1948 Bible Studies - page 3

BIBLE S T U D I E S .

" N o w these were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they

received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures

daily, whether these things were so " (Acts 17. I I ) .

VOLUME 16.

JANUARY, 1948.

CONTENTS.

Page Editorial . .

1

The first letter to Corinth 2

Some interesting n e g a t i ves  .  .  ..

.  .  .  ...

3

The founding of the Church in Corinth 4

Paul’s f i r s t letter t o the C o r inthians .... . ...

5

Comments..  .  .

...  .  .  .  .

.....

11

Questions and A n s w e r s......

....  ..

12

EDITORIAL.

It is now our intention to revert to a twelve-paged monthly issue, eight pages of which will be devoted to papers received, a few of which will be printed in full, and excerpts from others. Our fellow-editor S. B. hopes to write a series of papers dealing with the Text and other study matters.  A new system of " Comments " will be introduced, and numerals in [ ] will be inserted where a comment is called for. These will be placed at the end under COMMENTS, and will be co-related by the numerals in the [ ] to the papers. Special study papers, word-studies, etc., are requested, and for these a page will usually be reserved.

Each month there will be an Editorial, usually from Jas. M.

It is our privilege this year (D. V. ) to study, in detail, one of the most interesting of the inspired letters that has come from the pen of the apostle Paul.

We extend a welcome to all our friends, and our sincere prayer is that our study together will be blessed of God to His glory and our edification.

There is a wonderful balance in this 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, and we draw your attention to a closer study of the syllabus. The first eight verses of chapter 1. are introductory, and chapter 16. is a conclusion of practical applications and greetings. The main substance of the letter is contained in two distinct sections, which are also related one to the other, namely : --

(1) Chapter 1. 10 to chapter 11. 34.

(2) Chapter 12. 1 to chapter 15. 58.

We gather that because of the information from the household of Chloe (1. 10)

and in response to a request from the Church of God in Corinth (7. 1) Paul wrote this letter.

Section one deals with three types of faction that might easily disintegrate any Church of God, namely : -- (i) Divisions (chapters 1. to 4. ) ; (ii) Disorders (chapters 5. to 6. ) ; and (iii) Difficulties (chapters 7. to 1 1 . ). The canker of the corrupt city of Corinth was breaking through the wall of separation, and saints of God needed correcting from these carnal activities. But although these eleven chapters make sad reading, how helpful and practical they are for " all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours " !

They are not entirely negative in their teaching. There is much of construction in them. In fact, in the latter part of the chapter 11 . we have the fullest Pauline instruction concerning the Feast of Remembrance.  All types of error are not dealt with, for in closing this section the apostle writes " and the rest will I set in order whensoever I come. " Then passing on to the second positive and con-