NT: Exam 2 Flashcards
(1 Corinth) Greek philosophical background and world-view
- HUMANISN: if it can’t be felt or experience with the human body it isn’t real - it’s all about the body
- INTELLECTUALISM: if it can’t be reasoned rationally or discerned intellectually it can’t be real - it’s all about the mind
(1 Corinth) Lots of issues/messed-up church–Factions forming due to intellectualism
(A city in Greece, influenced by Greek Philosophy)
“Ancient Corinth was a city of debauchery, lewdness, and evil. Even by pagan standards the Corinthians were notoriously sensual and immoral (incest). Their very religion itself centered around the worship of Aphrodite (Venus) and included the sacrificing of chastity by virgins. Drunkenness, lasciviousness, and sexual sin were proverbial. And as is natural in such a society, the people of the Roman colony of Corinth were given to faction and strife, and to the solving of moral issues through philosophical contention.”
Corinth and Unity (A Church Divided Over Leaders)
“…all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
“What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”…still another, “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
Lawsuits brought to non-believers
(1 Corinth) View of Christ’s crucifixion
“…but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…”
“Stumbling-block” = offense, scandal, trip-wire that sets off a trap (Greek: skandalon)
“A major stumbling block of the Jews in Jesus’ day, for instance, was their expectation about what the Messiah would do when He came, such as emancipating them politically. But Jesus of Nazareth was not such an emancipator; thus to the Jews His death was a confirming stumbling block!… The Greeks, on the other hand, regarded the whole idea of a crucified Messiah as foolishness.” (the body and resurrection seems like a foolish idea)
To Gentiles: the idea of worshipping a convicted criminal was foolish
(1 Corinth) 1 Cor. 3 and body is a temple
- Y’all together as a group
(i. e. the church congregation) are the temple of God
*Temple = metaphor for Church
(1 Corinth) Sexual immorality and Paul’s directions about it in Corinth
“…hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.”
*“Deliver to Satan” = excommunicate
“…not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”
* “fornicators” = non-members
* “Brother” = church member
* “eat” = have fellowship with, they cannot partake of the sacrament
*Don’t hang out with Church members who openly break commandments
physical vs. sexual appetite (food vs. sexual intimacy)
Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit
(1 Corinth) Question from Corinthian saints and Paul’s response about issue of marriage (married/single/divorced/ missionaries/ part-member households, etc) and sex within marriage
- Some Corinthian saints wrote a letter to Paul claiming that it was a good thing to shun marriage and sexual desire.
- Paul writes back and declares that the general rule is that men and women should get married.
Unmarried/widows: It is good for them to stay unmarried but if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Married: A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. (vice versa) For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so.
- “Unmarried” = “widowers”
- “Abide” = “remain / stay”
- Paul’s gift / ability is to remain unmarried (the gift of celibacy)
- Paul wants widows and widowers remain as they (and Paul) are: unmarried.
- Let them marry, who don’t have this gift. It is better to satisfy your sexual drive in marriage, than outside of it
- Paul advocated temporary celibacy because of the urgent need for missionaries, just like we do today! (To the virgins)
- Paul felt that single missionaries can devote themselves to the Lord more without having to worry about family back home.
- In theory at least, single elders or sisters won’t be distracted by girlfriends or boyfriends back homee
(1 Corinth) Sacrament
(1 Cor. 11:23-25)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
- Earliest ref. to sacrament (earlier than Gospels) = It was symbolic (“in remembrance”), not literal (“transubstantiation”).
- Only ref to sacrament in Paul’s letters. If Paul didn’t mention it here, we wouldn’t know he knew about it.
- Conclusion: Paul’s letters don’t tell us all he knew. Paul knew much more than he tells us in his letters
(1 Corinth) Dress code for women
- In 1st century A.D. culturally conservative standards of modesty were different than today.
- In conservative society, sight of a woman’s hair on her head was considered immodest.
- In conservative society, it was husband’s exclusive prerogative to see his wife’s hair uncovered.
- Don’t take offense at Paul’s cultural standards of modesty. Seek to understand the context, and then apply what general principles you can. (Not everything will be directly applicable!)
- Because of his culture, Paul had some attitudes toward women that we don’t share in our culture.
Paul simply wants women to adhere to the culturally conservative standard of modesty
(similar to what we do today)
(1 Corinth) eating meat sacrificed to idols
- I know that the idols are nothing and if I eat meat offered to them, it won’t hurt me.
- But if I know that a “weak” Christian is watching, and he/she will be encouraged to participate in pagan sacrifice by what they see me doing, I will not eat the meat.
- Although I have proper knowledge that it is harmless, it is more important that I try not to hurt others (esp. members), than to get my way because I am right.
- Go ahead to the feast and eat; it won’t hurt you. But if the host makes a big deal that the meat was offered to idols, don’t eat.
- This is so your host and the others won’t think you approve of sacrifice to idols.
- Go ahead and buy meat at the market; just don’t ask any questions
(1 Corinth) Place of spiritual gifts,
Spiritual Gifts- "“But the manifestation of theSpiritis given to every man to profit withal.”/ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (12:7) Gifts: -a message of wisdom -a message of knowledge -faith -gifts of healing -miraculous powers -prophecy -distinguishing between spirits -speaking in different kinds of tongues -the interpretation of tongues
*Paul and Barnabas were apostles, but may not have been members of the Twelve.
(1 Corinth) [Place of spiritual gifts]…specifically Tongues and Prophets
*There are two primary manifestations of the gift of tongues.
1) to speak in known languages
2) to speak in unknown languages
*The gift of tongues should be a means to an end, and not an end in and of itself (i.e. not just to impress people).
*The end should be edification through divine communication (i.e. revelation, knowledge, prophecy, doctrine, etc.)
*If you don’t edify or communicate something, it doesn’t do any good to speak in an unknown tongue.
*Paul makes rules for speaking in tongues at church.
*Only a few may speak in tongues; they must speak one at a time; and they must have an interpreter. (if not, don’t speak in tongues)
[there has to be a purpose and has to have a translator]
- The spirit of prophecy (= the gifts of the spirit) should be subject to the prophets (= those who have the gifts).
- Those who have the gifts should be in control of the gifts, and not vise versa.
- There must be order, communication, and learning in the church, for God is the author of peace, not confusion.
(1 Corinth) Charity a sine qua non [refers to an indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient] for salvation
Definition of Charity (Faith, Hope, Charity) Pure love of Christ. a) We love Christ. b) We love others w/ a Christlike love. c) Christ loves us. (1 John 4:8, 19)
Without charity we are NOTHING
(1 Corinth) Resurrection
*If Christ did not rise from the dead, we are liars, because we have testified that WE HAVE SEEN HIM WITH OUR OWN EYES!
“Without the Resurrection, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a litany of wise sayings and seemingly unexplainable miracles — but sayings and miracles with no ultimate triumph. No, the ultimate triumph is in the ultimate miracle: for the first time in the history of mankind, one who was dead raised himself into living immortality…. The witnesses of this wonderful occurrence cannot be impeached.” - Howard W. Hunter
(1 Corinth) Baptism for the dead
- Some Corinthian saints are preaching against the resurrection of Christ
- (i.e. he may have died for our sins, but he is not alive again).
- Why do you baptize for the dead if you don’t believe in the resurrection?
- If the dead won’t be resurrected, there is no need for baptism for the dead.
Baptism for the Dead
- use it as a proof for the resurrection
- did not happen in the temple
(1 Corinth) Celestial & terrestrial bodies
- “Terrestrial” = “earthly”; and “Celestial” = “heavenly”
- There are different kinds of terrestrial/earthly bodies
(i. e. men, beasts, fish, birds) - There are different kinds of celestial/heavenly (resurrected) bodies (i.e. sun, moon , stars).
- Paul is simply contrasting terrestrial/earthly/mortal bodies with celestial/heavenly/resurrected bodies.
- Terrestrial (Earthly/Mortal)
- Men/Beasts/Fish/Birds, Corruption, Dishonor, Weakness, Natural Body
- Celestial (Heavenly/Resurrected)
- Sun/Moon/Stars, Incorruption, Glory, Power, Spiritual Body
*But Paul was contrasting mortal and resurrected bodies
Resurrected bodies are differentiated by the kind of glory they can endure.
- “Flesh and blood” is simply a reference to “mortal.”
- Mortal bodies will not inherit the celestial kingdom.
- Resurrected bodies do not have blood.
There are heavenly body, and mortal (earthly bodies)
We have an earthly but when we get resurrected we get a heavenly body
There will be a physical resurrection
Celestial bodies(glows like the sun) are different
(2 Corinth) appears to be two different letter (likely at least 5 different letters total)
Paul’s First Visit
Letter A (1 Cor 5:9 indicates that Paul had written Corinth after he had left warning the saints against dealings with immoral people)
Letter B (1 Corinthians, written from Ephesus on 3rd Journey)
Paul’s Second, “Painful” Visit
Letter C (Letter written “with many tears,” 2 Cor 2:3-4; 7:8-9)
Letter D (2 Corinthians 1-9, written from Macedonia)
Letter E (2 Corinthians 10-13, written as an addendum or sequel to Letter D)
Paul’s Possible Third Visit
Background:
- 2 Corinthians is a very difficult letter to interpret
- Paul seems to jump around from point to point and to digress into tangents quite a bit
- Paul’s tone varies
(ch. 7 is conciliatory; chs. 10-13 are argumentative) - Many scholars have proposed that 2 Cor. is a compilation of a few fragments of different letters (all spliced together into one)
- Even if 2 Cor. is one unified letter, it is a very mixed letter
- Did the Corinthians follow Paul’s counsel the first time?
- Paul told (threatened?) the Corinthians that he would come visit them again and take care of the problems himself.
(2 Corinth) earnest of the Spirit
- “sealed” = set his seal (i.e stamp of approval) on us. The seal is the Holy Ghost
- “given us the earnest of the Spirit” = given us his Holy Spirit as the earnest payment (i.e. down-payment on eternal life)
- I need to “do my best” to be “in the covenant” (have God’s stamp of approval).
- How do I know when I am “doing my best” / am “in the covenant” / have God’s stamp of approval? = If I have the gifts of the Spirit in my life!
The Earnest of the spirit? What is it?
As used by Paul it means that the Lord gives us His Holy Spirit in this life as a foretaste of the joy of eternal life. The Spirit is also the Lord’s surety that He will fulfill His promise to give eternal life to the faithful”
When we feel the Spirit of the Lord, we can know that we are accepted of the Lord and that His promises are in effect in our lives.
(2 Corinth) purpose of writing epistle?
- “without our measure” = beyond our right
- I have the apostolic right to declare my authority to you boldly and without apology, even if some may think I am boasting.
- 2nd purpose of 2 Cor.: To defend his apostolic authority.
- (Remember 1st purpose: To apologize for harsh letter!)
Titus brought him news from Corinth that an earlier letter Paul had sent had been well received by the Saints there. The Corinthian branch was making progress, but Paul also learned of false teachers there who were
corrupting the pure doctrines of Christ. Sometime after Paul’s initial visit to Corinth and a probable second visit, when Paul seems to have chastised some of the Saints, preachers from the Jerusalem area came to Corinth and began teaching the Saints that they must adopt Jewish practices, contrary to Paul’s teachings. Much of 2Corinthians addresses the problems caused by these unwelcome teachers. Paul referred to them as “false apostles” and “deceitful workers,” who were “transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ”. Some of these men accused Paul of dishonest actions and even challenged his authority as an Apostle. Paul’s letter addressed both those who desired more of his words and those who
had neither the desire to repent nor the inclination to accept his counsel. In general, the text of 2Corinthians reveals several purposes of this letter:
(1)to express gratitude to and strengthen those Saints who responded favorably to his previous letter
(2)to warn of false teachers who corrupted the pure doctrines of Christ
(3)to defend his personal character and authority as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ
(4)to encourage a generous financial offering from the Corinthian Saints to the impoverished Saints of Jerusalem
(2 Corinth) unequally yoked
- Don’t marry (“be yoked with”) non-members!
- [Also, don’t marry members who don’t believe the same as you — you won’t be able to change them!]
- Paul earlier (1 Cor 7) said if your spouse is a non-member, don’t break up the family, but Paul was speaking of couples who are already married, and then one spouse joins the church.
- if you’re dating a nonmember, do not enter a covenant relationship with those that don’t believe the same things you do
(2 Corinth) new testament
“testament” = covenant (Greek: diathēkē)
The New Testament as a collection of books did not exist at this point in time.
God has commissioned church members, to be ministers of the new covenant (which is the gospel) as opposed to the old covenant (which is the Law of Moses)
- made us ministers of the new covenant
- Christ has come to minister a new living covenant
(2 Corinth) Paul is angry enough that he feels forced to defend his apostolic authority against the “super-apostles”
- “chiefest apostles” = super apostles
- Those so-called “super apostles” are really false apostles! Don’t listen to them—they are deceivers!
In contrast to the false apostles in Corinth, Paul testified that he was an authentic Apostle, who was in no way inferior to “the very chiefest apostles.” In 2Corinthians 12:12, Paul invited the Corinthian members to consider if his works among them were signs of a true Apostle that authenticated his ministry.
False Apostles (2 Cor. 11:13) -evidence of apostasy within
(2 Corinth) third heaven
- the vision of the celestial kingdom
- understands what’s going on
- sees the visions in heaven
“Paul ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacob’s ladder—the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw and heard things which were not lawful for him to utter. I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them.”
—Joseph Smith
By sharing this experience—one that neither his detractors nor the “false apostles” in Corinth could match—Paul reinforced his authority as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.
(2 Corinth) thorn in the flesh
- To keep me humble, God gave me a “thorn in the flesh” or “messenger of Satan”.
- Was this a human enemy (super apostles?), a temptation, sickness, or weakness?
- We don’t know — but Paul was imperfect.
- Paul asked God to get rid of it.
- God allowed Paul to have a thorn in the flesh
- reminds him that he needs god, makes him humble
- thorns could have been guilt, apostasy of the church, the weakness of the people he teaches, his pride
(Romans) How do the Gentiles live the law of God?
Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.
