, creating division and disrupting any discipleship efforts. The Corinthians sat back, pridefully arguing amongst themselves as to who is the greatest, critiquing the elders and each other according to their own subjective standards. Their actions not only caused disunity in the church, but if allowed they would have tried to divide the apostles based on their perceived values and criticisms. The Lord is the only true judge and rewarder, for he knows the intent of the heart and sets the ultimate standard of measurement. Paul wisely condemns the Corinthians’ secular assessment of ministers by giving them a scriptural definition: servants and stewards. The apostle then ironically and somewhat sarcastically praises them for being wealthy and successful, meanwhile those whom they flippantly critiqued were obedient in suffering and slaving away through persecution. Paul’s intent is not to embarrass them, but to show them the dangers of their actions, hopefully provoking and encouraging them towards repentance and correction.

(Psalm 130:3; Proverbs 16:18-19; Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37; John 7:24; Romans 12:3; Galatians 6:3-4; Colossians 3:22-23; 1 Timothy 3:9; James 4:11-12; 1 John 3:20)

The issue of rampant sin within this church is magnified as Paul transitions to this section of the letter. The apostle is obviously disturbed by such open and flagrant sin which is tarnishing the testimony of the church. A well-known aspect of the Greco-Roman culture of those days was the celebration of explicit sexual behavior as part of their religion and worship. But even they, Paul says, outlawed the specific nature of what was going on amongst these believers (v.1). Although this individual was committing an abhorrent abomination, Paul’s underlying concern was that all of the other members of the congregation were allowing such atrocity to continue, essentially complicit in the act. There was no possible excuse for this. Those within the church either acquired a heretical view that would permit such profanity, or they turned a blind eye in acquiescence. By using the metaphor of leaven, Paul warns the Corinthians that by associating with those whose lives contradict the faith, all of their lives and the witness of the church will be corrupted. Immediate action and church discipline is key and can be noticed in Paul’s strong language. Get them out! Like cutting off an extremity when gangrene sets in. Deliver this type of blasphemer to Satan, Paul righteously exclaims. It is far better for the church and the sinner that they experience harsh consequences now, potentially reaching repentance and forgiveness, than for them to continue in such damning transgression. Some may consider the end of this chapter to contradict Paul’s earlier comments concerning judgment. However, while scripture adamantly condemns hypocritical, self-righteous judgment, it encourages believers to correct, rebuke, and condemn other believers with love and concern.

(Joshua 7:1, 11-12; Matthew 7:3-5, 13:33, 16:6, 18:15-17; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Galatians 6:1-2; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 3:12-13; James 4:17, 5:16)

Paul will continue to address the topic of sexual immorality, but now in addition to discussing the issue of brothers and sisters in Christ taking legal action against one another, yielding to the oversight of a secular court. The apostle makes mention of the fact that believers will rule and reign with Christ, elevated in power and authority over the unbelieving world and fallen angels. So why would a people who have such celestial dominion take what in context are minor and petty disputes before the unbelieving world for judgement? Paul has also already covered the blindness of the unbelievers and their inability to comprehend spiritual truths; therefore, the worldly courts and judges are not equipped to evaluate nor legislate righteously. Paul also brings into question the Corinthians lack of humility and brotherly love which is expected from Christ followers. The Spirit of Christ, that is to be modeled by his people, is sacrificial and forgiving. It is far more beneficial for either the defendant or the plaintiff to concede for the sake of unity, meanwhile preserving the public representation of the church. As the apostle pivots back to sexual immorality, he reminds the church that those who remain unrepentant in sin will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Many in our post-Christian society claim the Bible does not mention homosexuality or specifically that it is a sin; however, reading verses nine and ten expose such falsehood. It is worth mentioning, in light of the variety of sins included, as well as verse eleven, homosexuals are not to be singled out by Christians as the scapegoats for all immorality, and that they are not expressly excluded from the possibility of God’s redemption. One of the dangers within homosexuality is the tendency to anchor one’s identity in the sin. We must remember that any who have received faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior find their identity in Him, not in or with any transgression.

(Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Matthew 5:25-26; Luke 12:57-59; Romans 1:26-27, 6:11, 8:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20, 3:28; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 3:9)