Pleasing God goes far beyond keeping the rules.

Bob Deffinbaugh, “When a Right May Be Wrong,”  at Bible.org: Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 9 sheds new light on the matter of pleasing God. Pleasing God does not result from merely keeping the rules. Pleasing God comes from personal sacrifice, for the glory of God, the good of others, and the advance of the gospel. Many … More Pleasing God goes far beyond keeping the rules.

Love and liberty

Stronger and weaker brothers, freedom and love, all issues addressed in our Bible-reading passage in 1 Corinthians today. Here’s some help: Bob Deffinbaugh, “The Great Divorce—Separating “Truth From Love” at Bible.org: I would like to suggest that we take a good, long look at these two categories of the “stronger” brother and the “weaker” brother. As … More Love and liberty

Paul: unfashionable and offensive, but radically God-oriented

Paul steps on a few Corinthian toes. John Piper comments: [1 Corinthians 7] Verse 19 says literally, “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God (is everything).” That was about the most offensive thing Paul could say to a Jew: Circumcision is nothing. And if we understand its broad cultural … More Paul: unfashionable and offensive, but radically God-oriented

How to ruin a pearl

We read about principles for marriage in 1 Corinthians 7: Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband … More How to ruin a pearl

Bought With a Price

  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. —1 Corinthians 6:20 John Piper asks, “What Does It Mean That Your Body Was Bought?” When Christ paid the price for his people, he bought our bodies. So let me try to show you from this passage of God’s Word … More Bought With a Price

Such WERE some of you

In the passage for today, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul writes: 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 men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit … More Such WERE some of you

Boast in amazing grace

John Piper, in “Sustained by All His Grace”- In 1 Corinthians 4:7 Paul says, 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? The answer to that first question is “nothing.” “What do you have that you … More Boast in amazing grace